1.
[Books and Programs]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918-1990). "Vital Music old and new, Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor" - Early Concert Flyer from the 1945-46 season.
Rare early flyer promoting performances by the young conductor with the New York City Symphony at New York City Center for the 1945-46 season. The flyer reads "New York City Symphony / conducted by Leonard Bernstein / Vital Music old and new Superbly performed under a Stimulating Young Conductor / At prices within the reach of all," all above a portrait of an almost impossibly young Bernstein. The concerts, which took place between October 8, 1945 and April 1, 1946, included "12 Monday Symphonies," "Symphonies at 6," and "Symphonies for Young America (Ages 12 to 24)," and promised "The finest in modern music," "refreshing vigorous programs," and "new youthful spirit in music." Stamped "Sep 27 1945" to verso. Horizontal folding crease with one-inch tear along crease, overall in fine condition. Read More...
New York: Simon & Schuster. 1982. First edition. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with photographs. Signed and inscribed by Bernstein on the title page. In original dj, very fine throughout. Read More...
New York: Ridge Press Book/ Viking Press . 1968. First edition. Richly illustrated with photographs, showing both the public and private sides of this phenomenal talent and personality. Boldly signed and inscribed in black ink by Bernstein on title and dated 1972. Pictorial hardcover, 191 pp. Outer printed glassine dj partially torn, else fine. Fine. Read More...
Boston: David R. Godine. 1988. First. A tribute for Bernstein's 70th birthday with ample imagery and illustration, including essays by John Rockwell, Andrew L. Pincus, Bernstein himself, and many more. Inscribed on the half title to Phyllis Newman, "Dearest Phyllis - you swung me into a whole new decade - God love you - Lenny / 88." Green cloth with slipcase. 8to. 204pp. Slight discoloration of cloth along spine and extremities of book and slipcase, else fine. Read More...
Signed title page of David Ewen's Leonard Bernstein: A Biography for Young People (Philadelphia and New York: Chilton, 1961). Signature "Leonard Bernstein" only. Single sheet, cut from the book. 9.25 x 5 inches (23.4 x 12.8 cm). In fine condition. Together with a second Bernstein for young people item, namely the softcover Bernstein biography by Molly Crone, with charming illustrations by Robert Galster. First edition, published by Thomas Y. Crowell/ Crocodile, New York, 1973. 32 pp, modest crease, else fine. Read More...
New York: Boosey and Hawkes [Jalni Publications, Inc.]. 1988. Corrected Edition. Instrumental study score (27 cm). [PN] HPS 1135. 153 pp. Inscribed by the composer at the head of the first page of music in blue ink, circling the printed dedication "For Adolph Green" and adding "with my love / Lenny." A very special copy of the score for Jerome Robbins' first, spectacularly successful ballet, inscribed and dedicated by the conductor and composer to his friend, playwright Adolph Green, the dedicatee of the work. Dampstaining and a little rippling to covers and along the foredge but internally unaffected and with clean pages throughout. Read More...
Printed program from the world premiere of MASS at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on September 8, 1971. Title signed by Leonard Bernstein (composer and librettist), Rose Kennedy (mother of John F., Robert and Edward "Ted" Kennedy), Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (J. F. Kennedy's widow), Edward "Ted" Kennedy (John F. Kennedy's brother; senator), and Edward Durell Stone (architect of the Kennedy Center). Stone inscribed the program to noted autograph collector Stephen Adamson. 128 pp. Near fine condition with only some subtle signs of age. Read More...
New York: Random House. 1958. First, 1st issue. . Hardcover with dust jacket, 5.5 x 8.25, 143 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in black felt tip, "Best wishes to Matt Stiller, from Stephen Sondheim, 4/9/93." Book condition: fine, with sunning to the jacket's spine, and a tape-repaired tear to the spine's head. Read More...
Rare souvenir program from the original Broadway production of the classic musical West Side Story, signed by much of the original cast, including the creators of the principal roles: Carol Lawrence (Maria), Larry Kert (Tony), Chita Rivera (Anita), Art Smith (Doc), Mickey Calin (Riff), Ken LeRoy (Bernardo), Lee Theodore (credited here as "Lee Becker") (Anybodys), Eddie Roll (Action), David Winters (Baby John), and Tony Mordente. (A-Rab). 16 pp. Wear to spine, overall in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. 1980. First edition. Octavo, brown cloth-backed rust boards in gilt, in dj. viii, [ii] 469 pp. Illustrated in B&W. Near Fine. From the library of Leonard Bernstein's, inscribed to him on the front endpaper in an unknown hand: "To Lenny / on receiving the first N.Y.S. award in Music, and to celebrate the world premiere of his Kostelanetz 'toast,' we give this biography of a New York forerunner in opera, show & philosophy / Love / Katie & Keri." Together with a printed card identifying the volume as having originally been sold in the Leonard Bernstein Estate sale at Sotheby's as lot 151. Read More...
Autograph letter signed to Nathan Broder, manager of publications for the music publisher G. Schirmer. 18 Feb, 1950, on letterhead of Bernstein's 1025 Park Ave address. In full: “Dear Nat, Just a word to express my deep pleasure and satisfaction at the publication of The A of A [Age of Anxiety]. It is beatuifully gotten out, handsome and done with loving care; and I am filled with gratitude. Sincerely, Lenny B." Usual folds, stamp "Received / 1950 FEB 18...G Schirmer" on the verso, in fine condition. 7 x 10.5 inches (19 x 26 cm). Read More...
Large format original bust portrait drawing of the American composer/conductor/pianist, boldly signed in black ink "Leonard Bernstein" and by the artist "Bralow." Accomplished in graphite with white paint highlights and the name of the subject in gray lower left. An attractive and sensitive portrait apparently accomplished in person in Scarsdale, NY, ca. 1975. 17.5 x 21 inches (44.5 x 53.5 cm), fully laid down to rigid backing and matted overall to 22.5 x 26.5 inches (57.15 x 67.5 cm). Slight ripple against backing to right blank area, else fine.
An LP of th acclaimed ballet score, boldly signed on verso of jacket, "Leonard Bernstein". Columbia Masterworks – M 33082. Spine and lower seem partially split, impression of LP rubbed to front and small stains, LP untested but in apparently fine condition. Read More...
15.
[Letters and Misc.]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). The Sound of Genius is on Columbia Records - SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH ADVERTISEMENT
An autograph signature from the beloved American composer and conductor, penned in blue ink on a Columbia Records advertisement which appears on the verso of this excised page from a January 1922, 1958 Carnegie Hall program featuring the Philharmonic Student Concert presented by The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, conducted by Bernstein. Vertical crease, right edge rough, else fine. 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.5 x 24.5 cm).
16.
[Photographs (signed)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). Large 1959 Signed Photograph at the Herodes Atticus Theatre, inscribed to Jack Gottlieb
Large original photograph of Bernstein at the piano, in rehearsal in 1959 with the NY Philharmonic at the extraordinary Herodes Atticus Theatre in Athens, Greece, inscribed by him in marker "With warm memories from ------> [arrow pointing to Bernstein, at the piano] To ------> [arrow pointing to Jack Gottlieb, seated behind] 8 Feb '63." Approximately 14 x 20 inches (35.5 x 51 cm), framed under UV plexiglass and in very fine condition. Read More...
Signed original doubleweight photograph of the American conductor and composer, one of the titans of mid-century American music, standing in the proscenium of an unknown stage, the orchestra to his front and the curtain to his rear. Bernstein has inscribed "For Paul / Leonard Bernstein" in black ink to a light area of the image. Photographer unconfirmed but likely Paul McMahon, ca. 1965. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist as a young man. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Caption, "Leonard Bernstein," typed to verso. 9.5 x 7.5 inches (24.1 x 19 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Hand stamps of Columbia Records Photo to verso. 9 x 7 inches (23.1 x 17.7 cm). Slight tear to right margin; else in fine condition. Read More...
Attractive signed photograph of the conductor and composer, who has penned his name to the lower blank margin in purple ink, adding the date of '84 and, at the top of the photo, "Happy Birthday!". 3.6 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5 cm). Very fine.
Attractive signed photograph of the conductor and composer, who has penned his name to the lower blank margin in black ink. 3.6 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5cm), simply framed in black to overall 5.5 x 6.5 inches (14 x 16 cm).
Signed original doubleweight photograph of the Costa Rican-Chilean actress famous for her performances in televised dramas and in theatrical roles on and off Broadway and who appeared with symphony orchestras throughout the United States in dramatic acting and narrating roles, including collaborations with her husband, American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). In very fine condition. Read More...
A superb set of four original doubleweight photographs by Ken Regan, taken in 1972 at Lincoln Center, New York. Three measuring 9 x 14 inches, one 9.75 x 14 inches. Edges slightly creased, overall fine. Stamped by the photographer on the verso of each and identified in his hand. Read More...
Original gelatin silver print by the German-born American photographer and photojournalist, showing the great conductor on stage, leading his orchestra with an intense energy! Signed in ink to recto by the photographer, lower right, and editioned 5/250 lower left. Signed, titled, and dated on verso in pencil. Unexamined out of frame but in apparently fine condition. Sight 8 x 12 inches; nicely matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 25.5 inches (56 x 65 cm). Read More...
Remarkable original photograph of the very young conductor, who is shown on the podium in rehearsal ca. 1951, framed by the silhouettes of two musicians. A truly stunning image. Creases to edges, small verso tape repairs to tears along upper and right margins, else in fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
An original contact sheet of photographs of Bernstein conducting Beethoven's Missa Solemnis at Tanglewood, from the collection of Jack Gottlieb and annotated on the verso in an unknown hand "August 3, 1955 / Tanglewood / Rehearsal of Missa Solemnis." The photographer is unknown. 8 x 10 inches. Slight rippling, a few small chips or stains to edges, else in fine condition. Read More...
Original 1951 press photograph of Bernstein rehearsing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Mahler's Second Symphony. Press and photographer (Kaste?) sheets affixed to verso, slightly trimmed and with surface crazing, else fine. A really remarkable early image. 7.75 x 9 inches.
Photograph of the (then) doyen of American composers, his younger colleague and the Ukrainian-American violinist, with printed caption to head, "11/9/80 New York: Violinist Isaac Stern (L) and conductor Leonard Bernstein congratulate Aaron Copland 11/9 on his 80th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein conducted the American Symphony Orchestra in a special Copland Birthday Celebration for the dean of American composers." Oblong format, 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 24 cm). In fine condition.
An original doubleweight photograph of the important composer and conductor shown in semi-profile from below, taken by fellow composer David Diamond and with his raised stamp lower left, inscribed in blue ink to verso "Credit: Photo / David Diamond" and in pencil "Venezia 1954." 9 x 6.75 inches (23.3 x 17.5 cm). In very fine condition. Read More...
Original large format exhibition photograph showing Bernstein, Blitzstein, and Blake watching an unidentified pianist (who bears a striking resemblance to composer Elliot Carter) at the keyboard, taken at the "Rountable on Ragtime"at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA in the summer of 1951. Board-mounted silver gelatin print with Kalischer's signature to mount and Stockbridge stamp and hand-numbering to verso of mount. [Lenox, 1951]. A few modest scuffs to the mount, else fine. Photograph 10.5 x 13.5 inches; Mount 20 x 16 inches. Read More...
Original photograph of the young composer/conductor, with a press clipping affixed to verso with text reading "Leonard Bernstein, assisted by some of Broadway's leading musical comedy stars, launches the fifth season of 'Omnibus' on NBC tonight. Bernstein will explore the birth and growth of the musical comedy in America." Small staple holes upper right, stains around margins, else very good condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).
Original 1958 photograph of Leonard Bernstein as he "goes over a musical score with the three oldest living composers represented in Bernstein's survey of American Music...John Becker, 72; Carl Ruggles, 82; Wallingford Riegger, 73." Some surface creasing and staining, else fine. 9 x 7 inches (23 x 18 cm.).
Very fine photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist seated at the piano during a press conference at the Maison de la radio (headquarters of Radio France) on November 18, 1981, preceding a tour with the Orchestre national de France and Lorin Maazel, as explained by a typed note in French from Agence France-Presse attached to verso. 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 38 cm). In fine condition.
34.
[Photographs (unsigned)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" - Original 1943 Photograph
Original International News Photo photograph of the young composer/conductor, printed around the time of his historic November 14, 1943 NY Philharmonic debut and with a press sheet affixed to verso with text reading "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" and describing Bernstein's famously filling in with a few hours’ notice and without rehearsal for an ailing Bruno Walter. The concert was broadcast nationally, and The New York Times ran a front-page story the next day, calling his performance “a good American success story.” Light scratches, overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).
35.
[Photographs (unsigned)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). Original Photograph at Gershwin Jubilee with Paul Whiteman and Walter Damrosch
Remarkable original 1945 photograph of the very young conductor, arm and arm with two other conductors. According to the press notice affixed to the verso, they were among those who turned out for the beginning of the Gershwin Jubilee Week at the Hotel Astor. In fine condition, with a few stray marks. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist and the Italian stage director and filmmaker seated at a table, talking and smiling at each other, with Bernstein hugging Visconti's head. From Agence France-Presse. Extended caption printed to verso explaining that the photo was made after the opening performance of Verdi's Falstaff at the Vienna State Opera, a production directed by Visconti and conducted by Bernstein. No date is given, but the performance took place in 1966. Oblong format, 5 x 7 inches (12.8 x 17.8 cm). Small crease to lower left corner; else in very good condition.
Original press photograph of Bernstein crying at the premiere of his "Mass" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. In fine condition, 7 x 9 inches.
Bernstein's "Mass" was commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy and was premiered on September 8, 1971,
Remarkable original photograph of the great conductor, stamped 3 April, 1951 [should be 1961] on verso, with Bernstein shown smoking a cigarette while checking "a camera angle before taping 'Folk Music in the Concert Hall'" (as per newspaper clipping included, stamped April 9, 1961).7 x 9 inches (23 x 18 cm). Stains and small crease to lower blank margin, else fine.
Remarkable original ca. 1946 photograph of the very young conductor, shown on the podium in rehearsal, with one finger raised against his lips. A stunning image. 8 x 10 inches, light wear to edges, stamps and clippings on verso, small loss to lower right corner margin, else in very fine condition.
Original 1963 photograph of the American composer and conductor at the NY Philharmonic's Young People's Concert, "A Tribute to Teachers." Bernstein is shown standing with his own teacher, Renée Longy, and others, including Helen Coates, Olga Koussevitsky, A. Tillman Merritt and Philip Marson. In very fine condition. 9 x 7 inches (22.8 x 17.8 cm.).
Original photograph of the great conductor, shown in conversation with cellist, Joseph Schuster. Stamped November 16, 1945 on verso. Per newspaper clipping affixed to verso, they are shown as Schuster and Bernstein prepared to perform the Schumann Cello Concerto in a concert with the New York City Symphony. Creasing to edges and some staining to the surface, stamps and clippings on verso, else fine. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Amusing original 1980 John Whitman photograph of the three great musicians at a reception in Washington, Slava shown laughing ans smiling broadly. Camera Press LTD and other stamps to verso, with press clipping. 6.5 x 4.7 inches and in fine condition.
Two original photographs of the great conductor, one shown at the keyboard and stamped March 17, 1959 on verso; the other, a dramatic photograph with baton, undated but ca. early 1960s. The second with creases along lower area, otherwise fine. 7 x 9 inches (18 x 23 cm)
Two press photographs of the American composer, conductor and pianist from his first two concerts with the New York Philharmonic in (West) Berlin, September 22 and 23, 1960. Copyrighted by Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa), with additional hand stamp of Agence France-Presse. Extended captions in German typed to versos regarding the guest performances. One picture is from a rehearsal, the other from the first concerts (which was part of the Berliner Festwochen festival). Both photos 8.25 x 6.25 inches (21 x 16 cm). In fine condition.
Remarkable original 8 x 10 inch photograph, stamped August 29, 1945, with Newbold Morris, chairman of the board of directors of the City Center, and Mayor of NYC, Fiorello La Guardia. As per newspaper clipping affixed to verso, they are shown "at City Hall Yesterday where the Mayor announced that Bernstein has been appointed music director of the City Center for the 1945-46 season. Small area of in-painting for press publication around the heads, light wear to edges, stamps and clippings on verso, else fine.