Caruso, Enrico. (1873-1921) Interesting Letters and Signed Photograph

Caruso, Enrico. (1873-1921)

Interesting Letters and Signed Photograph

Interesting group of six autograph items from the great tenor to Harry Brunswick Loeb, music critic and owner of a New Orleans music store. Usual folds, mounting traces and traces of old tape to some, overall very good condition and all but the inscribed visiting card, boldly signed in ink.

The first, an ALS dated April 22nd, 1913 from Atlanta, GA, where Caruso sang in Manon Lescaut, La Gioconda and Tosca with the Met that week. 1.5 pp, tape remnants along left and on verso fold, else fine. In full: "In replay [sic] of your letter I am very sorry to tell you that I am unable to come to sing in your City. I still refused some other propositions for the same matter on account of my previous engagements. With Many thanks and regards, Enrico Caruso." By the time of the postcard dated July 17th, 1920 (with a note on the verso and a signed and inscribed portrait of Caruso on the front, sent in the included hand-addressed envelope), Caruso and Loeb had become friends, Caruso writing "My dear friend, Many thanks for your kind letter and Tony's poema. So glad to hear from you and happy to have you among my best friends. Mrs. Caruso and myself send you our best wishes and kind salutations. [continuing onto the portrait side] Remember me to your dear sister and husband and believe me your most sincerely Enrico Caruso." This signed postcard was evidently sent together with the printed visiting card ("Enrico Caruso"), inscribed - presusambly for the aforementioned Tony - "With many thanks for the 'poem' very very good indeed. Best wishes and regards." The typed letter on NY Vanderbilt Hotel letterhead dated October 30th, 1920 (1 page, folds, edges chipped, small tear in lower margin just touching edge of signature), reads in part: "you know that I will do my best to make your desire an accomplished fact in regard to the Metropolitan appearance in New Orleans, but don't forget that my power in this affair is very weak as I have nothing to do with the business arrangements of the Company." Two weeks later, on a postcard showing the Vanderbilt Hotel, Caruso thanks Loeb for "the postals and your kind expressions to me," and in December, writes a short typed note stating that "I have just received the book you so kindly sent me and I wish to thank you most heartly [sic] for your nice thought." (6035)

Autograph Letter Opera