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.

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.

Very youthful 4½x6½ image in bow tie and stiff collar Photograph signed: "W. C. Fields" B/w, 4½x6½. W. C. Fields (1879-1946) began entertaining as an amusement park juggler at the age of fourteen. He was a vaudeville headliner before he was twenty and toured Europe in 1901, giving a command performance at Buckingham Palace. His Broadway debut in The Ham Tree (1905) was followed by appearances in the Ziegfeld Follies (1915-1921) and in George White's Scandals (1922). Fields starred in Poppy on Broadway (1923) and the next year made his first film, Janice Meredith (1924). Fields' style, verbal rather than visual, and his irascible con-man philosophy made him a favorite, especially with the advent of sound, where his raspy voice provided the final touch to his comedy. He starred in movies including My Little Chickadee (1940) and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941). Nobody contributed more wry quotations ("Anyone who hates children and animals can't be all bad.") to American folklore. Signature in poor contrast but legible. Light silvering. Surface creases. Corners worn and chipped. Ink stamp on verso. Multiple pencil marks (unknown hand) on verso. Finger print impressions at top right. Otherwise, fine condition.

Striking photograph of Reeves in his service uniform Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Jack / George / Reeves". B/w, 6¾ x 9 Framed to an overall size of 31 x 20½. Minor chips on corners of frame. Fine condition. Best known for playing the "Man of Steel" on film and on television, George Reeves (1914-1959), born George Bessolo, made his film debut in 1939. Reeves played Stuart Tarleton, one of the Scarlett O'Hara's hopeful beaus, in David O. Selznick's Civil War epic, Gone With the Wind. Making an excellent impression in that role, in 1940, Reeves was cast in 17 films, including Knute Rockne, All American, Virginia City, The Fighting 69th, 'Til We Meet Again, Pony Express Days and Meet the Fleet. Shown with his girlfriend, played by Jan Clayton, and her unwelcoming father (Grant Mitchell), Father is a Prince (1940). Reeves' career took a fateful turn when he was cast as Superman/Clark Kent in 1951's Superman and the Mole Men, a role he reprised in the 1953-1957 television series. Reeves' death by gunshot wound on June 16, 1959, was officially ruled a suicide, but suspicions of murder have persisted. Accompanied by PSA/DNA LOA.

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.

Out of character but not out of extravagance, the "sure-shot" poses in an extraordinary "Indian Princess" garb, hand-made with the feathers of her prized kills for a Valentine's Day Masquerade. Winning the costume contest that night, Oakley again demonstrates versatility and creative ingenuity, and this rare and exclusive photo captures it all. Signed and dated in her script, with pencil note in her hand on verso. This whimsical photo, not shot for publicity, was probably gifted to a family member or dear friend. Extremely Rare! Photograph signed in ink: "Annie Oakley 1919", and in pencil on verso: "Pinehurst 1919". Sepia, 3½x6. Shown in elaborate Indian costume with feathered head dress, gazing at the horizon. Annie Oakley (1860-1926) was born Phoebe Anne Oakley Mozee in Ohio. She was the sixth of eight children. At the age of nine she began to shoot rabbits and quail and was almost a dead shot from the first. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman. In 1876, at age 16, she married Frank Butler, a vaudeville performer who became her partner. Annie's self-effacing personality (on and off stage) made her a popular performer. In 1885, the Butlers joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Annie, a star with the show for 17 years, charmed Kings and Queens.

Right handprint the composer which he has signed and dated in 1925! Handprint signed: "Richard Strauss/21.4.25" in ink, 6½x8¼. Handprint of Strauss' right hand. Stamped: "M. Raschig's Handarchiv." Strauss (1864-1949, born Richard Georg Strauss in Munich, Germany) was Court Conductor at Munich (1894-1898) and Chief Conductor of the Berlin Court Opera (1898-1918). As a composer, Strauss was regarded as the leader of the New Romantic school. Among his works were 15 operas, including Salome (1905), Elektra (1909) and Der Rosenkavalier (1911), as well as ballets, symphonies, concertos and about 200 songs. Berlin palm reader MARIANNE RASCHIG, who also wrote a scientific book on the art of palm reading, put together a collection of over 2,500 handprints from 1924 to 1935. Lightly creased and soiled, irregular left edge. File notes in blank areas (unknown hand). Otherwise, 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.…"

Original self-caricatures drawn by these legendary comedians. Collection comprised of 7 pieces of signed original artwork that includes: 1.) Original Artwork signed “George/Jessel”. 5x7. Fine condition. George Jessel (1898-1981, born in New York City), who became known as the "Toastmaster General of the United States" for his frequent role as Master of Ceremonies at entertainment and political gatherings, appeared in vaudeville (he was a partner of Eddie Cantor at age 11) and on Broadway before having a radio show, That's My Kid. 2.) Original Artwork signed “M. Kahn”. 5½ x 9. 2 horizontal creases, otherwise fine condition. Operatically trained, Madeline Kahn (1942-1999) achieved her greatest successes in manic comedy roles, earning Best Supporting Actress nominations for Paper Moon (1973) and Blazing Saddles (1974). She garnered a Golden Globe nomination for her short-lived TV sitcom, Oh, Madeline! (1983) and won a Tony for her performance in The Sisters Rosenzweig (1992). 3.) Original Artwork signed “BETTE”. 5¼ x 8¼. Fine condition. Midler is a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer, and stage and film actress known for her vibrant personality on and offstage.

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.

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.

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.