WILLIAM F. CODY The famous Wild West showman pens a hopeful letter to his friend, stating "New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season." The letter was written during the downfall of Cody's show empire due to outside expenses draining the immense profits from his show Autograph letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11 framed to an overall size of 25½x18½. Buffalo Bill's Wild West combined with Pawnee Bill's Great Far East. May 29, 1911. Portsmouth, [New Hampshire]. In full: "Dear Mayor Glad Light, Your letter which found me is fine health. We had two bad towns last week. Fitchburg & Newburyport. No one ever done business in either. The week hurt us at least $2000 in Lowell-sent your bank 5100 today to take up one of my notes. Been getting good deposits from the mines. Been getting in shape [illegible] or any one. I believe I'll walk a sale of the [illegible]. Note if good are doing. [illegible]. While I telegraph you for now we are all OK here-now. And barring accident we will be OK. New England was never big for me. But wait till we start west. I predict a big season.

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. Slightly soiled. Irregularly cut. Overall, fine condition.

W. C. FIELDS Signed contract for purchase and delivery of a Phaeton automobile from a Cadillac dealership in Chicago (1916). Itemized bill for the "fully loaded" luxury car includes a credit for trade-in of his 1915 Pathfinder. Document signed: "W. C. Fields/Sherman Hotel", 1 page, 8½x11. Chicago, 1916 December 29. Also signed "H. M. McCord" as Sales Manager. Signed order form for one Type 55 Phaeton, with the following extra equipment: 1 Bumper ($10), 1 Spotlight ($5), Royal Cord tires all around ($70), 2 extra Royal Cord tires ($101.27), 2 extra Tubes ($12.73), 1 extra Rim ($7.25). Total price = $2,471.25. The order is contingent on the satisfactory sale of Fields' 1915 Pathfinder touring car, provided by him in partial payment. Two filing holes at left edge. Lightly toned and soiled at edges. "Duplicate" stamp at upper right corner. Upper left corner has small staple holes and is lightly creased. Horizontal mailing folds. Otherwise, fine condition. Accompanied by typed letter (1 page, 8½x11) to Fields from H. M. McCord, dated 1917 January 3, informing him that the Pathfinder has been sold, for a $400 credit toward his purchase price, and assuring him of good service on his new Phaeton. Lightly toned.

W. C. FIELDS Signing as "The great man/Continental Claude", he pens a letter to his mistress Carlotta in New York Autograph Letter signed: "The great man/Continental Claude", 1p, 8½x10¼. On lightweight airmail paper. No place, no date, but with original envelope postmarked Los Angeles, Hollywood, December 27, 1939. Addressed by Fields to Miss C. Douglas [Carlotta Monti], Hotel Marie Antoinette, Broadway at 66 St., New York City. Torn flap. Creased, soiled and worn. Unrelated notes on verso (unknown hand). In full: "Something or other was at ah La Cava's Morales you know her and she enquired about you. I told her you were making the grade in N.Y. That you had been on here to attend your case but returned. She expressed regrets she had not seen you. She made La Cava a sweater. I think I admired the sweater and she suggested making me one. Being continental and never forgetting the days of chivalry I accepted graciously. She evidently knows Margo and they are coming some afternoon to measure me. Do you think I should order a pair if drawers too? This thing is running into a book, so will saw off. Keep well- and think for pastime. Always my best and most important wishes. M.M. sends Love." Creased, folds, lightly nicked edges. W.C.

WILLIAM F. CODY: BUFFALO BILL 4¼x6½ cabinet card photo, signed both as W.F. Cody and as Buffalo Bill Cabinet Card Photograph signed: "W.F. Cody/'Buffalo Bill'". B/w, 4¼x6½. Superb portrait of William F. Cody with his desirable double signature. Photographer's imprint, "Gessford/238 Fifth Ave./N.Y.", at lower mount. William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) was a rider for the Pony Express in 1860, a scout for the Kansas Cavalry against the Indians (1863) and served in the U.S. Army in the Civil War (1863-1865). From 1867-1868, he furnished buffalo meat for the Union Pacific Railroad construction crews, earning his nickname, "Buffalo Bill". Cody was a scout for the 5th U.S. Cavalry from 1868-1872 and in 1876. From 1872-1883, he was on stage as an actor at first in E.Z.C. Judson's play, Scouts of the Plains. He organized Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1883 and toured the United States and Europe successfully for over 30 years. Fine condition.

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 thecompensation 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,

"BUFFALO BILL" CODY Handwritten letter to former rival - now partner - Pawnee Bill Lillie - outlining plans for a California tour of their wild west show. "And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." Autograph Letter signed: "Col.", 1 page, 8½x11. Saco, Maine, May 30 (circa 1908). On letterhead of Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East to "Dear Major" [William Lillie]. In full: "The reason I would not sign up with Craft. They went back on the Contract they had Bacon draw and sent two of their own fixing. You see by the route of Sells Floto that they are playing all of the Country west of the Rockies and North West. And I think we should do it. I think the summer of the Great Panama Fair at San Francisco we could show all that Country. In the Spring three shows. San Francisco July, Aug. Sep. Then Southern Cal. Oct. And if all goes well we could clean up a wagon load of money." William Frederick Cody (1846-1917) earned the name "Buffalo Bill" for killing thousands of buffalo as a hired hunter in 1867 and 1868.

ANTONIN DVORAK 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) isbest 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.

W. C. FIELDS and FLO ZIEGFELD Both sign and initial a typed documentary letter (1924) extending Fields' contractual obligation to a Ziegfeld production. Documentary Letter signed: "W. C. Fields", "F. Ziegfeld, Jr." , 1 page, 7¼x10½. New York City, 1924 November 12. On Ziegfeld's New Amsterdam Theatre letterhead to W. C. Fields, New York City. Both have initialed a one-line ink addition in Ziegfeld's hand. Noting that Fields' current Equity Run-of-the-Play Contract for J. P. McEvoy's "Comic Supplement" expires on June 1, 1925, Fields agrees to extend his commitment after that date at the rate of $1,750 per week, provided that Fields is successful through the Actors Equity Association in getting released from a conflicting commitment with Phillip Goodman. Fields' weekly salary is to rise to $2,000 per week if "Comic Supplement" should continue running into 1926. Red-nosed, gravel-voiced, bottle-hitting American comedian W. C. FIELDS (1880-1946), born William Claude Dukenfield, began his career in silents, later excelling in such films as David Copperfield (as Micawber), My Little Chickadee (with Mae West) and The Bank Dick.