VIOLIN

On one side of a 35 x 24 cm leaf of gilt-edged wove paper, extracted from the autograph album of novelist George Meredith's daughter Marie Eveleen (Mariette; 1871-1933), wife of Henry Parkman Sturgis (1847-1929), American-born banker and Liberal politician. In fair condition, lightly aged, with a small closed tear and slight creasing to extremities. Reads: ‘Recuerdo de un humilde artista en todas las Españas, y admirador de las bellísimas hijas de la Hermosisima Albiòn / Sarasata / 20 - 12 - 92’.

C. A. Russell’s 2003 biography of Edward Frankland contains a thumbnail biography of Phipson, who ‘obtained a doctorate at Brussels in 1855, and after editing Cosmos in Paris, directed an analytical laboratory at Putney (at 4, The Cedars, almost on the site of Frankland’s earlier exploits at the now demolished College of Engineering). He became a Fellow of the Chemical Society in 1862 and was a prolific author of short papers as well as an accomplished amateur violinist’. See the short biographical notice in C. J. Bouverie, ‘The scientific and literary works of Dr. T. L.

One page, 16mo, bifolium, fod mark, good condition. To Miss White with kind regards and mny thanks for having made me so comfortable inher well appointed house.

1p, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. Signed, over a red 'Postage Revenue' 2d stamp: 'Alfredo Compoli. | August 13th. 1947'. Above this the receip, in Compoli's autograph, reads: 'Received £500 (five hundred pounds) in full, (£200 deposit – and £250 in cash – also cheque value £50 (dated August 11th. 1947) for Sale of Music Library (Salon Orchestra, & Trio)'. Accompanying the document is an unsigned autograph receipt on a worn slip of white paper, reading: 'April 28th. 1947 | Received, from Jack Salisbury Esq.

[32]pp., 16mo. Not paginated. Stapled in brown wraps, with text on front and back covers in gold and dark brown, with closed tear at foot of spine. Contains one full-page engraving: 'Testimonial Presentation to Mme. Camilla Urso in the Town Hall, Melbourne.' Cheaply printed on browned high-acidity paper, in aged and worn wraps. The wraps are attractively designed, with the violinist's name printed in large decorative type diagonally across the centre of the front cover. The back cover gives details of Urso's 'Transcontinental Tour.

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.

On one side of an 11.5 x 17 cm leaf extracted from an album. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Large bold signature, slightly smudged by Menuhin, written diagonally and upwards at the centre of the page. Reads: 'Yehudi Menuhin | Nov. 65, 1934'. On the reverse have been lightly tipped-in two cuttings from magazines.

1p., 4to. In fair condition, aged and worn. He informs her that Finck was 'a very old friend of mine & my father's. I knew Herman when I was a boy, & had always held his loyal friendship as something to be treasured as a great privilege. When I left for Australia in 1927 a radiogram of good wishes from him came to me at sea, & when I returned two years ago he received me in the same old warm-hearted way, & was the first friend to try to help to get me re-established in London.' He continues in the same vein, describing Finck as 'a great & well-beloved man'.

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).

Part of a card, 7 x 3cm, laid down on larger piece of paper, some staining (glue?) bur signature clear.

8pp., 12mo. Stapled into beige wraps with deckled edges, with attractive illustration of street musicians on front in brown and red. In good condition, with rusting to staple having loosened the central bifolium. A pleasing memento of an early concert by Elman (he was fifteen at the time). Pp.4-8 carry the 'Words of the Songs'. 'At the Piano - Mr. Charlton Keith. Piano by Bechstein. Suppied by Mr. Arthur Wood, Redhill.' Scarce: no copy on COPAC.

The cover is printed on one side of a piece of shiny art paper, roughly 20.5 x 13 cm. Photograph of Kubelik and his violin roughly 10.5 x 8 cm. Paper lightly creased and with slight wear along vertical fold across middle of photograph. Good firm signature.

On light-yellow page (roughly 11 x 14 cm) removed from autograph album. Four glue stains showing through from the reverse (not affecting the signatures), otherwise good. Reads 'Dora Stevens | Ethel Hobday | Marjorie Hayward | Cedric Sharpe'. Lightly docketed in pencil.

On leaf (roughly 10 x 15 cm) torn from autograph album. Good, on lightly aged paper. Signed 'Hugo Rignold' with another signature ('John <?> | <?>') in pencil above it. Docketed in pencil.

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. He was absent when the letter to his wife (the English contralto Charlotte Dolby) arrived. He has heard 'the little boy', and thinks that 'with proper care he may turn out a good Violinist, but he hs to undo every thing and to be guided in the right Way. He has undoubtedly great disposition. If he is persevering and hard Worker (the Violin being the most difficult instrument) I believe he can be one day a very good player'. It is however 'impossible for me to forsee in the future before he has a good start in his Studies.'

One page, 12mo. Very good. 'I shall sing il "Soave e bel contento" [aria by Pacini] and will be happy to take a part in the quintetto[,] you must procure the parts of my song'. May possibly refer to the J. N. Hummel Benefit Concert in London on 29 April 1830, where Pacini's aria was played.