TLS of the Austrian-American composer, founder and head of the Second Viennese School, to his former student and son-in-law Felix Greissle at G. Schirmer, New York. July 17, 1944. In English. 1 p. Schoenberg's personal handstamp to left head with address of 116 N. Rockingham Ave., Los Angeles, California. In part: "Though my letter to Mr. Reese, by naming only the condition that the publication of my orchestration of Carl Engel[']s Triptych must be guaranteed by Schirmers, makes it quite clear, I feel I should mention it in a formal manner: / I do not ask for a fee for this work. / I do not know why the Goldmann Band does not perform my variations this summer. / I am doubtful whether under thee circumstances one should leave the 'Uraufführung' to him." Extended note to right head in pencil, erased and probably lost. 11 x 8.5 inches (28 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
Uncommon signed Bruno of Hollywood photograph of the American big band leader, trombonist, and arranger during the 1930s and 1940s, best known for being one of the composers of the song "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You" (with Larry Stock and James Cavanaugh) and who was the first to record it in 1944. Signed and inscribed in 1949. Slight smudge to signature, else very fine. 8 x 10 inch (20.5 x 25.5 cm).
Signed official photograph of the great Hungarian-French pianist issues by Disques La Voix de son maître (=HMV) and credited to Brodsky. Inscribed to verso in French, "à Mme Florence – ave amitié – Georges Cziffra 17-8-1989." 5.5 x 3.5 inches, with deckle edge. Crease to lower right corner, else in fine condition. Read More...
Original screen-used figural lion andiron from the 1939 Civil War epic, sold together with an original period production still (SIP-108-P229; 10 x 8 inches) depicting Clark Gable seated by the fireplace with this andiron clearly visible. The lower portion of the andiron as shown in the image has been separated from the section on offer here and is no longer extant, but the very heavy piece is in otherwise fine condition with moderate wear and some rust from age and use. An uncommon item from an important part of film history. Together with an A1 reproduction poster for the classic film, one in a series of five posters included with The Times newspaper as part of a 2006 promotion with Turner Classic Movies. Original folding creases, else in fine condition. 23.25 x 33.25 inches (59.4 x 84.1 cm.). Read More...
Promotional brochure issued by the Danish composer's publisher, Wilhelm Hansen, Copenhagen. Small upright format; staple-bound. 8 pp. (unpaginated). Photographic portrait to title. Biographical essay by Erling Kullberg, dated 1983. Work list, supplemented and updated to 1989 by loosely inserted leaf. Facsimile page from Symphony no. 4 to final page. Inscription to fol. 1v: "2/5/87 To Ian with greetings from Per Nørgård." 8.25 x 4 inches (21 x 10.5 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Original gatefold pressing of the classic jazz album credited with popularizing bossa nova around the world, signed to front cover in blue felt tip by saxophonist Stan Getz. Verve Records Stereo V6-8545. Covers, especially edges, quite worn but else in fine condition. Record has not been playtested but appears to be NM+. Signed copies are very uncommon! Read More...
An intriguing typed letter on Samuel Goldwyn Productions letterhead, April 25, 1955, written and signed by his secretary and on behalf of the American film director and screenwriter, noting that he is "currently deep into the film of GUYS AND DOLLS" but sends thanks "for your letter and your very kind and interesting remarks about his film, THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA" and had wanted to "thank you for bringing to his attention THE ADVENTURES OF AUGIE MARCH. He has read the book and is interested in it for a possible film." Folds, else fine. Read More...
Candid photograph of the American violinist with his instrument in his hand talking to the British conductor. Both are in formal attire, probably taken in a green room. Matted, with signatures to upper (Menuhin) and lower (Groves) margins. 10.5 x 8.5 inches (26.5 x 21.3 cm). Mount torn to left margin, but damage is barely visible from front; else in fine condition.
From the collection of English orchestra manager John Charles.
Original photograph of the New York Pro Musica co-founder leading the ensemble, which specialized in Medieval and Renaissance music, in a performance at an unidentified recording studio. Greenberg has signed "Noah Greenberg / Nov. 1962" in black ink. New York Pro Musica stamp to verso. Light surface creasing to upper left and lower right corners, image unaffected, overall in fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.).
Signed title pages cut from books on dance, inscribed to Paul McMahon unless noted otherwise. In excellent condition unless noted otherwise. As follows: Read More...
New York : Bourne: 1951. Song for piano and voice, with chords for guitar and tablature for ukulele. Quarto. 12 x 9 inches (30.5 x 22.8 cm). 4 pp., unpaginated. PN 2365-2. 9 x12 inches. Somewhat browned, with minor tears to edges, but in fine condition overall. Read More...
Autograph full score accomplished in pencil in the hand of Louie Bellson and titled on the outer wrapper in red pencil "The Hawk Talks / Original / By Louie Bellson / 1/17/51. / For Harry James Band" and again at the top of the first page of music, " The Hawk Talks." Oblong. 15 large pages, each page with 8 measures scored in full for 18 players (Saxophones, Trumpets, Trombones, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums), noting specific parts intended for ‘Jimmy’ [Cook], ‘Corky’ [Corcoran] and ‘Harry’ [James]. The score bound with three staples along the left margin, final page verso serving as the title wrapper (so upright folio when score is foldedin half). Crease from prior folding through center, final 2 pages with tape staining and some damage along crease, otherwise fine. 45 x 35 cm fully opened; 347 x 453 mm, large 19 stave score sheets by King Brand with eight bars per page. [With:] a typewritten publishing agreement for the composition The Hawk Talks between Tempo Music, Inc. and composer Louie Bellson, dated 25 May 1951, signed in blue ballpoint pen by Bellson, 4pp., 356 x 216 mm. [And:] a leaflet for the Duke Ellington Society of Southern California, Inc., signed and inscribed in black ink to Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts ‘To Charlie – peace + love, Louie Bellson’. Housed in a modern custom red cloth solander box. Provenance: Collection of Charlie Watts. Read More...
Vintage silver print photograph on Agfa paper, on original photographer's mount signed "Vladimir Nabokov / 26.II.67 / Montreux" by the subject and "Gisèle Freund / 1967" by the photographer. Stamped "Copyright by - Gisèle Freund" and "Please credit - Gisèle Freund" on verso of print. 11.75 x 9.25 inches (29.5 x 23 cm). On mat 16.75 x 12.75 inches (43 x 33 cm)Signed photographs of the writer are of notorious rarity. In over 40 years of auction records, we have traced but one other, a small format photograph (Christie's, The M. Wesley Marans Collection of Signed Photographs. Writers. 17 April, 1996). The present large example, signed additionally by the photographer and from her personal collection, is a particularly notable example. Read More...
Signed half-length double portrait of the British conductor and his wife, Ann Boult (née Bowles, divorced Wilson; known as "Lady Boult"), who did not sign. Matted, inscribed on the mount, "Greetings & all good wishes / Adrian C. Boult / 1962", to lower margin. 10.5 x 8 inches (27 x 20.4 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Photograph of the British politician, who was a musician by training, together with orchestra manager John Charles and an unidentified man in between). Signed by Heath but not by the other two. Oblong format, 7 x 9.5 inches (17.8 x 23.8 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
ALS of the Austrian-American composer, founder and head of the Second Viennese School, to an undisclosed male recipient, probably at a music publisher. February 19, 1934, corrected to "1935" in another hand. In German. 1 p. Personal letterhead paper with the address of 5860 Canyon Cove, Hollywood, California. In full: "The music you sent me is not what I need. Ideally, I would have a melody (dance song or something like that), if possible at all with some (2–5) strophes of text and if possible at all, American. In variations, I want to write a small motet-like piece but on a closed, extended melody (16–24 measures; bipartite to tripartite). Should I return the music? / Within days I will send you an errata list for the Suite, the first; it must be taken into account when the parts are copied. Could you have the parts revised by a good, educated musician who, if in doubt, could query me (query list, as I will send you one). / My full score is unfortunately not written particularly well. Will you have it copied, or will you engrave immediately? Could I then get a copy by early March? It not not have to be; I only ask, just in case. / Most cordial regards, Yours, Arnold Schoenberg." 11 x 8.5 inches (27.5 x 21.5 cm). Read More...
Extraordinary large format Richard de Grab photograph signed by the great Russian pianist, who has signed and inscribed "Mit herzlicher Gruss." From the personal collection of the Czech photographer, a prominent figure of the postwar art world. In fine condition. 15.75 x 19.75 inches (40 x 50 cm.). Read More...
Associated Press photo of the British conductor at the funeral of the British composer whose music he had championed for years. Press report in French attached to verso. Translated, in full: "A funeral service commemorating the famous blind composer Frederick Delius was held at the church of Limpsfield, Surrey. An orchestra conducted be Sir Thomas Beecham performed a selection of works by the great master. The photo shows Beecham delivering his eulogy at Delius's grave, yesterday, May 26, [1935]." Handstamps of Associated Press, Paris, and Société du Petit Parisien, dated May 27, 1935, to verso. 7 x 5 inches (17.8 x 12.3 cm). Browned in part from glue applied to verso; else in good condition. Read More...
Signed title pages and other leaves cut from books, inscribed to Paul McMahon unless noted otherwise. In excellent condition unless noted otherwise. As follows: Read More...
Signed program of a recital at Meridian Hill Park, Washington, D.C., July 5, 1944. Unpaginated bifolium. Signed by first violinist Jascha Brodsky, violist Max Aronoff and cellist Orlando Cole to first page; second violinist Charles Jaffe did not sign. 8.5 x 5.5 inches (21.5 x 14 cm). The program incorrectly lists Jaffe as violist and Aronoff as second violinist. Punch holes to spine for earlier binding; review from unidentified newspaper stapled to foot of first page; else in very good condition. Read More...