In this rare letter in untranslated Italian, composer Giuseppe Verdi wrote in 1892 that his business affairs would delay his visit to Montecatini, Italy. With original mailing envelope and book illustration with facsimile signature. Autograph letter signed "G Verdi". 1 page, 4 ½ x 7, 1 page folded, front and verso. Milan, Italy, July 3, 1892. Written in Italian, untranslated. In summary: Verdi wrote this letter to a Signor Galimberti to say that he hoped to come to Montecatini, Italy, but the weight of his business affairs forced him to postpone his intended arrival from the following morning to a Wednesday. He added that Galimberti should nevertheless hold the apartment available for that day. Lightly toned and soiled. Lighten around edges, possibly from frame. Tape remnants on verso. Folded once and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition. Accompanied by: 1) Unsigned autograph envelope addressed in Verdi's hand. Postmarked July 4, 1892, with blue ink stamp of the Grand Hôtel Milan in Milan, Italy on verso. Addressed to Signor Galimberti, Locanda Maggiore, Montecatini, Italy. One orange-and-white Italian stamp affixed. Lightly toned, soiled and creased. Normal postal stamps, which touch address. Lightened around edges, possibly from frame. Tape remnants on verso.

Framed 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. Old friend Elton John sang backup on that song and played accompaniment on "Whatever Gets You thru the Night".

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.

This framed letter that features the composer's autograph shows his interest in new phonograph recording technology Typed Letter Signed, "George Gershwin". 8¼x10½. One page. Dated September 14, 1931. On his personal letterhead. Gershwin writes to a representative of R.C.A. which was the parent company of N.B.C. (created in 1926 to broadcast on radio) and Victor Labs (acquired in 1929 which built phonographs.). The conglomerate was able to remain at the forefront of early broadcasting technology for many years due to the unique merging of technologies. Gershwin's association with R.C.A. was a long and fruitful venture. It was R.C.A. that recorded "An American in Paris", which was used in the 1951 musical film of the same name. Gershwin's letter in full: " My dear Mr. Clark: I received your invitation to dinner at the Savoy-Plaza on September seventeenth. I am tremendously interested in hearing the new development in phonograph recording, which you will probably demonstrate account of a previous engagement which I have for that evening. Perhaps some day you will permit me to come down to the New York offices and listen to the new development. With many thanks, I am Yours sincerely, George Gershwin gg/ob". Annotated in pencil in another hand: "File CC arrange for.…"

The songwriter and folk singer penned this undated letter and his signature about a possible job at the California radio station KGIL Autograph Letter Signed: "Woody Guthrie". Pencil notations near top left, left edge and bottom right corner, all in unknown hand. 1 page, 7x10½, ruled paper, rounded right corners, three binder holes at left edge, affixed to a 8½x11 sheet of paper with adhesive labels in top left and bottom right corners. El Ray Hotel, Los Angeles, California. Addressed to Cyrus Adler. In full: "Dear Cy & Clement & All: A certain disc jockey, George Wilhelm, plays on [sic] hour of folk records every night from 10 to 11 p.m., at the studios of KGIL, 4919 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks, California. He makes a big splash over Burls [sic] records, Josh White's, My own, and others, He draws a goodly stack of mail per day. I hear that he invites live talent to come down and do a few numbers in betwixt & between folk rec-ordings. Burl quested out there some few days ago. They've had fold music & ballad lovers (performers) come into studio and knock off a whole evening in tribute to me & my legend & my ballads.…"

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.

His handwritten notes on ruled notebook paper for a high school history test, framed with his phototo an overall size of 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.

Hammerstein and Romberg both inscribe and sign Romberg's handwritten musical quotation from the musical, with Hammerstein adding, "I'm only the guy who wrote the words …" Framed with an inscribed and signed photo of Romberg to 34½x25½ Comprises: (1) SIGMUND ROMBERG and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II. Autograph Musical Quotation inscribed and signed: "To John/With the composers (sic)/best wishes/Sigmund Romberg", 1p, 7½x9½. Above his signature, Romberg has drawn 5 bars of music and written "etc -". Above them, he has written "from the 'Desert Song'/Valse Mod". ANS: "Oscar Hammerstein 2 -" at lower portion of sheet. To "Dear John". In full: "I'm only the guy who wrote the words to the above notes - and they don't matter. Best regards". Slightly creased. Fine condition. (2) SIGMUND ROMBERG. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Mr. James C. Stratton/Sincerely/Sig Romberg". B/w, 8x9¾ overall, image 7½x8½ (one surface). Publicity photograph by James J. Kriegsmann, N.Y. Typed caption at lower margin: "Sigmund Romberg and his Concert Orchestra". Minor surface creases, else fine condition.

A signed autograph note on a postcard giving instructions to a music publisher in London. Addressed in his hand and mailed from Prague in 1892. Both sides of the postcard can be viewed in the frame! Autograph Note Signed with two musical quotes: "A. Dvorak" in English, 5½x3¾. On verso of stamped postcard addressed by Dvorak to: "Novello & Ewer/ 1 Berners Street/London", postmarked Prague, March 24, 1892. In full: "I have no objection to it, when the two bars notes the Viola [c note] page 291. 207 are to be omitted and given to the Cello [two bars, two notes]". Czech composer Antonin Dvorak (1841-1904) is best known for his symphony in E minor, From the New World, composed in 1893. He is also noted for success in adapting folk music to serious romantic music. Dvorak was the Director of The National Conservatory of Music from 1892-1895. Note side is soiled, worn torn edges (all intact). Corners torn away affecting some writing and 1 musical quote. Address side is soiled and worn, edge flaws are framed over. Light stains. Framed to an overall size of 36¾x22¼.

Scarce photograph of the 1950s Rock 'N' Roller Rare Photograph inscribed and signed: "To / Reg - / Thanks / for the wonderful / hospitality / Big / Bopper". B/w, 6¾ x 8½. Publicity photograph by Van Dyck Studio, Beaumont (imprint at lower left edge). Ink lightly beaded (completely legible). Minor surface creases (most not evident head on) at background. Fine condition. Framed by unknown individual: 15¼x17¾. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. Mat has separated from frame, resulting in the photograph not being flush with glass. Frame is scratched and chipped, backing paper is torn at upper portion. "As is" framing. Jiles Perry Richardson (1930-1959) was a Texas disc jockey who called himself "The Big Bopper" after the latest dance craze, the bop. His song, "Chantilly Lace", which he wrote and sang, reached the "Top Ten" in 1958. In January 1959, The Big Bopper was booked on the Winter Dance Party tour that would cover most of the Midwest. The tour included such headliners as Buddy Holly, Dion and the Belmonts, Waylon Jennings and Ritchie Valens.

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.

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.