A pear-shaped telescoping theatre monocular formerly owned and used by the Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer, the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time and one the most colorful musical figures of the Romantic era. A three-drawer Galilean telescope of French manufacture, possibly by Lumiere, ca. 1825, constructed of bone and brass, measuring 6 cm closed and expanding to 12 cm when fully extended, the patent "Brevet d'Invention" stamped with raised laurel leaves around the eye-piece, and an exhibition label from the 1940 Mostra Paganiniana Genova XVIII, affixed around the body, inscribed "[Espositore] Barone P. Paganini / [N.] 55 Milano" and with a green label inscribed with the number 44. In very good condition with some opened cracks visible in the body extending under the exposition label, the optics fully functional with a few minor scratches or abrasions, and the telescope opening smoothly. Read More...
A most macabre relic, being the bloodletting set formerly owned and used by the Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer, the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time and one the most colorful musical figures of the Romantic era. French, ca. 1820, consisting of three domed-shape glasses with a brass twist spouts and a scarification tool of brass, contained in a fitted walnut box measuring 22 x 14 x 9.5 cm. Stamped "Chappiere a Paris," possibly lacking a piece or two, but otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Original visiting card from the great violin virtuoso. On pink card with an elaborate embossed border design, printed in black at the center: "Le Baron N. Paganini / Commandeur et Chevalier / de plusieurs Ordres." Small mounting remnants to the verso; overall very fine. 3 x 2 inches (7.5 x 5 cm). Read More...
Finely constructed cap of blue silk with embroidered decoration in cotton, formerly owned and worn by the Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer, the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time and one the most colorful musical figures of the Romantic era. Italian, ca. 1820, with a descriptive card inscribed "Berretto fatto colla stofa della veste da nozze di Teresa Bocciardo Paganini, madre di Nicolò" ["Cap made of the material of the wedding gown of Teresa Bocciardo Paganini, mother of Nicolò"] and contained in an antique bell jar on a gilted wood base with brass plaque reading "Nicolò Paganini 1764-1840." Measuring 17 cm in diameter and 22.5 high, the container measuring 27 cm high. The wood base of the stand somewhat chipped, otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Broadside playbill for the Royal Victoria Theatre, London,Sept. 1833, advertising a remarkable evening of variety in the theater. First Mr. Warde starring in Richard the Third; then “the band” played an overture; then came a pantomime Harlequin Yorkshireman, or The Fairy’s Gift, then: “A FULL-LENGTH AUTOMATON FIGURE OF SIGNOR PAGANINI which will perform several favorite airs on the flageolet, violin etc. and afterwards fall to pieces showing the audience the wonderful mechanism of this great instrumental performer.” As if that weren’t enough, then came the celebrated dying and skeleton scenes from Harlequin and Oberon, ending with a BRILLIANT DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS. 8 x 13 inches professionally restored and mounted to acid free backing. Some paper loss at the top right, else fine. Read More...
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.).
13102. Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840). Grand Quatuor Pour Deux Violons, Alto et Basso [Quartet No. 7 in E major for violin, viola, cello and guitar, M.S. 34] - 1832 Copyist Manuscript with Interesting Provenance
Autograph manuscript copy of the complete parts for Paganini's Quartet No. 7 in E major for violin, viola, cello and guitar, M.S. 34, here transcribed for standard String Quartet (violin, violin, viola, cello). 8.5" x 13". 54 pages including front cover and individual cover pages. Outer wrapper spine reinforced with early paper tape over original threaded binding, scattered staining, overall very good. Read More...
Handwritten plan for a concert penned by Paganini, signed five times, "Paganini," one page, 7.75 x 6.75, Academie Royale de Musique, Paris letterhead, no date [ca. 1831]. Paganini outlines a plan for a Friday concert, writing four lines in Italian, each finishing with his surname. Among the pieces are the first part of his B Minor Concerto, what is understood to be his Religiosa introduzione al Rondo del Campanello, an sonata played only on his fourth string with variations on a martial tune, and a Larghetto and variations on a theme by Rossini. In part: "1. Prima parte di un Concerto in Si minore composto e eseguito dal Paganini, 2. Introduzione religiosa expressamente composta del Paganini, e Rondo allegretto obbligato ad un Campanella Composta, ed eseguito del Paganini, 3. Sonata di un Canto appassionato, e Variazioni Sopra un tema marziale Composta, ed eseguito sulla sola 4ta corda dal Paganini, 4. Larghetto, e variazioni sopra un Tema di Rossini Composta ed eseguito dal Paganini." Mounted and framed to an overall size of 10.25 x 9.25. In fine condition. Read More...
Paris: Chez Richault. 1832. First Edition. Le Charme de Padua, Divertimento Concertant pour Piano et Violon, ou Violencelle, ou Flûte, composé par Nicolo Paganini. Violin part 3 pp.; score 9 pp. [PN] 2956 R. Wear to wrappers, almost entirely torn at the fold; internally fine, overall very good. 10.5 x 13.75 inches (27 x 35 cm.)
An interesting short composition, loosely arranged from the 3rd movement of the Guitar Quartet No.5.
A very finely executed silhouette portrait of the legendary violinist, signed and dated by an unknown Continental artist "R.B. 1830" to the lower right and titled "Sig[nor] Paganini." On a page measuring 6.25 x 8.25 inches, set in an attractive period birdseye maple veneer frame. A few small spots, else in fine condition. Read More...
Rare original lifetime portrait engraving of the great violinist, likely published in this format as part of a concert ticket. The violinist is shown perched on an elaborate cloth drapery with a banner above reading ""Der berümte Tonkünstler" and his name "Paganini" on the drapery. Approx. 8.7 x 7.6 cm.
11804. Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840). 24 Capricci Per Violino solo ... Dedicati agli Artisti. Op. Ia. - FIRST EDITION
Milano: Gio. Ricordi. [1820]. First Edition, First Printing. Upright folio. 46 p. Engraved. [PN] 403.Catalogo tematico p. 89; Fuld (rev. ed.) p. 455. A fine copy, with scattered light foxing, self-printed wrappers with some darkening around the edges and few small repairs to the borders. Read More...
Rare concert broadside from the legendary violinist's first international tour, advertising a January 28, 1829 performance in Dresden at the Königliches Hoftheater. The "Kammer-Virtuoso" of His Majesty the Emperor of Austria was to perform several of his own pieces including the Second Violin Concerto (identifiable by the remark, "Rondo Allegretto, mit Begleitung eines Glöckchens" = with the accompaniment of a little bell), the Sonata Militare, and Introduction and Variationson the Cavatina ‘Di tanti palpiti’ from Rossini’s opera‘Tancredi’. The program was punctuated by arias, duets, and trios performed by a number of singers. Mounted to backing paper. Toning and foxing to the right side, two small areas of voiding, else in fine condition. 8.25 x 14.25 inches (21 x 36 cm). Read More...
13666. Paganini, Nicolò. (1782–1840). Signed 1831 Letter declining an invitation due to the "delicate state of my health"
Signed letter from the the Italian violinist, violist, guitarist, and composer, the most celebrated violin virtuoso of his time and one the most colorful musical figures of the Romantic era. Written in French in a secretarial hand, the letter is signed and dated in Italian in the hand of Paganini: London, June 27, 1831. Translated from the French, in part: "I have just received your kind invitation... for a dinner next Thursday, and I infinitely regret that a prior engagement on the same day in Bath puts me in the sad necessity of not being able to accept it; I have to say, Monsieur, that the delicate state of my health, and my numerous musical engagements, do not permit me to accept such invitations, which however distinguished and flattering they may be, would be too great an obstacle to the strict regime which my doctors have enforced upon me..." 2 pp. Folding creases, light toning and slight mounting remnants on one edge of the verso, but overall very legible and in fine condition. 7.25 x 8.75 inches (18.5 x 22.5 cm). Read More...
Original portrait engraving of the great violinist and composer, half-length, looking to the left, within a square frame. Ca. 1830, artist and publisher are unidentified, though the plate is numbered as "Ms C.L.No. 725." Rather heavy overall foxing, but otherwise in very good condition. 6 x 9.75 inches (15.3 x 24.8 cm).
A very finely painted silhouette portrait miniature, certainly of the 19th century and quite possibly executed during the great violinist's lifetime. On a page measuring 8 x 11 cms, the silhouette measures only 6.5 cms tall. There are several details executed in white paint against the basic black silhouette and the pose includes the exaggerated bow-arm position found in a number of famous lifetime portraits. This excellent portrait strongly resembles the style of a similar silhouette published by L. Bruce in 1830 which is in the Foyle Menuhin Archive of the Royal Academy of Music.
Paris: E. Guyot. 1830. 8 vo. Half title; publisher's stamped autograph authentication; [i]; frontispiece portrait (N.H. Jacob, Lith. by Langlumé); Title; [i]; Avant-Propos [i, ii]; 1-66 pp. Foxing, some stains to margins, edges rough, in original printed brown wrappers, spine and corners chipped. Rare.
Issue no. 3610 of The Theatrical Observer; And Daily Bills of the Play, a daily periodical published in London. Dated Friday, July 12, 1833. 4 pp. The final page consists of a large advertisement for a concert at Drury Lane with the header, "This evening / Signor PAGANINI / Will give the second of a Series of Four Concerts; In the course of which he will perform some of this most Established and Popular Pieces." The program includes The Matins of the Monastery of St. Bernard.Read More...
A very finely painted portrait miniature, signed, inscribed and dated 1819 by the artist on the verso "N. Paganini / 'Il Mago' / 1819 / L. Basiletti fece," with a label also attached to the reverse of the frame recording a virtuoso musical passage in pizzicato from Le Streghe, and noting there that this portrait was executed following a performance by the great violinist at the Teatro di Alessandria [Alessandria, Italy], "A Ricordo...di...Streghe...[2 measures musical notation] vista...Maestro N. Paganini / Teatro di Alexandria 1819 / da Mr. Basiletti Luigi / Brescia." Oil on canvas, 9 cm. diameter, set in a contemporary wooden frame, 14 cm diameter. With some modest cracks to the paint, no evident losses, else fine. Read More...
A fine example of this celebrated portrait of the violinist-composer in profile, cast bronze with warm brown patina, 6 in. diameter, signed and dated 1834 at lower center, inscribed with sitter's name to left, and with foundry mark "Eck et Durand" to verso, stamped with the number 357 to the upper edge, with a later metal hanging loop soldered to verso, Christie's label affixed to verso. With remarkable provenance from the collection of Alfred Cortot, one of the great pianists of all time, as well as an important collector of antiquarian music and historical music memorabilia. Read More...