Music and Theatre

warning: Creating default object from empty value in /home/richardf/public_html/dev/modules/taxonomy/taxonomy.pages.inc on line 33.

[ Rachmaninoff ] Autograph Signature, "S. Rachmaninoff", on card

Author: 
Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff, Russian composer, pianist, and conductor
Publication details: 
No date
£150.00
Rachmaninoff

Card,11 x 9cm, rounded corners, very minor marking, card sl. dulled. Image on website inventory.

[ Hal Collier, Victorian popular dramatist. ] Typescripts, with autograph additions, of three of melodramas: '"In the Hands of the Mormons" Or "The Mormon Peril"; 'The Broken Rosary' and 'The Secret Panel'.

Author: 
Hal Collier, Victorian popular playwright, author of melodramas
Publication details: 
One play with stamp of 209 Northumberland Road, Southampton, the other two without place. All three undated [ Edwardian ].
£1,250.00

Collier was the author of a number of melodramas and farces in the period between the Boer War and the Great War, including one written in conjunction with F. H. Dudley, but little is to be discovered about him, with no mention of these three titles. All three items in fair condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn bindings. ONE: '"In the Hands of the Mormons" Or "The Mormon Peril" A Drama in FOUR acts written by Hal Collier'. [1] + 45pp., 4to. Stitched into grey paper wraps. With pencil emendations throughout, including extensive deletions.

[Fay Compton, actress] Autograph Letter Signed "Fay Compton" to "Miss Goode" [Ethel Brumfit] about advice required by the latter.

Author: 
Fay Compton, actress (Theatre, cinema, television).
Publication details: 
Bridgewater Lodge, Bridge Road, Maidenhead, Berks., Monday [no year].
£28.00

Two pages, 8vo, fold marks, good condition. "I have a letter from Mr. Milner - whoi tells me you want my advice on some musical matter - I shall be down here for a fortnight and then go to the sea - but you will let me know when you're likely to be in town. I will try and get up to meet you somewhere."

[ 'Chu Chin Chow', 1916; Musical; WW1] Collection of related material from Norton's papers, including autograph musical scores; signed typescript of song by Asche; newspaper cuttings; correspondence; sheet music. [ London. ]

Author: 
Frederic Norton [ George Frederic Norton ] (1869-1946), English composer [ Oscar Asche (1871-1936), Australian impresario; 'Chu Chin Chow', hugely-popular 1916 English musical ]
Publication details: 
[1916]
£2,000.00

Between 1916 and circa 1966. 'Chu Chin Chow' was a hugely-popular extravaganza based on 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', which, produced and directed by the Australian actor-manager Oscar Asche (1871-1936), premièred in London in 1916, and ran for five years and 2238 performances (more than twice as many as any previous piece), followed by numerous productions and revivals worldwide, as well as two British feature films. The phenomenal success of the piece may be gauged from the fact that it earned Asche alone £200,000.

[Paul Robeson; SIGNED.] Studio photograph, with inscription to 'Dora', signed 'Paul Robeson'.

Author: 
Paul Robeson [Paul Leroy Robeson] (1898-1976), American actor and singer, prominent in the Civil Rights Movement
Publication details: 
Dated by Robeson' "Show Boat" London, 1929'. Embosed 'REPRO. BY | S. GEORGES | 14. GREEN ST, | W.C.2.' and with the firm's stamp ('S. Georges Ltd. Photographic Expert') on the reverse.
£100.00

Black and white photographic print, 21 x 14 cm. Creased and stained, with short closed tear at head and slight loss to one corner. Robeson's inscription, in the bottom left-hand corner, reads: 'To "Dora" | With all good wishes and all good fortune. | Paul Robeson | "Show Boat" | London 1929'. The image is a head and shoulders shot of an assured Robeson in jacket, shirt and tie.

[Manuscript] Diary of Sergeant Browne, principal flautist in the Royal Artillery band, Woolwich

Author: 
[The International Exhibition 1862 and other events in 1862 ] Sergeant Brown, flautist
Publication details: 
1862
£1,250.00

1862 Diary of Sergeant Browne, principal flautist in the Royal Artillery band, Woolwich, Over 425 pages. Played at the opening ceremony of the International Exhibition under Costa, having been at the rehearsal attended by Meyerbeer - good descriptions of both events - and at the Horticultural Gardens next door throughout the length of the exhibition and elsewhere (Crystal Palace, Willis's Rooms, private houses, Lord Mayor's Show "nonsensical custom").

[Ernest Bloch, composer.] Collection of papers on music criticism by Joseph Sussman, including typewritten drafts of an unpublished monograph titled 'Ernest Bloch, Music's Prophet', an autograph notebook titled 'Ernest Bloch. The Piano Music'..

Author: 
Joseph Sussman, instructor in the pianoforte and music theory [Ernest Bloch (1880-1959), Swiss-born American Jewish composer
Publication details: 
England. Dating from at least between 1963 and 1975.
£650.00

The collection is in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, and can be grouped into three sections. ONE: Complete typewritten draft ([3] + 44pp., 4to) of Sussman's unpublished monograph on Bloch is contained in a large brown envelope, with the following note by Sussman on the front: '2ND COPY (without illustrations) of "Ernest Bloch - Music's Prophet" | JS'. It includes the contents, list of illustrations, introduction, and two-page 'Key and Bibliography'.

[The Jewish national anthem 'Hatikvah', sung in London at Gardiner's Corner ('the gateway to the East End').]

Author: 
[Joseph Sussman of London, instructor in the pianoforte and music theory; 'Hatikvah', the Israeli national anthem; the establishment of the State of Israel; the East End of London]
Publication details: 
Without place or date [1940s]. With manuscript map of the Aldgate East area of the East End of London.
£350.00

Six items, in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. In addition to manuscript scores by Sussman of five parts (soprano, tenor, bass, alto and conductor) of 'Hatikvah' (the five parts totalling 6pp., 4to, with staves also drawn out in manuscript), there is a duplicated typescript of an English translation of 'Hatikvah', titled 'Men Awake!' ('Workers all!

[Janet Leeper, writer on ballet.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Janet') to the theatre director E. Martin Browne, giving a detailed analysis of productions at Aldeburgh and Southwark of Benjamin Britten's opera 'Noye's Fludde'.

Author: 
Janet Leeper, writer on ballet [E. Martin Browne (1900-1980), English theatre director; Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), English composer; the Aldeburgh Festival]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 30 Bramham Gardens, [London] S.W.5. 15 January 1959.
£220.00

4pp., 8vo. 102 lines of neatly and closely written text. With original envelope addressed by Leeper to 'E. Martin Browne Esq | 99 Claremont Avenue | New York 27 | U.S.A.' Leeper begins by expressing her pleasure that Browne is 'going to do the first American performance of Noye's Fludde', which she describes as 'a great work - big & simple & satisfying, & very moving'.

[Violinist] End of letter, in French, signed Johannes Wolff.

Author: 
Johannes Wolff (1863-1931), Dutch classical violinst popular in England.
Publication details: 
No place or date survives.
£28.00

Piece of paper, 11 x 7com, tipped on to larger piece of paper. "En attendant les plaisirs recus [?] Mademoiselle les sinceres salutations de votre [serv[an]t?] devoue" (or soenthoing like that, hand difficult).

[Music Hall artist] Signature only , "Yours very truly | Harry Tich |"

Author: 
Harry Tich (1867-1928), Music Hall comedian and dancer [Little Tich]
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£28.00

Piece of paper,cut from a larger one, 17.5 x 6.5, good condition.

[Victorian score and separate libretto of work promoting women's employment.] 'Women at Work. An Operetta or Cantata for Academies, Schools, &c. The libretto by A. J. Foxwell. The music by T. Mee Pattison.' and 'Words of Women at Work. An Operetta.'

Author: 
A. J. Foxwell [Andrew James Foxwell (1826-1903)], librettist; T. Mee Pattison [Thomas Mee Pattison (1845-1936)], composer [The Curwen Press, London]
Publication details: 
Score ('Old Notation Edition'): London: J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd., 8 & 9 Warwick Lane, E.C. Libretto: London: J. Curwen & Sons, 8, Warwick Lane, E.C. [1886]
£350.00

SCORE: [4] + 75pp., 4to. In printed wraps with decorative cover and advertisements. A fair copy, on aged paper, in worn and chipped wraps repaired at the spine. Unusually positive and forward-looking for its period, on the subject of women in the workplace. Note on reverse of title: 'The writer of the Libretto wishes to acknowledge his obligations to "Work and how to do it," by Mrs.

[John Pyke Hullah, composer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('John Hullah'), sending tickets to 'Laura'. With cutting of a few bars of manuscript sheet music by him.

Author: 
John Hullah [John Pyke Hulla] (1812-1884), English composer for one of whose operas Charles Dickens wrote the libretto
Publication details: 
Letter: On letterhead of 11 Devonshire Place, [London] W. 'Tuesday night' [no date]. Cutting of sheet music with docketted date 1861.
£120.00

Both items in good condition, on lightly-aged paper. ONE (letter): 1p., 12mo. In a neat and elegant hand, it reads: 'Tuesday Night | Dear Laura | I send the tickets; as Goldsmith sent the portion of Lord Clare's haunch of venison to Sir Joshua - | "To paint it or eat it, whichever he pleased" | I am glad you like the Philharmonia | Your affecte. Friend | John Hullah'. TWO (cutting of sheet music): Written in pencil on one side of a 6.5 x 15 cm piece of paper, docketted 'Written by John Hullah 1861 | for

'. With a few words in Hullah's hand at head.

[Inscribed copy.] Acis & Galataea, or The Beau ! the Belle !! and the Blacksmith !!! A Piece of Oxford Extravagance. Written for the Annual Dramatic Performance at the Victoria Theatre, Oxford, December, 1869, in aid of the Radcliffe Infirmary.

Author: 
[Thomas Forder Plowman (1844-1919)]
Publication details: 
Oxford: Slatter & Rose, High Street. 1869. [Oxford: Printed by E. W. Morris, Jun.]
£120.00

[4] + 43pp., 12mo. Stabbed as issued. An attractive and elegantly-printed little book. Internally very good, on lightly-aged paper, loose in worn light-brown calf binding, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, back hinge sprung. Stamped in gilt on the front cover: 'ACIS & GALATAEA | A PIECE OF OXFORD EXTRAVAGANCE | BY | T. F. PLOWMAN'. Inscribed on fly-leaf: 'H. W. Chapman, Esq. | with the author's sincerest regards. | 1869.' A scarce item: only three copies on COPAC, at Oxford, Cambridge and the British Library, all three of which attribute this anonymous work to Plowman.

[Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, playwright.] Typed Letter Signed ('Arthur Pinero.') to author W. Teignmouth Shore regarding injections for inoculation.

Author: 
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934), English playwright [W. Teignmouth Shore (1865-1932), author]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 115A. Harley Street, London W1. 12 April 1926.
£35.00

1p., 8vo. With mourning border. In fair condition, on aged and lightly-ruckled paper. After exclaiming 'How kind of you!' Pinero explains that he has been 'inoculated regularly since the autumn, and it has done me no good'. He continues: 'No, I won't say that; I might have been worse but for the injections.' He concludes by stating that he will show Shore's letter to his doctor, 'to prick his conscience'.

[Countess of Essex, actress] Autograph Letter Signed "Catherine Stephens" to "Miss Cartwright, accepting an invitation.

Author: 
Catherine Stephens [Countess of Essex], operatic singer and actress
Publication details: 
Connaught Square [London], Monday [no date].
£38.00

Two pages, 12mo, large hand, accepting an invitation on behalf of her niece and herself and asking acceptance of a "[posie?] that I have just received from the country." Note: Catherine Stephens became Countess of Essex in 1838. Note added on her identity in another hand.

[Rupert Brooke; booklet] 1914 by Rupert Brooke set to music for Chorus and Organ, or Orchestra

Author: 
Alan Gray, composer
Publication details: 
Novello and Company Limited; New York: The H.W. Gray Co [1919? see COPAC]
£180.00

24pp., cr. 8vo, grey printed paper wraps, partially detached, creased and and worn, with two stains on front cover, largest 3/4"dia, contents aged but good. Tow copies listed on COPAC/WorldCat (both BL), i.e. very scarce.

['McGlennon's Cromlech Series': two printed pamphlets.] 'Irish Songs Old and New' and 'Songs of the Gael'.

Author: 
[McGlennon's Cromlech Series; Felix McGlennon, Irish publisher in London]
Publication details: 
McGlennon's Cromlech Series, Felix McGlennon Ltd., Printers and Publishers, City Garden Row, City Rd, London, N1. Both undated.
£130.00

The two uniform stapled pamphlets, both 32pp., 12mo, in illustrated wraps printed in green, and both printed on newsprint. Both items uncommon, with no copies of either on COPAC. ONE: 'Irish Songs Old and New.' In fair condition, on worn and toned paper, with crease to front cover. Contains the lyrics to 34 songs, from 'Angels Whisper' and 'Ballinamona Oro' to 'Young Kate of Kilcummer'. TWO: 'Songs of the Gael'. In good condition, toned and lightly worn. Contains the lyrics of 28 songs from 'Awake and Lie Dreaming No More' to 'Where is the Slave so Lowly?'

[Sir Henry Irving.] Eight collotype proof sepia engravings, seven showing him - five of them in character - and the other a scene of a dilapidated building.

Author: 
Sir Henry Irving [John Henry Brodribb] (1838-1905), English stage actor and actor-manager
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£120.00

The eight images are arranged in four pairs, each on the central pages of an 8vo bifolium. Dimensions of page: 24.5 x 16cm. Dimensions of image: 9 x 14cm. In fair condition, on lightly-aged and creased paper. Irving is shown in five roles, including Lear, Shylock, and Becket. Also present are two portraits of Irving out of character, and a picture of the exterior of a dilapidated building. Presumably intended for an early twentieth-century biography.

[Mrs Patrick Campbell.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Beatrice Stella Campbell') to the Midlands brewer and art collector Laurence William Hodson of Compton Hall, entreating him to let her have a picture by Sir Edward Burne-Jones

Author: 
Mrs Patrick Campbell [Beatrice Stella Campbell [née Tanner]] (1865-1940), English actress [Lawrence William Hodson (1865-1934) of Compton Hall near Wolverhampton, brewer and Arts and Crafts patron]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 33 Kensington Square, W. [London] 21 May 1899.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition. In envelope addressed to 'Laurence W. Hodson | Compton Hall | near Wolverhampton'. The letter begins: 'I beg that when you are in London you will let me see you. I have a little story to tell you about the beautiful little unfinished ('Psyche') picture of Sir Edwards [i.e. Burne-Jones] that you possess. Perhaps when you have heard it you will think more kindly of my wish to buy it from you - Please let me call on you - I will use no wiles!

[Mary Carmichael, composer and accompanist.] Autograph Letter Signed to 'Miss Paget'

Author: 
Mary Carmichael [Mary Grant Carmichael] (c.1851-1935), composer and accompanist
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 172 Adelaide Road, NW [London]. 12 February 1892.
£45.00

3pp., 16mo. 25 lines of text. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. The letter begins: 'Dear Miss Paget | Miss Martin has just forwarded me your note so I will send you a few lines to-night. I am very pleased you are singing my song on the 27th., & will be pleased to go over the song with you before the concert.' She gives details of her movements over the next few days before concluding: 'I hope it will not trouble you much to come out here -.

[Edward Gordon-Craig, actor, director and set designer.] Autograph Letter Signed and Autograph Note Signed (both 'Gordon Craig') to 'Miss Heathcote', regarding a photograph of his mother Ellen Terry in the role of 'Nance Oldfield'.

Author: 
Edward Gordon-Craig (1872-1966), actor, director and set designer, son of the actress Ellen Terry (1847-1928)
Publication details: 
Both on letterheads of 22 Barkston Gardens, Earl's Court, S.W. [London]. One dated 10 September 1891; the other undated [1891].
£180.00

Both items in good condition, on aged paper. ONE: Letter of 10 September 1891. 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. He begins by thanking her for a photo of Henry Irving, before turning to his mother, Ellen Terry. 'Mother &

taken at Window &

[William Henry Monk, organist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. H. Monk') to Mrs Foy Buchanan, regarding

Author: 
William Henry Monk (1823-1889), organist and composer, whose 'Eventide' was used as the music to the hymn 'Abide With Me'
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Glebe Field, Stoke Newington. 5 November 1881.
£56.00

gb3pp., 12mo. Bifolium on mourning paper. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks her for the 'kind idea': 'My own dear girl is a talented & modest student: and some day may have to turn this to account. She is full of Music, and tho only 18 is the most reliable critic I know: always comes to a true & high conclusion.' He asks her to lend the girl her collection of sheet music, 'and then allow me to pass it on to some one else, when I meet with a fit recipient.' He was 'sorry to "lose" you in my lectures. I have a tolerable Cl I & a very good Cl II -'.

[E. Bayley, Printer.] Printed handbill of three verses of the British National Anthem, under the title 'The Patriot's Hymn', beginning 'GOD save Great George our King'

Author: 
E. Bayley, Printer (of Macclesfield, Cheshire?) [The British National Anthem]
Publication details: 
Printer's slug: 'E. BAYLEY, PRINTER.' Place not stated (Macclesfield, Cheshire?). Undated [during the Regency period].
£180.00

1p., 12mo. On aged and worn wove paper. Headed with the royal crest and title 'The Patriot's Hymn.' Twenty-one lines arranged in three verses, numbered I to III. Printer's slug beneath swelled short rule at foot of page. The printer is possibly the Edward Bayley stated by BBTI to have been active in Macclesfield between 1788 and 1825. The absence of the long s, and the use of wove paper, suggest nineteenth-century publication before 1830, and probably during the Regency period.

[Claude Aveling, Registrar, The Royal College of Music.] Autograph Letter Signed, thanking Ernest Gye, son of the soprano Madame Albani, for his donation of his mother's clothes 'to our theatrical wardrobe'.

Author: 
Claude Aveling (1869-1943), librettist and Registrar of the Royal College of Music, London [Ernest Frederick Gye (1879-1955), son of Canadian soprano Madame Albani [Dame Emma Albani Gye] (1847-1930)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, South Kensington, London. 27 March 1933.
£35.00

1p., 4to. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. He thanks him 'for the valuable additions to our theatrical wardrobe which you have been so kind as to send us this morning', adding that he can assure Guy 'that we shall make good use of them and will remember with gratitude the source from which they came, for Madame Albani was one of the best beloved friends of the College since its earliest days'.

[Arthur Miller, playwright; signed Programme] Gala Performance. An Evening with Arthur Miller

Author: 
[Arthur Miller, playwright]
Publication details: 
UEA Norwich, Sunday 14 May 1989 (University of East Anglia).
£80.00

Programme, [20]pp., 4to, illus. printed wraps (partly in red). Directed by David Thacker, including excerpts from "The Golden Years", "Focus", "Death of a Salesman", Miller's adaptation of "An Enemy of the People", etc., etc. Programme signed by Arthur Miller himself ("For Esther | Arthur MIller). Enclosed Menu for dinner on 14 May 1989 at the Arthur Miller Centre for American Studies, signed "Warren Mitchell". This item derives from the Papers of Sally Worboyes who organised writing courses involving well-know TV personnel, actors, singers and writers as tutors at Fen Farm nr.

[Mary Anne Stirling, actress.] Autograph Note in the third person, thanking the music publisher Christopher Lonsdale of Old Bond Street 'for his great kindness - not only now but always shewn to her by him'.

Author: 
Mary Anne [Fanny] Stirling [née Hehl] [Mrs Stirling] (1813-1895), English actress [Christopher Lonsdale, music publisher, Old Bond Street, London]
Publication details: 
Docketed with date 31 May 1869.
£30.00

2pp., 12mo. In envelope addressed by Stirling to 'C Lonsdale Esqre. | Bond Street'. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. 'Mrs. Stirling does not know how to thank Mr. Londsdale for his great kindness - not only now but always shewn to her by him. Mrs. Stirling remembers that she has the full store of the Midsummer Nights' [sic] Dream belonging to Mr. Lonsdale but she is warned by Mr. Lonsdale's Messenger that she must not now stop to thank Mr. Lonsdale fully, as she would wish.'

[Sir Joseph Barnby, composer and conductor.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Barnby') to his 'Dear friend' [Madame Albani]

Author: 
Sir Joseph Barnby (1838-1896), conductor and composer [Dame Emma Albani (1847-1930) [Marie-Louise-Emma-Cécile Lajeunesse]; Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924), organist and composer]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Eton College, Windsor. 12 December 1887.
£120.00

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, on aged paper. Her letter to him is 'the essence of sweetness': it has 'touched me deeply and will not soon be forgotten'. He supposes that she is unaware that 'Parratt and I travelled down to Windsor in the same train with you - indeed in the same carriage'.

['Gabrielle Réjane' [Gabrielle-Charlotte Reju], French actress.] Autograph Note Signed ('Réjane') thanking 'mon cher Maitre'.

Author: 
Gabrielle Réjane, stage name of the French actress Gabrielle-Charlotte Reju (1856-1920)
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 'Mercredi' [no date].
£56.00

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly aged and worn paper. The note reads: 'Mercredi. | Merci mille fois, mon cher Maitre, si vous êtes content, me voilà ravie! | Encore merci | Réjane'. In a postscript she states that she has profited from his criticisms.

[Keats-Shelley Memorial House; theatre programme] Haymarket Theatre. Special Matinées for the Keats-Shelley Memorial House in Rome

Author: 
[John Keats; Percy Bysshe Shelley]
Publication details: 
June 25th and June 28th, 1912
£180.00

27pp., 4to, good condition, attractively illustrated stiff paper covers (cover illustration colour drawing by Baron Arild Rosenkrantz), good quality production including poems by Keats and Shelley, illustrations, and reference to music specially written for the show by the likes of Coleridge Taylor. With enclosure, handbill headed "Keats Relics at Hampstead". No copy traced but a copy on WorldCat tried to show its face but ultimately failed.

Syndicate content