Mar 31, 2001, The B. H. Manuscript/Collectible/Philatelic Sale, Sale 9

Autographs and Manuscripts - General

Musicians, Composers and Conductors

Lot 402
Ansermet, Ernest and Joseph Hofmann. Lot of two letters from gentlemen who were widely regarded as musical pioneers. 1. Ansermet, Ernest (1883-1966). Autograph Letter Signed ("Ernest Ansermet"). In French. Two pages, octavo, Geneva, January 23, 1949. Mailing fold, otherwise fine to very fine. 2. Hofmann, Joseph (1866-1957). Autograph Letter Signed ("Jos. Hofmann"). One page, octavo, Lakewood, New Jersey, June 24, 1906. On Laurel-In-The-Pines stationery. Staple holes at top do not affect text. In very good to fine condition.

Ansermet's letter praises singer Eliette Schenne and her many accomplishments. Hofmann's letter refers to the completion of articles for The Ladies Home Journal and the selection of compositions for girls: "...I think that you will find every thing in the same you need for your purposes escept [sic] the selection of compositions for girls which I cannot give you..." Hoffman's fame was wide-ranging and his magazine articles about music and musicians were very popular with the general population.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 403
Auber, Francois (1782-1871). French composer known for his work developing operas containing spoken as well as sung passages. Considered the "Father of French Opera", his works include Fra Diavolo and Manon Lescaut.

Autograph Musical Quote Signed ("Auber"). One sheet, duodecimo, n.p., "12 March 1839". On the verso of a watercolor fragment that has been laid down. In black ink. A few folds and buckling from watercolor mounting and light toning. In good to very good condition overall.

Here, Auber pens three lines of music following the success of the French, German and Italian versions of Fra Diavolo.
Estimated Value $275-375.

Irving Berlin TLS to Clare Booth Luce

Lot 404
Berlin, Irving (1888-1989). One of the greatest American songwriters. From Tin Pan Alley ditties to "White Christmas," Irving Berlin's 800 songs and 40 musical scores are some of the most recognizable and enduring music of the 20th century.

Typed Letter Signed ("Irving"). One page, 10 x 7", New York, May 9, 1952. On personal letterhead. To Clare Luce. Two faint horizontal mailing folds. Transmittal envelope included (envelope shows minor soiling). In fine to very fine condition.

A very nice, informal letter. Berlin writes: "...I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to see you at the Music Box while you were there and that the news about your play couldn't have been better. I'm returning to California today but hope to see you sometime when I get back. With my best to you, As always, Irving." Berlin was returning to California to continue work on the film version of Call Me Madam (1953) and to prepare for White Christmas (1954) and There's No Business Like Show Business (also 1954). Of course, Miss Luce is Clare Booth Luce, the successful actress and playwright, named Ambassador to Italy in 1953.
Estimated Value $700-1,000.

Lot 405
Bernstein, Leonard (1918-1990). American conductor, composer and pianist known for his accomplishments in popular and classical music, along with his flamboyant style and devotion to music education for children.

Inscribed Signed Photograph ("Leonard Bernstein"). Black and white, 8 x 10", n.p., 1988. Inscribed in black ink "To Michael G." One very small crease on verso border. Otherwise condition is fine to very fine.

A beautiful profile shot of Bernstein in casual garb as the strength of his features and the black and white film make for a striking photograph. Signed the year Bernstein was celebrating his 70th birthday, as active as he had been 20 years before.
Estimated Value $250-350.

Lot 406
Blake, Eubie (1883-1983). American composer and musician, Blake is remembered for his ragtime melodies and the songs "I'm Just Wild About Harry" and "Memories of You." Performing into his 98th year, Blake kept ragtime alive for generations of music fans.

Signed Photograph ("Eubie Blake"). Black and white, 8 x 10", n.p., n.d. Inscribed in black ink "To Mr. James O. Duning." Fine condition.

A beautiful portrait of an elderly Eubie Blake at the piano.
Estimated Value $100-200.

Lot 407
Cage, John (1912-1992) American avant-garde composer who profoundly influenced mid-20th-century music. His studies of eastern philosophies and experimentation with unorthodox instruments distinguished his compositions and performances.

Autograph Letter Signed ("John Cage"). One page, 7¾ x 8½", Lewiston, Maine, September 17, 1975. On personalized Note-O-Gram stationery. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arlen, Jr. One faint horizontal fold. Includes transmittal envelope. In fine to very fine condition.

Cage's innovative and thoughtful works, flavored by Eastern thought and unconventional technique, deeply influenced mid-20th century music and were in wide demand. Here, he writes: "...Just yesterday I finished a new piece for our bicentennial Comm. on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. It's called Lecture on the Weather. Now begin new piece for Boston Symph. (also bicentennial); doesn't have a title yet." Personal letters featuring Cage discussing his works are uncommon.
Estimated Value $250-300.

Lot 408
Cage, John. Signatures ("John Cage") . Five signatures matted with various pen and ink renderings, including a diagram for "preparing" a piano. Sizes range from 10 ¾ x 10½" to 9 x 13" and all items are in fine condition.
Estimated Value $150-200.

Lot 409
Campanini, Italo (1845-1896). Italian tenor, he was "Faust" in the Metropolitan Opera's inaugural performance.

Autograph Musical Quotation ("Italo Campanini"). One page, 10¼ x 6½", [?], November 17, 1880. Two and a half measures of music with lyrics in Italian. Minor toning, otherwise very good to fine condition.

Here we offer a lovely sampling of Campanini's dramatic hand.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 410
Caruso, Enrico (1873-1921). Italian operatic tenor. Though he was a member of his church choir, Caruso had no formal training until age 18. Shortly thereafter, at age 21 he made his debut in Naples. Later, when he came to perform in America, he sang over 600 performances of 37 operas at the Metropolitan Opera and became one of the first musicians to lend his voice to gramophone recordings.

Signature ("Caruso"). Signed postcard, 3½ x 5¼", New York, 1908. To Mrs. Arny Bachman. One cent stamp with postmark, which has lightly bled through to front. Matted to an overall size of 5¼ x 7¼". Fine condition.

Caruso created a special series of postcards with his portrait and here sends one to a friend in San Francisco, writing "...my work at the opera is taking the whole of my time. I am glad to hear you all settled again at home and I hope your two Alfreds are very well..."
Estimated Value $500-700.

Lot 411
Caruso, Enrico. Signed Photographic Postcard ("Enrico Caruso"). One page, 3½ x 5½", New York, 1918. In black ink. To Mr. Victor Naggiar. Silvering to image, remnants of an adhesive verso. Else, in fine condition.

Caruso cleverly inscribes this card, leaving no room for interpretation: "To Victor Naggiar / Souvenir". In fact, Caruso's popularity was sure to have been on the rise -- in 1918, the year that Caruso signed this postcard, the tenor appeared in two silent films.
Estimated Value $425-500.

Lot 412
Caruso, Enrico. Autograph Post Card Signed ("Caruso"). One page, 5½ x 3½", New York, February 28, 1914. On a Hotel Knickerbocker postcard. In black ink. To Mrs. Harriet E. Knight of Philadelphia. Accompanied by another transmittal envelope that has been addressed to Mrs. Knight -- albeit in a hand other than Caruso's. Ink has smeared affecting the word "to", upper left corner is torn, toning. Still, in good to very good condition overall.

In his 20th year at with the Metropolitan Opera, Caruso pens this short note a friend, writing in full: "Letter received. Glad to see you and Alberta Tuesday next."
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 413
Casals, Pablo (1876-1973). Spanish cellist and conductor, known for his masterful technique and beautiful interpretations of the musical canon.

Signed Photograph ("Pablo Casals"). Sepia toned, 9 x 7", n.p., n.d. Signed in blue ink at bottom border. Inscribed in black ink, verso, "I thank you for your kind letter -- I sign the two photos with great pleasure -- Pablo Casals." In fine to very fine condition.

A beautiful half-length portrait, with cello in hand. Stamp on verso from the Metropolitan Musical Bureau, New York.
Estimated Value $350-400.

Lot 414
Casals, Pablo. Autograph Letter Signed ("Pau Casals"). In French. One page, quarto, Barcelona, December 8, 1934. On Orquestra Pau Casals letterhead. To Mademoiselle Krokowsky. One horizontal and one vertical crease with edge separation, wrinkling at corners and one 1" tear at right edge. Overall, very good condition.

Casals expresses pleasure at meeting Mademoiselle Krokowsky, discusses music and looks forward to seeing her again. A very nice piece with personal as well as professional content.
Estimated Value $125-200.

Lot 415
Cherubini, Luigi (1760-1842). Greatly admired by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schumann, this Italian composer exerted tremendous influence over French musical life, serving 20 years as director of the Conservatory of Paris.

Document Signed ("L. Cherubini"). One page, small folio, Paris, August 10, 1829. Signed twice, including an additional sentence and full date in Cherubini's hand. Accompanied by a striking engraved portrait. Some age toning at edges and mat burns around text. In very good condition.

On this wonderful document from a piano competition at the Ecole Royale de Musique, Cherubini fulfills one of his many responsibilities as the premier figure in French musical pedagogy, signing here as president of a piano jury. Also signed by the seven other members of the panel, most notably Antoine Reicha, François-Joseph Fétis and Jacques-François Halévy.
Estimated Value $600-800.

Lot 416
Cohan, George M (1878-1942). American actor, singer, playwright and producer whose songs and musicals dominated vaudeville and Broadway for much of the early 20th century. In 1940, Cohan was awarded a special Congressional medal for "Over There," the song that became a World War I rallying cry.

Autograph Letter Signed ("George. M."). One page, 6½ x 5", Atlantic City, "Tuesday later" (pencil notation at upper left "5/20/24"). On The Shelburne hotel stationery. To Mr. Belasco. One horizontal mailing crease, some smudging and minor toning at left. In very good condition.

Cohan writes to "Mr. Belasco", presumably playwright/producer/impresario David Belasco: "Please use the enclosed instead of the other - I feel this way so I might as well be a man and say so." Unfortunately, the enclosure is not included. Cohan was gradually returning to life on Broadway, following a self-imposed absence after the bitter Actor's Equity strike of 1919. The plays he wrote and produced upon his return to the were not always well received, but The Song and Dance Man (1923) and The Merry Malones (1927) did help reestablish his reputation as one of Broadway's brightest light.
Estimated Value $200-300.

Lot 417
Delibes, Léo (1836-1891). French composer best known for his ballets Coppélia and Sylvia. His opera Lakmé is regarded by many as a masterpiece. Through numerous other compositions and work with the Paris Opera, Delibes influenced a whole generation of French musicians and composers.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Leo Delibes"). In French. Four pages, 5¼ x 4", n.p., "Sunday," n.y. To "Escudier" (his publisher). Partially toned, one horizontal and one vertical crease with edge separation at left. In good condition.

In this letter, addressed to the French music publishing house Escudier, Delibes discusses a new waltz, performances of Roméo and letters owed to M. Swoboda and M. Janner. Given the time this letter was written, it was likely intended for Léon Escudier. In addition to publishing music, the Escudier family authored Dictionnaire de Musique, while Léon Escudier arranged the Paris première of Verdi's Requiem.
Estimated Value $400-600.

Lot 418
Ellington, Duke (1899-1974). Born Edward Kennedy Ellington, American composer, pianist and bandleader who was one of the most significant figures in the history of jazz. Ellington's groundbreaking combination of orchestration and improvisation and his elegant, yet swinging, compositions and arrangements (which number over 1,000) are part of the musical vocabulary of a genre he helped create.

Autograph Musical Quotation ("Duke Ellington"). 9 x 6", n.p., n.d. Being a signed 1967 First Day Cover from the Republic of Togo celebrating UNESCO's 20th Anniversary. In blue ink. Minor soil on verso. Fine condition.

With so many options, we cannot decide which of Duke's compositions the note here represents but, in our humble opinion, they are all treasures.
Estimated Value $300-400.

Lot 419
Falla, Manuel de (1876-1946). Most renowned Spanish composer of the early 20th century, his works were a fusion of traditional Spanish rhythms, poetic lyricism and almost erotic ardor.

Typed Letter Signed ("Manuel de Falla"). In Spanish. One page, quarto, Alta Gracia, Argentina, June 19, 1944. To Julio Mercado. Two filing holes at left margin, one faint horizontal mailing crease with minor edge separation and one vertical crease. In very good to fine condition.

In this letter, regarding the possible appearance of Jaime Pahissa at a benefit concert (in 1947, Pahissa had published a well regarded biography of de Falla), Gilbert Chase's book The Music of Spain is referred to as containing "good information on Pahissa's personality and his significance for Hispanic music."
Estimated Value $650-850.

Lot 420
Gershwin, George (1898-1937). American composer who teamed with his lyricist brother to create scores for Broadway musicals and films including "S'Wonderful", "Someone To Watch Over Me", "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Gershwin's "Of Thee I Sing", composed in 1931 was the first musical comedy to win a Pulitzer Prize. His most celebrated piece, "Rhapsody In Blue" was a commission by Paul Whiteman which the composer had initially forgotten about until seeing an advertisement publicizing the new piece. Quickly, Gershwin produced the masterpiece in just three short weeks. Tragically, in 1937 Gershwin unexpectedly died from a brain tumor, causing the nation to mourn.

Check Signed ("George Gershwin"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. 6¼ x 2¾", New York, December 23, 1935. The check is drawn on Gershwin's account at The National City Bank of New York and made payable to "Henry J. Kuss" in the amount of $5.01. Gershwin signs the recto. Punch canceling, stamped verso. One horizontal fold, light toning at right edge. Signature is bold and in very good condition.

Just two months prior to the Broadway opening of "Porgy & Bess", Gershwin writes this five dollar check. Unfortunately, the musical, which Gershwin referred to as an "American opera" was unsuccessful initially, and only became popular posthumously.
Estimated Value $1,250-1,500.

Lot 421
Gershwin, Ira (1896-1983). Songwriter and brother of infamous composer George Gershwin. Together the siblings wrote "S' Wonderful" (1927), "I Got Rhythm" (1930), and "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (1938).

Autograph Letter Signed ("Ira"). On a single quarto sheet, Beverly Hills, California, February 16, 1968. On his personal stationery. In black ink. Two horizontal creases, and light folds at corners. In good condition overall.

After a detailed letter regarding financial issues, Gershwin adds an original verse in typical ostentatious style. Entitled "Quatrain to a Certain Gent in the West Indies", the ode reads: "I hate to bellyache a / Lot about those lots in Jamaica;/ But -- Mr. A.F. Dougal -- please!/ What about my 29 G's?"
Estimated Value $400-500.

Lot 422
Gounod, Charles (1818-1893). French composer, remembered today for his opera Faust, he also composed numerous choral and orchestral works. Made a Grand Officier of the Legion of Honor in 1888.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Ch. Gounod"). In French. Two pages, 7 x 4¼", n.p., February 28, 1882. To "Mon cher ami." One faint horizontal fold. Very minor soiling and toning at edges. In very good to fine condition.

This very intriguing letter (with a marvelous classical allusion) leaves us longing for a clue as to the context: "I find that it would be less than correct for me, a craftsman to become the spokesman for the recriminations you mention, no matter how legitimate they may be. One should not imitate what one condemns: those excesses never jeopardized anything seriously, and one should quietly let Boreas forever lose his challenge against Phoebus. All the best, Ch. Gounod".
Estimated Value $225-325.

Lot 423
Hammerstein, Oscar (1895-1960). Lyricist and screenwriter of numerous Broadway musicals often working with Jerome Kern and George Gershwin. His most popular films however, were in collaboration with Richard Rodgers, including Oklahoma!, The King and I, South Pacific, and The Sound of Music.

Typed Letter Signed ("Oscar"). On a single, quarto sheet, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1941. On "Highland Farm" stationery. In black ink. To his agent, Mr. R. A. Wachsman. Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope. One horizontal and one vertical crease, light folds at top center, and a few tears at edges. In good to very good condition.

Referring to a song written with Jerome Kern entitled "Make Believe", Hammerstein responds to a letter from his agent: "Many of the questions you ask can be answered by Jerry who will give you the same answers as I... have no recollection of "Make-Believe" ever having been considered as a river song." He then explains the process of the collaboration -- Hammerstien heard the song at Kern's home and the lyrics simply came to him, "I have no idea how they came to me and I had no idea then why I thought of them and how they would apply to a lyric for which I had formed no conception whatever."
Estimated Value $300-500.

Lot 424
Indy, Vincent D' (1851-1931). French composer and teacher, he derided 19th century French musical tradition as superficial and advocated more "substantial" style and content in the fashion of Bach, Beethoven and Wagner.

Autograph Letter Signed ("Vincent d'Indy"). In French. Three pages, 7 x 4½", n.p., December 7, 1891. One very faint horizontal crease and very minor soiling at bottom of second page. In fine to very fine condition.

Here, d'Indy discusses the parts for a performance of La Forêt Enchantée, to be directed by d'Indy for the Société des Concerts Le Havre. Musical societies, formed primarily in the last half of the 19th century, provided the public with opportunities to hear new music from established as well as upcoming artists. D'Indy became president of the Société Nationale de Musique only one year before this letter was written.
Estimated Value $350-450.

Lot 425
Kern, Jerome (1885-1945) Academy Award winning composer whose Broadway hit Show Boat introduced the concept of the serious musical play. Kern's songs, including "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Ol' Man River" and "The Way You Look Tonight," are standards in the American musical canon.

Typed Document Signed ("Jerome D. Kern"). One page, 8½ x 11", n.p. (New York?), December 30, 1931. Being a contract with H.B. Harms Company. Mailing folds, staple holes at top left and minor wrinkling at top edge. Fine condition.

This contract between Kern and music publisher H. B. Harms Company concerns rights to the music from The Cat and The Fiddle, Kern's 1931 Broadway show. Surely this contract, paying Kern one dollar "and other valuable consideration," worked out well for the Harms Company -- MGM adapted The Cat and The Fiddle for the big screen, featuring the ever popular Jeanette MacDonald and Ramon Navarro. While not a huge hit, the movie was a respectable success and helped open the door for Kern's move to writing for Hollywood musicals.
Estimated Value $300-350.

Lot 426
Kern, Jerome. Document Signed ("Jerome Kern"). Partially printed, accomplished in typescript. One page, recto and verso, oblong quarto, New York, July 19, 1934. Being a contract. In black ink. With five horizontal folds, a small surface abrasion at upper right, and small loss to left edge. Overall, in fine condition.

Along with lyricist Bernard Dougall, Kern signs this contract arranging the Canadian copyright for the song "I'll Be Hard to Handle". A turning point in his career, it was at this point that Kern moved to Hollywood to work on the filming of his Broadway show, Roberta.
Estimated Value $275-375.