GEORGE GERSHWIN 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. 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...

ELVIS PRESLEY'S JACKET!   ELVIS PRESLEY. Velvet bolero style jacket owned by Elvis and given to his personal hairdresser, Homer M. Gilleland, known as Mr. Gill. The wine colored, four-buttoned short jacket bears a "Mr./Ray's/Palm Springs" label. Accompanied by a Typewritten Statement signed: "Homer M Gilleland/8-14-91". In full: "To whom this may concern. My name is Homer M. Gilleland. For over 20 years preceding his death, I Was the personal hairdresser of Elvis Aaron Presley. During my employment as Elvis' hairdresser, he gave me as gifts numerous Items of clothing and personal property. This wine colored velvet bolero jacket was owned by Elvis. The jacket has the Label, Mr. Rays Palm Springs. This was a favorite men's store that Elvis frequently Shopped at in the 1960's while he stayed in Palm Springs. This jacket is authentic as given to me by Elvis Aaron Presley during my employment as his personal hairdresser." Homer M. Gilleland, known as "Mr. Gill", cut Gladys Presley's hair in the 1950's at Goldsmiths Department Store in Memphis, Tennessee. When Elvis became famous he asked his mother's hairdresser to cut his hair. Mr. Gilleland cut Elvis' hair until Presley's death in 1977. read more...

THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: JOHN PHILLIPS, MICHELLE PHILLIPS, DENNIS DOHERTY and CASS ELLIOT The Mamas and the Papas sign a document amending their agreement with Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Rare Typed Document Signed: "John Phillips", "Michelle Phillips", "Cass Elliot" and "Dennis Doherty", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1967 August 17. To the Grammy Award-winning duo in letter form from Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. Amendment to their Agreement of October 4, 1965 (updated on April 28, 1966). In part: "Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. shall have the right to assign to Wingate Music Corp., all rights acquired by it pursuant to the terms of the Agreement including, without limitation the songwriting services of any or all of you and any copyrights acquired thereunder...." Also signed: "Larry Newton" as President of Trousdale Music Publishers, Inc. The Mamas and the Papas, who were formed in New York in 1964 and disbanded in 1972, had already had a Grammy Award-winning hit, "Monday, Monday" (1966), by the time they signed this document. read more...

ANTON RUBINSTEIN 4¼x6½ cabinet photo, inscribed and signed by him in 1893, a year before his death. He has also penned a 5-bar musical quotation on it. His signature on a photograph is very rare. Autograph Musical Quotation on Photograph inscribed and signed (in French): "A Madame la Comtesse Rosa Lacchis/Souvenir Ant. Rubinstein/Cadenabbia/1893". Sepia 4¼x6½. Above the inscription is his autograph musical quotation (5 measures), which he has marked "Apassionato". Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894, born in Wechwotynetz, Russia, now in Transnistria, Republic of Moldova) founded and directed the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music (1862-1867, 1887-1891). A virtuoso pianist and prolific composer, Rubinstein wrote several operas, including operas Feramors (1863), Dmitry Donskoy (1852) and Sibirskiye okhotniki (Siberian Huntmsen, 1854), six symphonies, five piano concertos for piano and numerous songs and chamber works. Adhesive and paper residue (previous mounting) on verso. Soiled and lightly foxed. 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...

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...

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...

JULES MASSENET On the date of the premier of his comic opera masterpiece Manon, he penned and signed these four double bars from Act II. Autograph Musical Quotation signed: "J. Massenet”, in /Paris/1 er presentation op: comique/samedi 19 Janvier 1884 [1st presentation opera: comic/Saturday 19 January 1884]", in black ink, 9½x2½. The composer has drawn four double bars of music, and written in French: "Prelude de l'act II (Manon) [Prelude to Act II (Manon)]". This historical musical quote was written on the first performance of his comic opera, Manon, considered his operatic masterpiece. The opera, which premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, is a staple in the repertoire of many operatic companies and has been featured on numerous recordings, beginning with the historic first recording in 1923. Jules Massenet (1842-1912), who was extremely popular in his day, wrote numerous operas, but Manon established his reputation as a composer. Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at 1 word of writing. read more...