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 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.

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.…"

Promissory note in the amount of $20,000 signed by all four members. Promissory note signed “J. Phillips”, “Michelle Phillips”, “Dennis Doherty” and “Cass Elliot”. 1p, 8x9. No place, December 1, 1966. In part: “FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned do severally and jointly promise to pay to Dunhill Records Ltd., or order, at the office of Dunhill Records Ltd. At 1330 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10019, or at such other place as may be designated in writing by the holder of this note, the principal sum of Twenty Thousand ($20,000.) Dollars together with interest on the principal sum accruing from the date hereof at the rate of six (6%) percent per annum, said payment to be made on demand provided that no demand shall be made prior to May 31, 1967.” The Mamas and the Papas, who were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972, created a Grammy Award-winning hit, "Monday, Monday" (1966). Their other hits included "California Dreamin'" and "Dedicated to the One I Love". CASS ELLIOT was only 30 when she died of a heart attack in London in 1974. JOHN PHILLIPS was 65 when he died in 2001 of heart failure. DENNIS "DENNY" DOHERTY died in 2007 at age 66.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

Gioacchino Rossini sends an autograph letter in Italian to send an article. Autograph Letter Signed: "Rossini" in Italian, 1p, 4¼ x 5½. No place, no date. To Severini. In full: "Please send, within today, the portion of the opera La Fata Bianca [The White Fairy] which has the tenor's role, to Mr. Curioni. All is well." Curioni was the Italian tenor, Alberico Curioni.By the time he was 18, Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) had written his first opera. The Italian composer is best known for his comic opera, The Barber of Seville, and his grand opera, William Tell, with its famous overture. The "Overture" to the four-act William Tell became one of the most familiar of all operatic works when it was used to open the radio and television show, The Lone Ranger. Guillame Tell was first performed in Paris in 1829. The Italian composer, the leading representative of the Bel Canto School of Opera and one of the last masters of opera buffa, spent his later years in Paris and his native Italy. Lightly stained, lightly creased, with folds. Light ink transfer from a different letter. Ink smudging present on some letters. Framed to an overall size of 32½ x 24½.

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.

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.