Rare souvenir program from the original Broadway production of the classic musical West Side Story, signed by much of the original cast, including the creators of the principal roles: Carol Lawrence (Maria), Larry Kert (Tony), Chita Rivera (Anita), Art Smith (Doc), Mickey Calin (Riff), Ken LeRoy (Bernardo), Lee Theodore (credited here as "Lee Becker") (Anybodys), Eddie Roll (Action), David Winters (Baby John), and Tony Mordente. (A-Rab). 16 pp. Wear to spine, overall in fine condition. 9 x 12 inches (22.9 x 30.5 cm.). Read More...
Autograph letter signed to Nathan Broder, manager of publications for the music publisher G. Schirmer. 18 Feb, 1950, on letterhead of Bernstein's 1025 Park Ave address. In full: “Dear Nat, Just a word to express my deep pleasure and satisfaction at the publication of The A of A [Age of Anxiety]. It is beatuifully gotten out, handsome and done with loving care; and I am filled with gratitude. Sincerely, Lenny B." Usual folds, stamp "Received / 1950 FEB 18...G Schirmer" on the verso, in fine condition. 7 x 10.5 inches (19 x 26 cm). Read More...
Signed original doubleweight photograph of the American conductor and composer, one of the titans of mid-century American music, standing in the proscenium of an unknown stage, the orchestra to his front and the curtain to his rear. Bernstein has inscribed "For Paul / Leonard Bernstein" in black ink to a light area of the image. Photographer unconfirmed but likely Paul McMahon, ca. 1965. In very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Original gelatin silver print by the German-born American photographer and photojournalist, showing the great conductor on stage, leading his orchestra with an intense energy! Signed in ink to recto by the photographer, lower right, and editioned 5/250 lower left. Signed, titled, and dated on verso in pencil. Unexamined out of frame but in apparently fine condition. Sight 8 x 12 inches; nicely matted and framed to an overall size of 22 x 25.5 inches (56 x 65 cm). Read More...
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist as a young man. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Caption, "Leonard Bernstein," typed to verso. 9.5 x 7.5 inches (24.1 x 19 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Boston: David R. Godine. 1988. First. A tribute for Bernstein's 70th birthday with ample imagery and illustration, including essays by John Rockwell, Andrew L. Pincus, Bernstein himself, and many more. Inscribed on the half title to Phyllis Newman, "Dearest Phyllis - you swung me into a whole new decade - God love you - Lenny / 88." Green cloth with slipcase. 8to. 204pp. Slight discoloration of cloth along spine and extremities of book and slipcase, else fine. Read More...
Photograph of the (then) doyen of American composers, his younger colleague and the Ukrainian-American violinist, with printed caption to head, "11/9/80 New York: Violinist Isaac Stern (L) and conductor Leonard Bernstein congratulate Aaron Copland 11/9 on his 80th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein conducted the American Symphony Orchestra in a special Copland Birthday Celebration for the dean of American composers." Oblong format, 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 24 cm). In fine condition.
New York: Simon & Schuster. 1982. First edition. Octavo, original half cloth, illustrated with photographs. Signed and inscribed by Bernstein on the title page. In original dj, very fine throughout. Read More...
34.
[Photographs (unsigned)]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" - Original 1943 Photograph
Original International News Photo photograph of the young composer/conductor, printed around the time of his historic November 14, 1943 NY Philharmonic debut and with a press sheet affixed to verso with text reading "Youth 25 Conducts Philharmonic in Emergency" and describing Bernstein's famously filling in with a few hours’ notice and without rehearsal for an ailing Bruno Walter. The concert was broadcast nationally, and The New York Times ran a front-page story the next day, calling his performance “a good American success story.” Light scratches, overall in fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).
Two press photographs of the American composer, conductor and pianist from his first two concerts with the New York Philharmonic in (West) Berlin, September 22 and 23, 1960. Copyrighted by Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa), with additional hand stamp of Agence France-Presse. Extended captions in German typed to versos regarding the guest performances. One picture is from a rehearsal, the other from the first concerts (which was part of the Berliner Festwochen festival). Both photos 8.25 x 6.25 inches (21 x 16 cm). In fine condition.
An original doubleweight photograph of the important composer and conductor shown in semi-profile from below, taken by fellow composer David Diamond and with his raised stamp lower left, inscribed in blue ink to verso "Credit: Photo / David Diamond" and in pencil "Venezia 1954." 9 x 6.75 inches (23.3 x 17.5 cm). In very fine condition. Read More...
15.
[Letters and Misc.]
Bernstein, Leonard. (1918–1990). The Sound of Genius is on Columbia Records - SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH ADVERTISEMENT
An autograph signature from the beloved American composer and conductor, penned in blue ink on a Columbia Records advertisement which appears on the verso of this excised page from a January 1922, 1958 Carnegie Hall program featuring the Philharmonic Student Concert presented by The Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, conducted by Bernstein. Vertical crease, right edge rough, else fine. 7.25 x 9.5 inches (18.5 x 24.5 cm).
Original photograph of the young composer/conductor, with a press clipping affixed to verso with text reading "Leonard Bernstein, assisted by some of Broadway's leading musical comedy stars, launches the fifth season of 'Omnibus' on NBC tonight. Bernstein will explore the birth and growth of the musical comedy in America." Small staple holes upper right, stains around margins, else very good condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (17 x 21.5 cm).
Signed portrait in profile of the American composer, conductor and pianist. Inscribed to Paul McMahon. Hand stamps of Columbia Records Photo to verso. 9 x 7 inches (23.1 x 17.7 cm). Slight tear to right margin; else in fine condition. Read More...
Attractive signed photograph of the conductor and composer, who has penned his name to the lower blank margin in purple ink, adding the date of '84 and, at the top of the photo, "Happy Birthday!". 3.6 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5 cm). Very fine.
Attractive signed photograph of the conductor and composer, who has penned his name to the lower blank margin in black ink. 3.6 x 5.5 inches (9 x 13.5cm), simply framed in black to overall 5.5 x 6.5 inches (14 x 16 cm).
Photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist and the Italian stage director and filmmaker seated at a table, talking and smiling at each other, with Bernstein hugging Visconti's head. From Agence France-Presse. Extended caption printed to verso explaining that the photo was made after the opening performance of Verdi's Falstaff at the Vienna State Opera, a production directed by Visconti and conducted by Bernstein. No date is given, but the performance took place in 1966. Oblong format, 5 x 7 inches (12.8 x 17.8 cm). Small crease to lower left corner; else in very good condition.
Signed title page of David Ewen's Leonard Bernstein: A Biography for Young People (Philadelphia and New York: Chilton, 1961). Signature "Leonard Bernstein" only. Single sheet, cut from the book. 9.25 x 5 inches (23.4 x 12.8 cm). In fine condition. Together with a second Bernstein for young people item, namely the softcover Bernstein biography by Molly Crone, with charming illustrations by Robert Galster. First edition, published by Thomas Y. Crowell/ Crocodile, New York, 1973. 32 pp, modest crease, else fine. Read More...
Very fine photograph of the American composer, conductor and pianist seated at the piano during a press conference at the Maison de la radio (headquarters of Radio France) on November 18, 1981, preceding a tour with the Orchestre national de France and Lorin Maazel, as explained by a typed note in French from Agence France-Presse attached to verso. 9.5 x 7 inches (17.6 x 38 cm). In fine condition.
New York: Random House. 1958. First, 1st issue. . Hardcover with dust jacket, 5.5 x 8.25, 143 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page in black felt tip, "Best wishes to Matt Stiller, from Stephen Sondheim, 4/9/93." Book condition: fine, with sunning to the jacket's spine, and a tape-repaired tear to the spine's head. Read More...