PBA Galleries

TLs. New York, March 7, 1973 (from postmark, letter is mis-dated 1963). 1 page, with original mailing envelope. 

To an autograph collector: “”I am baffled by your request as I am neither a famous nor well known personality. It is quite flattering but I don’t see how my personal autographed picture of myself would enhance your collection…I would suggest that you go after the ‘big ones’…” Lee (1915-2005) was a Chinese-American born in Hawaii. After studying with Roger Sessions and Aaron Copland, he composed operas, ballets, symphonies, concertos and orchestral works, as well as the music for the 1950s Broadway comedy “Teahouse of the August Moon”.  He may be considered the first notable Chinese-American composer of “classical” music. As Lee was indeed not “famous” (outside the music world) his autograph is rare.