Spring 2020 Catalogue


Showing items 1 to 20

160 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 159




1. [American Music] Gifford, Isaac. (1772-1843) .
Decorated Tenor Partbook from Early American Fa-Sol-La Tradition, dated 1797

Autograph musical manuscript, dated 1797, approx. 70 pp., handwritten in ink throughout, followed by additional blank leaves and containing nearly 50 songs in total (with titles such as "French tune", "London tune", "York tune", "Dundee tune", "Dublin tune", "Martyrs tune", "Aby tune", "Newton tune", St. David's tune", etc.), consisting of a combination of popular tunes from the period and apparently original compositions penned by Isaac Gifford. Entries are embellished throughout the book with assorted decorative border patterns painstakingly hand-drawn by Gifford. 3.75 × 6.5 inches (9.5 × 16.5 cm), leather-backed paper-covered boards. Cover worn and partially detached, some loose leaves, one leaf lacking, scattered staining and minor tearing, mild toning, ink bold and legible throughout. A fascinating early American manuscript music book kept by Isaac Gifford of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, founded just ten years previous, in 1787.  Read More...

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Manuscript Music
Classical Music

2. [Bach, J.S. (1685–1750)] Joachim, Joseph. (1831–1907).
Chaconne - Autograph Musical Quotation

Autograph musical quotation of Bach's monumental Chaconne, from the important violinist and Brahms collaborator. He has penned the first five measures of the movement on a postcard, signed below and dated December 10, 1902. Postcard stamped at the left and on the verso by the "Festival de la Caridad en Cadiz." Light toning; overall very fine. 5.5 x 3.5 inches (14.4 x 9.2 cm). Read More...

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AMQS
Classical Music

3. [Bach, J.S. (1685-1750)] Sieveking, Martinus. (1867–1950) .
Gavotte de la 6e. Sonate pour Violon de J. S. Bach - Signed Title Page

Berlin: Albert Stahl. 1925. Signed title page from the Dutch pianist, composer, teacher and inventor. He has signed and inscribed on the cover of his piano arrangement of the Gavotte from Bach's 6th violin sonata: "To Miss Florence Bell / cordially / Martinus Sieveking / N.Y.C. 1925." Rather heavily toned; tear at the left edge and some corner and edge losses; remnants of black paper mount taped to the edges. Overall good. 10.75 x 13.5 inches (27 x 34 cm).

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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music

4. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827).
Life Mask - with eyes!

Plaster life mask of the important composer, made in the early 20th century after the one created by sculptor Franz Klein in 1812. Beethoven's distinctive facial structure can be discerned, with the difference that open eyes have been added to this mask. Metal hanger at the upper edge. Very fine. 10.5 inches (27 cm) tall.

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Ephemera
Classical Music
Sammelband of important orchestral works arranged for piano, compiled ca. 1820 and including early English publications of Beethoven's symphonies nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6, Haydn's symphonies nos. 3 and 12, and opera overtures by Beethoven, Rossini, Cherubini, and Winter. Several of the pieces have small pencil annotations. 12 pieces and approximately 275 pages in total. Handwritten table of contents with hand-inked graphic surround, marbled endpapers, bound in marbled boards with leather-bound spine. Heavy wear and a large vertical split along the center of the spine, some large stains and wear to the boards; marbled endpapers and gutters very good. Despite the large spine split, still structurally sound and overall in very good condition. 9.5 x 13 inches (24.5 x 33 cm). Read More...

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Printed Music
Opera
Classical Music

6. [Berg, Alban. (1885–1935)] Berg, Helene. (1885–1976).
An important series of Letters about the completion of Berg's final opera Lulu

A highly important grouping containing revelatory materials about the completion of Berg's final opera Lulu, including two autograph letters in German from Helene Berg, Alban's widow, written to the biographer Dr. Hans Ferdinand Redlich, on September 14 and 30, 1954; a large envelope for safety deposit in which these letters had been sealed with wax and the signatures of Redlich's widow in 1969; and a shorter postcard, typed and signed, from Helene Berg to George Perle in 1970. All present items from the collection of Perle, noted American composer and music theorist, who had founded the Alban Berg Society with Stravinsky and others in 1968. In fine condition overall; letters 6 pp. total, 8 1/4 inches × 11 3/4 (21 × 30 cm); envelope 10 × 15 inches (25 × 38 cm), with three large wrinkles across and worn edges; postcard 4 × 6 inches (10 × 15 cm) with stamp-deckled edges. Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music
Culture, Ethnicity & Gender
Signed photograph from the important pianist and pedagogue, inscribed to pianist Nikita Magaloff and his wife Irene. She is shown in later life and has inscribed across the image (translated from the French): "For my dear Irene and Nikita, who are so dear to me [...] Nadia Boulanger / February 25, 1973." Stray penstroke at the upper left; otherwise very fine. 4.75 x 6.75 inches (12.2 x 17.1 cm). Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

8. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
Early CDV Photograph - INSCRIBED TO A PIANO STUDENT

Carte de visite photograph of the great composer as a younger man, ca. 1860's. The composer has inscribed on the verso to Marie Geissler, a singer who also studied piano with Brahms: "Fräulein Marie Geissler (mit schönsten Dank) und herzlichem Gruss, J. B." ("To Miss Marie Geissler (with many thanks) and best wishes, J. B.") Photographed by Carl von Jagemann of Vienna. 2.5 x 4 inches, attractively matted and framed in a double-sided frame to an overall size of 6 x 8 inches (15.5 x 20 cm). Overall very fine. Read More...

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Unsigned Photograph
Classical Music

9. Brahms, Johannes. (1833–1897).
Carte de Visite Photograph

Original carte de visite photograph of the great composer, photographed by Fritz Luckhardt of Vienna. The composer's name penned in an unidentified hand in the lower margin and with partially removed seal, some pencil annotations, and mounting remnants on the verso; otherwise fine. 2.5 x 4 inches (6.5 x 10.7 cm).

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Classical Music
Unsigned Photograph

10. Chopin, Frédéric. (1810–1849) [Cortot, Alfred. (1877–1962)] [Marmontel, Antoine François. (1816–1898)] .
1er. Concerto pour le Piano - From the Collections of Antoine Marmontel and Alfred Cortot

Paris: Chez Maurice Schlesinger. [1833]. First Edition. 1er Concerto pour le Piano avec accompagnement d'orchestre, dedié à Monsieur F. Kalkbrenner par Fréd. Chopin. Op. 11. Disbound upright folio. 44 pp. [PN] M. S. 1409. From the collection of Alfred Cortot, with his green stamp to the lower right of the title. Occasional fingerings and other annotations in pencil. Notes on the verso of the last page in pencil, in French, indicate that this copy belonged to pianist Antoine François Marmontel and suggest that the fingerings may be in his hand. Translated from the French: "This copy belonged to Marmontel, judging by the dedications of the pieces bound in the same volume. Perhaps the notes in pencil are from Marmontel..." Toning and foxing; wear to the spine; overall very good. 10 x 13.25 inches (25.5 x 34 cm). Grabowski & Rink 11-1-Sm.  A historic copy, having been owned by two of the most important pianists in history.  Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

11. Davies, Peter Maxwell. (1934–2016).
"The Lighthouse" - Signed Libretto

London: Chester Music. 1980. Signed libretto to the 1980 opera The Lighthouse from the important British composer. Davies has signed and inscribed on the title page to Paul McMahon: "To Paul, with all good wishes, Peter Maxwell Davies, Boston 1983." Softcover, 23 pp. 5.75 x 8.25 inches (14.8 x 21 cm). Read More...

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Opera
Classical Music
Signed Document/Item

12. Debussy, Claude. (1862–1918).
Pelléas et Mélisande. Drame lyrique en 5 actes et 12 tableaux de Maurice Maeterlinck [...]. Partition pour piano et chant. - Signed and Inscribed First Edition Score

Paris: E. Fromont. 1902. First Edition, First Issue. 283 pp. [PN] E. 1416 F..  Signed and inscribed by the composer on the page opposite the title to the French restauranteur Xavier Marcel Boulestin and dated June 1902. Pencil annotations to the front. Page [1] stamped in violet ink "Hommage de l'Editeur."  Handling wear, scattered soiling, toning and foxing mostly to the printed wrappers, the score nicely rebound in a pale green cloth with gilt leather title plate to spine. 4to.  Read More...

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Signed Document/Item
Printed Music
Classical Music

13. Dello Joio, Norman. (1913–2008).
Autograph Letter Signed about "The Triumph of St. Joan"

Autograph letter signed from the American composer to music critic Rual Askew, regarding his opera The Triumph of St. Joan. January 17, 1961; 2 pp. Dello Joio writes: "Dear Mr. Askew— I was sent your review of my 'Joan' and may I thank you for the very kind words. I gather that the performance was truly expressive. Unfortunately for me I have as yet to hear the piece played as I wrote it. [...] the New York critics have confused me, having slaughtered the work when it was done at the City Center but then some months later giving it their Critics Circle Award as the best opera done in the season. [...] Would the Dallas opera people be at all interested in it? If you could be of help in this or offer advice, needless to say I would appreciate a word from you." With original envelope. Paperclip mark upper left; otherwise fine. 7.5 x 9.5 inches (19 x 24.5 cm). Read More...

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Opera
Autograph Letter

14. [Farinelli, Giuseppe. (1769 - 1836)] Foulon, Elise. .
I riti d'Efeso. Scena e Duetto / Il mio dolce, e vivo ardore / Esegito dalla Sigra. Bandi, ed il Sigr. Dramesani / Del sig. / Giuseppe Farinelli / Del Nobilissimo Teatro la Fenice il Carnevale 1804. - AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT

Autograph manuscript apparently in the hand of copyist or performer Elise Foulon (as signed at foot of title), oblong folio, 26 sheets (52 pp), prepared for the "Teatro la Fenice" in Venice for a performance on the occasion of the 1804 Carnival festival. 31.5 x 22 cm. Laid paper, hand-drawn staves. A few stains, mostly around the edges but two affecting a few bars of music, otherwise fine. Read More...

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Manuscript Music
Classical Music

15. Glass, Philip. (b. 1937).
"The Juniper Tree" - Signed Libretto

Bryn Mawr: Dunvagen Music Publishers. 1985. Signed libretto from the important American composer's 2009 opera The Juniper Tree. Glass has signed and inscribed to Paul McMahon on the title page. Softcover, 12 pp. Fine. 6.75 x 10.5 inches (17.4 x 26.6 cm). Read More...

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Opera
Classical Music
Signed Document/Item

16. Grainger, Percy. (1882–1961).
Signed Music to Mark Twain's Daughter!

London: Schott. 1912. First printing. Settings of Songs & Tunes from William Chappell’s “Old English Popular Music.” Nr. 1 “Willow Willow.” Voice and Piano Version. 10 pp. Folio, printed wrappers; moderate wear, minor soiling. Presentation copy, signed and inscribed by Grainger on the front wrapper “For Madame Clara Gabrilowitsch with very cordial greetings from Percy Grainger, Dec. 9. 1914.”  Read More...

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Manuscript Music
Classical Music

17. [Mandolin] Guerin, F. W. (1846 - 1903).
“Lost Chord” - Mammoth Albumen Photograph

Enormous exhibition "mammoth" plate albumen photograph of a young lady plucking a mandolin. 19 x 15 inches, matted and framed in original period elaborate white-and gold-plaited glass-fronted frame. St. Louis, nd. Circa 1890. Unusual! Read More...

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Unsigned Photograph
Classical Music
A Paris: A L'Imprimerie du Conservatoire Faubourg Poissonniere No. 152. [1805]. Messe De Requiem Par Mozart. Exécutée pour la première fois à Paris par le Conservatoire de Musique le 30 Frimaire An 13 [21 décembre 1804]. Cet ouvrage est précédé d un extrait de la vie de l'Auteur [par Charles-Louis de Sevelinges]. Early French edition of Mozart's final opus, which was performed for the first time in Paris in 1804, bound together with: De Profundis. Musique de Gluck. Ouvrage Posthume Gravé sur le Manuscrit Original de l'Auteur (Paris: Faubourg, [1805]). 138; 15 pp. Full score with Süßmayr's completion. Engraved throughout. Stamped on both title pages by music dealer [Étienne] Ozi. Hardcover, later brown boards with gold lettering to spine. Some light corner wear and small loss to head of spine (with this fragment present.) Overall fine. 13.5 x 10 inches (34.3 x 25.3 cm). Hirsch IV, 877. WorldCat records only three copies. Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

19. [Musical Commonplace Book] [Meyerbeer, Giacomo. (1791–1864)].
Musical Commonplace Book, 1830's England

An interesting autograph commonplace book containing hand-copied texts, drawings, newspaper clippings, and other materials related to music, with a carte de visite photograph of Giacomo Meyerbeer. Ownership signature of John Bishop to the front free endpaper, dated September 23, 1833. 74 pp. of contents, with some blank pages at the end of the volume; contemporary red leather boards. Wear to spine; gutter split; overall very good. 4.25 x 7 inches (11 x 18 cm). Read More...

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Classical Music
Manuscript Music
Autograph Document

20. Mussorgsky, Modest. (1839–1881) .
Tableaux d'une Exposition. Série de dix pièces pour piano.

St. Petersbourg et Moscou / Leipzig: W. Bessel & Cie. / Breitkopf & Härtel. [1911]. Early edition of the famous suite of ten piano pieces by Modest Mussorgsky, later orchestrated by Ravel and others. Upright folio. 34 pp. [PN] 1560. Apparently a reissue of an early edition described in Fuld, with the date of 1911 on the advertising of the last page. Front wrapper largely detached with some large losses; back wrapper missing; some internal fingerprints; overall very good. 10.5 x 14 inches (26.8 x 35 cm).

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Printed Music
Classical Music