Music Autographs and Memorabilia Gift Ideas

DAVID CROSBY His ink signature on an 11x14 lithograph of the lyrics to his hit "Guinnevere", framed to 22x25 Printed Lyrics signed in ink: "David Crosby", 11x14, matted and framed to an overall size of 22x25. Number 234 in a limited edition of 1,000 prints. Sylized color image of Crosby's face printed to left of the ink signature. Singer/songwriter/guitarist David Crosby (b. 1941) has been part of two of the most influential bands in the history of rock and roll music: The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash.He performed at all 3 of the iconic rock festivals of the sixties: Monterey, Woodstock and Altamount. The Byrds scored a #1 hit with their first release, a cover of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" in 1965. Crosby's songwriting for the group included the hit "Eight Miles High" (1966). When the Byrds broke up in 1967, Crosby joined with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash - later joined by Neil Young. Their self-titled first album was an immediate hit. "Guinnivere" was one of the CS&N hits written by Crosby. Crosby has also had some success as a solo artist, has worked with members of other famed groups (including Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead), and now claims success in his long battle with substance abuse. Fine condition.

W.C. HANDY. Comprises (1) TLS: "W.C. Handy", 1p, 8x10¾. New York, N.Y., 1940 February 13.On letterhead of Handy Brothers Music Co., Inc. to Mr. Lionel A. Aucoin, Spencer, Massachusetts. In full: "This is to acknowledge receipt of fifty cents in stamps for an autographed copy of 'Saint Louis Blues' which goes forward in today's mail, and for which please accept my thanks. Meanwhile, I am also sending you a few bars of music of the 'MEMPHIS BLUES' as per your request. With all good wishes to you". Music mentioned not present. Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Fine condition. (2) Photograph signed: "W.C. Handy". B/w, 8x6. Image slightly grainy. Fine condition. William Christopher "W.C." Handy (1873-1958), who was known as "The Father of the Blues", adapted "The Memphis Blues" - the first song to use the terms "blues in its title - from a campaign song he wrote in 1909. In 1913, he formed his own music publishing company to protect his musical interests. The following year, he composed and published "St. Louis Blues", one of his most popular tunes.

BUDDY HOLLY His handwritten notes on ruled notebook paper for a high school history test, framed with his photo in a Gallery of History display to 34x24 Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, 1 page, 7¾x10 ruled notebook paper. No place, but Lubbock, Texas, no year. Holly has written an outline of four points, likely to study for his history class. Headed: "Questions on American History/Chapter I". In full: "1. List some of the contributions of the following ancient peoples to our life today./a. Phoenicians/b. Greeks/c. Romans/2. State briefly how the following contributed to the discovery of America./a. The Renaissance/b. The Crusades/c. Marco Polo and other travelers/d. The invention of printing/e. the commercial revolution/3. Spanish Explorers - Date - Scene of Ex. Import/a. Balboa/b. Magellan/c. Cortes/d. Pizarro/e. Ponce de Leon/4. French Explorers - Date - Scene of Ex. - Import./a Verrazano/b. Cartier/c. Champlain". During his high school years in Lubbock, Texas, Buddy did his history homework, as evidenced by this manuscript, on which Holly has written a "1" at the upper right corner. But Charles Hardin "Buddy" Holley (1936-1959) was no ordinary high school student.

LOUIS Armstrong and VELMA MIDDLETON Program from Louis Armstrong's British Tour in 1956 Program signed: "Louis Armstrong" and "Velma Middleton", 20p, 8½x10½. "Louis Armstrong and his All Stars,featuring Velma Middleton", signed on the inside front cover showing a full-page image of him. A Lee Gordon & Benn Reyes presentation in London as part of Armstrong's British Tour in 1956. LOUIS "SATCHMO" ARMSTRONG (1901-1971) signed this program while on his first British tour (1956), for which Satchmo brought his band, the All-Stars, and blues singer Velma Middleton (1917-1961). Following World War II (1939-1945), Armstrong's international tours helped him become known as the Ambassador of Goodwill. Satchmo, short for "Satchelmouth", invented "Scat" singing, a jazz style that imitates instrument sounds. His raspy voice and white handkerchief became his trademarks. His talent spoke for itself, but Satchmo's warm and engaging personality was the coup de grace. In the mid- to late-1950s, he performed in several films,

GIACOMO PUCCINI Black and white picture postcard of Giacomo Puccini in a bow tie and three piece suit. Postcard Photograph signed: "Giacomo Puccini." B/w, 3½x5½ overall, image 3½x4¾ (one surface). Captioned on front: "Giacomo Puccini". Verso has faded address and Milano postmark on Italian stamp. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), the greatest Italian opera composer of his time, wrote a number of operas, including his three most famous works, La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly, while living at Torre Del Lago, the home he had purchased in 1891. Puccini and his family lived at Torre Del Lago until 1921, and the home became a museum after the death of Puccini's wife in 1930. Light partial postmark to the right of Puccini's head. Mounting traces on verso at corners. Creased at lower left blank corner, lightly worn corners.

MARTIN & LEWIS - VERY EARLY! Pair of photographs, each inscribed and signed by Dean Martin: 1) Dean Martin: "To Mary:-/Good Luck -/Nice to work/with you/Dean Martin". B/w, 5x7. Minor surface scratches. Fine condition. 2) Jerry Lewis: "To Mary:-/It was swell/working with you/Jerry Lewis" in Dean Martin's hand. B/w, 5x7 overall, image 4½x6 (one surface). Lightly creased and soiled in blank lower margin. Otherwise, fine condition. After meeting in Atlantic City in 1946, singer DEAN MARTIN (1917-1995) and comedian JERRY LEWIS (b. 1926) formed a partnership. With Martin singing and Lewis clowning, the team enjoyed enormous popularity in live performances, on television and in 16 films before they broke up in 1956 to pursue very successful, separate careers. From the late 1940s. These are the earliest Martin & Lewis photographs we have seen on the market! Two items.

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI Extremely rare handwritten letter by the Italian opera composer, exquisitely framed to 27¾x27¼. Autograph letter signed: "G. Rossini", 1 page (front and verso), 5x6¾, Bologna, Italy, 1840 August 10. Addressed to Mr. H. L. De Friedman, Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, St. Petersburg. In full: "This note of mine will be handed to you by Mr. Frederick Pescantini, my very dear friend, one well versed in literature, a distinguished personality, and as such favorably known throughout France and Italy. I address and recommend him to you, hoping that during the brief pleasure trip planned by my friend in the Great Capital, courtesies may be extended to him. My own personal knowledge of your kindness assures me that he will have in St. Petersburg an influential and very amiable protector. I beg you to introduce him to your wife on my behalf. Please receive the earnest anticipated thanks of your faithful Signed G. Rossini, Bologna, Aug. 10, 1840" Matted and framed with an image of the composer and a biographical plaque and to 27¾x27¼. By the time he was 18, Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) had written his first opera.

JEAN SIBELIUS and IRVING BERLIN Framed Gallery of History display (35x25), including Berlin's signature on a card attached to a musical biography; and a typed letter signed by Sibelius in 1953, politely declining to answer the question of whether Berlin is "America's greatest composer". Typed Letter Signed: "Jean Sibelius" in English, 1 page, 6x8½. Järvenpää, 1953 June 4. To Cyril Clemens, President, The International Mark Twain Society.In full: "Many thanks for your latest letter with your account of my life and career. It was very well written, indeed, with much ability and sympathy. Please accept my cordial thanks for it. The article about Irving Berlin I have read with much interest. His works are indeed performed here very often. If he is America's greatest composer, is of course difficult to say. America has many prominent composers by now. It is almost impossible to say such a thing about any composer. With all my kindest regards". Mid-horizontal fold, not at signature. Fine condition. In this letter to Cyril Clemens of the Mark Twain Society, JEAN SIBELIUS (1865-1957) expressed the difficulty of calling any one composer a country's "Greatest Composer".

BOB DYLAN Long-sleeved T-shirt with his silk-screened image, signed in black felt tip by Dylan himself, and in red felt tip by members of his band Shirt signed: "Bob Dylan" in black felt tip on the sleeve. Also signed in red felt tip on front and back by 16 members of his band and crew, including "Captain/Jerry/None finer/your bud/Tommy Morrangiello/1999", "David/Kemper", "Larry Campbell", "Jerry/Always a HOOT!!!/Don Fitzsimmons". "To my/friend/Jerry/Tony Garnier". Singer/songwriter BOB DYLAN, born Robert Zimmerman in Duluth, Minnesota (1941), burst out of Greenwich Village coffee houses to national stardom in the 1960s, writing and performing songs which became anthems of the counterculture movement: "Blowin' in the Wind," "The Times Are A'Changin" and many others. Defying simple classification as a folk singer or "protest singer," Dylan shocked fans at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 by going electric. He has re-invented himself with new musical styles every few years, but his highly original, poetic lyrics are always present.