7 minute read
Music
Pleased with his opera’s success in Paris
683. Gaetano Donizetti. Italian composer (1797-1848) known as a leading composer of the bel canto opera style. ALS in French, signed “Donizetti,” one page, 4.75 x 7.25, blindstamped monogram letterhead, no date but circa 18391840. Letter thanking his correspondent for his assistance, in full (translated): “I am very grateful for everything you are doing for me; I accept the success of Lucia [di Lammermoor] as an anticipation of the success of the Martyrs, that should begin rehearsing after Ruolz’s Vendetta.” In fine condition, with one repaired edge tear. Lucia di Lammermoor was first performed in French translation at the Theatre de la Renaissance on August 3, 1839. Donizetti was living in Paris at this time and was preparing a revision of his opera Poliuto for the Paris Opera, which premiered as Les Martyrs in April 1840. Starting Bid $200
Incredibly rare quartet of quotations in Puccini’s hand: “La Boheme,” “La Manon,” “La Tosca,” and “Mme. Butterfly”
684. Giacomo Puccini Autograph Musical Quotations
Signed. Amazing quadruple AMQS on an off-white 9.25 x 12.25 musically lined sheet, signed and inscribed at the conclusion, “Giacomo Puccini, a Madame Farcounet, Nice 23.3.06.” Above, Puccini pens two-to-four bars from four of his most beloved operas, writing the titles above: “La Boheme,” “La Manon,” “La Tosca,” and “Mme. Butterfly.” While other single AMQS from Puccini have sold in the past—and we have encountered a singular triple-quote example—this is the lone four-quote autograph from Puccini we have ever witnessed. Large in size and boasting bold, beautiful writing from the opera master, it is an unprecedented and truly exquisite piece. In fine condition, with intersecting folds. A stunning quartet of musical quotations that represents the sum of Puccini’s most renowned, revered, and towering masterpieces. Starting Bid $500
685. Anatoly Lyadov Signed Photograph. Esteemed
Russian composer, teacher, and conductor (1855–1914). Matte-finish 4.25 x 5.75 portrait of the composer by Reissert & Fliege of St. Petersburg, Russia, affixed to its original 6.75 x 9.25 mount, inscribed on the mount in ink in Cyrillic by Lyadov, and signed and dated below, “An. Lyadov, 26 Okt. 1909.” In very good to fine condition, with light soiling to the mount, and a small tear between the date and the signature. Starting Bid $200 687. Dmitri Shostakovich Signed Photograph. Soviet
composer (1906–1975) whose fifteen symphonies occupy a place of central performance in the orchestral literature of the twentieth century. Matte-finish 4 x 6 photo of the great Russian composer in a casual seated pose, signed and inscribed in the lower border in fountain pen in Cyrillic, and dated December 3, 1969. In fine condition, with light brushing to the ink. Starting Bid $200
After hearing the ‘Dean of American music,’ Rachmaninoff rescinds his belief that “there were no important composers in this country”
686. Sergei Rachmaninoff Typed Letter
Signed. Superb TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 10.25, Hotel Ansonia [New York] letterhead, March 27, 1924. Letter to Deems Taylor, in part: “Owing to my limited knowledge of the English language, I could not express to you all I wanted to say last night. I wish to tell you that your ‘Suite’ made a very great impression on me...I have, heretofore, thought, but naturally not expressed that opinion, that there were no important composers in this country, but now, I feel sure of one who really can show something and say a great deal.” In very good condition, with irregular toning and staining, and trimming and corner loss to the first page. Starting Bid $200
688. Igor Stravinsky Signed Photograph.
Vintage matte-finish 7.75 x 9.75 close-up portrait of the composer in near-profile, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Mr. Morris A. Miller, with many thanks for his beautiful work and kindness, Igor Stravinsky, Berlin 1940.” In very good to fine condition, with light rippling to the bottom edge, and small areas of surface loss in the borders. Starting Bid $200
Kerns quotes from “The Last Time I Saw Paris” for the son of a collaborator
690. Jerome Kern Autograph Musical Quotation Signed.
World War II-dated AMQS on an off-white 8.5 x 11 sheet, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “For John Craven, from, Jerome Kern, October 1941.” Kern adds several bars of music to his immortal song ‘The Last Time I Saw Paris,’ with Kern adding a line above, “The Last Time I Saw Paris Her heart was warm and gay.” In fine condition, with light edge toning. A superlative AMQS for a poignant and historically important award-winning song written by a truly genius composer. Starting Bid $200
689. Richard Wagner Autograph Note Signed.
Important German composer (1813–1883) who singlehandedly revolutionized opera and attained status as one of the most influential geniuses in the history of music. ANS in German, signed “R. W.,” one page, 4.5 x 2.75, no date. Handwritten note requesting copies of a Bayreuth paper. In fine condition, with a small rusty paperclip impression to the top edge, and mounting remnants and old descriptions affixed to the back. Accompanied by a printed form letter from Wagner from 1876, indicating that “there is no demonstrative dress rehearsal of our ‘Tristan’” and sending thanks for expressing “unabashed appreciation for the execution of my difficult score.” Starting Bid $200
692. Beatles: John Lennon Signed Book.
Signed book: In His Own Write. First UK edition. London: Jonathan Cape, 1964. Hardcover, 5.75 x 7.75, 78 pages. Signed and inscribed prominently on the first free end page in blue ballpoint, “For Wendy, John Lennon.” Though the inscription is not characteristic of Lennon’s handwriting, it is in the same pen and supported by the provenance letter—perhaps signed hurriedly or playfully with his left hand. In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, noting that it was signed in person in the flat at 57 Green Street, Mayfair where the Beatles were living. Starting Bid $500
693. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed Check. Scarce
McCartney Productions Ltd. business check, 6.25 x 3.25, filled out in another hand and signed by McCartney, “Paul McCartney,” payable to Rye Arts Centre for £100, August 1, 1971. In fine condition. Single-signed McCartney checks are extremely rare—this is the first we have ever offered. Starting Bid $200
Original color 20.25 x 27 ‘Polaroid Snapshots’ insert poster that was included with the 1973 LP release of Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Adrea, All the best from Linda McCartney” and “and Paul McCartney.” In fine condition, with some light creasing and handling wear. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from JSA. Starting Bid $200
695. Bob Dylan Signed Book. Signed book: Chronicles:
Volume One. First edition. NY: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Hardcover with dust jacket, 6 x 8.75, 293 pages. Signed on the title page in black felt tip, “Bob Dylan.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Starting Bid $200
697. Rolling Stones: Charlie Watts Signed Photo-
graph. Vintage glossy 3.5 x 5 photo of Charlie Watts playing drums at a Rolling Stones performance that took place at the Ken Colyer Club, Studio 51, London in April 1964, signed on the reverse in blue ballpoint, “Charlie Boy, xxx.” In fine condition, with a stray ink stain to the image side. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200
Vibrant, fully signed album flat for Queen’s Hot Space
696. Queen Signed Promotional Album
Flat. Promotional album flat for the 1982 Queen album Hot Space, signed and inscribed on the front in black felt tip, “To Joe & Jean, Freddie Mercury,” “Roger Taylor,” “Brian May,” and “John Deacon.” In fine condition, with light corner creasing, and a light central horizontal bend. The record is not included. The consignor notes that the autographs were obtained at a signing session at Crazy Eddie’s electric store in New York on July 27, 1982. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, and by several modern photographs of Queen that were taken during the autograph signing session. Starting Bid $1000
