1870. Inscribed photocard of the German composer and conductor; inscription on verso in German, along with Vienna photographer's information. Measures 4.5 x 2.5 inches, photo print sepia-tone with pale green border. No date, circa 1870. Fine. More
New York: Donald I. Fine, 1990. An autobiography with Lee Davis. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs; endpapers decorated with drawings by Al Hirschfeld. 354 pages, 8vo, yellow and burgundy cloth-backed boards, dust wrapper. New York: Donald I. Fine, Inc., (1990). First edition. A near fine copy in a near fine wrapper. Inscribed on the half-title page: "To ...:New friends who I hope will someday be old friends ... Richard, 10/8/91" More
1995. 8.5 x 7.25-inch black-and-white photo of the country music band Alabama -- no place, no date, circa 1995. Signed with a black marker by the four members of the group: Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Mark Herndon. Matted in off-white and set in a black frame measuring 15 x 13.25 inches. The photo has two tiny faint stains at the top, but is still in very good condition. More
1925. Elaborate six-bar arrangement on a 4.5 x 5.75-inch piece of lined paper, titled in old German, subject unknown, no date, circa 1925. Boldly signed by Aldrich at the conclusion. Small stain at the top; mounting remnants on the back. Very good(-) condition. American composer, musicologist and music critic. More
Van Nuys: 2000. American television personality, author, composer, musician and actor who achieved national fame as the first host of The Tonight Show; the first late-night television talk show. Excellent content T.L.S. "Steve", reminiscing about the early days on the Tonight Show. 4to. 1 page, personal letterhead, Van Nuys, California, February 21st 2000 Written just a few months before his death, to long time friend and collaborator Herb Sargent. The letter reads in full: "I'm hurrying to finish up a...... More
1950. 9.25 x 7.5-inch black-and-white photo of Anderson in an animated pose, holding his trumpet -- no place, no date, circa 1950. Signed "Bill Anderson" above his right shoulder and across his face. Double-matted in black and light gray and set in a decorative black frame measuring 18 x 16 inches. Small crease on the lower left corner, but otherwise in very good condition. American jazz trumpeter best known for playing with Duke Ellington's orchestra. More
1975. Exceptional rock-n-roll memento, an autographed stage-used Remo weather king clear snare drumhead (cs Controlled Sound), boldly signed by Sam Andrew, Michael Joplin, and Laura Joplin. Consistent drum stick marks on bullet; otherwise fine condition. No date; circa 1975. American guitarist, songwriter and founder of the group Big Brother and the Holding Company, which featured a then-unknown vocalist named Janis Joplin. In 1968 both departed the Holding Co. to form a new ensemble called The Kozmic Blues Band, going on..... More
1975. Exceptional rock-n-roll memento, an autographed stage-used Remo weather king white snare drumhead (cs Controlled Sound), boldly signed by Sam Andrew, Michael Joplin, and Laura Joplin. Consistent drum stick marks on bullet; otherwise fine condition. No date; circa 1975. American guitarist, songwriter and founder of the group Big Brother and the Holding Company, which featured a then-unknown vocalist named Janis Joplin. In 1968 both departed the Holding Co. to form a new ensemble called The Kozmic Blues Band, going on..... More
New York: Delilah Books, 1981. Book by Neal Peters and David Smith; signed by Ann-Margret. Profusely illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs. 256 pages, 4to, silver-stamped white boards, dust wrapper (edge-worn). New York: Delilah Books, (1981). A very good copy in a very good(-) dust wrapper. Boldly inscribed in purple marker on a preliminary blank page: "For David~ Affectionately, Ann-Margret." More
1890. Autographed musical quotation titled "Chants." Signed in full at the top of the page by the American conductor. 1 page, 7.5 x 9 inches, 16 bars in 4 systems, both bass and treble. No place, circa 1890. Other musical notations on verso. Small hole in the upper left margin; horizontal folds. Very good condition. More
New York: 1887. 1 page, 9.5 x 7.75 inches, New York, July 6, 1887. Full-page music score -- a three-line, 13-bar fragment from Canzonetta, Opus 63 No. 1. Signed and dated "With kind regards, your friend Wm. E. Ashmall, New York July 6th '87." Small brown spot on the lower left margin; near fine. Ashmall was an American composer and organist who wrote elaborate symphonic arrangements and organ compositions that were reminiscent of Bach's fugues. This manuscript is scarce and..... More
1950. 10 x 8.25 inches, no place, no date, circa 1950 -- a vintage shoulder-up photograph depicting Baccaloni in the role of Don Pasquale. Inscribed: "To Arthur St. Brackbill, Sincerely, Salvatore Baccaloni." Near fine condition. Italian bass opera star often regarded as the greatest buffo artist of the 20th century. Baccaloni was encouraged by Arturo Toscanini to pursue comic roles such as Rigoletto and Leporello in Don Giavanni, a move which culminated into his being in demand at every major..... More
New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1971. 233 pages. 8vo, purple cloth, dust wrapper; cloth and wrapper sunned at top edge, "Gift from Pearl Bailey" stamped on flyleaf. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, (1971). First edition. A very good(+) copy. From the estate of Sylvia Miles. Includes a signed letter, "Pearl", on P.B. Production Corp. letterhead, in full: "My dearest Sister Sylvia: I just love you. You're a fine human being. All love, Pearl" More
1962. Unaccredited matte-finish black-and-white 10 x 8-inch half-length image of Bailey, no place, no date, circa 1962. Inscribed: "To Helen, My Very Best, Love Pearl." Tiny creases on the lower corners but still in very good condition. American singer and actress who appeared on the stage, screen and television. More
New York: 1954. Extremely rare contract from the vaults of Hometown Village Music. 4to. 1 page, Village Music Company, 1619 Broadway, New York City, August 26th 1954, to Miss Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney (before they were married), whereby Sidney Prosen proposes an up-date to a previous contract, based on the trio's success, in part: "...Your signature where indicated below constitutes this is a binding agreement between us. Note: in consideration of the unusual and successful endeavors by ourselves in..... More
New York: 1930. Vintage matte-finish black-and-white photograph, 9.25 x 5.75 inches, Murray Korman, New York, A full-length image depicting Baker dressed in a sequined gown. Boldly signed in full. No date, circa 1930. Small crease on the right side, but still in very good condition. American-born French dancer, singer, and actress who came to be known in various circles as the "Black Pearl," "Bronze Venus," and the "Creole Goddess." More
New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Frontispiece and other black-and-white photographs. 320 pages, 8vo, red and beige cloth-backed boards (corners bumped), dust wrapper. New York: Simon & Schuster, (1994). First edition. Very good(-). Inscribed by the author on the publisher's logo page: "For Kay Meehan, with Christmas greetings and love from your country/city friend, Mary Ellin Barrett." More
New York: Little Brown, 1950. Illustrated in black and white. 2 volumes, thick 8vos, two-tone black and white cloth. New York: Little Brown, 1950. Very good(+) in a worn slipcase. Signed and inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: "For both dears -- Francis + Shirley (Steegmuller) -- much love, Jacques." Also included with the books are various pieces of related ephemera, including a facsimile copy of a letter from Hector Berlioz, a note from Jacques Barzun on..... More
1820. Autograph manuscript signed in full. Contains two stanzas (16 lines) of a poem entitled "The Old Kirk Yard," 1 page, gray paper, dry mounted on foxed, white paper, 7 x 4.5 inches. In part: "Oh mourn not for them their grief is o'er, Oh weep not for them they weep no more; For deep in their sleep, tho' cold and hard, Their pillow may be in the old Kirk yard." No place, no date, circa 1820. British author and..... More
New York: Basic Books, 1996. 228 pages. 8vo. Brown cloth backed cream boards, first edition, d.w. New York: Basic Books, (1996). A near fine copy in a near fine wrapper. Inscribed on half-title page: "To: [...] Happy Birthday, Derrick & Janet Bell 4/8/99" More
Rome: 1915. 1 page on heavy-stock beige construction paper measuring 5.25 x 9 inches. Signed: "Gemma Bellincioni", Rome 1915." Near fine condition. Italian soprano and one of the best-known opera singers of the late 19th century. She is credited with creating the role of Santuzza in Pietro Mascagni's landmark opera "Cavalleria Rusticana." More
New York: 1964. 3.5 x 6.5-inch First Day Cover commemorating "America's contribution to the World of Music." Issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Signed in full by Bennett and postmarked in New York City on October 15, 1964. The envelope features an image of an eagle perched on a decorative harp on the left and has a cancelled five-cent American Music stamp on the upper right. Float-mounted below a 4.75 x...... More
New York: 1964. 3.5 x 6.5-inch First Day Cover commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Signed in full by Berlin and postmarked in New York City on October 15, 1964. The envelope features tiny bust portraits of the nine ASCAP founders on the left and has a cancelled five-cent American Music stamp on the upper right. Matted beside a 4 x 3-inch photo of Berlin deep in thought at a piano; set in..... More
1941. 1 page, 9 x 6.25 inches, no place, June 3, 1941. Written to Mark Sandrich, a director and producer at Paramount Pictures, in part: "I had a session with Elmer Rice today and he read the script, and I played the songs in 'HOLIDAY INN' for him. He is very much interested and wants to talk to you about it. He leaves Friday for Hollywood so will get in touch with you. I made it perfectly clear that you..... More
1855. 1 page, 5.25 x 8 inches, no place, no date, circa 1855, in full: "Bonjour! Je suit mort, mais ca commence a ailler. "H. Berlioz." Minor spotting with mounting remnants on verso. Very good condition. French composer noted as the Father of modern Orchestration. More
I have received the Paul Johnson book, and everything was excellent. I want to thank you for your efforts and professional courtesy in this transaction, as it was one of the best I've experienced over the past year. I hope that I can do more business in the future with Argosy Books. Thanks again.
Hi, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful care you took in getting the book to me. Also, your description was accurate -- so thank you and hope to do business again.