Contact Us
comments or suggestions
1. [AUTHORS]. Lot of five items: 1. JAMES THURBER, Typed Letter Signed in full, one page, quarto, 4 November 1955. Letter to an admirer. 2. PEARL S. BUCK, Typed Letter Signed, one page, quarto, 8 May 1961. Sending thanks for a photograph taken in Tokyo. 3. PEARL S. BUCK, Typed Letter Signed one page, quarto, 13 December 1961. To Mr. Hashimoto: "...I do not usually send my photograph but your Japanese name makes me wish to do so..." 4. PEARL S. BUCK, 5" x 7" black and white portrait photograph signed. 5. EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS, Full signature on small page with those of his daughter and son-in-law. All in fine condition. (300-500)
2. [AUTHORS]. Book A Voice From the Silence by Charles Philip Nettleton. San Francisco: A. M. Robertson, 1904. Signed on dedication page by EDWIN MARKHAM, JOAQUIN MILLER, and INA COOLBRITH. Minor wear and soiling. (80-120)
3. BLOCH, ERNEST. 1880-1959. Swiss-born composer. Autograph Musical Quotation, one page, small oblong octavo, New York, 6 July 1933. Three measures from his symphony Israel. Excellent condition. (400-600)
4. BURROUGHS, EDGAR RICE. 1875-1950. American writer of adventure stories; creator of Tarzan. His book Tarzan of the Apes. New York: A.L. Burt Co., 1914. Inscribed and signed on front flyleaf "With best wishes / Edgar Rice Burroughs." Minor wear, front cover stained along right edge, front free endpaper lacking, otherwise very good. (300-500)
5. CABLE,
GEORGE WASHINGTON. 1844-1925.
Wrote Old Creole Days, etc. Autograph Letter Signed,
one page, oblong octavo, 25 march 1886. Discussing the love of
a friend he writes: "...Anything so celestially refined
that had it been a tangible object you could have held it up and
seen the stars right through it..." Fine condition,
with portrait. (100-150)
6. CAMPBELL, THOMAS. 1777-1844 British poet. Remembered primarily for his stirring patriotic war lyrics: Ye Mariners of England, etc. Book The Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell. London: Edward Moxon, 1837. Elaborately gilt-tooled levant green morocco, gilt-tooled and lettered spine, highly raised bands, gilt-inner dentelles; bound by Riviere. Contains Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, octavo, 1838, tipped to half title page. He writes of his devotion to the Queen and to explain to a theatre owner that he desires to have his new (unpublished) song "Long Reign Victoria" sung on his stage. Faint rings on cover, otherwise very good. (400-600)
7. [CARTOONISTS]. KEY, TED. His book of cartoons from the Saturday Evening Post Life with Hazel. New York: E. P. Dutton & Co., 1965. Signed and inscribed with a drawing of Hazel on the half title page. Fine condition, with original dustjacket. (60-80)
8. [CARTOONISTS]. SCHULZ, CHARLES M. His book The Snoopy Festival. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1974. Folio, filled with numerous color and black and white plates of Snoopy cartoons. Schulz has inscribed and signed the book on the front free endpaper and has added a large drawing of Snoopy. Fine condition, with original dust jacket.
(1000-1500)
9.
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO, MARIO.
1895-1968. Italian-born American composer, in Beverly Hills from
1940; noted principally for his orchestral and chamber works (a
small body of the latter for guitar solo). Autograph Musical
Quotation Signed in full, one page, oblong 12mo. Three bars from
the Sacred Service; opening four-part chorale "Ma
Tovu" ("How goodly are thy tents"). Fine condition.
(200-300)
10. CHAGALL, MARC. 1881-1985. Russian-born French artist. Autograph Letter Signed in full written on blank integral leaf of a letter to him from an art dealer named Boris Aronson, octavo, 1 July 1966, in pencil. Chagall urges Mr. Goldschmidt to send a commission of 20% to Aronson on the sale of one of his pieces and states that Aronson needs the money badly. Fine condition, framed with a portrait of Chagall. (400-600)
11. CHERUBINI, LUIGI. 1760-1842. Italian composer and teacher in Paris; writer of operas, masses, orchestral and keyboard works. Autograph Letter Signed "L. Cherubini" in French, two pages, octavo, Paris, 16 October 1824. To Gilbert de Pixerecourt, director of the Theatre Royal de l'Opera Comique declining his request to set a poem to music and suggesting another composer. Very good condition, with integral address-leaf. (300-400)
12. COBBETT, WILLIAM. 1763-1835. Pseudonym Peter Porcupine. English political journalist and essayist. Came to American in 1792 to avoid prosecution for writing a pamphlet on British army abuses. In Philadelphia he wrote pamphlets attacking the French Revolution and berating American democracy. Address-leaf addressed and dated in his hand "Wolseley Bridge, January twelve, 1835 / Mr. Rafield / Bolt Court / London" and signed "Wm. Cobbett" in lower left corner as Member of Parliament. With circular red postmark "Free / Jan 13 / 1835" in upper right corner. Minor soiling and wear to outer margin not affecting address-panel. With intact red wax seal. Scarce. (150-250)
13. COOPER, JAMES FENNIMORE. 1789-1851. American novelist who wrote Last of the Mohicans, etc. Autograph Manuscript fragment, one page, oblong octavo, unsigned. Fifteen lines penned in ink in his hand with pencil notation on verso in another hand "Ms. of Oak Openings by Mr. Cooper." Excellent condition. (600-800)
14. COX, PALMER. 1840-1924. Illustrator and author. Wrote and illustrated a series of Brownie books for children. Autograph Sketch Signed of a cartoon character, one page, 3" x 4,"
in pencil, signed "Palmer
Cox / Brownieland /
July 26th 1895." Some age toning, otherwise very good. (100-150)
15. CRANE, WALTER. 1845-1915. English painter and illustrator. Handsome signature and inscription "Walter Crane's thanks & best wishes / Xmas 1888" on his pictorially-engraved Beaumont Lodge - Shepherd's Bush lettersheet. Fine condition. (150-250)
16. DANA, RICHARD HENRY, Jr. 1815-1882. American sailor and author of Two Years Before the Mast which embodied his experiences sailing on a brig from Boston around Cape Horn to California. Autograph Letter Signed "R.H. Dana, Jr.", one page, octavo, 19 February 1850. In full: "I shall be entirely at the disposal of the Fourth District Committee, having agreed with them to make four addresses at such places as they shall designate." Minor mounting traces on verso, otherwise fine. (200-300)
17. DISNEY, WALT. 1901-1966. American producer of animated motion pictures. Book The Art of Walt Disney by Robert D. Field. New York: MacMillan Company, 1942. 290 pages, folio, profusely illustrated, many color plates. Excellent large signature and inscription by Disney on front free endpaper "To Sally / My Best Wishes / Walt Disney." Fine condition. (3000-4000)
18. DISNEY, WALT. Full signature on white album page. An excellent example in fine condition. (600-800)
19. DULAC, EDMUND. 1882-1953. French-born British artist, illustrator, and stage dsigner. Autograph Letter Signed on imprinted 64 Marlborough Place N.W. 8 stationery, two pages, , octavo, 11 January 1950. To "Dear Miss Kent." Detailed letter in which Dulac discusses calligraphy and characters in Chinese writing and the derivation of these characters. Of Elizabethian script, he writes: "...very nice to look at...I believe that it tends to obliterate personality to a great extent in grown-ups and will make it more difficult for children to develop individual characteristics..." Fine condition. (300-500)
20. EMERSON, RALPH WALDO. 1803-1882. American essayist and poet. Autograph Quotation Signed, one page, oblong octavo, Concord, 29 March 1872. "All inborn power that could / Enlist with homage to the good / Flamed from his Martial eye; / Fronting foes of God & man, / Frowning down the evil doer, / Battling for the weak & poor; / His from youth the leader's look / Gave the law which others took, / And never poor beseeching glance / Shamed that sculptured countenance." Excellent condition. (1000-1500)
21. ENESCO, GEORGES. 1881-1955. Romanian virtuoso violinist, composer and teacher; on tour as soloist from 1899; teacher of Yehudi Menuhin (among others); composer of chamber music, piano and violin sonatas, three symphonies, etc. Signature on heavy stock, along with signatures of all four members of the Arnold Rose Quartet [Bucharest? c. 1925], 2" x 8.5." Together with a vintage sepia group photograph (seven persons). Fine condition.
(250-300)
22. FETIS, FRANCOIS JOSEPH. 1784-1871. Belgian musician, composer, and theorist; student at Paris Conservatoire; organist at St. Pierre (1813-18); professor at the Conservatoire (1827-27); librarian at that institution (1827); best known for his treaties on harmony, his piano method and a history of music. Autograph Letter Signed "Fetis" in French, one page, quarto, Mons, 29 May 1826. To Monsieur Thomas: "I have the honor of sending you...the sum of 130 francs...to pay a bond of 129 francs...beginning...this month..." He also refers to a proposed dictionary of musician. Small piece missing from seal tear, otherwise fine. (150-200)
23. FONTEYN, MARGOT. British ballet dancer. A woman of legendary stamina. Her book Autobiography. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1976. Boldly inscribed and signed by Fonteyn on the half title page. Fine condition, with original dustjacket. (60-80)
24. FRANCHOMME, AUGUSTE JOSEPH. 1808-1884. French violoncellist; studied under Levasseur and Norblin at the Paris Conservatoire (1825-26), and later became a professor there (1846-84); intimate of Chopin (dedicatee of his Opus 65 Cello Sonata) and Mendelssohn. Autograph Letter Signed "Aug. te Franchomme" in French, two pages, octavo, 18 September 1838. To [Professor] Norblin recommending a pupil for instruction, etc.: "...I am charmed to have this occasion to recall your remembrance [of me]..." Fine condition, with integral address-leaf. (100-150)
25. GARDNER, JOHN. American educator and public official. Founder of Common Cause which opposed the war in Vietnam. Black and white portrait photograph, 8" x 10," signed in lower blank white margin. Excellent condition. (100-150)
OF THEE I SING BABY
26. GERSHWIN, GEORGE. 1898-1937. American composer. His book George Gershwin's Song Book. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1932, 167 pages, folio. With marvelous illustrations by noted New Yorker illustrator Alajalov. Gershwin has penned the refrain of his song Of Thee I Sing (Baby) and inscribed it "To Lillian Lustig / In appreciation & with sincere good wishes / George Gershwin / Sept 23, 1923" on the front free endpaper. Of Thee I Sing, a satire on the behind-the-scenes machinations that go into the making of an American President by political bosses, was the third Gershwin musical-comedy score published (April, 1932); the show itself received a Pulitzer Prize in Drama that same year. An exceptional Gershwin item in fine condition. (5000-7000)
27. GERSHWIN, GEORGE. His personal imprinted bank check drawn on the National City Bank of New York, one page, oblong octavo, 25 October 1935, payable to "Billy Rose 'Jumbo" for $17.60. Signed in full by Gershwin. Cancellation perforations do not affect signature. Billy Rose was a prominent nightclub owner and songwriter, he also was married to Fanny Brice. Excellent condition. (1000-1500)
28. GIBRAN, KAHLIL. 1883-1931. Lebanese-American Arabic novelist, essayist, poet and painter. His book The Forerunner - His Parables and Poems. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1920. First edition. Signed by the author "To Ruth / with appreciation from Kahlil / October 1920" on the front free endpaper. With another presentation from an unknown person well below Gigran's. Minor wear, otherwise very good. (200-300)
29. GORKY, MAXIM. 1868-1936. Soviet writer. His works authentically rendered the hardships of peasant life. The influence he enjoyed as a friend of Lenin was used to protect writers and their work from the cultural confusion of life during the years surrounding the 1917 Russian Revolution. Title page from one of his books, octavo, 1930. Signed and dated by Gorky using his pseudonym, in Russian. Light and even browning, otherwise fine. An excellent example. (300-500)
30. GOUNOD, CHARLES FRANCIS. 1818-1893. French composer of operas. He wrote Faust, Romeo and Juliet, etc.; known for lyric rather than dramatic qualities. Autograph Letter Signed "Ch. Gounod" in French, 1 1/2 pages, octavo, (c. 1860). To "Monsieur le'President," untranslated. Fine condition. (250-350)
31. GOURMONT, REMY de. 1858-1915. French writer. Autograph Manuscript Signed, one page, quarto, November 1890. Eighteen line entitled: "Proses I. Les bons chevaux." Minor wear. (200-300)
32. GREELEY, HORACE. 1811-1872. Prominent 19th Century journalist and founder and editor of the New York Tribune. Popularized the expression "Go West, young man." Full signature on small slip and separate Autograph Note unsigned, 1" x 5," apparently cut from a letter, four lines mentioning the Republicans. Both items mounted to a larger page. Some soiling of the note, otherwise fine. (100-150)
33. HABENECK, FRANCOIS ANTOINE. 1781-1849. French violinist and conductor; assistant professor at Paris Conservatoire (1808-16); Academie de Musique director (1821-24); Theatre de l'Opera conductor (1824-47); founder, Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire (1828-48); introduced Beethoven's symphonies into the French repertoire. Autograph Letter Signed "Habeneck" in French, on engraved Academie Royal de Musique letterhead, one page, octavo, Paris, (c. 1821-24). He writes to Monsieur Benneville requesting tickets for a woman friend: "If you could send me 1 ticket for the Parterre and 1 for..." Fine condition, with integral leaf. (150-200)
34. HARRIS, FRANK. 1856-1931. British-American man of letters. Controversial for his biography of Oscar Wilde and for his book My Life and Loves. Lot of two Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed, seven pages in all, 1892-1915. He discusses the sales of his books in Baghdad, Calcutta, Shanghai and London, the Russian famine, numerous other literary matters, including an idea for moving to Canada near Detroit and selling books to the Americans from there. He also states: "...I have a superb letter from Bernard Shaw, one of his best..." Very good condition. (500-800)
35. HARTY, Sir HAMILTON. 1900-1941. Irish-born conductor and composer; composed violin and piano concerti, orchestral works and songs; best known as composer of An Irish Symphony. Autograph Musical Quotation Signed in full, one page, oblong 12mo. Four bars of music titled With the Wild Geese. Fine condition. (150-200)
36. HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL. 1804-1864. American novelist. Autograph Letter Signed "Nath. Hawthorne," one page, octavo, West Newton, Mass, 2 February 1852. To Mr. George M. Folsom. Hawthorne responds to an autograph collector: "My Dear Sir, Your note of 12th alt. has been forwarded from Lenox to this place, where I am spending the winter. I willingly comply with your request for an autograph and heartily (as I often do on these occasions) that I could give you a more creditable specimen of penmanship..." With original envelope tipped to bottom of letter. Letter and envelope are browned and ink is faded yet quite readable. (500-700)
37. HERBERT, VICTOR. 1859-1924. Irish-American conductor and composer. Composer of many light operas and musical scores for the Ziegfeld Follies. Lovely Autograph Musical Quotation Signed on imprinted stationery of The Pittsburgh Orhcestra, one page, quarto, January 1912. Fine condition. (300-500)
38. HOVHANESS, ALAN. Printed sheet music for his The God of Glory Thundereth, twelve pages, quarto, inscribed and signed on first page. Fine condition. (150-200)
39. HUNTINGTON, DANIEL. 1816-1906 American painter. Painted President Lincoln in the Union Club, New York, etc. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, octavo, 4 December 1879. To Mr. Macdonough concerning a statue of (William Cullen) Bryant by Hartley, who he states "is an artist greatly esteemed in the profession..." Fine condition. (100-150)
40. [JAMES, WILL R.]. 1892-1942. American cowboy, writer and illustrator. Printed pawn ticket from the Reno Bonded Loan Office, Reno, Nevada, 16 September 1917, one page, oblong 3" x 5." Receipt made out to W. R. James for $85.00 for his saddle. Will James pawns his saddle in Reno at the age of 25. A highly desirable document of this important Western figure. (1000-1500)
41. KHACHATURIAN, ARAM ILICH. 1903-1978. Soviet-American composer. Brief Autograph Musical Quotation Signed, one page, octavo, 1977. Attractive item in fine condition. (300-500)
42. LANG, ANDREW. 1844-1912. Scottish scholar, poet, and man of letters. Autograph Letter Signed, four pages, small octavo, October 28, no year. To Mr. Stedman about his writing, other authors, the weather, etc. "...I am afraid the result would be grotesque if I sat down to be vigorous, indeed I composed most of this immortal work in bed, or while shaving..." He mentions Meyers, Dobson, Hall Caine on Rossetti, J.A. Symonds, and fishing. Very good condition, with original envelope. (200-300)
43. LONDON,
CHARMAIN. Her book
The Book of Jack London - Volume II. New York: The Century
Co., 1921. First edition. With full-
page inscription and signature on front free endpaper, "In the Valley of the Moon, 1935." Cover partially separated but repairable, otherwise very good. (60-80)
44. LONGFELLOW, HENRY WADSWORTH. American poet. Autograph Poem Signed, one page, oblong 8vo, no date. Four lines, in full: "The shades of night were falling fast / As though an Alpine village passed / A youth who moves 'mid snow and ice, / A banner with the strange device / Excelsior / Henry W. Longfellow." Faint mounting traces on verso, otherwise fine. (300-500)
45. MANET, EDOUARD. 1832-1883. French originator and leader of impressionism in painting. Autograph Letter Signed "Ed. Manet", one page, no date. Manet writes to a young lady asking that she postpone her visit to his studio because the painting he is working on is not yet completed. Mounted to a larger page, otherwise very good condition.
(1000-1500)
46. MAUGHAM, WILLIAM SOMERSET. 1874-1965. English novelist. Wrote Of Human Bondage, etc. Autograph Letter Signed on imprinted Villa Mauresque, Cap Ferrat, A.M. stationery, two pages, oblong octavo, 14 February (1934). To Sam M. Steward, the Ohio State University Dept. of English, Columbus, Ohio. Maugham thanks Steward for his letter and expresses his need for reassurance: "I know it is absurd at my age to want reassurances, but there it is, writers are silly & childish creatures." Fine condition. With envelope bearing Maugham's trademark Moorish emblem that "brings luck." (200-400)
47. MAUROIS, ANDRE. Pseudonym of Emile Herzog. 1885-1967. French writer. Autograph Manuscript Signed in French, eight pages (separate leaves), quarto, no date. Translation of Sonnets from the Portuguese by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Fine condition. (150-250)
48. MILHAUD, DARIUS. 1892-1974. French composer (member of "Les Six"); professor at the Paris Conservatoire and at Mills college, Oakland (1940-71). Autograph Musical Quotation Signed "Milhaud" and boldly inscribed, one page, small quarto, 1949. Fine condition. (150-200)
49. MOORE, HENRY. 1831-1896. English marine painter. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, octavo, Collingham, 15 February 1886. To C. W. Wass, Esq. Moore writes to say that he is no longer a member of the Burlington Fine Arts Club. Fine condition. (100-200)
50. O'KEEFFE, GEORGIA. 1887-1986. American painter. Known for her large, close-up views of flowers that suggest human forms and sexual imagery. Her talents were recognized by and she was later married to noted photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Autograph Letter Signed in full, two pages, quarto, Albiquiu, New Mexico, 1 August 1970. To William Turner Levy, Arlington, Vermont.. O'Keeffe writes fondly of old friendships: "...Something has gone that can not come again. My life and associations here are so different that looking back to the time with Maude and Tim is a sort of dream...I have driven through your state a few times - on my way to friends at the ocean in Maine. - I always thought it lovely. I went from Lake George, N.Y. and as soon as one was over the border --- rocks, grass - everything was different from N.Y..." Fine condition. (700-900)
51. RICHTER, HANS. 1843-1916. Hungarian-born German conductor; studied and the Vienna conservatorium; accompanied Wagner to Lucerne (1866-67), where he made the first fair copy of Die Meistersinger; conducted various orchestras (1875-1911); usually associated with Wagner and Bayreuth Festival (1876-1911). Autograph Letter Signed, in German, two pages (single leaf), octavo, Triebschen, 6 March 1867. He describes a concert at which Richard Wagner was unable to present, he reports on the musical and cultural life of Lucerne and he complains about the lack of pretty girls at the masked ball. Fine condition. (500-750)
52. RILEY, JAMES WHITCOMB. 1849-1916. American poet. Autograph Quotation Signed in full, one page, small octavo, Indianapolis, 1892. Riley written out fifteen lines of his poem When She Comes Home which ends: "To know that I so ill deserve the place / her arms make for me; and the sobbing note / I stay with kisses, ere the tearful face / again is hidden in the old embrace..." Excellent condition. (400-600)
53.
ROSSETTI, DANTE GABRIEL. 1828-1882.
English painter and poet. Founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Autograph Letter Signed "D. Gabriel Rossetti"
on his engraved stationery, four pages, octavo, Chelsea, 17 November
1869. Among other matters, Rossetti comments: "...I have
been writing lately instead of painting, and have been very green
and out of sorts, and this is the very first day for many weeks
that my hand can hold a pen pretty steadily. I recognize Christina's
regulation design in the slippers, which are very welcome..."
Excellent condition. (400-600)
54. SAINT-SAENS, CAMILLE. 1835-1921. French pianist, organist, and composer. Composed the opera Sampson and Dalila. Autograph Letter Signed in French, two pages, octavo, 83 Rue de Courcelles (Paris), 7 August 1914. To Jean Marnold. Musical content, commenting extensively on Marnold's article about an edition of Mozart's sonatas. While disclaiming any "pretension of being a musicologist" Saints-Saens discusses corrections to the text, manuscripts, and compares old and new editions. Fine condition with cover addressed in his hand. (250-350)
55. SHAW, GEORGE BERNARD. 1856-1950. British playwright, novelist, and critic. His book The Intelligent Woman's Guide to Socialism and Capitalism. London: Constable and Company, 1928. First edition. Inscribed and signed "To Honey Lavery / from G. B. S." on the front flyleaf. Gilt-stamped spine with decorated boards. Very good condition. (200-300)
56. SHELLEY, MARY. 1797-1851. English novelist. Author of Frankenstein. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, octavo, 10 March (c. 1838). To "Dearest Little Gus" (Augusta Goring Trelawney). Unpublished and according to Dr. Bennett (editor of Mary Shelley's papers), the only letter recorded to Mrs. Goring though there are letters from Goring to Mrs. Shelley known. This highly emotional and affectionate letter appears to have been written as a final farewell to her loving friend. It echoes Mary Shelley's struggles with health and depression and confirms the deeply affectionate nature of her friendships with women. She writes: "Keep well - be in good spirits all you can - and as kind as you can to Mr. G[oring - Augusta's husband] - and all will be well in time I doubt not. The great thing is health - and to take sorrows lightly - for sorrowing does not mend." She continues: "...Adieu my sweet child, we shall meet at the day of judgement - I say nothing of regret for you know that I love you - and have no wish much nearer my heart than your happiness...You are really so good and kind...and of so elastic a disposition, that I have every hope for you. Ever affectionately yours, Mary Shelley." Ironically, this letter was written at the time of Mary Shelley's bitter separation from former suitor E.J. Trelawney (a core member of Shelley's circle) who had recently proposed marriage to her and who shortly thereafter married Augusta Goring; it was Trelawney, of course, who was present with Byron at Shelley's death and snatched his heart from the cremation fires, and who was with Byron in Greece when Byron died. Two small adhesive tabs on the lower leaf's top edge, neatly split partly along vertical fold, otherwise in very good condition. Though Mary Shelley letters are not rare, letters with content and association of substantial interest like this example are very uncommon. (7000-9000)
57. SMITH,
SAMUEL FRANCIS. 1808-1895.
American clergyman and poet. Best known as the author of his
national hymn My Country 'tis of Thee. Printed copy of
his Century Hymn, one page, quarto, 30 April 1889. Printed
for the Davenport Academy of Natural Sciences and signed "S.F.
Smith" in wide bottom margin. Fine condition.
(400-600)
58. STIEGLITZ, ALFRED. 1864-1946. American photographer and editor. Autograph Letter Signed, penned on lower portion of a typed letter to him from columnist Carla Liffmann, requesting information for an article she was writing for the Jewish Tribune, one page, quarto, 16 October (1929). With envelope addressed by Stieglitz. Fine condition. (300-400)
59. STRAUSS, RICHARD. 1864-1949. German composer. Superb printed bust portrait (reproduction of a sketch by G. Schmitz), one page, octavo, inscribed and signed in full for Dr. Romulus Orchis. Excellent condition. (700-900)
60. STRAVINSKY, IGOR. 1882-1971. Russian composer. Typed Letter Signed in full, one page, quarto, Hollywood, 17 January 1967. To Eric Werner thanking him for a book The Sacred Bridge. Excellent condition. (300-500)
61.
STRAVINSKY, IGOR. His book
Stravinsky - An Autobiography. New York: Simon and Schuster,
1936. First edition. Signed by the composer beneath his frontis
portrait photograph "Igor Stravinsky / S.Francisco /
22/III/37."
Some soiling and minor wear of cover, otherwise very good.
(200-400)
62. SZIGETI, JOSEPH. 1892-1973. Hungarian-born American violinist. His book With Strings Attached. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1947. First edition. Signed in full by Szigeti on the front free endpaper. Very good condition, with original dustjacket. (100-150)
63. TAYLOR, J. BAYARD. 1825-1878. American author. His books include: Ballad of Abraham Lincoln and The National Ode. Autograph Letter Signed in full, two pages, quarto, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, 4 May 1847. To Mess. Carey & Hart. Excellent content. In part: "...I have now to say, in reply to your offer, that I believe the acceptance of it would be a disadvantage to my literary reputation, which would far outweigh all pecuniary considerations..." He goes on in detail about his reasons for not accepting the offer and in closing writes: "...If you should at any time find it desirable to publish translation of German works, either prose or poetry, I might be of service to you. I am an ardent admirer of the German literature..." Fine condition. (150-250)
64. VILLA, HERNANDO GONZALO. 1881-1952. American Western artist/illustrator. Known for his 1915 prize-winning mural at the Panama Pacific Exposition, his Union Pacific Railroad calender illustrations, and numerous West Coast magazine covers. Collection of five Autograph Letters Signed (usually as "Nando") on postcards to his mother, father, or both, various places, 1908-1909, detailing portions of his journeys through the U.S., Mexico and Canada (1 card has a sketch of a mountain landscape). Very good condition. (250-350)
65. VILLA, HERNANDO GONZALO. Diary/notebook in pencil, with approximately twenty pencil sketches, 60 pages, octavo, (c. 1915), with notations. Typical entry reads: "..1915...Pasadena...Walnut & Fair oaks...girl (with) mandolin..." Some wear, otherwise very good. (250-350)
66. VOLTAIRE, F.M. AROUET de. 1694-1778. French writer. Autograph Letter Signed "V," one page, quarto, 27 march 1763. To M. de Chenevieres discussing a mutual acquaintance, M. Tronchin and some business with him. Excellent condition. (1500-2500)
67. WALTER, BRUNO. 1876-1962. German-born conductor; conducted the Vienna Imperial Opera (1901-1913), Munich Opera (1913-1922), Berlin Municipal Opera (1925-29), Leipzig Gewandhaus (1929-1933); emigrated to the United States, conducted Metropolitan Opera (1941 on) and the New York Philharmonic (1947-1949). Black and white portrait photograph, quarto, signed in full with five line inscription in German to composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, 1957. Fine condition. (300-400)
68. WEBB, GEORGE J. 1803-1887. English-born American musician and composer. Organist of the Old South Boston Church in 1830. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages (one leaf), octavo, Orange, New Jersey, 2 December 1875. To Mr. Main. "I am quite desirous to learn something of the 'Tonic-sol-fa' system of teaching the elements of music..." One paper tape repair in lower left margin, otherwise in fine condition. (100-150)
69. ZOLA, EMILE. 1840-1902. French Novelist. His book The Downfall. New York: Cassell Publishing Company, 1892. First edition. Full signature of Zola on small slip affixed to title page. Pictorial boards. Very good condition. (150-250)
70. [ACTORS]. Lot of four signatures. 1. CLARK GABLE, full signature on small page. Pasted to a larger sheet, with minor show-through of glue. 2. STAN LAUREL, signature and inscription on album page "Love to Alberta / Stan Laurel, 1934 / Babes in Toyland." 3. OLIVER HARDY, full bold pencil signature on album page. 4. HATTIE McDANIEL, signature and inscription "Best wishes / to Judy from / Hattie McDaniel / as Beulah." on small card. Scarce. All in fine condition. (500-700)
71.
[ACTORS]. Lot of three letters.
1. BETTY FURNESS. Typed Letter Signed "Betty" on
her imprinted personal stationery, one page, quarto, 24 March
1967. Humorous political content. 2. BOB HOPE. Typed Letter
Signed on his imprinted personal stationery, one page, 12 October
1973. Humorous letter mentioning Billy Graham. 3. EFREM ZIMBALIST
Jr. Autograph Letter Signed in full on his imprinted personal
stationery, Encino, California, 5 October 1973. To Travis Cross.
"...Please tell your son that whether he ends up chasing
ladies for the Bureau or assisting them on the links, the legwork
is about the same..." Very good condition. (80-120)
72. ASTAIRE, FRED. American dancer. His book Fred Astaire - Steps in Time. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1959. First edition. Signed by Astaire on half title page "To Gene / Fred." From the estate of Gene Sarazen. Fine condition, with original dustjacket. (100-150)
73. [BLACK HISTORY]. Elaborately-printed souvenir program from D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation, 32 pages, folio, c. 1915. Illustrated with numerous scenes from the film with engraved frontis of Ku Klux Klansman on horseback. The reviews printed in the final pages rave about the accurate portrayal of the terrible treatment of the Negroes and their struggle for freedom. A sharp contrast from the reality that the Mutual Film Company was at the very same time banning Negroes from attending the film. With original dust cover, very good condition. (300-500)
74. BUCK, FRANK. 1888-1950. American explorer and promoter. "Bring 'Em Back Alive." Sepia portrait photograph, 8" x 10" inscribed and signed "Frank." Excellent condition.
(100-150)
75. [BUFFALO BILL'S WILD WEST SHOW]. JOHN M. BURKE, Buffalo Bill Cody's manager. Typed Letter Signed, one page, octavo, Washington, 7 May 1898. To Paymaster General T.H. Stanton. "Colonel W.F. Cody extends to you a cordial invitation to attend the opening performance of the 'Wild West' on Monday..." Pasted to a larger sheet, otherwise very good. (80-120)
76. BUSHMAN, FRANCIS X. 1883-1966. American silent film star of Ben Hur. Vintage sepia portrait photograph, 9" x 12," inscribed and signed in light area. Very good condition. (100-150)
77. [CIRCUS]. DAN RICE. 1823-1900. American circus performer. Phineas T. Barnum and Dan Rice are recognized as the two most important folk heroes of the American circus. Rice, dresed in red-and-white stripes like and American flag and calling himself "Uncle Sam," was a genius at revealing Americans to themselves. He became a star as a wisecracking clown in 1845, joking and singing in a clear, strong, magnetic voice that charmed almost everyone. He remained a star until the 1880s and in mid-century was the highest paid performer in the U.S., his salary of $1,000 per week far exceeded even that of his friend Abraham Lincoln. His costume, based on the American flag, consisted of tights, a blouse and pantaloons, a tall hat and long chin whiskers. When the great editorial cartoonist, Thomas Nast, began drawing his Uncle Sam character as a symbol of the United States, he based Uncle Sam's appearance on Rice in costume. Autograph Letter Signed "Dan Rice," one page, quarto, Hotel Everett, New York, 7 February 1890. To New York theatre manager, Al Emmett Fostell. He writes that he has tried to meet Fostell, but each time has missed him: "...Please call at the above address where you can find me at any time before 11 o'clock A.M. or after 6 o'clock P.M. Would be pleased to see you any time..." Dan Rice autograph material is almost unheard of on the market. This example is in excellent condition, with original envelope addressed in his hand. (8000-12000)
78. [CIRCUS]. Scarce printed broadside, one page, 7" x 22," Monday, 27 November 1826, Theatre Royal, Liverpool, England. Exquisite early circus broadside advertising such acts as: "Mr. Ducrow's Celebrated Stud of Horses, Signora Rosalia on the Enchanted Wire," and introducing the "Horse Salamander - Surrounded with Fireworks!!!" In very good condition. Scarce. (300-500)
79. COBB, TY. 1886-1961. The "Georgie Peach." Considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Fine signature "Ty Cobb / 8-14-51" on front cover of printed Official Score Book for the Eugene - Springfield Larks minor league team, Eugene, Oregon, eight pages, quarto. Excellent condition, with related material. (300-500)