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Incredibly rare 1748 receipt signed by Johann Sebastian Bach as Kapellmeister at St. Thomas Church
487. Johann Sebastian Bach Document Signed.
Manuscript DS in German , signed “J. S. Bach,” one page, 4 x 2, circa June–July 1748. Receipt headed “Legatum Lobwasserianum, 1748,” by which Bach confirms receipt of two guilders from the Lobwasser Bequest at St. Thomas’s in Leipzig. Following his signature, Bach writes: “acc[epi] - 2 fl.” Above and below Bach’s signature, his colleagues Conrad Benedict Hülse and Abraham Kriegel sign for their payment of the same. This sum was paid out around every July 2nd to the cantor, deputy headmaster, and third teacher (tertius) at St. Thomas. It represents one of Bach’s several sources of supplementary income which together made up a substantial part of his Leipzig salary, roughly equivalent to an organist’s weekly wages. Handsomely mounted, matted, and framed with a portrait and engraved plaque to an overall size of 17 x 13 In fine condition, with even toning, light staining, and slightly chipped edges; two corners of the frame are chipped.
The “Legatum Lobwasserianum,” a legacy of 1000 guilders, was bequeathed in 1610 by a Leipzig lawyer’s pious widow, Maria Lobwasser; the 50 guilders of annual interest, paid on the Feast of the Visitation, went toward supporting St. Thomas’s church and school personnel. This is one of only two known receipts from Bach receiving his Lobwasser funds. The other, from 1750, was originally written on the same sheet of paper underneath the entry for 1748, but the two records were later cut apart and separated. Starting Bid $15000
A long-awaited reunion: Beethoven’s emotionally charged first sketch of “Neue Liebe, neues Leben,” a setting of Goethe’s 1775 love poemh
488. Ludwig van Beethoven Autograph Musical
Manuscript. Significant autograph musical manuscript by Ludwig van Beethoven, unsigned, three pages on two 12 x 9 sheets, no date but circa 1798–1799. Beethoven’s first draft for the lied ‘Neue Liebe, neues Leben’ [New Love, New Life], a setting of a 1775 poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, begun in late 1798. The present sketch, jotted down without interruptions in a very cursory, almost rushed hand, already contains the melody and the words with no expression markings, but includes occasional bass sections as well as parts of the piano accompaniment at the end of verses. It shows several important departures from the version printed in 1810. At the head of the first page, written in a different ink and pen and comprising the first four staves, are the first eight bars of the finale of Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F major (Op. 18, No. 1, composed between 1798 and 1800, published in 1801), providing the violin voice with the theme chorus of triplets.
The lied in its present version (WoO 127) was published in early 1808, nearly a decade after this first sketch, by Simrock in Bonn as the first part of the ‘III deutsche Lieder,’ apparently without the composer’s consent. Beethoven subsequently revised his work and published it the following year with Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig as part of his ‘Sechs Gesänge’ (Op. 75, No. 2); the manuscript of that revision, dated 1809, is today kept at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn. In 1811 Beethoven presented a manuscript copy of that second version, the first leaf of which is also kept in Bonn (while most of the remainder is at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York), to Bettina Brentano on the occasion of her wedding to Achim von Arnim. Nohl has pointed out that the present first draft with its ‘dramatic, aria-styled phrasings’ retains a somewhat ‘grandiose and dark quality’ as compared to the reduced later version, and ‘if one were to interpret the urgent stride so vividly apparent in this sketch, dashed off, as it seems, without a single interruption and in a mood of deep emotional excitation, then one feels instinctively that forces of an even greater passion than such as Bettina could have aroused in Beethoven must have been at work here’ (cf. p. 695).
In fine condition, with occasional quite insignificant brownstaining; altogether very crisp. Both leaves annotated with Beethoven’s name in a near-contemporary hand. At the head of the first page is the ‘mysterious caption’ (cf. Nohl), also by a different, early hand: “Der Schluß von seinem letzten Septuor als Motto für den Text” (apparently referring to Beethoven’s Septet, Op. 20, also written in 1799; a tentative explanation is advanced by van der Zanden, p. 168). The second leaf is mounted to a cloth stub with another, blank sheet of contemporary paper. Housed in a handsome red morocco presentation folder with ornate engraved plate on the front: “Beethoven, Neue Liebe, Neues Leben, WoO 127.”
Beethoven manuscripts written before 1800 almost never come to market; no other complete autograph manuscript of this version is known. The two leaves formerly were a single bifolium owned by baroness Anna von Gleichenstein, the sister of Beethoven’s friend Therese Malfatti (remembered as a possible dedicatee of ‘Für Elise’), which was soon separated. Even in 1865, when Nohl edited the first leaf, its counterpart was no longer in the possession of the Gleichenstein family. The first sheet later surfaced in the archives of the music publisher Schott in Mainz and was sold at Sotheby’s in 2002 (6 December, lot 14: £65,725). The second leaf was offered in 1968 by Hans Schneider of Tutzing in his catalogue 136 (lot 37, DM 17,800; then again in cat. 142, lot 266, with illustration on p. 45) and was acquired in 1969 by a private collector who had it auctioned by Venator & Hanstein in Cologne in 2011 (cat. 118, lot 861: EUR 108,000). Now that both leaves have been reunited, Hans Schneider’s words, written half a century ago about only the final 62 measures, are no less true: ‘Through Beethoven’s synthesis of his own music with a text by Goethe we are presented with a musical autograph as desirable as it is beautiful’ (cat. 136, p. 37). Starting Bid $25000
489. Hector Berlioz Autograph Note Signed. Scarce ANS in
French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 3.5 x 4, no date. Handwritten letter to “Mon cher Lacombe,” in full (translated): “I don’t have any other than the one you saw.” Archivally matted and framed with a portrait of the composer under Tru-Vue Conservation Clear glass to an overall size of 10.25 x 15.25. In fine condition, with light soiling and three horizontal folds. Starting Bid $200
490. Hector Berlioz Autograph Letter Signed. Influential French com-
poser (1803-1869) of such repertory staples as the programmatic ‘Symphonie fantastique’ and the opera ‘Les Troyens.’ ALS in French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 4.5 x 6.75, no date. Untranslated handwritten letter by Berlioz. In fine condition, with some light creasing. Starting Bid $200
AMS signed “Leonard Bernstein” (once) and “Bernstein” (three times), seven pages on four sheets, 6.5 x 8.5, January 7, 1935. Handwritten essay by Leonard Bernstein entitled “Rolland: Jean-Christophe,” penned while a freshman at Harvard. Romain Rolland’s ten-volume novel centers on Jean-Christophe Krafft, a composer of genius whose life is depicted from cradle to grave—a fascinating topic for the young Bernstein to explore. He notes, in part: “’Jean-Christophe’ is my favorite book. It has every reason to be. Primarily, it harmonizes with my tastes and offers a character which I can understand and sympathize with. Secondly, the book is incomparably well written. The word-pictures and dissertations never tire one—a rare thing for long books…Rolland has an uncanny sense of human values and inner motives; and this, together with his extensive knowledge of music, well qualifies him to produce a ‘chef d’oeuvre’ such as this.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
492. Georges Bizet Signature. French composer (1838–1875)
whose operatic masterpiece, Carmen, was completed just before his untimely death from heart disease. Bold untranslated ink signature and inscription in French, signed “G. Bizet,” on an off-white 3.5 x 4 slip. Nicely archivally matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 10.25 x1 5.25. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
493. Johannes Brahms Signature. Large and bold ink signature,
“Johannes Brahms,” with date below, on an off-white 3.75 x 3 slip. Nicely archivally matted and framed with a portrait (featuring a facsimile signature) to an overall size of 10.25 x 15.25. In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold. Starting Bid $200
494. Enrico Caruso Signed Sketch. Exquisite original self-portrait sketch accomplished in ink by Caruso on an off-white 5 x 6.5 sheet, signed in the lower right corner, “Enrico Caruso, Munchen, 1912.” Handsomely archivally double-matted and framed with an original postcard photo to an overall size of 16 x 13. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Brilliantly rendered self-portrait sketch by Enrico Caruso
Chopin sells a manuscript for 300 francs
495. Frederic Chopin Document Signed. Choice partly-printed DS in French, signed “F. Chopin,” one page, 8 x 3.5, June 20, 1838. Receipt from the Paris firm Pleyel et Comp., completed in another hand and signed at the conclusion by Frederic Chopin, acknowledging (translated): “Received from Mons. Probst the sum of three hundred francs for a manuscript.” In fine condition.
The piano manufacturer and music publisher Camille Pleyel (1788-1855) and his wife Marie were among the most important people in Chopin’s time in Paris. Chopin gave his first concert in Paris on February 25, 1832, and his last on February 16, 1848, on the company’s premises. Pleyel, who saw Chopin as a suitable advertising medium, made his pianos and grand pianos available to the composer free of charge. Starting Bid $1000
496. Edvard Grieg Signed Photograph with Musical
Quotation. Important Norwegian composer and pianist (18431907) whose works, often with a strong nationalistic flavor, include such repertory staples as the ‘Piano Concerto in A minor,’ the incidental music to Peer Gynt, and the ‘Holberg Suite.’ Highly desirable 3.75 x 5.75 cabinet photo of Grieg by Elliott & Fry of London, boldly signed below the image in ink, “Edvard Grieg.” On the reverse, Grieg has penned four bars of music from one of his works; matted and framed under Tru-Vue Conservation Clear with a color copy of the musical quotation to an overall size of 10.25 x 14.25. In very good to fine condition, with slight brushing to the signature on the front, and some toning and staining to the reverse. Starting Bid $300
497. Edvard Grieg Autograph Letter Signed.
Important Norwegian composer and pianist (1843-1907) whose works, often with a strong nationalistic flavor, include such repertory staples as the ‘Piano Concerto in A minor,’ the incidental music to Peer Gynt, and the ‘Holberg Suite.’ ALS in German, two pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7.25, January 12, 1898. Addressed from Leipzig, a handwritten letter to William, in part (translated): “Writing you a few words in a hurry. Please get the photos to your colleague. The new one for the ‘little buffalo’. The second for Mrs. Grey (the nurse). The third to Mr. Tellett (if correctly sent) — the business partner of Mr. Vert. And finally the fourth…in fact, there are only three! I hope, with all your luck, you don’t forget your fellow men. No, you have absolutely no talent for that.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
498. Edvard Grieg Autograph Let-
ter Signed. ALS in German, one page, 5.5 x 3.5, postcard letterhead, March 31, 1893. Untranslated handwritten letter to E. W. Fritzsch in Leipzig, addressed on the reverse in Grieg’s own hand. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
499. Pietro Mascagni Autograph Musical Quotation Signed. Italian composer
(1863–1945) whose 1890 masterpiece ‘Cavalleria rusticana’ takes a place among the most beloved staples of the operatic repertoire. Impressive AMQS on an off-white 6.5 x 20 sheet, signed and inscribed in ink, “Alla illustre signora Susanna Torres de Castex…P. Mascagni, Buenos Aires, Giugno 1911.” Mascagni pens sections of three of his songs— ”Cavalleria—Siciliana,” “Iris—Serenata,” and “Isabeau”—writing music and lyrics for each passage. A postcard portrait, bearing his facsimile signature, is affixed at the top. Archivally matted and framed to an overall size of 11.5 x 25. In very fine condition. Starting Bid $200
500. Giovanni Pacini Autograph Let-
ter Signed. Italian composer (1796–1867) known for his operas. ALS in French, signed “Pacini,” one page both sides, 4 x 6.75, July 8, 1843. Untranslated handwritten letter by Pacini. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Puccini quotes from his iconic opera “La Boheme”
501. Giacomo Puccini Autograph Musical
Quotation Signed. Large and bold AMQS on an off-white 7.5 x 4.75 album page, prominently signed and dated below in ink, “Giacomo Puccini, Torre del Lago, 20.8.96.” Puccini pens a couple bars from his iconic opera “La Boheme,” writing the title above. Handsomely mounted, double-matted, and framed with an original postcard photo (bearing a facsimile signature) to an overall size of 13.75 x 18. In very fine condition. Based on a story by French writer Henri Murger set in 1840s Paris, La Boheme was Puccini’s first major success—making him rich and famous—and arguably his greatest work. After its 1896 debut in Turin, the piece was quickly adopted into the international repertory. Starting Bid $200
Rachmaninoff presents his portrait to the “New-York College of Music”
matte-finish 8 x 10 photo of the legendary Russian virtuoso pianist and composer in a seated pose, neatly signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “New-York College of Music, With sincerest wishes for your future success, Sergei Rachmaninoff, New-York, 7 February 1916.” Archivally mounted and framed to an overall size of 11.75 x 15.75. In very good to fine condition, with light staining, and several repaired tears, to the wide margins. Starting Bid $200
503. Sergei Rachmaninoff Typed Letter Signed.
TLS signed “S. Rachmaninoff,” one page, 8.25 x 11, July 26, 1933. Letter to “Mnazelle,” in part: “I did not write you for a very long time. That is true and I am very sorry. But you can not imagine all the troubles, worries and disappointments a Swiss Bürger has. To understand is to forgive, so I hope you shall forgive me. As a reward I send you two pictures, one of my new grandson, and the other of my new house, which I hope you shall visit next year.” In fine condition, with three binder holes along the right edge. Starting Bid $200
504. Maurice Ravel Autograph Letter Signed. Highly influential French
composer (1875-1937) who remains unsurpassed in his imaginative use of instrumental color in his operas, brilliantly scored orchestral music, and virtuosic piano pieces. ALS in French, one page, 4.75 x 8, no date. Untranslated handwritten letter listing some of his friends, including the playwright and critic Claude Roger-Marx, Surrealist artist and actor Max Morise, and director/producer Roland Tual. Archivally matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 10.25 x 19.25. In fine condition, with a few small repaired tears to the top edge. Starting Bid $200
505. Gioachino Rossini Autograph Letter Signed.
Important Italian composer (1792-1868) who became one of the seminal figures in the history of opera with such repertoire staples as The Barber of Seville and William Tell. ALS in Italian, signed “G. Rossini,” one page, 7.5 x 9.75, August 9, 1833. Untranslated handwritten letter by Rossini. In fine condition, with some creasing to the bottom, and seal-related paper loss to the integral address leaf. Starting Bid $200
506. Erik Satie Autograph Letter Signed. Colorful French composer (1866–1925), who was one of the primary influences on the younger generation of avant-garde French composers in the early decades of the 20th-century. Though best known for his series of ‘Gymnopedies,’ Satie carved out a singular niche in the history of modern music for his enigmatic, witty, humor-tinged works bearing such titles as ‘Vexations’ and ‘Genuine Flabby Preludes for a Dog.’ Among his well-known eccentricities was an evident passion for umbrellas, which were found in great quantity in his lodgings after his death. ALS in French, two adjoining pages in a 5.75 x 4.5, ‘carte-lettre,’ postmarked September 3, 1918. Untranslated handwritten letter to the French poet Leon-Paul Fargue. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200
Finnish composer (1865–1957) of Romantic-nationalistic tendencies, best known for his seven completed symphonies and the tone poem Finlandia. Scarce ALS in German, one page, 8.75 x 11, April 11, 1914. Addressed from Jarvenpaa, Finland, a handwritten letter from Jean Sibelius to a local music supplier, in full: “Very good gentlemen. Please kindly send me 4 books of 30-line music paper.” In fine condition. Handwritten letters from Sibelius are not commonly found. Starting Bid $200
Incredibly scarce photo signed during Tchaikovsky’s first concert tour of Western Europe
508. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Signed Photograph. Rare and magnificent 4 x 6.25 cabinet bust portrait of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky by Muller & Pilgrim of Leipzig, signed and inscribed in the lower portion of the image in fountain pen in German (translated): “To my good friend Carl Armbrust, with fond memories, P. Tschaikowsky, 10 Feb. 1888.” Archivally mounted, matted, and framed to an overall size of 11.75 x 14.25. In fine condition, with lightly trimmed edges, and light overall soiling.
A year after making his professional debut as a maestro in 1887, Tchaikovsky embarked on his first concert tour of Western Europe as the conductor of his own works. He visited Hamburg in late January of 1888 where several musicians and critics (to quote his diary) ‘paid me flattering attention, awoke my warm sympathy, and thereby left me with indelible memories.’ One such person was the well-respected music critic and virtuoso organist at St. Peter’s Church Carl Armbrust, who made him feel quite at home there, and with whom he stayed in touch and held as a good friend upon his departure for Berlin in early February. A real music rarity, this handsome Tchaikovsky signed photo is one of just a handful that we have ever offered. Starting Bid $1000
509. Giuseppe Verdi Autograph Let-
ter Signed. Italian composer (1813-1901) who was one of the most influential figures in the history of opera. ALS in Italian, signed “G. Verdi,” one page, 5 x 7.5, September 9, 1879. Untranslated handwritten letter by the celebrated composer. Archivally matted and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 16.25 x 12.75. In fine condition, with small rusty circular paperclip impression to the top edge. Starting Bid $200
composer (1813-1901) who was one of the most influential figures in the history of opera. ALS in Italian, signed “G. Verdi,” one page, 4.25 x 7, no date. Untranslated handwritten letter to music publisher Giulio Ricordi. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Verdi’s own hand. Starting Bid $300
Superb, bold set of vintage Beatles signatures
511. Beatles Signatures. Magnificent vintage ballpoint signatures, “John Lennon,” “George Harrison,” “Paul McCartney,” and “Ringo Starr,” on an off-white 3 x 4 card. In fine condition, with two light stains impinging on Lennon’s signature. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. All four signatures are remarkably clear and bold—a standout set of vintage Beatles autographs. Starting Bid $1000
512. Beatles: Brian Epstein Signature. Vintage ballpoint signature, “Brian Epstein,” on an off-white 4 x 2.75 album page. In fine condition. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and a brief letter of provenance from the original recipient, noting that the signature was obtained at the Beatles’ civic reception at Liverpool Town Hall on July 10, 1964. Starting Bid $200
513. Beatles: George Harrison Signed Check. Highly desirable Apple Records, Inc. business check, 7.75 x 3.5, filled out in another hand and signed by Harrison, “George Harrison,” payable to S. J. Keel-Diffey for £30.52, May 20, 1971. In fine condition. A choice check signed at the outset of Harrison’s solo career—he had released the highly acclaimed All Things Must Pass in 1970, and would soon begin arranging the star-studded Concert for Bangladesh, held on August 1, 1971. Starting Bid $200
Lennon and McCartney autographs obtained at the Nottingham Odeon in May 1963
514. Beatles: Lennon and McCart-
ney Signatures. Bold vintage ballpoint signatures and inscription, “To Susan, Paul McCartney, (Beatles)” and “John Lennon,” on a blue 4.5 x 3.75 album page bearing affixed headshot portraits of the pair. In fine condition, with a faint stain touching Paul’s first name and inscription. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks and a detailed letter of provenance from the original recipient, noting that the autographs were obtained at the Nottingham Odeon in May 1963. Starting Bid $300
Scarce barroom sketch by John Lennon, signed by him and Ringo after a Swedish show
515. Beatles: John Lennon and Ringo Starr Signatures and Sketch. Vintage ballpoint signatures, “John Lennon”
and “Ringo,” on the reverse of an off-white 5.25 x 3.25 bar slip, on which Lennon has drawn a great sketch of a man in profile. In fine condition. Accompanied by the original ticket stub for the Beatles show at the Eskilstuna Sporthall in Sweden on October 29, 1963, and a letter of provenance from the original recipient, in full: “After the Beatles concert in Eskilstuna Sporthall on Tuesday the 29th October 1963, I was invited to meet the Beatles in the bar at the Eskilstuna Staff Hotel. There in the bar, John Lennon made this drawing.” The multi-talented Lennon was a prolific doodler, and would publish In His Own Write—a book of his nonsense poems and illustrations—in the following year. A hugely desirable piece of original artwork by John Lennon, enhanced by the signature of the Beatles’ legendary drummer. Starting Bid $300
516. Beatles: Paul McCartney Signed
Invitation. Desirable 5.75 x 5.75 invitation to a private viewing of Linda McCartney’s ‘Sixties’ exhibition held at the Royal Photographic Society, Bath, on October 9, 1992, signed inside in black ballpoint by Paul McCartney. In fine condition, with light handling wear. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200
517. Jimi Hendrix and Noel Redding Signa-
tures. Exemplary vintage ballpoint signatures, “Love and Happiness to you forever, Jimi Hendrix” and “Love, Noel Redding,” on an off-white 6.25 x 6.5 album page. Hendrix also sketches three hearts next to his autograph—a lovely addition by the legendary guitarist. In fine to very fine condition. Accompanied by a small mat and photo of the two together for display purposes. Starting Bid $500
519. Rolling Stones: Brian Jones Signed Promo Card. Vintage Decca Records promotional card for The Rolling Stones, 5.5 x 4.25, signed and inscribed on the reverse in blue ballpoint, “To Margarete, Love, Brian Jones.” In fine to very fine condition, with faint soiling to the image. Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Tracks. Starting Bid $200
Historic RCA Records document signed by Elvis Presley on the day he recorded ‘Heartbreak Hotel’
518. Elvis Presley Document Signed. Important partly-printed DS, signed “Elvis Presley,” one page, 8 x 5, January 10, 1956. Incredibly historic Radio Corporation of America employee’s withholding exemption certificate filled out in another hand and signed at the conclusion in blue ballpoint by Elvis Presley. The document notes his full name, “Elvis Aron Presley” (the second ‘a’ crossed out—this version famously recorded on his birth certificate), his address at 1414 Getwell St. in Memphis, his social security number, and his number of withholding exemptions. In fine condition.
This document dates to one of Elvis’s most legendary recording sessions—on this day, January 10, 1956, he made his first recordings for RCA Records at The Methodist Television, Radio and TV Studios in Nashville. ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was one of the songs recorded during this session, and released as a single just seventeen days later. The single topped the Billboard Top 100 for seven weeks and became Presley’s first record to reach a million sales. A remarkable document representing an important day in music history. Starting Bid $2500
520. The Yardbirds Signed Photograph. Vintage 5 x 3.5 magazine or program page featuring images of the Yardbirds, signed in ballpoint by Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, Chris Dreja, Paul Samwell-Smith, and Jeff Beck. In very good to fine condition, with clipped corners, light creasing, and a few small stains. Starting Bid $200
521. The Yardbirds Signatures. Vintage ballpoint signatures, “Yardbirds, Jim McCarty,” “Keith Relf,” “Chris Dreja,” “Paul Samwell-Smith,” and “Jeff Beck,” on the reverse of a 3.5 x 2.25 gilt-edged band card for ‘Vic Lynch and The Cortinas.’ In very good to fine condition, with light soiling and creasing, and old tape stains along the edges. Starting Bid $200
