Music Autographs and Memorabilia Gift Ideas

HARRY CHAPIN Early black and white publicity photograph of Harry Chapin sitting on a stool playing the guitar. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Gina -/All My Life's a Circle'/Harry Chapin". B/w, 7x9¾ overall, image 6x8½ (one surface). Elektra Records publicity photograph. Name imprinted at lower margin. Folk-rock storyteller Harry Chapin (1942-1981) quotes a line from "Circle", a song he released on his "live" double album, Greatest Stories Live (1976). This album contained such popular hits as "Cat's in the Cradle", "Taxi" and "Love Is Just Another Word". In the year the album was released, Chapin performed 230 concerts, 130 of which were benefits for charities and organizations he supported. Chapin, who had one of his biggest hits with "Taxi", which appeared on his 1972 album, Heads and Tales, earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist that year. Two years later he would again be nominated, this time for Best Male Vocal Performance for "Cat's in the Cradle", from his 1974 album Verities & Balderdash. In December 1980, his last hit, "Sequel", from the album of the same name, rose higher on the charts than the original "Taxi". read more...

W.C. HANDY W. C. Handy inscribes sheet music for "St. Louis Blues". Sheet Music inscribed and signed: "To Harry Walman/W.C. Handy/'The Author'/Armistice Day/1932" on front cover, 2p, 8¾x11¾, front and verso. Sheet Music for "St. Louis Blues". Cover is imprinted: "Successfully introduced by George Olsen and his Music". ©1932, Handy Bros. Music Co., Inc. Display is windowed to show verso, which is headed: "Our New Hit/Way Down South Where the Blues Began", which was written by Handy. William Christopher "W.C." Handy (1873-1958) who had formed his own publishing company in 1913 to protect his musical interests, composed and published "St. Louis Blues", one of his most popular tunes, in 1914. The musician, bandleader and composer had earlier written "The Memphis Blues", the first song to use the term "blues" in its title. While recording with his band in New York City from 1917-1923, he founded the Handy Record Company (1922), but it folded before any recordings were issued. Handy spent the remainder of the 1920s and 1930s working with a number of orchestras before retiring from performing due to failing eyesight. His autobiography, Father of the Blues, was published in 1938. read more...

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. read more...

THELONIUS MONK His career taking off, Monk contracts for an engagement in Philadelphia. Document signed: "Thelonius Monk", 1p, 8½x11. Also signed by Blue Note club owner "Lou Church." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1956 November 11. Monk signs an American Federation of Musicians contract for four performances by his quartet at the Blue Note in Philadelphia. The gig includes two evening and two matinee performances. The price agreed upon is $750, to be paid at the end of the engagement. The other members of his ensemble are not named in the document. Accompanied by unsigned, captioned photo (b/w, 10x8) of Monk performing. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonius Monk (1917-1982) has been called "the high priest of bebop," although his idiosyncratic style defies glib categorization. Several of his compositions, including Round Midnight and Blue Monk are classics of the genre. Although Monk had been performing since the early 1940s and had already written some of his classic songs, it was not until the mid-1950s that his avant-garde style began to attract a wide audience. In 1956 he released Brilliant Corners, considered one of the classic jazz albums of all time. read more...

JOHN LENNON and MAY PANG Framed Gallery of History display (46x30) featuring the t-shirt from Caribou Ranch studio given to Lennon when he recorded there with Elton John, accompanied by an authentication signed by Lennon's lover at the time, May Pang, and by a photo of Lennon and Pang together Comprises: (1) DS: "May Pang". 1 page, 8x5. No place, no date. In full: "From John Lennon's T-shirt collection, Caribou Ranch t-shirt. Given to John during his visit to Caribou Ranch Studio, when he and Elton John recorded 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'". Fine condition. (2) Extremely Rare Caribou Ranch T-shirt. Long-sleeve Collegiate Pacific, cream-colored, size 34-36. Slightly stained. Fine condition. From October 1973 until March 1975, JOHN LENNON (1940-1980) and MAY PANG lived, loved and worked together. During the Lennon-Yoko Ono separation and at Ono's instigation, their young, personal assistant became his constant companion. Deeply emotional and trying "to find himself", Lennon worked diligently to create the songs for his 1974 album Walls and Bridges, in which he dedicated one song to Ono and "Surprise Surprise" to his lover. read more...

GIUSEPPE VERDI Signed autograph letter (1889), asking a friend for advice about his investment in bonds, accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Verdi ALS: "G. Verdi", 1 page, 4½x7. Busseto, 1889 August 28. To his friend, Giuseppe DeAmicis, Genoa. With original envelope, 5x3¾, addressed by Verdi, stamp postmarked Busseto, 28 Ago 89. In Italian, not translated, but the letter shows Verdi's characteristic lack of ease in financial dealings, for which he relied on the advice of close friends like DeAmicis, a civil engineer. Verdi refers to his outstanding contribution of about 40,000 lire for the new issue of Mediterranean bonds and asks whether DeAmicis advises paying in view of recent banking disasters. He anxiously asks for a quick reply to be sent to his apartment in Genoa. Verdi and his second wife, Giuseppe Strepponi, spent the summer months at the Villa Verdi at St. Agata diBusseto, close to his birthplace in Le Roncole, and his winters in Genoa in an apartment in the Palazzo Doria. Their friend DeAmicis supervised the apartment in their absence and acted as Verdi's financial representative. read more...

MARVIN GAYE Promissory note for $95,000. Partly Printed DS: "Marvin P. Gaye, Jr.", 1p, 8½x3¾. Hollywood, California, 1979 January 18. "Individual Partnership - Straight Note" bank form. In part: "180 days (7-17-79) after date, for value received, I promise to pay to united california bank or order, at its Hollywood Office in this city, Ninety-five thousand--- Dollars, with interest payable quarterly at the rate of 7.0 per cent per annum from date until paid and reasonable attorney's fees in the event any default occurs...." Bank stamped: "renewed/7-17-79." The singer's hits include "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Ain't That Peculiar" and "Sexual Healing." In 1984, Gaye was shot to death by his father a day before his 45th birthday. Three years later, he was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Light crease at upper right corner. Pinhead-size holes from typewriter at lower right margin. Fine condition. read more...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT and LOU ADLER The singing group The Mamas and the Papas signs a document terminating their contract with Lou Adler. Rare Partly Printed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Dennis Doherty", "Cass Elliot" and "Lou Adler", 2p, 8½x10½, separate sheets. No place, 1967 September 27. To Lou Adler, who has signed under "Agreed to and Accepted". In part: "We have requested that you terminate your contract with Dunhill Records, Inc., pursuant to which you act as our Producer in connection with the making of phonograph records for Dunhill Records, Inc. In consideration of your doing so, and in consideration of your rendering services as our Producer in the future, we agree as follows: We hereby engage your nonexclusive services as a producer and as an independent contractor to supervise, direct and produce our recording sessions, up to the point of delivery of finished tapes.... read more...

PAUL MCCARTNEY The Beatles guitarist penned his signature on this Union Jack guitar after a 2006 concert in Columbus, Ohio. Not played or owned by Paul McCartney. Guitar Signed: "Paul McCartney" on the Union Jack pick guard. Squier Tele electric guitar by Fender, cream-colored body, with a red, white and blue pick guard patterned after the British flag. Accompanied by a black fabric, zippered carrying case with strap, and a letter of authenticity from the man who obtained the signature in person in October 2006, after a concert in Columbus, Ohio. Perhaps the most successful singer/composer in rock 'n roll history, Sir Paul McCartney (b. 1942) will always be remembered as a member of the Beatles, the band which took America by storm during its 1964 tour. The Beatles were one of many popular British bands part of the "British Invasion"; other bands who got major exposure in the United States include the Dave Clark Five, the Rolling Stones, and the Who. Before they broke up in 1970, the band released some of the greatest albums of all time, including three albums certified Diamond (at least 10x Platinum) by the RIAA: read more...