A kind autograph letter from the great singer, graciously declining an inviitation to attend "the private theatricals," noting that "professional occupations prevent me from having that pleasure." On her personal letterhead, addressed "Dear Miss Simpson." 1 page. 30 Devonshire Place, Portland Place. January 7, 1871. Signed in full, "Pauline Viardot." In fine condition with the usual folds, some scattered stains and corner tears and mounting traces. Read More...
A kind note from the great singer, graciously declining an inviitation to attend a concert. Sold together with a fine portrait CDV by Pierre Petit. A few scuffs on the photograph. Read More...
An short note from the great singer, neatly penned on her visiting card. Declining an invitation to attend a concert by Monsieur Falaber (?) due to illness. In very fine condition.
Choice Carte-de-Visite Photograph of Viardot, a full-length standing pose in costume as Orpheus in Gluck’s Orfeo et Euridice, by Disderi, Paris. Some toning to outer top margins, otherwise in very good condition.
A rare medal commissioned by the students of Viardot in honor of her 80th birthday. A fine bronze medallic portrait of Viardot head and shoulders in profile with her name in capitals around the circumference, signed by the artist, Heinrich Kautsch (1859 - 1943). The obverse is inscribed ‘A Pauline Viardot ses élèves, ses amis pour son 80me annver=saire’, with a star radiating from the top, a female seated on the ground, with a lyre, laurel and tragic mask. 70 mm. Andorfer & Epstein 819.
London: Addison, Hollier & Lucas. 1856. First edition. Eli, an Oratorio. (First Performed at Birmingham Musical Festival, August 29th 1855). The words selected and written by William Bartholomew. The Music composed and dedicated to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Piano-Vocal Score (12 x 15 inches). 192 pages. Later marbled boards, half brown leather, with raised spine label printed in gold ("ELI / Michael Costa / Inscribed to Pauline Viardot"). In very find condition. Inscribed by the composer on the title page to the great soprano, Pauline Viardot. Read More...
Autograph letter signed "Adelaide Ristori del Grillo." 2 pages, May 13, 1861. To Pauline Viardot ("Chere Madame"), giving the works she will declame at Viardot's forthcoming benefit and instructing how the program must be printed. Read More...
Paris: Troupenas [Edition Nicolo]. [1828]. Opéra en deux actes, avec accompagnement de Piano Forte. Title; catalogue; 258pp. Engraved. [PN] 308. Upright folio. Violet crushed silk velvet boards, relief-stamped and stamped with gold and with the initials "P.V.G." in gold on the front cover. Light scattered foxing throughout, chipped and worn at head and foot of spine, joints a little weak, overall fine. From the Collection of Pauline Viardot, one of the most important singers of the 19th century. Read More...
A brief but wonderful autograph note, signed "C. Saint-Saëns," without date. In French: "Don't fail to come. Mme Viardot is going to sing Delilah." 1 page, 12mo. Mounted to a slightly larger page. Read More...
An interesting autograph letter from the French journalist who abandoned his position as director of the Théâtre des Italiens in Paris in 1840 in order to devote himself fully to tending the career of his wife, a great soprano Pauline Garcia. One page, dated September 16, 1847. In fine condition, addressed on the verso to the music publisher Escudier. In French, concerning a tour and stating that Pauline will not sing in London nor elsewhere in England before the month of May. Usual folds, else fine.
Paris: J. Hetzel et Cie. 1877. First French edition. 5 x 7.5, 352 pages. Original pritned wrappers finely bound into three-quarter crimmson leather over red marbled boards. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page, in French (translated): “To Mr. Jules Claretié a tribute from the author.” In very good condition, with scattered foxing to signed page, light rippling to fore-edges, and a bit of light rubbing to boards. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:BookLiterature
Mayence: B. Schott. [1842. First edition. Edition "Violon Seul." Engraved folio. 19 pp. [PN] 6630. Spine reinforced with tape, otherwise in very fine condition. with a lovely ornamented title-page.
Rare twice-signed and inscribed CDV photograph of the great violinist who has boldly signed the recto in full, signing again and inscribing the verso "A Monsieur Lenormand, souvenir amical, St Louis 1871." Issued by Blanche of Anvers, 4.1 x 2.5 inches (10.5 x 6.5 cm) and in very fine condition. Read More...
235. Webern, Anton. (1883 - 1945). Drei Gesänge aus Viae Inviae, Op. 23 - Signed and Inscribed to Josef Polnauer
Vienna: Universal Edition. 1936. First edition. Folio. 12 pp. [PN] 10255. The title page signed and inscribed in 1936 by the composer to Josef Polnauer (1888 - 1969), composition student of Schoenberg and a fierce supporter of Mahler and the new Viennese composers. In the original printed wrappers, light staining and wrinkles to covers, otherwise in very fine condition throughout. Read More...
Vienna: Universal Edition. 1932. First edition. Folio. 13 pp. [PN] 10.050. The title page with the ownership signature "Krasner" of the renowned American violinist who premiered the violin concertos of Alban Berg and Arnold Schoenberg and who was a close associate of Webern (who conducted him in the British premiere of the Berg Concerto in 1936). Wrappers somewhat worn, else fine throughout.
Precise ink signature, “Oscar Wilde,” on an off-white slip, nicely matted with a reproduction photograph of the Irish writer and leader of the Aesthetic Movement, author of The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Happy Prince, etc., whose career and health were shattered by his imprisonment on charges of sodomy.
Cincinnati, Ohio: F. W. Helmick. [1882]. First edition. Scarce original sheet music, including a mounted original photograph of Wilde in an attractive printed frame. 6 pp. First interior leaf of music partially torn (but fully present) and heavily creased, toned, but otherwise fine. Very scarce. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:BookLiterature
Leipzig: Insel. [no date, ca. 1930]. [91. - 110. Tausend]. Boldly signed and inscribed by the Austrian writer who became one of the most highly regarded men of letters writing in German between the wars. Zweig was also a prolific autograph collector and his massive collection of musical and literary manuscripts resides at the British Library. Zweig and his wife, who left Europe together in 1940, committed suicide in 1942, largely in desperation over the horrors continuing in their homeland. Read More...
240. Zweig, Stefan. (1881-1942). Sternstunden der Menschheit : Fünf historische Miniaturen [The Tide of Fortune] - SIGNED
Leipzig: Insel. [no date, ca. 1940]. [56. - 70. Tausend]. 78 pp. 12mo. Original red printed boards. Signed in purple ink, on the first free endpage, "Stefan Zweig." Spine somewhat worn, else fine.
Zweig's five historical portraits in miniature is among his most celebrated works. The third of these portraits, "Georg Friedrich Handels Auferstehung" captures the moment of inspiration which resulted in the composer's Messiah.