Carbon Typed Document Signed: "George Gershwin" and "Ira Gershwin", 1p, 8½x13. Los Angeles, California, 1936 September 30. In part: "GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN each, being first duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is one of the parties to the written agreement dated July 29, 1936, executed by and between RKO STUDIOS, INC. and GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN, under the terms and conditions of which the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin are employed by the said RKO Studios, Inc. and under the terms and conditions of which the compensation payable to the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin is paid to them jointly, without any allocation between them. That under the terms and conditions of an agreement existing between the said George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin all compensation received by them pursuant to the terms and conditions of said contract, has been and will be divided and allocated between them in the ratio of sixty per cent (60%) to the said George Gershwin and forty per cent (40%) to the said Ira Gershwin…That this affidavit is made and delivered to the said RKO Studios, Inc.…"

He has signed these autograph music and lyrics, the last four measures of his religious cantata, The Virgin, and dated it himself (1880) Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "J. Massenet/Paris 17-8-80", 1p, 10¾x3½. Inscribed by Massenet in French: "To Miss Eugenie Hautier/souvenir with respect". Massenet has identified the four long measures as the last measures of "Holy Friday", Third Scene of his religious cantata The Virgin scored by Massenet for four voices, one for each long measure, identified by Massenet as "Marie Salome", "Marie Magdalena", "Jean" and "Simon", with words penned in his hand. French composer Jules Massenet (1842-1912) made his name with the comic opera Don César de Bazan (1872). Other operas followed, including Manon (1884), considered by many to be his masterpiece, Le Cid (1885) and Werther (1892). In the 3rd Part of The Virgin, "Good Friday", Mary-Salomé, Mary-Magdeleine, John and Simon have sought refuge in the Virgin's home. They try to comfort Christ's mother. In the distance one can hear the threatening voices of the people and the soldiers.

The German composer who succeeded in influencing numerous fields of study outside of music signed handwrote and signed this note! Autograph Note Signed: "R. Wagner" in German, 1p, 5x7. No place, no date. To "Dear Friend". In full: "Would you be so kind as to settle the little matter enclosed herewith." Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813-1883) dominated the development of classical music from about 1850 to 1875. He originated the musical drama and was a pioneer in the development of the leitmotifs, specific sounds and harmonies that are associated with characters. Wagner produced both the text (libretto) and music for his operas and prioritized the drama in each production over specific artistic and theatrical mediums. His best-known production is called Der Ring des Nibelungen, but is commonly referred to as the Ring Cycle. Since Wagner's death, his music and writings have seen their share of controversy. Evidence exists of Wagner's antisemitism, and as a result Wagner's music was used by Adolph Hitler to bolster his Third Reich fascist government. Although the use of Wagner's work by Nazi Germany has complicated his legacy, there can be no doubt that Wagner was one of the greatest musical composers of all time.

Third Person ALS: "Mr. Mendelssohns" in English, 1p, 4¼x4½. Hobart Place, Eaton Square (London), 1844 June 29. In full: "Mr. Mendelssohns (sic) Compliments to Mrs. Maxwell; he regrets to say that he does not give lessons, and his stay in this Country being so very limited now, he finds himself not even at liberty to fix a time at which he could play to Miss Maxwell and hear her play, which under other circumstances he would certainly have done with the greatest pleasure." At the time of this letter, German composer Felix Mendelssohn was in London during a recess from his duties as Headmaster of the Leipzig Conservatory. Mendelssohn's works include the overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, the symphonies C Minor and Reformation, concertos and chamber music. He died in 1847 from overwork and nervous exhaustion following the death of his sister, Fanny. He was 38. Uniformly tanned except for a few light spots. Hole at paper to the left of the "2" in date, touching part of it, and in text, touching 2 words. Upper left and lower right corners missing. ½-inch diagonal tear and pinhead-size nick at blank left margin.

Both sign their names on this album leaf containing several bars of music drawn by Grieg Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "Edvard Grieg" 1p, 6x3½. Leipzig, 1891. Three bars of music labeled: "Andante" at top by EDVARD GRIEG (1843-1907). Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist who learned how to play at the age of six and went on the attend Leipzig Conservatory. His works include music for Ibsen's Peer Gynt (1876) as well as many choral, orchestral, and chamber pieces. On verso is an Autograph Note signed: "Schumann Heink" in German, New York, 1902 January. From the late 1880s to the early 1900s, the exceptional contralto voice of ERNESTINE SCHUMANN HEINK (1861-1936) was heard frequently at concerts and festivals throughout Europe. She was primarily known for her interpretations of Wagner and Strauss. In 1905, she took out U.S. naturalization papers. Her German-language recording of "Silent Night" earned sales for Victor Red Seal records unmatched by any other artist. When the U.S. entered World War I, Schumann-Heink put herself wholeheartedly behind the American war effort, promoting Liberty Bonds and entertaining troops, despite having a brother in command of an Austrian warship and a son in the German navy.

Thomas "Fats" Waller signs an autograph musical quotation. Autograph Music Quotation signed: "Best Wishes/Thanks/Thomas 'Fats' Waller", 1p, 6x8¼. Bar of music identified by the jazz pianist as "Ain't Misbehavin!/No! No!!" Thomas "Fats" Waller (1904-1943) left DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York, in 1917 after one year because he felt he was wasting his time. "There isn't any rhythm in algebra" he complained. His father was a well-known violinist, so Thomas was allowed to leave Clinton to get a job so he could afford piano lessons. He was only 17 when he pressed his first records and made his first piano rolls, and at 19 he initiated his first radio broadcasts. In 1929, Waller wrote the score for the Broadway hit Hot Chocolates. His most famous song "Ain't Misbehavin'" was introduced in the show, which featured Louis Armstrong. Waller was only 39 when he died of pneumonia. Two unrelated autographs, dated 1939 on verso (no show through). Irregular left edge. Lightly shaded at margins. Light diagonal stain touches the top of the "T" in Thomas. Overall, fine condition.

Large framed display on the Polish composers, featuring a 2x3 Autograph Musical Quotation signed by Henri and a 4x6 photo signed by Josef. Comprises: (1) HENRI WIENIAWSKI. Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "Hri. Wieniawski", 2x3. He has penned three bars of music from his "2nd Polonaise - Polonaise Brilliante No. 2" (1870). Headed in his hand: "2de Volonaise". Slightly shaded. Fine condition. (2) JOSEF WIENIAWSKI. Photograph signed: "Joseph Wieniawski" below a three-line inscription in French (not translated), dated 15 June 1910. B/w, 4x5¾. Signed with the English spelling of his name. Nicked at right edge and upper corners. Overall, fine condition. HENRYK "HENRI" WIENIAWSKI (1835-1880) and his younger brother, JOSEF "JOSEPH" WIENIAWSKI (1837-1912) were known as the "Maestros of Poland". As boys of 14 and 16, the Wieniawskis had began a two-year concert tour of Russia in 1851 with pianist Josef accompanying violinist Henryk. That year, they also published "Allegro de Sonata", which they had composed in 1848. The two brothers excelled in their chosen fields of music, with Henri composing brilliant Romantic concertos, études and genre pieces for the violin.

His rare signature on a letter of agreement with Columbia Records, concerning recorded distribution of his live performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival. Documentary Letter signed: "Thelonious Monk", 1 page, 8½x11. Forest Hills, N.Y., 1963 September 23. On letterhead of Columbia Records. Monk signs his assent to a letter referencing a prior agreement by him with Columbia Records (1962 July 30), and declaring that no additional compensation will be owed him for the recording of his performance at the 1963 Newport Jazz Festival unless the company issues a complete LP album featuring his performance exclusively. 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. Monk's reputation has only grown since his death: he received posthumously a special Pulitzer Prize for Music and a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.

The Legendary Beatles guitarist signs check on Apple Records, Inc. account during period of significant musical projects. Check signed: "George Harrison", blue ink, 8x3½. National Westminster Bank Limited, London, England, May 20, 1971. Drawn on the account of Apple Records Inc, payable to Elloway & Co for £35 and 75 pence. Around the time this check was signed, Harrison was involved in several significant musical projects that included his collaborative work with John Lennon on the song “How Do You Sleep”, organizing a benefit concert in Bangladesh, and producing Badfinger's album “Straight Up” Bank cancellation stamps at mid-section. Small ink notation intersecting the "rr" in Harrison, with two hole-punches along check's top edge. Overall, fine condition. George Harrison (1943-2001) was an English musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Born in Liverpool, England, Harrison developed an early passion for music, influenced by skiffle and rock and roll. He joined John Lennon and Paul McCartney in the Quarrymen in 1958, which evolved into the Beatles.

The Italian composer signs this touching sentiment on a photograph mount. Photograph Mount inscribed and signed: "Alla bella & gentile Signorina / Marietta Stern, / ricordo / Giacomo Puccini / Roma Gen: 1918" Photograph of Puccini by Vuillemenot Montibone, 6½ x 8½, 11¾ x 17 photograph and mount overall. Puccini was in Rome preparing for the European debut, on January 11, 1919, of his opera, Il trittico. This was a trilogy of three one-act operas including Il tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Photograph is creased and toned. Photograph mount creased. Framed to an overall size of 24½ x 27. Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), the greatest Italian opera composer of his time. He 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.

This signed 28-page contract confirms that the singer will star in the 1958 film Kings Go Forth Contract signed: "Frank Sinatra" in ink on last page. Twenty-eight pages. 8½x11. Separate sheets. California. Dated August 20, 1957. Contract between Frank Ross-Eton Productions and Hobart Productions, Inc. for Sinatra to star as Sam Loggins in a film tentatively titled Kings Go Forth at a salary of $200,000. Contract in Part: "Hobart agrees to furnish to Employer the services of Artist...to act, play and perform the role of Sam Loggins in the motion picture photoplay tentatively entitled 'KINGS GO FORTH'...employer agrees to pay to Hobart...the sum of $200,000, payable at the rate of $20,000 per week...it is agreed that the name of Artist shall be above the title of the photoplay, and Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, and Frank Ross shall be the only other parties who shall receive credit above the title of the photoplay" Also signed by representatives from Frank Ross Productions, Eton Productions, Inc. and Hobart Productions, Inc. Frank Sinatra starred as First Lieutenant Sam Loggins in Kings Go Forth, which was released in 1958. That year, he was also seen on the big screen in Some Came Running. His production company, Hobart Productions, Inc.

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 2005, 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: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (also known as The White Album, released in 1968), and Abbey Road (1969).