A quite harshly worded autograph letter from the British novelist of such satirical classics as Vanity Fair and The Luck of Barry Lyndon. 1 page, n.p., n.d. 10 x 12 cm. Matted with a printed reproduction sketch by the novelist who was also an accomplish artist. In full: "My dear Madame, Pray let me counsel you to abandon your literary aspirations: they are clogging your path more than you suppose. The eight little verse you have sent me are not fitted for publication; no Editor would insert them, believe me. Pray forgive me if I seem to speak cruelly or harshly, for I am hurried now at the present time. I have a deal of work before me. - Your little accompanying note has pleased me so that I will ask you to let me know further as to your hopes of a livelihood - apart from literature. Yours very truly, W.M. Thackeray."
A two-scene pen-and-ink drawing by Thackeray, depicting on the left a gathering of children around a chair "Placing the stocking for Santa Claus" and on the right a family gathering with dolls and gifts labeled "Xmas presents." Unsigned, approx. 11.5 x 9 cm, simply matted and framed to 24 x 22 cm. Unexamined out of frame, in apparently fine condition. Read More...
An original woodcut from the artist who, along with André Derain and Henri Matisse, was one of the principal figures in the Fauve movement and the only major 20th-century French artist who was also an important literary figure. A quiet image of a country road and an old church, inscribed and signed on the verso to the French journalist and art critic who was the Secretary of the Committee for the Diffusion of French Art: "a Louis Thomas Hommage amical / Vlaminck." 9.5 x 13.5 cm, simply framed so that both sides are viewable. 20 x 27 cm overall.
Signed folio edition of Interview magazine, Vol. VII, No. 12, December 1977, published by Andy Warhol. The colour front cover image, designed and painted by Richard Bernstein, depicts Mick Jagger with a printed caption to the inside, 'Mick Jagger proves he's the best Santa ever by bringing our readers the best presents ever: Iman and Paul von Ravenstein....' Signed ('Andy Warhol') in bold black ink with his name alone to a clear area at the base of the front cover. The front cover is neatly detached, with a few small tears and minor areas of paper loss to the edges, not affecting the signature. Some light overall age wear.
Original graphite drawing portrait of Wells, signed " H. G. Wells" to lower right of image in brown ink. The artist's signature (“Swamy”) lower right. 8 7/8” x 6 3/8”. The signature light but visible and otherwise in fine condition. Read More...
Hamburg: H. Christians. 1969. A signed volume from the Austrian painter known for his distinctively expressionistic portraits and landscapes, a study of the fans he made especially for Alma Mahler, with whom he had a passionate, often stormy affair. The originals are here reproduced with commentary. Kokoschka has inscribed with New Year's wishes for 1970 on the front free endpage. Oblong 8vo., 33 pp. Fine.
A full and bold clipped autograph signature "Gustav Mahler" mounted to the base of a profile portrait photograph of the composer. Trimmed to approx 3-1/4" x 5-3/8", mounting remnants to verso, else fine.
Original drawing, pencil on paper, signed "M. F. Garcia Malibran" and dated 1835 to lower left, discreet closed tear approximately half a centimetre long, not affecting image, 21 x 28cm (8 x 11ins). Simply framed. Read More...
130. Massenet, Jules. (1842-1912). Signed Postcard after the "moving triumph of interpretation" of his "Thérèse" in Vichy
Autograph signed note on the picture side of a postcard. Egreville, 15 July 1904. "De retour dans ma solitude après "Thérèse" à Vichy - triomphe émouvante pour l'interpretation - votre exquise lettre m'arriva ... merci - merci - merci!!!" Fine.
Excellent bold pencil signature from the important conductor, friend and advocate of Mahler, Strauss, Schoenberg and Reger. On a card, 10.5 x 7 cm. Dated New York, April 1923 and with a drawing of a smiling face and heart!
132. Mozart, Leopold. (1719–1787). [Versuch einer gründlichen Violinschule] Leopold Mozarts Hochfürstl. Salzburgisch Vice-Kapellmeisters grünliche Violinschule, mit vier Kupfertaflen und einer Tabelle. Dritte vermehrte auflage.
Augsburg: Lotter. 1787. Third edition. Small quarto, bound in contemporary boards. 17 x 21 cm. 268 pp. Illustrated with all four of the full-page plates, including the often-removed portrait frontispiece. Includes all text engravings and the table of music. Title with bookseller stamps (Chez N.Simrock â Bonn and Chez Adolf Konig A Munster) and a very small hole in the ownership inscription. Read More...
133. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. (1756–1791). Rondo A-Moll K.V. 511. Faksimile nach der früher im Besitz der Musikbibliothek Peters befindlichen Urschrift. [Ms. Private collection, Switzerland].
Leipzig: 1955. Oblong, 32 x 23 cm, 6 pp. Beautiful halftone facsimile. Wrappers in marbled paper. Spine and corners a little frayed, otherwise fine.
Leipzig: Breitkopf & Härtel. [1800]. [Oeuvres de W. A. Mozart. Concert pour le Pianoforte avec Accompagnement de 2 Violons, Alto et Basse, Flûte, 2 Clarinettes, 2 Bassons, 2 Cors, par W. A. Mozart. No. 2.] Read More...
136. [Opera & Theatre]. "The Histrionic and Lyric Firmament, 1882," Antique Print
Unusual color lithograph printed as a color plate from an October 18, 1882 issue of the New York humor magazine "Puck." 20 x 13 inches and in good condition aside from light age toning and a central publisher's fold (as issued). Some of the figures shown include: Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:EphemeraOpera
Wooden presentation fan with approx. 38 autographs, quotations, drawings and musical quotations of composers and singers and performers, writers, artists and historical figures, obtained mostly in Vienna and sometimes Berlin, 1897-1905 . 31 cm long, the fan manufactured by Josef Wertheimer, sold with the damaged remnants of the original cardboard container. The autographs including: Read More...
New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. 1973. First Edition. An extraordinary copy of this book, signed by six of the greatest divas in history: Joan SUTHERLAND, Marilyn HORNE, Beverly SILLS, Birgit NILSSON, Leontyne PRICE, Eileen FARRELL, on or opposite their photos. DJ a little rubbed, otherwise fine. 8 vo. 192 pp.
A scarce AMQS from the celebrated Estonian composer whose mostly minimalist music takes inspiration from Gregorian chant and is of the decidedly 'mystical' variety. The present quotation from his 1977 "Tabula Rasa," signed, inscribed and identified "Tabula" on a 15.5 x 10.5 cm card. Overall in fine condition.
Half-length portrait photograph of the great soprano, shown in an elegant gown, signed and inscribed in 1899. An original cabinet photograph, by A. Esmé Collings of West Brighton, with hand detailing of the image and a painted surrounding cartouche. Slightly trimmed along the top edge, else fine. 10.5 x 16 cm.