Münster: Aschendorff'sche Buchhandlung. 1842. First edition. xii, 178 p. fold. facsim. ; 23 cm. Includes facsimile of an autograph letter from Beethoven to Schindler, dated June or July, 1823 (Brandenburg no. 1687). Original front and rear wrappers affixed to contemporary boards with black cloth spine. Scattered toning, small tear to margin of final page, the facsimile with a number of clumsily repaired tears, else fine. Read More...
Original program from an orchestral concert given at Buckingham Palace on May 21, 1841, featuring an early performance of Beethoven's Wellington's Victory (Grand Battle Sinfonia) andaddressed by hand to the important English conductor of Beethoven's works, George Smart. The program lists works by Beethoven, Cimarosa, Mendelssohn, Strauss, and Spohr, concluding with the Grand Battle Sinfonia, which commemorates Wellington's victory at the battle of Vitoria in 1813. Sir George Smart, a guest at this occasion, had been the first to conduct the work in England about 20 years earlier. Printed on p. 1 of a bifolium and addressed to Smart on p. 3. With a significant tear at the fold, a few other small tears, chips, and overall wear, but with the inscription intact; overall in good condition. 5 x 7.5 inches (12.4 x 19.4 cm). Read More...
Drawing, charcoal and white chalk on toned paper, mounted and framed with a handwritten text in pencil giving the composer's name and dates and curiously describing the work as a drawing after the "oil painting," "Handzeichnung nach dem Ölgemälde von Fr. Aug. von Kloeber | etwa 1815/16". The image measuring 4 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches, attractively framed and glazed to 12 1/2 x 9 x 3/4 inches. Unsigned, in fine condition, with crease near center left, spots of light foxing, some gentle toning, not examined out of frame. Read More...
Poster advertising the 1958 British film directed by Brian Desmond Hurst and starring Michael Redgrave, Ian Bannen and Lionel Jeffries. The design features two doctors in surgical scrubs and masks below bold red lettering on a black and white background, over the text "Behind the scenes drama of a Great Hospital." Printed by Stafford and Co Ltd, Netherfield, Nottingham and London. 40 x 27 inches [102 x 69 cm]. Good condition, folds, creasing, small tears on edges, browning.
Collection of essays (in German) by the eminent German critic, exiled from 1933. Berlin and Leipzig: Schuster & Loeffler, 1921. 336 pp. With inscription by Egon Pollak, "Dem Kritischsten aller Kritiker zur Erinnerung an das kritische Jahr 1923! Fröhliche Weihnachten wünscht Egon Pollak." (To the most critical of all critics in remembrance of the critical year 1923! Egon Pollak wishes Merry Christmas.) Original boards and cloth spine. 8 x 5.5 inches (20.3 x 13.5 cm). Browned and very brittle. Upper board worn; spine chipped. Otherwise in good condition. From the collection of American composer George Perle. Read More...
Intimate oversized signed halftone photograph of the American singer, actor, and activist, who has inscribed "To Robert- / One of the nice experiences of this tour was to see you each night doing your thing on the stages of Canada. Your discipline and involvement artistically was a joy to be a part of. All the best. / Harry Belafonte" in blue ink. Removed from a souvenir program, which is absent. Mounting remnants to verso, overall in fine condition. 9 x 11.75 inches (22.9 x 29.8 cm.).
The Belafonte Story: The Words, the Music, the Man, An Almanac Picture Book, vol. 2, ed. Josi Gameaux (New York: Almanac Publications, Inc., April 1957). 68 p. including covers, 8.5 × 10.75 inches (22 × 27 cm). Three gatherings, pp. 3–66, browned with slightly darker edges, with text and ubiquitous black-and-white photography, engravings, and line drawings; bound with two metal staples, wrapped in glossy color paper cover, back attached to spine by glue; front cover detached with chipped left and right edges, else fine. Read More...
Original dinner menu from a dinner given by the Society of Arts and Sciences in honor of the American theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright David Belasco, signed on the cover by Belasco and by the theatrical producer and manager Daniel Frohman. A half-tone photograph of Belasco is tipped to the front cover. 4 pp. on heavy card, in fine condition. 5.5 x 9.25 inches (14.2 x 23.8 cm). Read More...
Printed dinner invitation card from the Scottish-born inventor to Robert Simpson Woodward (1849–1924), President of the Carnegie Institute, with the purpose of the dinner, "To meet the Board of Managers of the National Geographic Society," neatly penned in an unknown hand above the body of the invitation, which reads "Mr. Alexander Graham Bell / requests the pleasure of / President Woodward's / company at dinner / Thursday February 20 / at seven thirty o'clock. / 1331 Connecticut Avenue." No year given, presumed ca. 1897 - 1903. Small impression to verso breaking through slightly to recto, else in fine condition. 4.5 x 3.5 inches (11.4 x 8.9 cm.). Read More...
Striking original photograph by Marcia Stein, with the photographer's painted red initials at the lower left corner and also signed in pencil in full on the mount, inscribed and signed in ink by Guilbert while on a cruise ship ("Yvette Guilbert a bord de L'Espagne 1919") on the outer mount. The photograph itself in very fine condition, with the outer mount suffering from water staining along the lower edge, partially extending into the left edge of Guilbert's signature and inscription.
Attractive signed autograph quotation from the great Italian soprano, verismo legend of the Golden Age and creator of both Santuzza in Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana" and of the title role in Giordano's "Fedora." She was also the first Italian Salome. In very fine condition, the quotation reads: "L'arte e l'amore sono il piu bel dono di Dio all sue creature! Gemma Bellincioni / Graz, 1896." ["Art and love are the most beautiful gifts of God to his creations!"] In fine condition, 10 x 17.5 cm.
Signed postcard photograph of the Italian soprano, known for her verismo roles and especially for creating the role of Santuzza in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. She is shown in a profile portrait from behind, and has signed at the lower right, dating 1907 or 1909. Addressed on the verso. Rather silvered to the dark part of the postcard, but overall in fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.7 x 13.7 cm).
Very rare portrait medal by perhaps the most celebrated engraver from the Restoration through the Second Empire, issued in the year of the composer's death. Bust facing left with the text: "VINCENZO BELLINI NE A CATANE (SICILE) EN 1804 MORT A PUTEAUX PRES PARIS," reverse with a laurel wreath encircling a list of his operas. 55mm. Andorfer & Epstein 39. Very fine.
Paris: Hachette. 1868. First edition. 8vo., 232 pp, including two fold-out facsimiles of Bellini autographs. Inscribed by the author on the front free endpage to the great 19th-century French soprano, Delphine Uglade: "A Madame Ugalde / hommage affectueux et sincere / Arthur Pougin." Blue marbled boards, half blue leather. In very good condition. Read More...
Photograph with hand coloring, tipped into the 1976 exhibition brochure, Galerie François Petit, Paris, publisher. Ca. 1936, stamped 11 (there were 60 numbered copies and 2000 other copies of the brochure) and with the artist's blindstamp to the photographic paper. Image 6.3 x 6.4 inches (16.2 x 16.4 cm.); brochure 9.8 x 8.25 inches (25.1 x 21 cm.). Read More...
12339. [Bellowing Baby] [Mock Broadside] [Connecticut]. For One Night Only! Unparalleled Attraction!! Grand Oratorio, By the Choir of the Episcopal Church: The Services of The Bellowing Baby Have been Secured for the Occasion...[caption title].
[Norwich, Conn.]: Trench, Printer, 49 Water-Street. [Ca. 1841-44?]. First Edition. Broadside, approx. 18 x 12 inches. Old folds, light foxing and soiling; a couple of small flaws to the paper stock, not touching the text, else fine. Archivally encapuslated to protect condition, easily removed from protective case (shown in image). Read More...
Signed photograph of the American jazz drummer, who has inscribed "To George/ a great percussionist/ Louie Bellson." Additional clipped signature and inscription mounted to upper left corner: "To George Gaber/ Thanks for a lifetime of dedicated excellence/ Louie Bellson." Tape remnant and associated surface loss along lower margin, else fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Highly uncommon AMQS by the American drummer, composer, arranger, and music director: 14 measures from London Suite, Part II, melody only, notated on one staff. Inscribed, "regards / Louie Bellson / 4/20/83." Sheet cut from 12-staff pad. 11 x 8 inches (28 x 20.5 cm). In fine condition. Read More...
Signed photograph of the skillful if straightforward German conductor who had the misfortune to operate in the shadow of better-known Teutonic maestri of his generation such as Furtwängler, Klemperer, and Knappertsbusch. A member of the Nazi party, he was artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra during Furtwängler's tenure as chief conductor, and testified on his behalf at Furtwängler's denazification proceedings. 14.5 x 10.5 cm. In fine condition.
Sepia press photograph of two cast members from the original 1926 production of Eugene O'Neill's The Great God Brown, one of whom, dancer Margaret Severn, is wearing a mask by the famous Polish painter and designer. The typed press note mounted to verso is dated April 12, 1926, and reads, in part, "Margaret Severn who was the first dancer to use a Benda Mask on the stage, wearing her Benda Mask and Leona Hogarth who plays the leading feminine role in The Great God Brown, known as the play of masks, wearing the dramatic mask she uses in the play." Wide World Photos stamp to verso. Overall in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...