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Music
Twice-signed handwritten letter from Puccini, denying that his music can be found in a Cecil B. DeMille movie
589. Georges Bizet Autograph Letter
Signed. French composer (1838–1875) whose operatic masterpiece, Carmen, was completed just before his untimely death from heart disease. Boldly penned ALS in French, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4 x 6.25, no date. Letter inquiring about music lessons, in part (translated): “My dear friend, Is Madam Retz giving lessons at home or outside? And at what price? You will be very kind to give me all the information about this.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
590. Claude Debussy Signature. Impor-
tant French composer (1862-1918) whose colorful, evocative works, particularly those for keyboard and for orchestra, exemplified the ‘impressionist’ style, and whose innovative use of harmonic and instrumental resources was a seminal influence on the emerging language of twentieth-century music. Ink signature and inscription, “Pour M’r W. E. Colville, Claude Debussy, Paris—Juin 1912,” on an off-white 3.25 x 2.25 card. In very fine condition. Starting Bid $200
in Italian signed twice, within the text and at the conclusion, one page, 6.25 x 9.75, Torre del Lago letterhead, November 16, 1916. Handwritten letter responding to a mix-up between his opera and an American film of the same name. Addressed to his music publisher Clauso Clausetti (translated): “I read in the paper that is published in Turin this evening cinema will be Fanciulla West/ Great film with sensations with divine music by Giacomo Puccini this was printed…That is false…the authors are sleeping.” Perhaps reflecting the tone of confusion, he signs the letter with his name reversed and spelled a bit different, “Puccini Giacomin.” The address field to reverse is penned by Puccini. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Four decades of handwritten letters from Camille Saint-Saens
592. Camille Saint-Saens Collection of (11) Auto-
graph Letters Signed. Superb collection of 11 ALSs in French from esteemed composer Camille Saint-Saens, signed “C. Saint-Saens” or “C. St. S.,” totaling 33 handwritten pages, dating between 1880 and 1918, a span of nearly four decades that covers his emergence as an international figure to the very twilight of his career as a stalwart defender of the French tradition. In overall fine condition. Please visit our website for a more detailed description of the correspondence. Starting Bid $300
Striking photo of the master composer signed at the historic premiere of ‘Falstaff,’ his final opera
593. Giuseppe Verdi Signed Photograph. Italian composer (1813-1901) who was one of the most influential figures in the history of opera. Scarce matte-finish 4 x 5.75 half-length portrait of Verdi in a jacket and tie, stamped in the lower portion, “Ricordi & C. Deposto,” and affixed to its original A. Ferrario photographer’s mount, signed on the mount in black ink, “Milano, 9 Feb: 1893, G. Verdi.” In very good to fine condition, with silvering to the image, trimmed edges, and a light stain over most of the signature.
Widely considered one of the greatest comic operas of all time, Verdi’s Falstaff was adapted by the composer’s close friend and regular collaborator Arrigo Boito. It debuted on February 9, 1893 at the world-renowned La Scala theater in Milan, host to many of his landmark premiers. Signed in Milan on the day of the opening, this piece holds great significance—an extraordinarily rare photo! Starting Bid $300
594. Big Bill Broonzy Autograph Letter Signed. American
blues singer, songwriter and guitarist (1893–1958), who was one of the key figures in the development of blues music in the 20th century; he became an international star in the 1950s when he returned to his traditional folk-blues roots and became one of the leading figures of the emerging American folk music revival. Rare ALS, one page, 3.5 x 4.5, no date. A handwritten letter from Big Bill Broonzy (spelling and grammar retained): “Hello my friend, I more glad to hear from yo an do hope yo will like the pitcher an I am sorry I more so lat enclosing your letter but rite me any time yo wants I will be glad to hear from yo an this is all I got now so rite me soon your trule.” Reverse dated November 1952. In very fine condition. Accompanied by a vintage glossy photo of the guitarist that bears a facsimile autograph. Starting Bid $200
595. Pete Seeger Autograph Letter Signed. ALS, one page, 6 x
11, postmarked January 26, 1982. Handwritten letter to Robert F. Allen, Jr., in full: “Fame is foolish and fleeting, and so will the human race go down the tube if we can’t find a way to stop nuclear war, toxic chemicals, and other such foolish things. I hope your sons learn, though, that there is joy in struggle—and who knows? We may yet all overcome.” A tree leaf is adhered to the upper portion. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, with Seeger adding his surname into the return address field. Starting Bid $200
Superb fully signed, full-page portrait from the ‘Beatles Show’ 1963 tour program
596. Beatles Signed 1963 Program Photo. Scarce and highly sought-after vintage 7.75 x 10.5 page from the program for the Beatles’ 1963 Autumn Tour of Great Britain, featuring a full-page image of the Fab Four posing with their guitars, nicely signed in black ballpoint by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. In very good to fine condition, with light overall creasing, and some skipping to George’s first name. Accompanied by several other loose pages removed from the program. A spectacular, early image of the group that features four fantastic autographs, unencumbered by inscriptions or blemishes. Starting Bid $1000
Extremely rare fully signed Beatles 1963 concert ticket from Lancashire
597. Beatles Signed 1963 Odeon Theatre Ticket.
Concert ticket, 2.75 x 2.5, for a performance by the Beatles that took place at the Odeon Theatre in Southport, Lancashire, England on August 31, 1963, signed on the reverse in various colored ballpoint by George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney. The front of the ticket is issued for “Front Stalls 8/6, F26.” The concert was the final day of performances that took place between August 26 and 31, 1963, in the Lancashire seaside resort; also on the bill were Gerry and the Pacemakers. In fine condition, with an old tape stain touching the top of Harrison’s signature. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by a letter of provenance from a friend of the original recipient: “The signed ticket was given to me by a friend who attended the concert at the Odeon Theatre, Southport to see The Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers. He was invited backstage and met The Beatles who signed the autographs. It has been in my possession since 1963.” Autographed Beatles concert tickets remain extremely rare with only a scant number surfacing for auction. Starting Bid $1000
Scarce fully signed portrait of the Beatles in the Bahamas while filming Help!
598. Beatles Signed Photograph. Vintage glossy 8 x 10 full-length photo of the Beatles on location in the Bahamas during filming for their second motion picture, Help!, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint, “To Lois from us [illegible], George Harrison,” “John Lennon,” “Ringo Starr,” and “Paul McCartney”; George also signed cleanly on the reverse. Double-matted and framed with glass on both sides to an overall size of 14.5 x 16.75. In very good condition, with overall creasing, short edge tears, a circular surface impression, and skipping to the McCartney and Harrison signatures.
On February 22, 1965, the band flew from London to the Bahamas, with a stop in New York, to commence filming on their second movie, Help! Although the Bahamas sequences would be the last to appear in the completed film, it was the first location on the shooting schedule. Authentic examples of Beatles signatures from this period are scarce as they were virtually inaccessible to their fans. Starting Bid $1000
599. Beatles Signatures. Two vintage yel-
low and beige 3 x 2 album pages, both signed in ballpoint by a pair of Beatles— “George Harrison” and “Paul McCartney,” and “Beatles, Ringo Starr” and “John Lennon.” Reverse of the latter card is signed by Gene Vincent, and both cards bear notations made by an adoring collector. In overall fine condition. A decidedly neat and bold cast of Fab Four autographs ready for display. Starting Bid $1000
600. Beatles 1966 Suffolk Downs Concert Ticket. Unused ‘white’ ticket for the Beatles concert at Suffolk Downs in East Boston, Massachusetts, on August 18, 1966, for admission to the grandstand terrace. The ticket, measuring 4 x 1.5, is for “Sec. 21,” “Row 33,” and “Seat 3.” In very fine condition. These tickets were released in seven different colors. Starting Bid $200
Uncommon fully signed group photo of the Fab Four
601. Beatles Signed Photograph. Vintage matte-finish 6.25 x 4.75 photo of the Beatles seated and posing together outdoors, with the famous Liverpool landmark, the Royal Liver Building, visible in the background, signed and inscribed in black ballpoint “To Entie’s Kids, best wishes from the Beatles, George Harrison,” “Paul McCartney,” and “Ringo Starr,” and in red ballpoint, “John Lennon.” In good to very good condition, with creasing, heavy fading rendering the signatures difficult to make out, and a thin layer of shellack-like residue over most of the image. Flaws aside, this fully signed example depicts the band in an amusing semi-serious pose that is not typically seen. Starting Bid $500
602. Beatles: George Harrison Signature. Neat
ballpoint signature, “George Harrison,” on a white 4 x 2 card. In fine condition, with light creases to the left side. Starting Bid $200
Former Beatles Lennon and McCartney approve the promotion of their musical catalog
603. Beatles: John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Document Signed. DS, signed “John Lennon” and “Paul McCartney,” three pages, 8 x 13, February 11, 1975. Contract between Maclen Music Limited and Jackwill S. A., with the latter agreeing to “procure or provide such services for the purpose of promoting the MML Catalogue of musical compositions and placement with recording artists of musical compositions owned by MML” for a period of four years. Approved and signed at the conclusion in blue ballpoint by McCartney and in black ballpoint by Lennon. Countersigned by J. W. Clement on behalf of Maclen Music and by R. D. A Wills on behalf of Jackwill S. A. In fine condition, with a tear to the top edge. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $1000
604. Beatles: John Lennon Signature. Choice
vintage ballpoint signature, “John Lennon,” on a green 4.5 x 4 album page. In very fine condition. Starting Bid $300
“War Is Over”— a gift from Lennon to his housekeeper
605. John Lennon Personally Owned ‘War Is Over’
Towel. Off-white 21.75˝ x 38˝ towel with central text, “War Is Over,” that was personally owned by John Lennon and presented as a gift to Rosa Lopez Lorenzo, who worked as Lennon and Yoko Ono’s housekeeper between 1976 and 1980, when the pair lived at the Dakota Apartments in New York City. In fine condition, with expected wear. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks.
Provenance: Bonhams, July 2018, Entertainment Memorabilia, Lot 277. Starting Bid $200
606. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed 1989 Concert Ticket. Concert ticket, 3.25
x 6, for Paul McCartney’s performance at Palacio de Los Deportes de La Comunidad De Madrid in Spain on November 3, 1989, signed in black felt tip by McCartney and by ??Hamish Stuart. Includes a reservation ticket for the performance that has been signed by tour musicians Robbie McIntosh and Chris Whitten. The consignor notes that the McCartney signature was obtained at Madrid Airport on November 3, 1989. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, a modern print of McCartney signing at the Madrid Airport, and a letter of provenance from the original recipient. Starting Bid $200
607. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signature. Large, clean ballpoint
signature, “Paul McCartney,” on a pink 8 x 6.5 album page. In fine condition, with some light creasing to the top. Starting Bid $200
608. Bob Dylan 1960s Poster by Milton Glaser. Classic original color 22 x 33
poster of Bob Dylan designed by Milton Glaser, issued in Dylan’s first Greatest Hits album, showing the famed troubadour in silhouette profile with colorful swirls in his hair. In fine to very fine condition, with intersecting folds as issued. An iconic piece of rock ‘n’ roll artwork. Starting Bid $200
The Experience rock Germany in May 1967
610. Jimi Hendrix Experience Signatures. Vintage off-white 3.25 x 7.25 sheet signed in black felt tip, “Jimi Hendrix,” in red felt tip, “Cheers, Noel Redding,” and in blue ballpoint, “Mitch.” The sheet is affixed to a slightly larger album page, the reverse of which bears an affixed vintage glossy 4.75 x 4.75 photo of Hendrix at the time of the signings. The consignor notes that the autographs were obtained at the Stadthalle in Offenbach, Germany, on May 18, 1967, when Hendrix was at the venue to perform on a television and radio show called ‘Beat Beat Beat.’ In fine condition.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, which reads: “Herewith I confirm that the original Jimi Hendrix/Noel Redding/Mitch Mitchell autographs of the copy above are authentic. I obtained them in 1967 in the town hall of Offenbach/Germany near Frankfurt. From there our local radio and TV station ‘Hessischer Rundfunk’ broadcasted a series of concert called “Beat Beat Beat.’” Starting Bid $500
609. The Eagles Signed Booklet. Booklet included with
Selected Works: 1972–1999, the compilation box set by the Eagles, 44 pages, 5.5 x 11, signed nicely on the front cover in black felt tip by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmitt. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Starting Bid $200
611. Led Zeppelin 1979 Knebworth Park Poster.
Original color first printing 17 x 24.5 concert poster for Led Zeppelin at Knebworth Park on August 11, 1979, with supporting acts highlighted by Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones performing as The New Barbarians, along with Fairport Convention, Todd Rundgren and Utopia, The Marshall Tucker Band, Chas and Dave, and Southside Johnny. Rolled and in fine condition. Starting Bid $200
612. Lynyrd Skynyrd Signed 1976 Knebworth Fair
Program . Vintage program for the 1976 Knebworth Fair, 8.25 x 11.75, signed inside on a group photo in blue ballpoint by Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines (twice), Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle, and Leslie Hawkins. In fine condition, with light handling wear. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and his sister, the ‘Honkette’ backup signer Cassie Gaines, were tragically killed in the 1977 plane crash that caused the first iteration of Lynyrd Skynyrd to disband. Starting Bid $200
“All The Best, Love, Bob Marley,” signed during the Survival Tour of Canada
613. Bob Marley Signature and Ottawa 1979
Backstage Pass. Ink signature and inscription, “To Liza, All The Best, Love, Bob Marley,” on the back of an off-white 3.75 x 1.25 ticket for a Bob Marley and The Wailers performance that took place at the Civic Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on November 3, 1979. Marley has struck through his first attempt at the inscription, which he began as “Eli.” Includes an original 3.5 x 2.5 backstage ‘Guest Pass’ for the concert, which was part of the band’s ‘Survival’ tour. In fine condition, with a crease to the lower right corner.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, which reads, in part: “The Nov 3 1979 Ottawa Civic Centre Bob Marley ticket was signed by Bob Marley at the post-concert backstage party…He started signing my ticket stub to ‘Eliza’ but corrected his mistake. He was charming. It’s tragic he died so young a year and a half later.” Starting Bid $500
Standout early uninscribed signed publicity photo of Elvis on stage
615. Elvis Presley Signed Photograph. Spectacular
vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 full-length photo of Elvis Presley performing on stage with his acoustic guitar, signed along his pant leg in fountain pen. In very good to fine condition, with overall tiny surface scuffs, and light silvering to the perimeter. An early and uncommon pose from the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.’ Starting Bid $300
Larger-than-life portrait inscribed by Elvis to his famous manager, Col. Tom Parker
614. Elvis Presley Oversized Signed Photo to Col.
Tom Parker. Massive vintage matte-finish 29 x 39 close-up portrait of Elvis Presley, signed and inscribed in thick black felt tip to his famous manager, Colonel Tom Parker, “To the ‘Admiral,’ you know how I feel! So there’s no need for a snow job. E. P.” Framed to an overall size of 34 x 44. In fine condition, with scattered small surface dings, in no way affecting the photo’s enormous visual appeal. Provenance: Elvis: The Official Auction Catalog, Guernsey’s, October 1999; the included description states that this photograph hung on the wall in Colonel Tom Parker’s office. Parker served as Elvis Presley’s manager from 1956 through his death in 1977, and was responsible for negotiating Presley’s lucrative merchandising deals, TV appearances, and acting roles in film musicals. In spite of his honorary title—Louisiana Governor Jimmie Davis had made him a ‘colonel’ in the state militia—Elvis affectionately called Parker ‘admiral,’ as seen on this larger-than-life portrait. Starting Bid $1000
616. Rolling Stones Lenticular Promo for ‘Their Satanic Majesties Request’.
Scarce and impressive lenticular record store promo display for the Their Satanic Majesties Request by the Rolling Stones, 14 x 14, featuring the colorful and hypnotic three-dimensional album artwork. It is estimated that only 150 of these large-size promos were produced. Framed and in fine condition. Starting Bid $200
617. Rolling Stones Signatures. Vintage circa 1963 ballpoint signatures of Mick Jagger, Keith Richard, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Brian Jones (who adds an inscription, “To Barbara”) on a pair of adjoining yellow 9 x 3.75 album pages. In fine condition, with light soiling. Accompanied by a brief letter of provenance from the original recipient, in part: “I would inform you that these were obtained in 1963 at a gig which took place at Richmond Athletic Ground.” Starting Bid $200
