Holiday 2023 Catalogue

Showing items 1 to 20

195 items in this catalogue total,
currently filtered to 161




1. [Beethoven, Ludwig van. (1770-1827)].
Pink Ivory Pass to First Quartet Cycle Performance

Rare and important ivory ticket pass to the London Beethoven Quartett Society where the monumental String Quartets were first performed as a cycle.  Handpainted on pink-stained ivory, the pass reads "Honor to Beethoven," the chair number "55", and "Quartett Society."  37mm, 4.38g.  Crack to center, else in fine condition.    Read More...

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Ephemera
Classical Music

2. Berlin, Irving. (1888-1989).
Original Photograph in "Song Coat"

An amusing vintage photograph of the composer in a coat of song titles, musical top hat and "God Bless America" oversized bow tie, apparently in a club membership induction ceremony at "the Astor, fixed up like [N-word] Mike's Bowery bar, where Berlin began his career as a singing waiter. Announcer and bartender: Tony Sarg, cartoonist." Edges nicked, stamps and clippings on verso, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20 x 25.5 cm.).

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Unsigned Photograph
Song

3. Beuys, Joseph. (1921–1986).
In Memoriam George Maciunas: Klavierduett - SIGNED

Berlin: Edition Block. 1982. In Memoriam George Maciunas. 1931 - 1978: Klavierduett. Fluxus-Soirée der Galerie René Block in der Staatlichen Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. Double LP, GR-EB 113/114, signed to the front cover by Beuys in pencil. Two 12-inch vinyl records, cover: 12 1/4 × 12 3/8" (31.1 × 31.4 cm). Very fine.   Read More...

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Signed Document/Item
Book
Art & Design

4. [Bird Music] Van Wickede, F. (?–?).
[Canary breeding] Kanari-Uitspanningen / Of nieuwe verhandeling van de / Kanari-Teelt,... Nieuwe verbeeterde en vermeerende Druck... Vierde Druck

Amsterdam: Steven van Esveldt. 1773. Fourth Edition. A book in Dutch on canary breeding as a hobby.  Upright 16mo in contemporary marbled boards.  Letterpress.  Front endpaper, frontispiece with engraving by N. van Frankendaal (1720–1791) of a canary breeder at work (verso blank), title with copying prohibition and publisher's signature to verso, preface [3 fol.], new preface to 4th edition [1 fol.], [1]–131 [132] pp.  Woodcut vignette on title, woodcut headers.  Two signatures in ink to front endpaper, the first illegible; the second is "Charles Schicksal."  Notes and scribblings in English, in pencil, to insides of boards.  Label with withered number to upper board.  6.5 x 4 inches (16.2 x 9.8 cm).  Lower edge uncut. Slightly dampstained; boards worn and somewhat soiled; else in fine condition.  In an elaborate modern, custom-made case covered in brown morocco with raised bands and gilt lettering.   The volume is quite rare, with only two copies in any 18th century edition recorded by Worldcat outside of the Netherlands (France and Germany).  Read More...

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5. Bonarelli, Prospero. (1588–1569) [Callot, Jacques. (1592–1635)].
Il Solimano. Tragedia.

Firenze: Pietro Cecconcelli. 1620. First edition. Small 4to. (160 x 215 mm). 1f. (pictorial title including the arms of the Medici), 1f. (dedication to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo II), 2ff. ("Lettera del Sor. Giovambatista Strozzi all'Autore"), [v] (letters to Ottavio Rinuccini, Andrea Salvadori, Niccolo Strozzi, and Gabriello Chiabrera), [i] (cast list), [ii] (set design), pp. 3-31, [ii] (set design), 41-63, [ii] (set design), 65 - 94, [ii] (set design), 95 - 138, [ii] (set design), 139 - 162, 1f. (recto errata, verso colophon). With occasional decorative initials and woodcut head- and tailpieces and including 6 etchings by Jacques Callot (cf. Meaume) comprising the illustrated title-page, and 5 double-page plates representing the stage settings by Jacques Callot after the designs of Giulio Parigi. With the usual pp. 33-40 misnumberedd 41-48 and p. 89 misnumbered 98. Trimmed margins, but overall a very bright and fresh copy of this early 17th Century "Turkish" opera. Berlin Katalog 4112; Brunet I, 1089;Cicognara 1086 ('bellissime figure, prove freschissime); Gamba 1810 ('Tra le molte edizioni di questa tragedia e' la presente molto ricercata per la vaghezza delle figure'); Lieure 363-368; Sartori 22249. Allacci 729-730. Schaal 861. Wotquenne p. 132. Read More...

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Printed Music
Opera

7. Cage, John. (1912–1992) & Hansen, Al. (1927 - 1995) & Kaprow, Allan. (1927 - 2006) & Vostell, Wolf. (1932 - 1998).
Collaborative Drawing from the Kunstlaboratorium Köln, 1986

Original drawing in ballpoint pen in blue on wove paper, accomplished and signed by John Cage, Allan Kaprow, Al Hansen, and Wolf Vostell as well as dated 1986 by Al Hansen. The outline of the face, eyes and nose appear to be accomplished by Cage, whose signed name "John Cage" constitutes the nostrils, beneath which Allan Kaprow's name composes a mustache over a mouth, while the figure's hair is clearly accomplished by Hansen, whose name and title outline the head "Al Hansen Kunstlaboratorium Köln." In a lighter, rather faded ink, "Vostell" forms the right eye. Previously exhibited in “The Art of Collecting” at the Museum Kunst Palast Düsseldorf Foundation, 2007. In fine condition.  7.8 x 10.5 inches (26 x 19.5 cm).   Read More...


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Classical Music
Art & Design
Art
Autograph Document

10. Debussy, Claude. (1862–1918).
Monsieur Croche Antidilettante

Paris: Dorbon. 1921. First Edition. The first and only authorized, if only posthumously published collection of the French composer's reviews.  In French.  Small folio.  Original wrappers.  145 pp.  Signature and date in French, "Lila Nyffenegger 1er janvier 1924."  10.25 x 7.75 inches (26 x 19.5 inches).  Upper right corner slightly bumped; spine minimally frayed; else in fine condition. Read More...

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Book
Classical Music
France

11. [de Falla, Manuel. (1876–1946)] Roland-Manuel, Alexis. (1891–1960).
Manuel de Falla

Paris: Cahiers d'Art. 1930. First Edition. Numbered copy (no. 522 out of 990) of the first important French biography of the Spanish composer.  Small quarto.  Original wrappers.  64 pp. plus four pages with plates. Original wrappers wrapped in onionskin paper.  9.75 x 7.5 inches (25 x 19.2 cm).  In excellent condition.

Roland-Manuel studied with Ravel and became a friend of his.  He later taught at the Paris Conservatoire.

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Book
Classical Music

12. Gershwin, George. (1898–1937).
Porgy and Bess

New York: Gershwin Publishing Corporation. 1935. First edition, second issue. The Theatre Guild presents Porgy and Bess. Libretto by Du Bose Heyward Lyrics by Du Bose Heyward and Ira Gershwin Settings by Sergei Soudeikine Orchestra Conductor Alexander Smallens Production Directed by Rouben Mamoulian. [Piano-vocal score]. Small folio. Original publisher's stiff printed grey wrappers with black cloth spine. 4ff. (photographic portrait; r. title, v. woodcut illustration of donkey pulling a man in a cart; r. Index of Scenes, v. Cast of Characters; r. Story of Porgy and Bess, v. dedication), 559 (music), [i] (blank) pp. Fuld p. 539. First Edition, second issue with the index of songs but still without the capitalization of "Negro," in the fourth line of the story. Light toning to covers, small tear to upper edge, overall an unusually fine copy overall of this rare score. Read More...

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Printed Music
Opera

13. [Handel, George Frederic. (1685-1759)] Burney, Charles. (1726-1814).
An Account of the musical Performances in Westminster-Abbey, and the Pantheon, May 26th, 27th, 29th; and June the 3d, and 5th, 1784. In Commemoration of Handel.

London: Printed for the Benefit of the musical Fund; and sold by T. Payne and Son. 1785. First Edition. Upright quarto.  Modern vellum imitation boards with brown morocco label to spine and gilt frame and lettering.  Confusing pagination: pp. vii, [1], xvi, 8, *8, 9-20, *19-*24, 21-56, 21, [6], 26-41, [6], 46-90, [5], 94-139, [3], with the frontispiece and seven other engraved plates, two of them offering stunning views of Westminster Abbey during these vast concerts, and one being a full plan of the orchestra.  11.25 x 8.5 inches (28.3 x 21.8 cm).  Scattered foxing; boards and spine somewhat worn; some pages stained to lower edge, five of which small losses in the stained area, but otherwise a good copy.  Rothschild 544; Hazen, pp. 30-33; Chapman and Hazen, p. 161; Fleeman, p. 1570 (85.2BH/1a). Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music

14. [Hungarian Music] Bartók, Béla. (1881–1945) & Kodály, Zoltán. (1882–1967) & Busch, Fritz. (1890–1951) & Fischer, Edwin. (1886–1960).
Hungarian Composers and Musicians Signed Payment Receipts Collection

Autograph collection of Hungarian musicians and composers signed payment receipts ("I gratefully acknowledge that today I received..."), 1916 - 1932, both in pencil and pen, 13 pieces, including items signed by Bela Bartok (for a performance with Ernest Ansermet), Zoltan Kodaly (2x), Edwin Fischer, Imre Kálmán, Fritz Busch, Pongracz Kacsoh, Bela Zerkovitz (4x), Lajos Bardos and Sergio Failoni (who was, of course, Italian, but was the leading conductor of the Budapest Royal Opera House). The four oldest ones toned and with chipping, otherwise generally fine. Approximately 7 x 4 inches (19 x 12 cm).

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Signature
Classical Music

16. Kern, Jerome. (1885–1945).
Signed Check to a Stenographer

Signed check penned and signed by the highly regarded American songwriter best known for the musical Showboat and for such standards as “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Personal check, 8.25 x 3 inches (21 x 7.7 cm), filled out and signed by Kern, “Jerome D. Kern,” payable to the stenographer firm of Tausig & Lewis for $159.00, September 14th, 1939. Check is endorsed on reverse by Tausig & Lewis. Expected cancellation holes just slightly affecting the signature, generally fine.

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Signed Document/Item
Song

17. Liszt, Franz. (1811–1886).
Metamorphic Postcard Portrait

Ca. 1900  metamorphic postcard portrait of Liszt with facsimile autograph. The composer's face is composed of variously posed naked female bodies. 5.25 x 3.25 inches (13.5 x 8.5 cm.). Crease lower right, writing in an unknown hand in ink to verso, else fine.

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Unsigned Photo
Classical Music

18. Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840).
Gravure Portrait Print after Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Gravure print of an illustrated portrait of the violin virtuoso, shown holding his instrument.  The title "Portrait de Paganini (Collection de M. Ach. Benouville)" is printed beneath the portrait, which is after an original work by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres.  Printed by Eames for the Gazette des Beaux-Arts ca. 1880.  Mild toning to edges and small loss to upper right corner; overall in fine condition.  6.75 x 10.25 inches (17 x 26 cm.).

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Classical Music
Ephemera
Art
Unsigned Photo/Portrait

19. [P. D. Q. Bach] Schickele, Peter. (b. 1935).
Signed Photograph and Program

Photograph and concert program, each signed by the American composer, chiefly known as the inventor of P. D. Q. Bach and the music published under that name.  Photograph with the caption "P. D. Q. Bach" is an upright portrait of the fictitious composer wearing a Bach-style wig, inscribed "For Danny, Howie, Stacy,+ Lynne, who obviously can't tell good music from bad music / Peter Schickele"; imprint of Vanguard Records to lower right corner. It is not known whose face poses as P. D. Q. Bach's here (it is not Schickele's). 8 x 10 inches. Small pinholes to lower edge, mounting remnants and toning to verso, else in fine condition.  Together with a single page (recto/verso) from a 1967 NYC Lincoln Center "Eventing with P.D.Q Bach" program, featuring some of Schickele's most humorous works, including the "Schleptet," "Sonata for Violin Four Hands and Harpsichord" and "The Stone Guest (A Half-Act Opera)".  Left edge torn, else fine. 

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TLS
Classical Music
Signed Photograph
Signed Document/Item

22. Rachmaninoff, Sergei. (1873–1943).
Signed Photograph

Signed Rembrandt Studio photograph of the great composer and pianist, shown in a pensive pose with chin resting on his hand, signed and inscribed in 1937 to Harry Friedgut (1901-1975), managing director of the New York City Center of Music and Drama. Approximately half-inch loss to upper right edge, well away from inscription and otherwise fine. 7 x 9 inch (17.7 x 22.9 cm).

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Signed Photograph
Classical Music

23. [Ravel, Maurice. (1875–1937)] Perlemuter, Vlado. (1904–2002) & Jourdan-Morhange, Hélène. (1888–1961).
Ravel d'après Ravel - Signed by Jourdan-Morhange

Lausanne, Switzerland: Éditions du Cervin. 1953. First. Collection of ten transcribed conversations between the Lithuanian-born French pianist and the French violinist about Ravel's piano music.  Octavo.  Original wrappers.  80 pp.  Half title inscribed, "En souvenir d'Hélène Jourdan-Morhange"; Perlemuter did not sign.  Uncut copy with pages unopened.  Wrappers wrapped in onionskin paper.  8.75 x 6 inches (22 x 15.3 cm).  Browned and very brittle; front endpaper partly detached and slightly torn to head; else in very good condition. Read More...

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Signed Document/Item
Classical Music
France
Book

24. Rodgers, Richard. (1902-1979) [Ewen, David. (1907–1985)].
Richard Rodgers. The Life of an American Musical Genius - SIGNED BY RODGERS

New York: Henry Holt and Co,. 1957. First Edition. Hardcover, boldly signed "To Paul / Sincerely / Richard Rodgers" to the title page by the the important American composer and lyricist of more than 900 songs and 40 Broadway musicals including (with Lorenz Hart) Pal Joey, Jumbo and Babes in Arms. With Oscar Hammerstein, he would contribute to such classics as South Pacific, The King and I and Oklahoma!.  8vo. 364pp + index, illustrated. Small tears and losses to dj, else fine.  Read More...

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Signed Photograph
Song

26. Saint-Saëns, Camille. (1835–1921) [Attributed to].
"Saint-Valery-en-Caux - Spring" - Oil Painting

Charming oil painting of a white cherry tree in bloom in the Normandy countryside, apparently painted and signed by the French composer.  While the composer is known to have made artworks of various kinds, we have never previously offered a painting by him and indeed, we find the signature in paint is unlike his usual penmanship. This is not so unusual, and a number of other works in this same style have appeared over the years at French auction houses, all likewise attributed to the composer of this name. That said, please note that the work is sold as "attributed to." In very fine condition.  11 x 9 inches, framed to 13 x 11 (33 x 27.9 cm.). Read More...

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Classical Music
Art & Design
Signed Document/Item
Art

27. Schumann, Robert. (1810–1856) & Schubert, Franz. (1797–1828) & Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix. (1809–1847) & Gade, Niels. (1817–1890) & Schulhoff, Julius. (1825–1898).
Sammelband of Works for Piano 4 Hands, including First Editions

Sammelband containing 8 pieces of printed music for piano 4 hands, including first editions of works by Schumann, Gade and Schulhoff and early editions by Schubert and Mendelssohn.  Of particular rarity and interest is the first edition arrangement of the Piano Quintet of Robert Schumann by his wife, the virtuoso pianist and composer Clara Schumann. In a letter to publisher Hermann Härtel (October 25, 2857), she writes: "I had mentioned to you once before that I wanted to simplify the arrangement of my husband's quintet. I have done so now and it cost me no little effort to do it without doing any harm to the composition. Happily, I believe that I have succeeded - I have played it myself with several people and nobody found it difficult. Would you like to have a look at it now or have some competent players play it for you, or would you rather wait until I myself come and then play it for you with somebody?" (Steegman, 173). Upright folio, bound volume measuring 13 x 10 inches (33 x 27 cm). "Vierhändig / 3." to front board. Black paper boards over dark green cloth, binding heavily scratched and worn, with frayed ends and split to front board seam. Handwritten Contents sheet bound in, 1-150 hand-numbered along top edge of all included works, bound in the following order. Scattered foxing throughout, some staining particularly to the upper right corner and outer edge of the first two and last 3 works, generally very good throughout.  Read More...

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Printed Music
Classical Music