Winter 2011 Catalogue


Showing items 1 to 20

200 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 199




1. Anderson, Marian. (1897–1993).
Manuscript Signed Spiritual, "Crucifixion."

A rare manuscript of one of the most celebrated spirituals, "Crucifixion," boldly penned and signed in fountain pen ink by the great African American contralto who was so closely associated with this song. 1 page, onionskin paper (21.5 x 21.5 cm), boldly signed and dated "June 6th, 1951 Bogota." Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Opera

2. Anderson, Marian. (1897–1993).
Original Photograph

An fine original 8 x 10 inch AP Wire photograph of Anderson's historic signing of her 1954 Metropolitan Opera Contract to sing the role of Ulrica in Verdi's "Ballo in Maschera." She is shown with Met manager, Rudolf Bing and the impressario, Sol Hurok. Press notice printed at foot of image, overall very fine condition.

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Signed Photograph
Opera

3. Ansseau, Fernand. (1890-1972).
Signed Costume Photograph

Signed postcard photograph of the Belgian tenor, a star at the Opéra Comique, Covent Garden and later in Chicago. Signed and inscribed in 1919. 8.5 x 13.5 cm.

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Signed Photograph
Opera

4. Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975).
Original Photograph

Striking original semi-nude photograph of the legendary African American entertainer and singer. An original doubleweight matte photograph by Murray Korman of New York, showing Baker in a sensous pose, her top almost fully exposed and wearing little but gold bangles and a cape. 8 x 10 inches, matted to 24 x 30 cm. A spectacular image, in very fine condition.

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Unsigned Photo
Dance

5. Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975).
Signed Photograph

Signed vintage early photograph of the legendary African American entertainer and singer seated by the pool at her French chateau "Les Milandes," together with her husband Jo Bouillon who has also signed. 4 x 6 inches, in very fine condition. Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Song

6. [Ballet and Entertainment] Chaplin, Kern, Miranda, Rogers, Benny etc..
Incredible 1944 Signed Ballet Theatre Program, FRAMED.

A remarkable page from a theatre program, "S. Hurok / presents / The Ballet Theatre / guest appearance of / Tamara Toumanova / by special arrangment with Casey Robinson." 1 page, tall quarto, no place or date, matted in gilt frame. Signed by Charles Chaplin, Ginger Rogers, Jerome Kern, Carmen Miranda, Jack Benny, Ann Miller, Alan Hale, Joan Leslie, Queen Jepson Turner, Michael Kidd, Barry Sullivan, Audrey Long, Ray Milland, Sylvia Sidney, June Haver, Thomas Gomez, Jinx Falkenburg, Gil Lamb and Belita. A few of the signatures appear to have been traced over, but most (including Chaplin and Kern) are fine.

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Signed Document/Item
Dance

7. [Beatles] Epstein, Brian. (1934 -1967).
Marcel Proust's Questionnaire

Interesting copy of a questionnaire filled out by the famous manager of the Beatles, who lists, among other revealing things, that his "favorite musician" is George Harrison, his "favorite heroes of real life" are the Beatles, that his "present state of mind" is "Hazy turbulent" and that his "favorite occupation" is "watching bullfights." This is an early photostat copy of this document, found in a photojournalist's archive. We have been unable to determine if this questionnaire has ever been published.

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Autograph Letter
Song
An original 9 x 11.5 inch photograph of the famous couple, signed and dated on the verso by the photographer, George Tebbens.

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Unsigned Photo
Song
Original self-portrait sketch with Yoko on an off-white card signed and inscribed “Love from John Lennon” and “ + Yoko Ono.” A touch of mild toning to edges, otherwise fine condition. Matted with a reproduction photograph of the famous pair and set in its original simple mount.

From the estate of Paul A. Kaplan (1955- 1991), theatrical and film producer ("As Is," "Parting Glances" etc.) who was a Studio 54 regular and an intimate of Lennon and Ono's New York circle.


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Signed Photograph
Song

10. [Beatles] Lennon, John. (1940 - 1980) & Ono, Yoko. (b.1933) [Liebovitz, Annie. (b. 1949).
John Lennon & Yoko, New York, 1970 - Original Photograph

Original 1970 photograph of Lennon and Ono together in NY. Stamped by the photographer on the verso and also by Rolling Stone magazine. 10 x 8 inches, small tear in lower blank margin, else fine. Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Song

11. [Beatles] McCartney, Paul. (b. 1942).
Signed Left-Handed Hofner Bass

In 1956, Walter Hofner conceived an amplified semi-acoustic bass that revolutionized popular music. The design was launched at the 1956 Frankfurt Music Fair and rose to fame after Paul McCartney bought his first Hofner bass in 1961. After the Beatles’ original bass player, Stuart Sutcliffe (who had used a Höfner bass), left the band to resume his art studies, the group had been left without a bass player. Paul McCartney, who had been playing rhythm guitar and piano, took on the job, beginning by using Sutcliffe's violin-shaped bass and later buying his own from a Hamburg music store later that year. Because of the instrument’s symmetricality, McCartney could play left-handed without the bass “looking daft,” as he put it. It was also inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to play melodic bass lines on, yet had a deep, warm tone. McCartney used it on many of the Beatles' most famous songs and in many live performances, including on the Beatles' famed appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. McCartney continues to use his Hofner to this day, and the design is often referred to as the "Beatle bass." This re-issue left handed Hofner bass guitar is beautifully signed across the mother of pearl pickguard by McCartney in black felt tip and in Excellent condition, accompanied by a hard-shell carrying case and a Caiazzo COA.

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Signed Document/Item
Song

12. [Beatles] Starr, Ringo. (b. 1940).
Signed Sgt. Pepper Photograph

Striking color glossy 9.5 x 7 inch photograph of the Beatles in their Sgt. Pepper uniforms, boldly signed in black felt tip, “Ringo.” In fine condition, with a few small creases to top portion, not affecting signature or overall image.

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Signed Photograph
Song

13. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827).
Grand Trio pour deux violons et viole

Vienne: Artaria et Comp. [1806]. First edition. Titelauflage of the first edition of this arr. for 2 violins and viola, with price indication "1f. 18 x C.M." Violin I and II: 6 p. each ; viola: [2], 6 p. Engraved throughout. [PN] 1803 (Title page and viola part), 1803-4 (Violin parts). Original self-printed wrappers, stamped "650" at head, in very good condition throughout.



The Trio op. 87 was originally composed for 2 oboes and English horn in 1794, though both the original and arranged versions were not published until 1806.


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Printed Music
Classical Music

14. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827).
Partitions des 3 Grands Quatuors (Oeuvre 59), pour deux Violons, Alto et Violoncelle . No. 3 [only].

Offenbach s/M: Chez Jean André. [1830]. First edition. Tall 8vo. Lithographed. [PN] 5300. 35 pp. Plain pale blue wrappers with paper title plate affixed (as issued). In very fine condition throughout. Kinsky p. 142.



First edition in score of the third and final of the three "Rasoumovsky" (or "Razumovsky") string quartets, composed in 1805-1806, as a result of a commission by the Russian ambassador in Vienna, Count Andreas Razumovsky.


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Classical Music

15. Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770–1827).
Partitions des 3 Grands Quatuors (Oeuvre 59), pour deux Violons, Alto et Violoncelle . No.1 [only].

Offenbach s/M: Chez Jean André. [1830]. First edition. Tall 8vo. Lithographed. [PN] 5276. 39 pp. Plain pale blue wrappers with paper title plate affixed (as issued). Wrappers worn, with some separation and loss along spine, else fine. Kinsky p. 142.


First edition in score of the first of the three "Rasoumovsky" (or "Razumovsky") string quartets, composed in 1805-1806, as a result of a commission by the Russian ambassador in Vienna, Count Andreas Razumovsky.


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Classical Music

16. Bellincioni, Gemma. (1864 - 1950).
Signed Photograph

Attractive signed postcard photograph of the great Italian soprano, verismo legend of the Golden Age and creator of both Santuzza in Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" and of the title role in Giordano's "Fedora." She was also the first Italian Salome. Upper left corner creased, otherwise in very fine condition, signed in 1905.

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Signed Photograph
Opera

17. Berlioz, Hector. (1803 - 1869).
Les Soirees de L'Orchestre, INSCRIBED

Paris: Michel Levy Freres. 1854. Second edition. 8vo. 435 pp. Second, revised edition of this collection of Berlioz's critical essays. Though he had his triumphs in Germany and Russia, the reception of Berlioz's musical works in France never sufficed to support him, and he worked as the musical critic for the Journal des Debats from 1838 to 1863. He was a superb writer and proved to be an important literary figure in additional to his musical eminence. Signed and inscribed by Berlioz on the half title "A Monsieur Juncker, " the German portrait and historical painter, Wilheim Karl Juncker (1820 - 1901). Lower third of spine perished, front cover separated along joint, scattered foxing, but overall a good a copy of a fragile book. Housed in a marble paper covered slipcase.

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Classical Music
Original photograph of the important French composer, a striking and moody silver doubleweight print by Paul Nadar after the original collodion image by his father. Stamped "Paul Nadar/48, rue Bassano" on the verso and signed in black ink in the lower right corner, "Nadar." The swirls and splotches with the darker areas of the image are Nadar studio restorations within the print. 23 x 17 cm and in very fine condition. Reference: "Nadar - Photographies", Volume 1 (Paris, 1979), Arthur Hubschmid, editor, p. 497.

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Unsigned Photo
Classical Music

19. Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990).
Archive of Childhood Book Reports

A superb and unusual group, being four book reports comprising 16pp. total, penned on 8vo. lined sheets by the 16-year-old future composer with revealing content about his thinking, poetic philosophy and striking linguistic style. Each report is signed at top right "L. Bernstein" and each bears numerous corrections and comments by Bernstein's often-exasperated teacher. In the first, 3pp. Oct. 15, 1934, Bernstein tackles John Galsworthy's short story "Loyalties": "Had John Galsworthy done anything else but have his Captain Dancy, D.S.O. kill himself, his tendencies toward his audience would be certainly sadistic. He had, to that point, built up a story of a man, beloved and respected by all, suddenly accused of theft‚ ¨He was faced by the bleak, degrading farce of a trial from which he could never emerge free‚ ¨¶It has been said that a stunning denouement is sufficient to cause certain audiences to rave with delight about a play, while for others a reasonable plot is demanded." Bernstein gives a quick plot summary, concluding: "Thus we find 'Loyalties' a pleasing combination of satisfaction and inevitability." The second report, 4pp., Nov. 13, 1934 regards Elmer Rice's popular play Street Scene: "‚ ¨Here is a so-called play which is not very far from not being a play; it is virtually a tableau. It might be‚ a quick succession of still pictures depicting life in that certain poor quarter of New York‚ ¨¶Let us first discuss the background. With this innovation in dramatic realism came a long cycle of play reflecting similar reality‚ ¨¶Previous to a decade or two ago, these every-day settings were not as common‚ ¨¶now we have Dreiser's 'Hand of the Porter'‚ ¨¶Mr. Rice obviously had the intention to show these people in many moods‚ ¨¶So we have brought together the warp of background and the woof of social study‚ ¨¶". The third, 3pp. in pencil, Nov. 19, 1934, discusses J. M. Barrie's theatrical war commentary, The Old Lady Shows Her Medals, in small part: "‚ ¨¶It is rather a subtle combination of social ideas and character that the author is concerned with‚ ¨¶Each of these women is continually being forcibly raised or lowered a peg, meeting with success or reverses, but never ceasing the execution of their excuse for living‚ ¨¶Though this act of 'Keeping up with the Joneses' is by no means one restricted to the servant classes, let us take the four women as the exponents of the principle‚ ¨¶From this small, apparently light one-act play, we may easily draw upon the principle herein involves‚ ¨¶Is not the fact that men never tire of outdoing each other responsible for wars?...". Report number four from Dec. 3, 1934 encompasses four pages of Bernstein's thoughts upon Hardy's Jude the Obscure, with typically-opinionated commentary, such as noting that the author's theme is "‚ ¨¶quite ordinary, quite like the run of realists' chatter, the case of the flitting bride..." and concluding: "I think Hardy is commonplace. I grant that he is unusually well-read and can tell a story convincingly; else he would never hold the rank he does‚ ¨¶Yet I cannot discover anything in this book that might not appeal to me in simpler language‚ ¨¶The story is reminiscent of the gay-nineties melodrama!...". Bernstein's teacher has marked-up each essay considerably, with reproving notes throughout such as: "Try to talk more directly and simply. Your expression complicates rather than clarifies at times", "Too much embroidery; too much indirection. Clear, hard thinking should produce exact, direct, virile expression", and "Prune your style‚ ¨¶You are too much concerned with the embroidery and too little with the substance of your material"! Read More...

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Classical Music

20. Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990).
Autograph Letter to Pierre Monteux

“You have both been so kind and full of warmth that it is almost necessary to revise one’s concept of the conducting profession!” Read More...

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Autograph Letter
Classical Music