Original signed photograph of the Italian baritone who made his career in the United States, shown in his role as Tonio in Pagliacci. Photographed by Mishkin of New York. Corners have been neatly diagonally trimmed; otherwise in fine condition. 7.5 x 9.5 inches (18.9 x 24.3 cm). Read More...
Signed print of a caricature sketch of a group of some of the most important twentieth-century American popular singers, by the noted American artist Al Hirschfeld. While Fred Astaire plays the piano, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, and Nat King Cole all gather around - each depicted in a few almost cruelly accurate pen strokes! Signed at the bottom right in Hirschfeld's trademark narrow capital letters. Printed caption at the upper left. Printed on cardstock, signed within the image and then in blue ink by hand lower right. In very fine condition. 11 x 8.5 inches (28 x 21.5 cm).
Signed reproduction print of a caricature sketch of the legendary dance duo by the noted American artist Al Hirschfeld. Signed at the bottom right in blue ink Hirschfeld's trademark narrow capital letters. In very fine condition. 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:ArtDance
An interesting and attractive album of warm personal inscriptions and autograph signatures assembled in the 1940s by Dick Gilbert, a DJ on Arizona radio station KTYL who hosted on his show a veritable who's-who of popular music of the era. The leather album, embossed with Gilbert's name, contains signatures and personal inscriptions from jazz musicians, bandleaders, singers, actors, and Latin stars including Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Gene Krupa, the Andrews Sisters, Ed Sullivan, Tito Guizar, Cab Calloway, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Roy Rogers (and Trigger!) and many more. Most of the stars have written notes of thanks to Gilbert, some even adding sketches (the first page of the album has an amusing self-portrait caricature by Xavier Cugat). Frank Sinatra writes "It's kinda hard to think of the proper words to show my gratitude - so I'll just say thanx Dick - and you'll know what I mean," dated January 1943, and Krupa inscribes "To Dick - Thankz Ten Million For All The Fine Plugs." Included with the album in its original box are four brightly colored posters from Gilbert's show, each advertising a new record of the late 1940's and featuring a great caricature of Gilbert with a pile of records. Also included is a further unidentified signature on a brochure from an Arizona golf course. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:SignatureSong
Rare autograph letter from the German music historian and musicologist best known for his 1873 biography of Johann Sebastian Bach and as the founder, in 1874, of the Leipzig Bach-Verein. Dated January 24, 1876. Writing to Leipzig music publisher Edmund Astor (son-in-law of Jakov Rieter-Biedermann and director of the Rieder-Biedermann Verlag's Leipzig office), Spitta acknowledges the receipt of a payment and clarifies the terms of an agreement about the publication of an article about the Leipzig Bach-Verein. He details the changes which will need to be made to his introduction to a volume of Bach cantatas which will be published by Rieter-Biedermann, and finishes by mentioning Heinrich von Herzogenberg, his co-founder of the Bach-Verein, who has recently stepped in for Alfred Volkland to conduct a concert. Full translation below. 2 pp. on a bifolium, with one area of light smudging but overall in fine condition. 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.7 cm). Read More...
An interesting and rare autograph letter from the later years of the jazz legend's life to his friend Jim Butler. In the original envelope postmarked September 20, 1982, the letter details Baker's money woes while on tour in Canada and California, and apologizes for not being able to pay back Butler the money he had lent Baker. Baker mentions his girlfriend Ruth [Young], and an upcoming gig in Calgary organized by "some young guys who were very interested in my playing," and his upcoming tour in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. In a subtle mention of his ongoing drug problems, Baker writes, "I've been getting by since I last saw you on Tussion X cough syrup and feel as though I've made a lot of progress," and goes on to mention the death of actor Tom Baker from an overdose. (Complete text below.) A fascinating glimpse into Chet's later years, after his return to jazz, and his ongoing struggles with drugs and debt. Read More...
Autograph postcard from the jazz legend, written on tour in 1983 while in Saudi Arabia. Postmarked with the Hirji date 13.5.1403 (Gregorian February 26, 1983) and on the verso with the American date of March 3, 1983, the postcard reads: "Dear Jim, Here we are in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Stan and I are staying at the home of the U. S. Ambassador here; it's very beautiful and very warm. A couple of days ago we were in Oslo. So far the tour has been great; hope you are too. See you, maybe in August. Love - Chet." On the verso, the fascinating huge César sculpture "The Thumb," on display in Jeddah. In very fine condition. 5.5 x 4 inches (14.7 x 10.2 cm). Read More...
An interesting collection of material relating to the American jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and flugelhornist, known for his early promise, swift fall into drug addiction, and career resurgence in the 1970's and 80's. From the collection of Jim Butler, a dedicated Chet Baker collector who became a friend to Baker and his family, the archive includes a copy of the 1989 publication Chet Baker in Concert and a brief correspondence with its German editor, Ingo Wulff; part of a screen treatment by Chet's friend, actor and writer Tom Baker, about Chet's life; three Christmas cards from Carol Baker, Chet's widow; and various assorted magazine clippings. Overall in very good to fine condition. Read More...
127.
[Josephine Baker]
[Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975)]. 1926 Issue of "Paris Plaisirs" - WITH AN EARLY PHOTOGRAPHIC SPREAD OF JOSEPHINE BAKER
Fantastic 1926 issue of the Art Deco magazine Paris Plaisirs, stunningly designed, including an early two-page spread of the legendary "Black Venus." Baker is shown in several different exotic topless outfits and poses, as she appeared in the Folies Bergère. The issue also includes a similarly titillating spread of dancer Jacquy Fragsy, a pink-boa-draped Maria Ley on the cover, as well as several further beautiful portraits of showgirls and dozens of sexy drawings. Nº 50, August 1926. 20 pp. Damage to the spine, with some internal tape repairs, and light wear to the edges; overall in fine condition. 9.75 x 12.5 inches (31 x 23 cm). Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:BookDance
Amusing vintage 1959 Agence Dalmas of Paris photograph of the legendary entertainer smiling broadly as she exits from a large transparent orb. Dali can be seen on the far right edge of the image! 7.3 x 9.5 inches (18.4 x 24 cm) and in fine condition. Read More...
135.
[Josephine Baker]
Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975). The Original Charleston. Musique de Cecil Mack et Jimmy Johnson dansé par Joséphine Baker dans l'Hyper-Revue des Folies Bergère "La Folie du Jour" ...
Paris: Editions Francis Salabert. [1926]. First Edition thus. Quarto Original bifolium sheet music with pictorial covers, loosely inserted singlesheet, letterpress recto only. A little rubbed externally, with a soft diagonal crease through the front cover, but overall a very good example. Uncommon, just 3 copies listed by Worldcat (Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Biblioteca Comunale di Trento, Zentralbibliothek Zurich). Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:Printed MusicSong
Original evening gown and matching full-length cape in a bright red, orange, and yellow print, worn by the legendary entertainer to the Cannes Film Festival in 1973. Accompanied by two reproduction photographs showing La Baker in the eye-catching ensemble, together with a signed photographic letter of provenance from Lelia Scoto Abatino, niece of Pepito Abatino, Baker's original manager. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:EphemeraSong
121.
[Josephine Baker]
Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975). Large Signed Photograph - An exotic portrayal on a Tiger Skin Rug
Enchanting vintage doubleweight glossy 9 x 11.25 portrait of Baker posing beside a tiger skin rug, signed and inscribed in French in fountain pen, “A monsieur ‘Rivero,’ En Souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1930–31.” Small crease to lower edge and scattered surface scuffing (essentially visible only at an angle), otherwise fine condition. Already an established marquee draw at the Parisian cabaret music hall Folies Bergere, Baker’s popularity soared even further with the 1931 release of ‘J'ai deux amours,’ the most successful song of her career. Baker is quite scarce in signed photos of this size, and this is a particularly appealing example. Read More...
122.
[Josephine Baker]
Baker, Josephine. (1906–1975). Signed 1927 Topless Photograph "To the King of the 'Black Bottom'"
A thrilling doubleweight Walery of Paris portrait of Baker posing topless in an elaborate costume in "Paris En Folie," signed and inscribed in English at only 21-years-old in fountain pen, “To King of the 'Black Bottom' / 'To Charming Monsieur Marly ' / Sincerely Josephine Baker / August 22/27 / Paris" and again on the verso "He is vey-rey Good in his Dancing / O.K. Mr Marly / Josephine Baker." With significant creases and tears, recently professionally restored and highly presentable, the verso inscription somewhat less so, but overall quite good despite the evident restorations. Read More...
Spectacular doubleweight 7 x 9 inch H. Haas of Hamburg portrait of Baker posing in her famous banana skirt from her performance in 'La Folie du Jour', signed and inscribed in English in fountain pen, “"To 'Ron Calliano' With best wishes and sincere admiration from Josephine Baker Jan 31/30.” Small crease to upper edge, otherwise fine condition. Read More...
A thrilling Murray Korman of New York "keyhole" portrait of Baker posing in her famous 'tusk' costume designed by Vincente Minnelli for The Ziegfeld Follies, New York City, 1936. Boldly signed in blue fountain pen ink with her name alone. Mounting remnants on verso, else fine. 9 x 14 cm. Read More...
An extraordinary signed vintage postcard photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a very sexy cabaret costume, boldly signed in blue ink, ca. 1930. 10 x 15 cm. Very fine.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
Signed vintage early sepia postcard hotograph of the legendary African American entertainer. An unusual costumed stage performance image, signed "Souvenir de Josephine Baker / 1928 / Paris." Extensive spotted surface losses along the right edge of the image, but only slightly affecting parts of the signature. 9 x 14 cm. Read More...
An extraordinary signed vintage Walery of Paris photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a full length pose, her hips adorned with feather and wearing nothing but a few strands of pearls on her torso! Read More...
Signed G.L Manuel of Paris vintage sepia postcard photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sexy costume, boldly signed "Josephine Baker" in pencil. 10 x 15 cm. In fine condition.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."