Signed photograph of the Russian-American conductor, violist, composer and educator, shown during his period as the Music Director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has signed and inscribed at the lower right in Spanish, dating 1949. In very fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.2 x 25.2 cm).
Rare early signed black and white bust portrait of the jazz legend, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink at the lower left "Best Wishes Paul / Chet Baker - 1964 - ." Creases to edges and corners, with small loss to the lower right blank corner, otherwise in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Signed photographs of Chet Baker are of the utmost rarity. Read More...
Uncommon signed album from the tragic jazz great whose intimate playing style established him as a great talent until his drug related death in 1988. "Cool Burnin'" with George Coleman, Kirk Lightsey, Herman Wright and Roy Brooks on Prestige 7496, signed "Chet Baker 1973" and "George Coleman" on the back cover in blue ink. Blue "Trident" stereo labels with "Van Gelder" in dead wax. Vinyl with 1/2" mark producing several light tics, signed cover in fine condition. Read More...
Colorful bifold promotional flyer from a one-week residency by the legendary dancer, singer, and actress at the RKO Boston in June of 1951, promoting her as "the provocative, exotic rage of Paris," "the most daring entertainer of our times!," and "the toast of three continents." The center of the program features four halftone photographs of Baker, and the back page notes that the act will also include Leo de Lyon, Buddy Rich, and his orchestra. In fine condition. 6.5 x 8.5 inches (16.5 x 21.6 cm.). Read More...
Large format signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A luminous image of the entertainer with her hands and arms artfully placed across her bare body, vintage glossy 6.5 x 8.5 photo by Studio Piaz of Paris, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "A Monsieur Emile Dretinier, en souvenir de Josephine Baker, Paris, 1933.” In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, tack holes to the corners, light silvering, and mottled foxing. Baker's response to her own nudity: 'I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.'
Original 1951 Armand of Havana photograph of the legendary entertainer shown in a sumptuous Christian Dior gown and gloves, boldly signed and inscribed in black ink "To Paul / Amicalement / et son devotee / Josephine Baker / 1963." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.7 x 25.5 cm). Read More...
Signed postcard photograph of the legendary dancer and singer, who is shown in one of her trademark extravagant feathered costumes, and has signed across the image: "Souvenir de Josephine Baker / 1932." Fine. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.9 x 14 cm).
Signed photograph of the American-born French entertainer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist who became a symbol of the decadent Jazz Age and played a leading role in the advancement of African Americans in the arts. A wonderful image of the entertainer who is shown wearing an elaborate feathered headdress on stage during a performance at the Circle Star Theatre in San Carlos, California, signed and inscribed in blue felt tip to one of the theatre's stagehands. Pin holes through each corner, a few light emulsion spots, else in fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Vintage 8 x 10 inch doubleweight original photograph of the great singer/dancer "in a happy good mood when she arrives at London airport" in 1959. Fine.
Baker was most noted as a singer, while in her early career she was a celebrated dancer. She was given the nicknames the "Black Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Créole Goddess" in anglophone nations, while in France she has always been known in the old theatrical tradition as "La Baker."
Signed vintage sepia Walery postcard photograph of the legendary African American entertainer. A full length portrait, boldly signed and inscribed in blue ink in 1937. 9 x 14 cm. Baker's death year of 1975 written in ink in the lower border (obviously in another hand), otherwise fine. Read More...
Striking vintage doubleweight glossy portrait of Baker posing beside a tiger skin rug, signed and inscribed in French in fountain pen, “à Mr Mario Mariotti / en souvenir de / Josephine Baker / Milano / 1932.” Some losses to edges and a small area at her extended wrist, but the imposing image is largely unaffected and it is otherwise in fine condition. 6.5 x 9.3 inches (16.5 x 23.6 cm.). Read More...
Autograph letter from the Russian painter and scene and costume designer, known for his extensive work for the Ballets Russes. 1 p. June 21, 1915. To architect and art critic Frantz Jourdain (1847–1935), Bakst writes (translated from the French): "Dear maître, I am very touched by your kind letter and thank you sincerely. I will act according to your advice. Until then, please believe my devoted and cordial sentiments. Leon Bakst." In very fine condition. 4.5 x 7 inches (11.3 x 17.3 cm).
Paris: Imprimerie Modern Style. P. Marmy. Oversize elaborate printed invitation to the 1911 Bal des Quat'z'Arts. The design by the French painter, illustrator and decorator H. Rapin, featuring a highly stylized illustration on Babylonian themes. 19 x 33 cm. Dampstained along the lower edge, left edge and upper margin chipped with a few small losses, else fine. Read More...
Original publicity photograph from the Great Performances series, broadcast information printed at bottom, showing the NYCB dancers Kay Mazzo and Peter Martins in Balanchine's great ballet "Stravinsky Violin Concerto." In fine condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.).
Original photograph of the great choreographer with the popular ballerina/choreographer and musical theatre actress who was his second wife. According the clipping attached to the verso, they are shown while attending the premiere of Pinocchio. Stamps and stickers on verso, small creases and marks to margins, overall in very good condition. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm.). Read More...
Original silver gelatin contact sheet, showing an assemblage of images of the American writer and activist in New York City, 1968 and including also images of an unidentified second figure, including some posed with Baldwin. Photographer's stamp and pencil notations to verso. In fine condition. 10.6 x 8 inches (27 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...
Grouping of three original ca. 1910 postcard photographs of ballet dancers in costume for various unidentified productions, issued in Florence, London, and Moscow. Minimal edge and corner wear, silvering to top half of one postcard, else fine. Approx.3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.8 x 13.5 cm.) each.
A striking sepia-toned photo of Ballet Español Ximénez-Vargas, signed by all six members, including Roberto Ximénez and Manolo Vargas, the Flamenco dancers who founded the ensemble in 1955. A number of small creases and surface creases, particularly along the lower edge, otherwise fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
Hand-colored glossy Rotary Foulsham & Banfield of London postcard photograph signed by the great Russian dancers who are shown in a striking back-to-back pose. Unrelated message written to verso, dated 22 August 1913. In fine condition. 3.5 x 5.5 inches (8.9 x 14 cm.). Read More...
Incredible signed photograph of three members of the great Messerer/Plisetsky ballet dynasty rehearsing together, including Soviet ballerina and choreographer Maya Plisetskaya posing with her younger brother Azari and an unidentified second male dancer under the direction of Maya and Azari's uncle, Bolshoi ballet master Asaf Messerer. All four individuals have signed their names in black ink. Mounting remnants to verso, else in very fine condition. 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.3 cm.). Read More...