MUSIC

[ Brinley Richards, Welsh Composer ] Autograph Letter Signed "Brinley Richards" to the "Editor of The Principality" [not traced]

Author: 
Brinley Richards [Henry Brinley Richards (1817–1 May 1885), Welsh composer and poet]
Publication details: 
[Headed] 25 St Mary Abbot's Terrace, Kensington, W., 8 Oct. 1877
£200.00

Two pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. "I am much obliged by your kindness in sending a copy of The Prinipality Oct. 6th. I have read it with great pleasure & hope your efforts will be crowned with success - I am glad to see that [elision] - while endeavouring to raise the standard of literature in Wales- you intend to maintain our Nationality [underlined] in the best sense of the word

[Charlotte Helen Sainton-Dolby, English contralto.] Autograph Note Signed ('Charlotte H Sainton Dolby'), complying with a request [for an autograph].

Author: 
Charlotte Helen Sainton-Dolby (1821-1885), English contralto, singing teacher and composer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 71 Gloucester Place, Hyde Park, W. [London] No date.
£25.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with small trace of glue from mount at foot. Folded twice. Reads: 'Dear Madam | I have much pleasure in complying with your request & beg to remain | Yours faithfully | Charlotte H Sainton Dolby'. See her entry in the Oxford DNB.

[Dame Vera Lynn, 'the Forces' Sweetheart'.] Autograph Signature from album ('"Sincerely Yours" | Very Lynn').

Author: 
Dame Vera Lynn [née Welch] (b. 1917), singer who entertained the British troops in the Second World War, known as 'the Forces' Sweetheart'
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£25.00

On one side of 9 x 14 cm leaf of cream paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Reads: "'Sincerely Yours' | Very Lynn". A good, firm underlined signature, in a large sloping hand, with the words 'Sincerely Yours' in single quotation marks.

['Max Wall' [Maxwell George Lorimer), comedian and actor.] Autograph Signature: 'Good luck to Enid! | Max Wall | 1951'.

Author: 
'Max Wall' [Maxwell George Lorimer (1908-1990)], comedian and actor in music hall, theatre, film and television
Publication details: 
No place. 1951.
£28.00

On one side of 8 x 13.5 cm leaf of cream paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight creasing to one corner. A good, firm underlined signature. Reads: 'Good luck to Enid! | Max Wall | 1951'. On the reverse is the autograph of an unknown signatory: 'To Enid | [Sister? Lister?] [J?] Ferguson'.

[Ballooning and Victorian Music Hall.] Anonymous Manuscript of the lyrics of two comic songs: 'Balooning [sic]' (inspired by a piece in Charles Dickens's 'Household Words') and Harry Sydney's 'It's just as well to take it in a quiet sort of way'.

Author: 
[Ballooning and Victorian Music Hall; Harry Sydney, music hall artiste and songwriter; Charles Dickens and 'Household Words']
Publication details: 
Without place or date. [London? Circa 1865.]
£400.00

3pp., foolscap 8vo. On a bifolium of laid paper. In fair condition, aged and worn. The first poem, 'Balooning [sic]', covers both sides of the first leaf. No evidence has been discovered that this poem was ever published, but it is inspired by the exploits of 'Mr. Green' in a humorous essay titled 'Ballooning', which appeared in Charles Dickens's 'Household Words' on 25 October 1851. The choice of two phrases ('pipes & backy' and 'Mounted Meershaums') is given in the present manuscript, these variants perhaps suggesting that this item is authorial rather than a transcription.

[Hester Lynch Piozzi, 'Dr. Johnson's Mrs. Thrale'.] Autograph Note in the third person to Dr. Perney, inviting him to visit 'to hear Mr. Yaniewitsh [i.e. Felix Janewicz] play on the Violin'.

Author: 
Mrs Piozzi (born Hester Lynch Salusbury, then Hester Lynch Thrale, then Hester Lynch Piozzi] (1741-1821), diarist and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson [Rev. Dr John Anthony Perney (1781-1827)]
Piozzi
Publication details: 
'Steatham Park | Fryday [sic] 24.' [No year.]
£450.00
Piozzi

Autograph Note in the third person. On one of 11 x 20 cm slip of paper. In good condition, lightly aged, with stub from mount adhering to reverse. Reads: 'Mrs. Piozzi's Coms. And if Dr. Perney is disengaged this Eveng & would like to hear Mr. Yaniewitsh play on the Violin She should be happy in his Company to Tea - - - and it would be very obliging in him to bring the Viol D'Amore with him. | Streatham Park | Friday 24.' Perney was domestic chaplain to the Earl of Coventry.

['Wee Georgie Wood', i.e. George Wood, music hall performer.] Autograph Letter Signed ('George.') to 'C. B.' [impressario C. B. Cochran?], regarding two photographs and a 'cutting from the NY Daily Mirror'.

Author: 
'Wee Georgie Wood', i.e. George Wood (1894-1979), popular English music hall performer
Publication details: 
On letterhead of the Savage Club, 1 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1. 25 September 1947.
£60.00

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with slight rust staining at head from paperclip. Reads: 'Dear C. B/ | Choice of two photographs with pleasure that you so flatter me as to want one. | Thought the enclosed cuttings from the NY Daily Mirror would interest you. Dont trouble to retain them. | Yours | George.' Wood was a screen and stage actor and comedian. A dwarf, he usually performed as a child. He wrote a weekly column in The Stage, and was a stalwart of the Savage Club. He is mentioned by John Lennon in the Beatles song 'Dig It'.

Musical Bouquet Edition. One Hundred Songs of Ireland: Words and Music.

Author: 
Songs of Ireland [Musical Bouquet Edition, London; Richard Born, London printer]
Publication details: 
London: Musical Bouquet Office, 192, High Holborn. 1857. [Printed by Richard Born, Crawley Street, Euston Square.]
£220.00

60pp., 8vo. In green printed wraps, the front cover carrying a dense illustration of scenes from various songs ('Kitty of Coleraine', 'Angel's Whisper', 'The Irish Wedding', 'Donnybrooke Fair', 'Low-Back'd Car' and 'The Wake'), with Tom Moore at the head, printed by Richard Born from a drawing by W. E. Earl. Title on cover differs slightly: '100 Songs of Ireland | Music & Words | The Popular Edition'. Eight-page publishers' catalogue bound in at rear. In fair condition, on aged paper, in aged and worn wraps.

[John Cartier, English baritone.] Three Autograph Letters Signed to 'David', describing the 'hard-going' of his touring existence, and enclosing photographs for his 'enormous collection'.

Author: 
John Cartier (c.1923-1997), English baritone, singer of Gilbert and Sullivan with the D'Oyly Carte
Publication details: 
All from 10 Rutherford House, Brady Street, London E1. 15 January 1974, and 5 March and 21 May 1975.
£60.00

First two letters 1p., 4to; third letter 2pp., 4to. All three signed 'John Cartier'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. In the last letter he states that he has received the 'envelopes', and has 'distributed them round to various singers and musicians who will eventually, I am sure, be sending you a photograph with best wishes'. He apologises for being unable to invite him to visit: 'You see, this is a very tiny flat and, in fact, I am very seldom here for any length of time as my work means continual journeying from place to place for concerts and shows.

['Harry Lester and his Hayseeds', variety performers.] McGlennon's Hill Billy Song Book [lyrics of 63 songs, with photograph of Lester's band on cover and feature on him inside].

Author: 
Harry Lester and his Hayseeds [Harold Worth Lester (1895-1993), American variety performer resident in England [Felix McGlennon, music publisher; hillbilly music]
Publication details: 
Felix McGlennon Ltd, Printers and Publishers, 9 City Garden Row, City Road, London, N.1.
£220.00

For information on Lester see his obituary in the Independent, 4 July 1993, which states that with his band he 'cheered up England during the blacked-out Forties'. 12pp., 4to. Stapled. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Cover text printed in red, with black and white 14.5 x 19 cm photograph of 'Harry Lester and his Hayseeds'. P.3 carries an article on 'Harry Lester', with photograph.

[Horace Sequeira, actor, portrait painter and make-up artist.] Four items: Autograph Duologue titled 'Seeing the Coronation'; duplicated duologue titled 'A Quiet Day's Sketching in Sussex'; and two price lists.

Author: 
Horace Sequeira (1887-1973), actor, make-up artist, portrait painter [Old Vic and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London]
Publication details: 
All four undated (one circa 1953 and the others earlier). One item from 5 Belsize Crescent, Hampstead, NW3 [London], and two others from 17 Welbeck Mansions, Inglewood Rd, NW6.
£250.00

Sequeira was born in Aldgate. In the years following his service in the London Regiment during the First World War, he acted in Shakespeare at the Old Vic, and he would continue as an actor into the age of film and television. In addition to acting Sequeira taught (including a youthful Peter Cushing) at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, painted, and in 1953 published a book on stage make-up. The present four items, all undated, are in good condition, lightly aged. ONE: Autograph duologue titled 'Seeing the Coronation'. 5pp., foolscap 8vo. With revised conclusion, 1p., 12mo.

[Katie Malecka, Polish musician and nationalist, imprisoned by the Russians.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Katie Malecka'), in English, to 'Mrs Green', regarding a lecture in Bristol and her desire to 'leave off being "the prisoner of Warsaw"'.

Author: 
Katie Malecka, Polish musician, journalist, and nationalist imprisoned in Warsaw by the Russians
Publication details: 
44 Marylands Road, Maida Hill, W. [London] 25 March [circa 1913].
£280.00

Malecka was born in England, the daughter of a Polish father and English mother. In 1912 she was imprisoned in Warsaw by the Russians, 'on a charge of conspiring against the Russian Government'. The matter was raised in the British parliament, and reported widely, for example in the Spectator and Russian Review. On her release she published 'Saved from Siberia: The True Story of my Treatment at the Hands of the Russian Police' (London, 1913). 2pp., 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged. She would 'indeed very much like to pay [her] another weekend visit' on her return to England.

[John Christie, founder of the Glyndebourne Festival.] Autograph Letter Signed I'John Christie.')

Author: 
John Christie (1882-1962), founder in 1934 of the Glyndebourne Opera House and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Lewes, Sussex
Publication details: 
On letterhead, Glyndebourne, Lewes [Sussex]. 22 March 1956.
£90.00

1p., 12mo. In envelope addressed to Giles at Moulsecoombe, Brighton. In good condition, lightly aged. He has looked for Giles's letter 'but cannot – yet – find it. Sorry. I vaguely remember it.' He will find Giles '2 tickets for a Dress Rehearsal if you will let me know which one.' Options of six operas, on six different days are listed, including Figaro and Giovanni.

[Val Guest, film director associated with Hammer horror.] Signed Autograph Score of his song '”Swell” | Lyrics and music by | Val Guest'.

Author: 
Val Guest [Valmond Maurice Guest] (1911-2006), Hammer horror film director and screenwriter
Publication details: 
No date or place. [London, 1940s?]
£220.00

In the 1940s Guest wrote the lyrics to several songs by the American composer Manning Sherwin (1902-1974), several of them for his comedy 'I'll be your Sweetheart' (1945), but he is not known to have written any music himself. No record has been found of the present item, but it presumably dates from the same period. It is 4pp., 4to. On bifolium of printed music paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, with central vertical fold. The title is on the cover: '”Swell” | Lyrics and music by | Val Guest'. There is an illegible name lightly written at top right in another hand.

[Lady Margaret Sackville, poet and Ramsay MacDonald's lover.] Manuscript score of song titled 'Pierrot', with 'Words by Lady Margaret Sackville' and 'Music by Ann Pearce'.

Author: 
Lady Margaret Sackville (1881-1963), English poet and children’s author, lover of Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald, daughter of Earl De La Warr, cousin of Vita Sackville-West [Ann Pearce]
Publication details: 
Without words and music.
£280.00

4pp., 4to. In red ink on bifolium of printed music paper. In fair condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with a few minor smudges. The song is andante, and the lyrics begin: 'Pierrot, lovesick And out of tune, Took his guitar and sang to the moon. Sang all night With mouth awry, Whilst light clouds drifted across the sky.' Also included is a Post Office Telegram from 'Aunt Margery' to 'Lady Catherine Sackville Fishers gate Withyham', 29 July 1946: 'Terribly disappointed held up missed train by one minute best love'..From the Sackville papers.

[ Aulikki Rautawaara, Finnish soprano. ] Christmas card with Autograph Note Signed ('Deine Aulikki') in German.

Author: 
Aulikki Rautawaara [ Terttu Aulikki Rautawaara ] (1906-1990), Finnish soprano, noted for her interpretation of Edvard Grieg and Jean Sibelius
Publication details: 
No place or date.
£32.00

10 x 11.5 cm. In good condition, lightly aged. Christmas card with original engraving, signed in pencil, on cover. Addressed to the recipient 'and Colin', the message reads: 'Viele liee Grüsse von Deine Aulikki'.

[ Ljuba Welitsch, Bulgarian operatic soprano. ] Christmas card with Autograph Note Signed ('Ljuba' and 'Ljuba and Karl') in English and German.

Author: 
Ljuba Welitsch [ Lyuba Welitsch ] (1913-1996), Bulgarian operatic soprano, who settled in Austria, noted for her performance in the 'Salome' of Peter Brooke
Publication details: 
Without place or date [ between 1956 and 1969 ].
£32.00

14 x 11.5 cm Christmas card, with illustration of cherubs singing and message in German on cover. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. The message, written in red ink, reads: 'Love and all best wishes for Christmas and New Year, your| Ljuba and Karl' Eleven-word postscript in German, signed 'Ljuba'. Regarding 'Karl', see Welitsch's obituary in the New York Times (6 September 1996): 'In 1956, when she was 43, Miss Welitsch caused a stir in Vienna when she married Karl Schmalvogel, a 29-year-old traffic policeman who had assisted her after an accident a year earlier.

[ Sir Frederick Ouseley, Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University. ] Autograph Signature ('Frederick A Gore Ouseley | Prof. Mus. Oxon.') to secretarial letter to Rev. P. A. Le Tenore, describing the requirements for a batchelor's degree.

Author: 
Sir Frederick Ouseley [ Rev. Sir Frederick Arthur Gore Ouseley ] (1825-1889), composer, organist, musicologist, and Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University [ Rev. P. A. Le Tenore, Jersey ]
Publication details: 
St Michaels College, Tenbury [ Worcestershire ]. 'Tuesday. March 17. [ no year, but between 1855 and 1889 ]'.
£100.00

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on monogrammed letterhead. In fair condition, lightly aged. The body of the letter is written by a secretary. A useful communication, laying out the requirements for a batchelor's degree in music during Ouseley's tenure as Heather Professor, between 1855 and 1889. Ouseley writes in reply to Le Tenore's letter, setting out what is 'required of Candidates for the degree of Mus. Bac.', beginning with the composition of 'an exercise in 5 real parts, with accompaniments for a quintett [sic] band.

[ Gracie Fields, movie star, singer and music hall comedian. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Gracie Fields (1898-1979), English movie star, singer and music hall comedian
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£20.00

On one side of 7 x 10 cm piece of pink paper cut from an autograph album. In fair condition, lightly aged. In a bold, large hand, simply reads: 'Gracie Fields'.

[ Yehudi Menuhin, celebrated violinist. ] Autograph Signature on photographic portrait.

Author: 
Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999), American-born British violinist and conductor
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 6 November 1939.
£40.00

On 15 x 11 cm photographic portrait of Menuhin, neatly cut from an English newspaper. In good condition, lightly aged, with label from mount adhering to reverse. Menuhin has appended his signature and the date ('Yehudi | Menuhin | Nov. 6, 1939') in blue ink at the head of a pleasing portrait of his head, looking over at the viewer with the tip ov his violin at his chin.

[ Julius Harrison, English composer, inscribes a work to Sir Courtenay Mansel. ] Copy of the printed sheet music of 'To Chloe | Song for Voice and Pianoforte | Poem by Thomas Moore | Music by Julius Harrison'.

Author: 
Julius Harrison [ Julius Allan Greenway Harrison ] (1885-1963), English composer [ Thomas Moore (1779-1852), Irish poet ]
Publication details: 
Printed score published by Enoch & Sons (in 'The Enoch Art Song Library'), London. Dated 'June 1920' Harrison's autograph inscription dated 26 October 1920.
£45.00

4pp., 4to. Bifolium. Aged and creased, with chipping and closed tears to edges. Engraved title-page states that the work is 'Copyright 2/- net | No. 1 Low Voice | No. 2 Medium Voice'. Inscribed at top left-hand corner of title-page: 'To my friend Sir Courtenay Mansel with kindest regards from | Julius Harrison | Oct. 26th. 1920'. Moore's poem is printed on the reverse of the first leaf, and facing it, on the recto of the second leaf, is the score. On the reverse of the second leaf is a 'Revised List' of 'The Enoch Art Song Library', with the date of issue ('June, 1920.') at bottom left.

[ Paul Robeson, celebrated black stage and screen actor involved in the Civil Rights Movement. ] Autograph Signature and message.

Author: 
Paul Robeson [ Paul Leroy Robeson ] (1898-1976), black American actor and singer involved in the Civil Rights Movement
Publication details: 
Place not stated. 16 March 1960.
£30.00

In blue ink on one side of 10.5 x 14 cm. leaf torn from autograph album. Good bold signature. Reads: 'With best wishes | to you | & thanks | Paul Robeson | Mar 16/60'.

[ Herman Finck, composer and musical director of the Palace Theatre. ] Autograph Letter Signed to 'J. McG.', regarding the Folies Bergère in Paris, music by Delormel, Desormes and Gannes, and a humorous remark by Cuvier.

Author: 
Herman Finck [ born Hermann Van Der Vinck ] (1872-1939), Anglo-Dutch composer and conductor [ RMS Titanic ]
Publication details: 
8 Haycroft Road, Brixton Hill [ London ]. 30 April 1899.
£45.00

3pp., 12mo. In poor condition, aged and worn, with the two leaves of the bifolium separated. The letter begins: 'My dear J. McG. | Pardon me, but M. Delormel did not write “The Boulanger” March (“En Revenat de la revue”) nor did he write “Père la Victoire” but I dont say he didn't publish them.' Finck attributes the first to 'M.

[ Artur Schnabel, Austrian pianist and composer; and Léon Goossens, oboist and member of a celebrated English family of musicians. ]

Author: 
Artur Schnabel (1882-1951), Austrian pianist and composer; Léon Goossens [ Léon Jean Goossens ] (1897-1988), oboist and member of a celebrated English family of musicians
Publication details: 
Goossens' signature [ from Aberdeen ], 1934; Schnabel's signature without place, 19 October 1934.
£45.00

The two signatories sign on separate sides of a 13.5 x 16.5 cm leaf of faded pink paper torn from an autograph album. In good condition, lightly aged. Schnabel's large firm signature is on the recto: 'Artur Schnabel | 19. X. 1934'. Goossens signs in a large bold hand on the reverse: 'Yours sincerely | Léon Goossens | 1934'. A small photographic portrait of Goossens, cut from a newspaper, has been tipped-in at bottom left, and another party (presumably the recipient) has written the word 'ABERDEEN.' at bottom right.

[ Carl Dolmetsch, classical musician, leading figure in the revival of the recorder, and Director of the Haslemere Festival. ] Autograph Signature ('Carl Dolmetsch') on part of typed letter.

Author: 
Carl Dolmetsch [ Carl Frederic Dolmetsch ] (1911-1997), classical musician, leading figure in the twentieth-century revival of the recorder, for 56 years Director of the Haslemere Festival
Publication details: 
Without place or date.
£15.00

Signature on an irregular piece of paper torn from the bottom right-hand corner of a leaf. The valediction to a typed letter. Reads: '[...] gards from us all. | [...] ncerely, | Carl Dolmetsch'.

[ Guila Bustabo, American concert violinist. ] Autograph Signature.

Author: 
Guila Bustabo (1916-2002), prominent American concert and recital violinist
Publication details: 
Place and date not stated.
£25.00

On 13 x 18 cm leaf of light-pink paper, torn from an autogaph album. Good firm large signature, rising upwards: 'Guila Bustabo.' Nothing else written on either side of the leaf.

[ 'Toti Dal Monte' [ Antonietta Meneghel ], celebrated Italian operatic soprano. ] Autograph signature.

Author: 
'Toti Dal Monte' [ stage name of Antonietta Meneghel ] (1893-1975), celebrated Italian operatic soprano, a noted Cio-cio-san in Puccini's Madame Butterfly
Publication details: 
No place. Dated 1956.
£35.00

On 13.5 x 18 cm leaf of cream paper, torn from an autograph album. Good firm signature, rising upwards, and reding 'Toti Dal Monte | 1956'. Nothing else written on either side of the leaf.

[ 'Ben Greet' [ Sir Philip Barling Greet ], Shakespearean impressario and 'an ardent opera goer'. ] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'Ben Greet') to Neil Forsyth, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, requesting boxes and commenting on productions.

Author: 
'Ben Greet' [ Sir Philip Barling Greet ] (1857-1936), Shakespearean actor, director, impresario, manager of Old Vic Theatre, London [ Neil Forsyth, General Manager, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden ]
Publication details: 
One from 20 Buckingham Street WC [ London ], on letterhead of 'The Ben Greet Players', 14 July [no year]. The other from 2 The Terrace, Camden Square. 17 August [no year].
£80.00

ONE: On letterhead of 'The Ben Greet Company', addressed from 20 Buckingham Street, WC [ London ]. 14 July [ no year ]. 2pp., 8vo. In fair condition, aged and worn, with the first page carrying pencil scorings and a short note by Forsyth. The first paragraph reads: 'If business will permit can I have one of the small boxes for Monday night. You generally let me have something during the Season. I've been a very regular Gallery & Amphitheatre and stallite this season.' He continues: 'You've got a genius in Frau , & you sd keep her. Everyone is raving about her.

[ Arthur Calder Marshall, author. ] Typed Letter Signed to Harry L. Spilstead, regarding his edition of the ballads of George R. Sims.

Author: 
Arthur Calder Marshall (1908-1992), English novelist, essayist, critic, memoirist and biographer [ Harry Leonard Spilstead; George R. Sims (1847-1922), author and bon vivant ]
Publication details: 
3 The Grove, Lower Teddington Road, Hampton Wick, Kingston-upon-Thames. 15 January 1968.
£50.00

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged. The main topic of the letter is Marshall's work preparing his book 'Prepare to shed them now. The Ballads of George R. Sims' (London: Hutchinson, 1968). A long and characteristic letter. After references to their meeting at the British Museum and to 'that excellent bookseller, Mr Wallace of The Guild Hall Bookshop' ('he showed me a selection of the Dagonet Ballads – nothing like as good as the copy you saw'), he turns to a 'Sims letter' which Spilstead sent him: 'I cant at the moment date it.

[ The 'Alpine Singers', Switzerland, 1840. ] Autograph 'Signatures of the Alpine Singers': Henri Augustin, 'Ferdinand Augustin aus Tirol', Wilhelm Schmidt.

Author: 
The 'Alpine Singers', Switzerland, 1840: Henri Hellwig, 'Ferdinand Augustin aus Tirol'q, Wilhelm Schmidt
Publication details: 
Torquay [ Devon, England ], 17 January 1840.
£50.00

1p., 8vo. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper. The whole page is filled in an attractive way, with the three signatures in different styles of handwriting: 'Henry Hellwig.' (in Gothic style, surrounded by flourishes), 'Ferdinand Augustin aus Tirol.' (in a modern cursive hand), 'Wilhelm Schmidt, <?>' (in a German style, the last four words not deciphered). At the foot of the page: 'Signatures of the Alpine Singers | Torquay Jany 17th 1840.'

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