An interesting collection of original images of the conjoined twins Millie and Christine, who were born into slavery in North Carolina in 1851, taken from their parents and sold three or four times, stolen and retrieved, placed on display at fairs and "freak-shows" from New Orleans to as far as Canada. At one time, after being sold to J.P. Smith, they were kidnapped and taken to England. They were retrieved by Smith with the aid of their mother and brought back to North Carolina in 1857 and taught by Smith to read and write as well as sing and dance and the twins composed original music for their act. They were widely celebrated as "The Two-Headed Nightingale" and appeared with Barnum's circus. In 1869, a biography of the twins, "History and Medical Description of the Two-Headed Girl," was published and sold during their public appearances. Read More...
Glossy 8 x 10 inch Marcus Blechman bust portrait photograph of the great violinist, signed with his name alone and dated 1946 to a light area of the image. Several creases and a small nick to the left corner, overall quite presentable.
Original concert program, signed and inscribed by Menuhin on the second page of the program listing "Aux chers collègues M. et Mme Grumiaux" and signed also by his wife Diana "Avec sympathie et compréhension collégiales." Bruxelles, Palais des Beaux-Arts, 20/11/1954. 4to. Cover with a Piaz portrait of Menuhin. Some light marks and wrinkles to covers, else fine. A remarkable association between the two great violinists.
Autograph manuscript "Quatuor pour la fin du temps. I. Liturgie de cristal." Large open double upright musical folio, signed and inscribed on each page "très amicalement" to Pierre Tassin, 17/6/1987. Two small tears to edges, otherwise fine. Together with a related letter. Read More...
A highly attractive 16-chord autograph musical quotation from ‘the Father of the Grand Opera’, signed "Giacomo Meyerbeer." 16.5 x 9.5 cm, hand-ruled manuscript paper. N.p., N.d. A musical exercise consisting of double descending and ascending near chromatic scales of chords played with both hands, notated in brown ink on two hand-drawn staves, and entitled "Quadruple Gamme" at the head. Mounted to a slightly larger album page, central crease, else fine. Sold together with an original portrait photograph CDV by Pflaum & Co. of Berlin (6.5 x 10.5 cm).
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:AMQSOpera
Superb image of the supreme Russian violinist, noted for his fine interpretations of the unaccompanied Bach sonatas and Romantic works. He performed well into his mid-80s, won a 1975 Grammy, a Legion of Honor medal from France and a Kennedy Center Honor. One of the GREATS, considered by many to be in a class with Heifetz. A wonderful early head and shoulders portrait by Fayer, signed "Praha, 14-XI-34". 17 x 23 cm.
Vintage original doubleweight photograph from the stupendous Austrian violinist, shown performing with orchestra. Signed in blue ink with her name alone to a light area, in very fine condition. Slightly under 8 x 10 inches. Read More...
131. Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus. (1756–1791). Le Nozze di Figaro. Die Hochzeit des Figaro. Eine Comische Oper in 4. Aufzügen...fürs Clavier eingerichtet von C. G. Neefe.
Bonn: N. Simrock [under pasted ticket of Chez Louis, Marchand de Musique, Rue du Roule]. [1801]. First edition [10th issue]. [1] (title printed within oval decorative border), 2-228 pp., 1f. Oblong 4to (c.21.5 x 30cms). Engraved throughout. [PN] 28. Text in Italian and German. Includes as No. 30, Mozart's aria "Al desio di chi t'adora" (k. 577). The addition of the price 24 Fr. obscured by the Louis ticket, but visible under light. Marbled boards, gilt-stamped ownership plate of Mr. Sernin to the upper board and his signature upper right on title, binding rubbed and chipped, a very crisp and clean copy within. Haberkamp page 259. Read More...
London: Printed for D. Henry by John Nichols. December, 1791. First edition. The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle. For December, 1791. Being the Sixth Number of Vol. LXI. Part II. 194 [1073 - 1168] pp. Disbound, from a larger volume with traces of leather and string along spine, in very fine condition. Read More...
Rare autograph signature from the brilliant French violinist who died tragically at the age of 30 in a plane crash on her way to the US for a concert tour. Album page signed boldly "Ginette Neveu / 1944." 13 x 13 cm.
Fine bust portrait medal of the German composer, conductor and founder of the Vienna Philharmonic, ca. 1910. Nicolai shown half figure 3/4 to right, wearing mustache; reverse with an allegory of music, female figure standing to right, wearing laurel wreath on head, holding lyre and flower bouquet. 119 grams, 69 mm diameter. In fine condition.
Bold autograph signature on an album page, dated St. Louis, 1884. Together with a very fine original Reutlinger of Paris photograph of the great Swedish soprano. In excellent condition, 6.5 x 10 cm.
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:SignatureOpera
Signed glossy J. Mandel of Paris/Rio photograph of the great Brazilian pianist, shown in an unusual profile bust portrait with her eyes closed. Dated 1957 and measuring 8 x 10 inches. Fine. Read More...
Bust relief portrait medal of Paganini facing right with long neck and flowing hair, side-burns reaching to lower chin, inscribed around the image “Fama Paganini non estperitura per annos," the obverse with a soaring eagle holding a violin in its beak and clutching a bow in right claw and laurel wreaths in left claw soaring into infinity, circularly inscribed with “Parisienses praedicant et orbis, verba desunt." 55 mm. diameter, 77.8 gr. Illustrated in Edward Neill "Nicolò Paganini: la vita attraverso le opere, i documenti e le immagini" (Genova, 1978), p. 391; Niggl no. 1553; Andorfer & Epstein N. 236. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:Ephemera
Solid silver bust relief portrait medal of Paganini facing right with long neck and flowing hair, side-burns reaching to lower chin, inscribed around the image “Fama Paganini non estperitura per annos," the obverse with a soaring eagle holding a violin in its beak and clutching a bow in right claw and laurel wreaths in left claw soaring into infinity, circularly inscribed with “Parisienses praedicant et orbis, verba desunt." 55 mm. diameter, 76.55 gr. Illustrated in Edward Neill "Nicolò Paganini: la vita attraverso le opere, i documenti e le immagini" (Genova, 1978), p. 391; Niggl no. 1553; Andorfer & Epstein N. 236. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:Ephemera
A lock of hair from 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. The lock measuring approx. 3 cm in diameter and including some 100+ hairs, archivally matted and framed with an original stipple engraved portrait by F. Kruger (engraved by C.F. Weber, Berlin, 1829) to 29.5 x 43 cm overall. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:Ephemera
Set of two gilded metal cuff-links 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. The cuff-links incised with the coat of arms of Niccolò Paganini, each with a ribbon tie and in fine condition. Read More...
Show all available items in this catalogue matching:Ephemera
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...
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...