JOHN COLTRANE Autograph Musical Manuscript, an early (late 1950s), 2-page arrangement of the jazz classic "Body and Soul," a part for alto sax, unsigned but handwritten by him on musical notation paper Autograph Musical Manuscript, unsigned. Titled "Body + Soul". 2 pages, 9½x12½ (conjoined) with his handwritten comments: "IIIrd Alto/Solo with 1st Alto". Written in treble clef, 2/4 time, key of B flat. John Coltrane (1926-1967) was a jazz saxophonist (tenor, but also soprano and alto) and highly innovative composer. First noted as a sideman for such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and especially Miles Davis, Coltrane released his first solo album in 1957, and the first album consisting entirely of his original compositions (Giant Steps) in 1960. That same year, he formed his first ensemble, a quartet. "Trane" explored many jazz styles during a career shortened by liver cancer. His spiritual quest helped him overcome an early addiction to heroin and greatly influenced his music. Coltrane's posthumous honors included a Grammy read more...

BUDDY HOLLY Notebook page with his handwritten answers to a high school English quiz, signed by him at the top with the original spelling of his name ("Holley") Autograph Manuscript signed: "Buddy Holley" at upper margin, 1 page, 8x10½ lined sheet. Holly's answers to a ten-question test, likely for an English class as the answers refer to types of sentences. He answered seven questions correctly. Holly, who was graduated from Lubbock High School in 1955, was recording for Decca Records within a year. Born on September 7, 1936 in Lubbock, Texas as Charles Hardin Holley, the future recording star became known as "Buddy". His first record contract dropped the "e" in Holley, and he adopted the spelling. Before going to Lubbock High School, Holly had attended Lubbock's J.T. Hutchinson Junior High, where he met Bob Montgomery. The duo quickly became known for their musical talent and lack of stage fright. Buddy, Bob and a friend, Jerry Allison, began performing at school functions, and by September of 1953, Buddy had a regular show on Lubbock radio station KDAV. It was in Allison's home that "The Crickets" were born (with Niki Sullivan on rhythm guitar, Allison on drums and Joe B. read more...

THE MAMAS and THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOTT The Mamas and the Papas sign a document terminating their contract with Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Photocopied Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Dennis Doherty" and "Cass Elliott" and by the President of Dunhill Records, Inc. in ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 25. Termination of their contract in letter form to Dunhill Records, Inc., Beverly Hills, California. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "This will confirm our understanding and agreement with you that the letter agreement dated as of April 28, 1966 between your predecessor in Dunhill Records Ltd. and us (a photocopy of which is annexed hereto) is hereby cancelled and nullified." Additional photocopy mentioned in document is not present. The day after this contract, Lou Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by the Mamas and the Papas to be their producer and, as an independent contractor, to supervise, direct and produce their recording sessions. read more...

BUDDY HOLLY His handwritten answers to an English test at Lubbock High School, 1953 Autograph Manuscript signed: "Buddy Holley", 1p, 8x10½. Lubbock (Texas), 1953 March 17. An English grammar test. Holly (original spelling "Holley") has headed the page, signing his name in the upper left and writing "English 22v (2)" beneath his name. At the upper right, he has penned "Lubbock High School" and the date "March 17, 1953". Headed: "Test" by Holly, the test had 40 questions; just the answers are written. Holly had to identify parts of speech ("adv", "noun", "pronoun", "conjunction") and types of sentences ("run-on", "phrase", "sub. clause"). Only one answer (the first) is marked wrong. Holly was graduated from Lubbock High School in 1955 and within a year was recording for Decca Records. He was an innovator who wrote his own material and was among the first to use such advanced studio techniques as double-tracking. Holly pioneered and popularized the now-standard rock-band lineup of two guitars, bass and drums. He began experimenting with orchestration shortly before his death in 1959. His first song recorded with the Crickets in 1957 was "That'll Be the Day". "Peggy Sue" followed. read more...

VERDI WRITES TO MARIA WALDMANN WHO APPEARED IN HIS FIRST PRODUCTION OF AIDA IN MILAN   GIUSEPPE VERDI. ALS: "G. Verdi", 1p, 4½x3½. Sant'Agate, 1889 November 18. To his close friend, Maria Massari Waldmann. In Italian, partially translated. In part: "Thank you, my dear Maria, and thanks to your kind Duke for the affectionate remembrance...Greetings to the Duke and a warm handshake...." On February 8, 1872, mezzo-soprano MARIA MASSARI WALDMANN starred as Amneris in the Milan premiere of Aida under Verdi's direction. At the time of this letter, Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) spent part of the year at the Villa Verdi at St. Agata diBusseto, close to his birthplace in Le Roncole, and part in Genoa in an apartment in the Palazzo Doria. Inscription on verso of Verdi's letter, in Italian: "To my dear/friend Margherita/from/Maria Massari/Zavaglia/Ferrara, 22-1-905". There is a collection of nearly 100 letters from Verdi to Waldmann in La Biblioteca del Conservatorio "G.B. Martini" in Bologna, Italy. Lightly stained. Overall, fine condition. read more...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT The Mamas and Papas sign a document requesting that the royalties from Dunhill Records, Inc. be paid. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 September 26. To Dunhill Records, Beverly Hills. In full: "The undersigned hereby irrevocably instruct and direct you to pay a sum equal to twenty (20%) per cent of any and all royalties payable to us from Dunhill Records, Inc., attributable to the sale of records embodying our performances on master recordings produced by Lou Adler, to Mr. Lou Adler at 800 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, California 90024. All recording costs are to be borne solely by us." Adler's name and address are crossed out in black pen, most probably before this document was sold to a collector/dealer. The day after this contract, Adler resigned from Dunhill Records and was hired by 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...

JULES MASSENET 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). read more...

TAX DOCUMENT REVEALS THAT GEORGE GERSHWIN GOT 60% AND IRA GERSHWIN RECEIVED 40% FROM THEIR COLLABORATIONS   GEORGE GERSHWIN and IRA GERSHWIN. 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 read more...