Recently Added Authentic Autographs and Memorabilia

French composer (1824-1888), and timpanist in the Paris Opera Orchestra. Set of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, one of them dated July 14, no year. One letter is addressed to the dramatist Édouard Cadol (1831-1898), concerning his health and theater rumors. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French pianist, composer, and teacher (1852-1914), the first famous pianist to make recordings. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no specific date, where he addresses a gentleman: “…Le concerto de Castellin m’a paru tellement mériter d’être remis en lumière qui je considère comme un devoir d’artiste d’intéresser à sa présentation les vrais amis de la grande musique, cert qui ne peuvent rester indifférents à une des oeuvres capitales non seulement de ce compositeur, mais encore de notre jeune école…”. Size is 4.8 x 7.2 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), overall rust tone, central fold, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a printed 1-page program for Pugno’s 24th of November 1903 concert along with Ines Maria Ferraris. 

French composer (1861-1949). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, December 15, 1938, where he addresses a colleague: “…grâce certainement à votre puissante influence la Société nationale de musique vient, cette année encore, d’être gratifiée d’une généreuse subvention…”.  Size is 5.4 x 8.4 inches, 1 written page, stamped seal, Societé Nationale de Musique letterhead, central fold, some light creases, in overall very good condition.

French music critic and musicologist (1806-1864). Set of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated between 1841 and 1854. Scudo addresses the jurist Joseph Ortolan (1802-1873), concerning private matters and meetings. We report an extract as a sample: “…Je ne pourrai pas être de votres aujourd’hui, car je suis obligé d’assister à la reprise de La donna del Lago au Théâtre italien…”. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1857-1928). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Amiens, September 30, 1923, where he addresses the poet Édouard David (1863-1932): “…S’il me fallait choisir entre les trois pièces que vous avez fait représenter, et qui m’ont, toutes trois, vivement intéressé, je donnerais la palme, incontestablement, à Ech’ Pardon…”.  Size is ..., 2 written pages in one folded sheet, in excellent condition.

Original playbill for the 1891 festival at Bayreuth, featuring Theodor Reichmann, Theresa Malten, Ernest van Dyck, Karl Scheidemantel, and others. Size is 12.2 x 16.75 inches, folds, in very good condition.

French dramatist and librettist (1719-1797), especially noted for his librettos for operas. Printed document in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated in Paris, May 22, 1791, concerning "Décharges d'Arrérages de rentes", with details of rents collected by the French dramatist.  Size is 6.7 x 8.5 inches, folds and creases, in overall very good condition.

French dramatist (1854-1916), a prolific author in creating theatrical works. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, January 27, 1908, to a gentleman composer: “…J’ai hâte également d’entendre votre partition, dont Alexandre est très enthousiaste, ce que je comprends d’avance…”. Size is 4.2 x 5.4 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back) with SACD letterhead, creases, folds, rust stains, and a punched hole at the top, in good condition.

French harpist. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Roanne, February 12, 1772, to a gentleman asking about an harp: “….Si je lui dois plus de trois ou quatre louis si vous pouvez les lui remettre dites lui de vous remettre une harpe qu’il a [à] moi et que je vous prix de faire mettre au carrosse…”. Size is 6.4 x 8.3 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), overall rust stains, folds and creases, slight loss of paper at the bottom, in overall very good condition.

French violinist and teacher (1850?-1925?). Piece of card signed by her with a short message in French written by her (untranslated). Size is 4.75 x 3.9 inches, in excellent condition.  

Italian soprano (1815-1897), second wife of the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi. Her original vintage visiting card with a short greeting in Italian written by her (probably addressed to pianist Ferdinand Hiller's wife). Size is 4.1 x 2.1 inches, mounting traces on the margins, in overall very good condition.

Polish pianist (1862-1946), an outstanding pupil of Franz Liszt and a friend and colleague of some of the greatest musicians of his age. His original vintage business card signed by him with a short sentiment on the verso, dated in London, June 25, 1895. Size is 3.7 x 2.25 inches, mounting traces on the front, in overall very good condition.

His original business card mounted on hard cardboard, with a short text in French written by the composer granting admission to a certain Madame Klindworth to a rehearsal. Size is 3.3 x 2 inches, some cracks, stains, in overall good condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. His original business card signed by him with a short sentiment in Italian. Size is 3.9 x 2.3 inches, minor stains, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is its original envelope handwritten by him. Size is 4.3 x 2.8 inches, small crack at the top, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian opera composer (1858-1924), the greatest creator of operas for 30 years until his death by cancer. His original business card with a short greeting in Italian written by him, dated January 10, 1912. Size is 3.1 x 1.75 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is its original envelope handwritten by the composer. Size is 4.75 x 3.1 inches, in very good condition.

Italian opera composer (1857-1919) whose opera Pagliacci (1892) is considered one of the most successful in opera history. His original business card with a short autograph note in Italian signed by him on the verso. Size is 4.2 x 2.2 inches, rust stains, in excellent condition.

English tenor (1821-1900). Fine woodbury type photograph mounted on a page signed by him and dated 1884. Size is 4.75 x 7.1 inches, folds, creases, in overall very good condition.

English mezzo-soprano (1899-1993). Black-and-white half-tone photograph (probably a page from a program or Magazine) signed by her, mounted on soft cardboard. Size is 5.1 x 7.6 inches, in excellent condition.

Scottish soprano (1896-1981). Black-and-white photo postcard signed by her and dated 1915. Size is 3.6 x 5.4 inches, some creases, in overall very good condition.

English bass (1863-1942). Black-and-white half-tone photograph (probably a page from a magazine) signed by him with a short sentiment, mounted on soft cardboard. Size is 3.6 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Irish soprano (? - 1940). Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment dated 1937, here shown as Madama Butterfly; ink-stamped on verso by photographer Basil Henry (Dublin). Size is 3.2 x 5.3 inches, in very good condition.

American soprano (1889-?). Black-and-white photo postcard shown as Carmen, signed by her on the verso with a short autograph note dated December 1917. Size is 3.4 x 5.4 inches, in excellent condition.

English baritone (1853-1922). Black-and-white photo postcard signed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 3.4 x 5.5 inches, silvering over the borders, otherwise in very good condition.

English contralto (1899-1980). Fine black-and-white photograph signed by her with a short sentiment; ink-stamped on verso by photographer Norman Dewhurst (Adelaide). Size is 5.75 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

British soprano (1906-1996). Black-and-white photo postcard signed by her with a short sentiment, here shown probably in role. Size is 3.4 x 5.4 inches, in excellent condition.

English tenor (1887-1944). Fine sepia photo postcard signed by him with a short sentiment dated 1924, here shown in role. Size is 5.3 x 3.6 inches, in excellent condition.

English actor (1883-1958) in both silent and sound films. Black-and-white photo postcard signed by him with a short sentiment dated November 1913, here shown young. Size is 3.3 x 5.3 inches, some silvering, in overall very good condition.

American contralto. Fine black-and-white photograph shown in role signed by her on verso with an autograph note written by her. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, small crease over the upper-left corner, otherwise in very good condition.

Polish-born writer (1873-1932), also known as Alfred Athis. Autograph draft of an article for the column "La Quinzaine Dramatique" in the magazine "La Revue Blanche", concerning Vincent d'Indy's suite "Medée" (1898) with words by Catulle Mendès. We report an extract as a sample: "...La Medée d'Euripide nous est présenté dès l'abord comme la mégine, la magicienne, humiliée dans un droit et dans un orgeuil d'épouse. En face de Jason qui l'a répudiée qui haïnement, froidement raisonne et tâche à la convaincre qu'il agit au mieux de leur commun intérêt, elle semble une louve en furie, elle n'est que colère et menaces, que haine et imprécations...".  Size is 6.3 x 8 inches, 4 written pages (horizontal and vertical), many corrections and glosses, in very good condition (see scans provided for a detailed view).

German soprano (1845-1876), who performed at the Leipzig Stadttheater and at the Royal Opera in Berlin. Nice vintage CDV (carte-de-visite) of the soprano by photographer Loescher & Petsch (Berlin). Size is 2.4 x 3.9 inches, ink writing over the bottom, in very good condition.

French dramatist (1802-1883), journalist, historian, and civil servant. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated January 23, 1879, where he addresses a gentleman: “…vous voulez bien m’informer qu’une société dite des jeunes auteurs  vient de se constituer par la formation d’un Comité provisoire, composé de M. M. Fr. Coppée, Alfred des Essarts, Germain Picard, Gallion, Georges Berry…”.  Size is 5.4 x 8.3 inches, 1 written page, light folds and creases, in overall very good condition.  

German conductor (1823-1902) and composer. Autograph letter in German (untranslated) on a postcard signed by him, dated March 9, 1884, where he addresses the musicologist Max Friedlaender (1852-1934), concerning music matters. Size is 3.6 x 5.5 inches, some ink stains at the top caused by the postal mark, otherwise in very good condition.

Hungarian composer (1809-1889), bandmaster, and conductor. His Hungarian march was transcribed by Franz Liszt. Piece of paper with his autograph signature. Size is 3.75 x  3.25 inches, in excellent condition.  

French count and composer (1831-1916), and descendant of the politician and writer Count Joseph Chérade de Montbron (1768-1854). Set of two autograph letters in French signed by him, one of them dated December 19, 1874, addressing the harpist Coraly Gatayes (1840-1913): “…voulez vous me permettre, en souvenir du plaisir que j’ai eu à vous entendre sur la harpe, de vous envoyer une recueil de mélodies pour le chant…”.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1825-1892), singer, librettist, and conductor known as Hervé. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1869 and 1874. Letters are addressed to the French soprano Hortense Schneider (1833-1920), we report an extract as a sample: “…Dans quelques jours je commence un grand opéra bouffe destinée à être jouée cet hiver aux Folies Dramatique…”.  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

French harpist (1875-1956) and French harpist (1874-1963). Set of two visiting cards (one for each harpist) signed by the most celebrated French harpists of their generation with a short message in French on both sides. Size is 2.9 x 1.7 inches, tape residues on both, in overall very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French tenor (1848-1899), urban planner, and Socialist politician. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, August 2, 1891, where he addresses a certain Mr. Jacquot: “…je vous félicite par Monsieur votre père à l’Expédition de Moscou, je partage votre satisfaction…”.  Size is 4.6 x 7.2 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and verso), light smudge over the ink writting on the first age, central fodl, in overall excellent condition.

French composer (1872-1973), organist, conductor, and teacher; a pupil himself of Franck, Gounod, and Massenet. Lot of six autograph letters signed by him, dated between 1897 and 1923. These letters are addressed to the composer Delphin Balleyguier (1829-1899), to Geneviève Blanchard, and Jeanne Telen and concern, among others things, Büsser's recommendation as organist of S. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1872-1973), organist, conductor, and teacher; a pupil himself of Franck, Gounod, and Massenet. St of two typed letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1934 and 1937. Both letters are addressed to the composer Adriano Lualdi. We report an extract as a sample: “…Pourriez-vous me faire parvenir la partition de votre ballet afin que je la communique à Mr. Rouché, directeur de l’Opéra?…”. 2 pp. With letterhead. In-8. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French composer (1847-1916) and music critic, winner of Prix de Rome for composition in 1872. Fine set of two autograph notes in French signed by him, one of them dated 1890. Letters concern upcoming engagements and meetings. Open size is 9.1 x 7.1 inches each, creases, dirt stains, in very good condition.

French composer (1860-1934). Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, May 9, 1895, where he addresses a gentleman: “…J’ai enfin eu des nouvelles de organisateurs des Concours de Nangis – 2 Juin prochain – pourrez vous venir avec nous comme membre du Jury? J’écris en même temps à Clerice…”. Size is 5.5 x 8.4 inches, 1 written page, creases, letterhead "Garde Republicaine", in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDD is a photo postcard of the cornetist and conductor of the “Musique de la Garde Républicaine” Guillaume Balay (1871-1943).

French composer (1879-1944), conductor, pianist, and music critic. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, March 14, 1916, where he addresses the ballet dancer Abel Bordieux: “…Ce mot pour vous dire combien je serais ravi d’avoir l’occasion de venir diriger une représentation française en Italie si cela pourrait se présenter – Voilà déjà deux chefs italiens qui viennent de diriger à Paris ([Arturo] Vigna et [Rodolfo] Ferrari) l’occasion de la réciproque peut se présenter…”. Size is 7.4 x 9.1 inches, 1 written page, storage holes, some folds and creases, in overall very good condition.

English composer (1852-1935), conductor, and pianist. Set of two fine autograph letters signed by him, not dated, where he addresses the music critic Aldo Noseda, thanking him for articles he wrote on him. For a total of 2 pp. In-8. ALSO INCLUDED is an autograph letter signed on a card, not dated, addressed to Aldo Noseda: “…I wanted to tell you that Sanzogno has taken my opera ‘Signa’ and will perform it as soon as he can…”.  Signa is an opera originally conceived in four acts with music by the British composer with a libretto by Gilbert Arthur à Beckett, after Ouida, with an Italian translation by Giannandrea Mazzucato, first performed in a reduced three-act version at the Teatro Dal Verme, Milan on 12 November 1893. It was later given in a two-act version at Covent Garden, London on 30 June 1894. 2 pp. on visiting card. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French pianist (1839-1934), famed as one of the first-ever recording artists. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) on soft cardboard signed by him, dated January 18, 1897, to a certain “Maestro don Giovanni”: “… Voir mon nom de pianiste, somme toute, en tête de cette belle pièce d’orgue di liturgique me fait croire pour un instant que j’ai l’honneur de faire partie de cette noble phalange des organistes pour qui j’ai autant d’admiration (…) Notre ami Border vient de faire une tournée dans notre région avec vingt-inq de ses chanteurs; l’impression en restera et il rêve déjà de renouveler dans notre pays nos fêtes de l’an dernier à Bilbao…”. Size is 5.6 x 4.3 inches, 2 written pages, creases, with letterhead "Mont-de-Marsau", in overall very good condition.

Italian tenor (1889-1938), very successful in the 1920s, sang in European and South American theaters and left few recordings. Large portrait-style photograph matted on soft cardboard, shown as himself, signed and inscribed by him in 1929. Size is 7.75 x 11.25 inches, small creases on edges and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition. Rare!

French stage actor (1841-1909), considered one of the greatest of his time, also known as "Aine Coquelin". Signed postcard photograph, shown as himself, dated in 1907.  Size is 3.5 x 5.4 inches, slight silvering on bottom left and rust on verso, otherwise in excellent condition.

American soprano (1887-1967).  Beautiful vintage signed photograph, shown in role, inscribed, dated in 1914.  Size is 7.75 x 10 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

Lithuanian tenor (1886-1968), shown in role in Rimsky-Korsakov's Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh, inscribed, dated in Buenos Aires in 1936. Stamped on verso by photographer Sudak, Teatro Colon, Buenos Aires. Size is 7 x 9.5 inches, mounting traces on verso, otherwise in good condition.