An original 1916 souvenir program from the first American tour of the Ballet Russe, with full-color illustrations of costumes by Leon Bakst, photographs of the dancers, signed by principal dancers Adolph Bolm and Flore Revalles. Bolm has signed below a photograph of himself firing a bow as Prince Igor; Revalles has signed below a photograph of herself in an oriental costume and dated Baltimore, November 14, 1916. The program contains many full-color illustrations and photographs, including a photograph of Nijinsky in Spectre de la Rose and Bakst's Nijinsky as Faun, ballet descriptions, an itinerary, and 2 pages of ads. Pages are of thick ivory uncoated paper, cover is thick mottled grey paper, with embossed gold lettering and an attractive illustration of Nijinksy in Scheherezade. 36 pp. Heavy edge wear to the covers, which are detached from the pages; internally in very good condition overall. 9 x 12 inches (23.5 x 31.5 cm).
Paris: Manzi, Joyant & Cie. 1909. Special number of the Parisian cultural magazine, devoted to the Saison Russe of 1909. No. 249, Mai (I) 1909. The decorative cover features a color image of Nijinsky and Anna Pavlova in Le Pavillon d'Armide; featured inside are photographs of Feodor Chaliapin in Rimsky-Korsakov's Ivan the Terrible; Michel Fokine, Vera Fokina, Tamara Karsavina, Vera Karalli, Pavlova and Nijinsky, and other singers, actors, and dancers of the Russian companies; and set designs by Roerich and Golovine. 24 pp. Archival tape repairs to the spine and one corner; some light soiling and toning, with one small tear to the back wrapper; overall in fine condition. 11 x 14 inches (27.5 x 35.3 cm). Read More...
Berlin; Moscou; St. Pétersbourg: Édition Russe de Musique (Russischer Musikverlag G.M.B.H.). 1913. First edition. Upright folio. 1f., 89pp [PN] 196. Hardcover. Wrappers mounted over tan buckram boards. Corners of boards nicked, tape affixed to lower spine, two small holes to the half title, else clean and in a good state. DeLerma S3, p. 80. CPM 54 p.444; Kirchmeyer: "Kommentiertes Verzeichnis Der Werke & Werkausgaben Igor Strawinskys bis 1971," pp.115-126. The first edition of the corrected version, published within a year of the first version. The full score was not published until 1921. Read More...
Profusely illustrated 1929 program for the Opera Privé de Paris production of “Prince Igor” by Borodine. 9.5 x 12.5 inches. 28 pp. Nine tipped-in color plates, including a portrait of its star singer, Maria Kousnetzoff; and, by Konstantin Korovine, six character costumes and two stage sets. The color cover is by J. Bilibine. Also included are full-page portraits of Madame Alexandra Balachova and of baritone Michel Benois, as well as many smaller photographs of other participants such as orchestra director Emil Cooper and choreographer-dancer Michel Fokine (who, a few years later, developed the famous Ballet based on Prince Igor). The center pages somewhat loose from the staples, edges slightly chipped, but complete and overall in very good condition. Read More...
Exuberant original 1963 candid photograph of the stunning Natalie Wood, the incredible Jerome Robbins and the magnificent Anne Bancroft. This photograph was taken backstage after the opening of "Mother Courage" which starred Miss Bancroft. 7 x 9 inches, clipping on the verso, slight bend along right edge.
19023. [Banjo] Harris, Harry C.. "The Banjo. An Original Imitation of this Inimitable Instrument, for the Piano"
Philadelphia: Lee & Walker. 1857. Upright folio. 4 pp. Engraved throughout, featuring graphically striking illustration of the banjo on the cover. Pages fully separated along spine, upper right corner perished, three short horizontal tears, else fine. 9 x 13.25 inches (22.9 x 33.6 cm.).
Boldly penned AMQS from the popular English composer. Four measures from an unidentified work in B minor, marked "Con Anima" and "mf espress[ivo]" and signed "Granville Bantock." On a small paper measuring 11 x 5.5 cm. Scarce.
Amusing concert program for an 1889 concert of sacred music at the Baptist Meeting House in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts, written throughout in a precious "ye olde English" style. The concert took place "on ye evening of Thursday, May 9, 1889 at earlie candle lighte, wh occurs by ye Olde Farmers' Almanack, and not ye new fangled time, at 7.45 of ye clocke... For a true and faithful chronicle of all ye events wh will then come to pass, see ye lyst wh is in ye middle of ye booke [etc., etc.]" 16 pp. Original green wrapper with some edge nicks; overall toning; otherwise in very good condition. 7.5 x 10 inches (19 x 26 cm).
Newark: Rising Tide. [1990]. First. 8vo., 16 pp. black wrappers lettered in pink, orange and blue, stapled, as issued; minor soiling. First edition, first printing (not to be confused with the more commonly seen xeroxed edition with silver wrappers). A remarkable presentation copy, inscribed: "For Marlene / Be Everything We Need / Amiri Baraka, '91," on the front pastedown.
Superb early right-facing bust doubleweight photograph of the dashing young American composer and conductor, signed and inscribed "To my good friend Ralph / Sam / West Chester / March '37." The recipient and dedicatee of the photograph was American composer and pianist Ralph Berkowitz, who with cellist Felix Salmond, performed Barber's Cello Sonata on March 7, 1937 at a surprise party arranged by Mary Curtis Bok for Barber's twenty-seventh birthday (Barbara Heyman, "Samuel Barber: The Composer and His Music," p. 115). Signed photographs of Barber are extremely rare and desirable and this is a particularly early and remarkable example with a wonderful association. 8 x 10 inches. Light wear to margins, overall very fine. Read More...
10125. Barber, Samuel. (1910–1981). Collection of privately issued and limited edition recordings of Barber, some inscribed
Nineteen rare gramophone recordings, privately issued, some from broadcasts (some probably unique), several with autograph writing or inscribed, twelve of which are contained in a worn cloth record binder stamped "Samuel Barber Compositions," including of Barber as baritone, accompanying himself performing: Brahms, "Der Gang zum Liebchen", "Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht"; Schubert, "Der Jüngling an der Quelle"; Schumann, "In der Fremde"; Mendelssohn, "Ist es wahr?"; C.P.E. Bach "Nonnelied", and Tuscan, English, Kentucky and Tyrolean folk-songs: all at the Curtis Institute, 26 Dec[ember 19]38, 4 records, privately issued, 78 RPM. Read More...
Press Photograph of the former First Lady and the American composer attending a performance at The Metropolitan Opera House. Caption above image reads in part "The two will attend the Met's 125th Anniversary performance." Stamp to verso dated December 8, 1967. Printed in low contrast sepia for publication mockup, overall good. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Printed bifold 1962 invitation to the Birthday Party of British-American poet W.H. Auden, addressed in Auden's hand to "Mr. Samuel Barber" at the head in ink and annotated by Barber in pencil with musical rhythms and some calculations on the verso, the inside being blank and thus easily displayed open so both sides are visible. In fine condition, a remarkable association. From the collection of Barber's close friend Manfred Ibel. Read More...
Original certificate awarding the important American composer the Governor's Citation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dated September 22, 1971 and signed by Governor Milton J. Shapp and Secretary of the Commonwealth C. Delores Tucker. Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Barber studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and maintained a close link to the city throughout his life. The composer's name is hand-lettered and a gold seal with purple ribbons is affixed at the foot. One slight chip to the edge and mounting remnants on the verso; overall in fine condition. 11 x 14 inches (28 x 35.7 cm).
A fascinating and important collection of autograph letters and telegrams to the important American composer, dating from the premieres of his two operas, Vanessa (1958), and Antony and Cleopatra (1966). Included are autograph letters from Aaron Copland, John Browning (who premiered Barber's Piano Concerto), Rosalind Elias (the original Erika in Vanessa and Charmain in Antony and Cleopatra), Ignace Strasvogel, and other friends and admirers, and telegrams from Leonard Bernstein, Martha Graham, Jerome Robbins, W. H. Auden, Noel Coward, and many others. Read More...
Signed original doubleweight A. Laviosa of NY photograph of the British conductor and cellist, who has inscribed in fountain pen ink to the Box Office Treasurer of the New York Philharmonic, "To Edward Hochner / with all good wishes / John Barbirolli." Very fine. 6.75 x 9 inches (17.1 x 22.9 cm.).
Original caricature of the important British conductor, signed by the noted American illustrator and caricaturist Sam Norkin. Barbirolli is depicted conducting in concert dress, during his time as the conductor of the New York Philharmonic (1936–1943). Black and white ink on card, with pencil caption at the foot. Some light toning and wear; overall fine. 9.5 x 13.5 inches (24 x 33 cm). Read More...
A short autograph note from the German composer, the half-brother of Clara Schumann who taught at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik and, with Brahms, edited the complete works of Schumann and Chopin. He has written a short request (translated from the German): "Please provide Mr. Beal with a room," and signed at the foot in pencil. Toning and mounting remnants; overall very good. 5 x 4.25 inches (13 x 11 cm).
Fine autograph letter from the Scottish Novelist and creator of Peter Pan. Signed "J M Barrie," two pages, 8vo, Leicester Corner, Lancaster Gate, London, 13th April 1905, to Mrs. Pogson. Barrie writes: "There must be some mistake as I have been in communication with no one about the German version of Peter Pan. However, I presume it means that Mr Bright has done so in my name, as he is entitled to do. I shall send him on your card, and it will be a pleasure to me if this matter is answered as you propose. If I am in London at the same time as you I shall be pleased to see you.." Usual horizontal fold, overall in very fine condition. Read More...
Secretarial letter on behalf of the Scottish novelist and creator of Peter Pan to actor Monty Woolley. August 9, 1927. 2 pp., handwritten, on letterhead of the Stanway hotel, Cheltenham. Text, in full: "Dear Sir, Sir James Barrie directs me to thank you very much for your letter and expresses his great regret at the impossibility of his being able to leave England. He much appreciates the honor of the invitation and is so sorry not to be able to come to Boston. He is also very sorry not to be able to have the pleasure of meeting you, but he has left London for some time. Yours faithfully, C. Greene (for Sir James Barrie)." Toning and some light soiling; overall fine. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.5 x 17.8 cm). Read More...