Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 52

Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction

Musicians

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 187		Superb Leonard Bernstein Archive (1918-1990) American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was best known as the long-time music director of the New York Philharmonic, during which time he introduced the acclaimed Young People's Concerts series, wrote the music for West Side Story, Candide, and On the Town. He wrote three symphonies, two operas, five musicals, and numerous other pieces. Bernstein was one of the most influential figures in the history of American classical music and the first American born and educated conductor to receive worldwide acclaim. Archive of correspondence sent by Bernstein to Renée Longy Miquelle, with whom he studied score reading at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia (1939-41). The correspondence begins in 1940 and continues through 1972, but the majority are written in the 1940s and early 50s, and sparkle with Bernstein's youthful exuberance. There are over 55 autograph letters signed, typed letters signed, and cards, most signed "Lenny" or "Spooky," or just "L." and most with the original envelopes, which are sometimes signed "Bernstein" or "Leonard Bernstein" in the return address. There are also 39 postcards signed, miscellaneous programs, greeting cards, Western Union telegrams, and family photos. He writes from all over the world: Tel Aviv, Vienna, Paris, Mexico, Tanglewood, New York, etc., with much musical content, as he keeps his teacher and friend abreast of his life and work. He sometimes writes Renés's name in musical notes in the salutation and throws in French words and phrases and even a couple of entire letters are written in French. The archive also includes family photographs and four books signed by Bernstein: The Private World of Leonard Bernstein by Gruen and Heyman; The Joy of Music by Leonard Bernstein; The Infinite Variety of Music by Leonard Bernstein; and Henri Matisse Paper cut-Outs. Additionally, there is an unsigned copy of Leonard Bernstein: A Complete Catalog Of His Works (8/25/1978); The Unanswered Question: Six Talks at Harvard by Bernstein, in the original presentation box and accompanied by three 33 1/3 RPM records; and lastly, Leonard Bernstein's Young People's Concerts for reading and listening, which consists of a book and seven 33 1/3 records. This archive should be examined in person to truly appreciate it. Here are a few excerpts: July 1940 "…I've already learned Beethoven's 4th and Sheherezade. Starting Copland's Music for the Theatre today. Practising. Composing. …Aaron [Copland] told me that I might have to conduct Randall Thompson's Symph…." July '42 "…I have been elevated to 'assistant' [at Tanglewood]…I am doing jackal's work--but that's great experience for one who is too easily a lion." Dec. '42 "…I finished orchestrating the first movement of Jeremiah….tomorrow night I do Aaron's two-piano piece with him in Town Hall. And that has me tied up in knots…Don't you think I'm really very lucky, for a young Boston yokel only three months in New York?" Feb.'43 "I have suddenly made a totally unexpected Town Hall début. Aaron was to have played his Sonata at the Music Forum…but couldn't escape the clutches of Sam Goldwyn…I was asked at the last minute, and practised madly for a day, bought a suit of tails, played the Sonata, very successfully…and got lovely reviews…" Oct.'43 (from Carnegie Hall), "Steinway has just moved a piano into my room…" and "I haven't actually conducted yet. Monday the 18th is the first time…." Another Oct. '43 letter, "I have a wonderful customer for your (our) Baby Steinway, who will cheerfully pay you $15 a month." Jan. '45 "Well, the show has opened, and is a phenomenal hit…I would be a rich man, except that whatever money I get goes back to Uncle Samovitch for taxes….Now I am…for Pittsburgh next week…this time with a whole program including Fancy Free, the Ravel Concerto, Euryanthe and Brahms First…." Aug. '45 "Now that I have an orchestra I can't think why I have been so busy all my life….This is the real chance to do something alive and real in American music. With proper cooperation (and money) we can create the actual core of world musical activity….As long as we can make music that sings, that's fun, that seems fresh, we'll grow in spite of all sabotage…The main thing is that the tools are at hand with which to give music life." Aug. '47 From Tanglewood, "My concerts gave me a great joy. How I wish you could have heard The Sacre!" In a letter written in French in 1948 from Canada, he says that he saw Piatigorsky in Montreal, that he is giving a concert at the Metropolitan for the Gershwin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and that he is going to Paris to direct a two-week festival of America music. July '48 "Tanglewood…is…hectic and sleepless and full of music and Koussevitzky." Nov. '48, from Tel-Aviv, "This is a land of miracles…" Dec. '51 "…marriage is fascinanting, Felicia is marvelous in every way…There is a little opera in the making…I have even begun a piano sonata…" Dec. '53 "…It seems incredible--10 years--Aaron 10 yrs. older, me married & a papa (and what a girl I've got!) And there in Milano, 10 years, I had one of my old-fashioned triumphs--a real first--opera at La Scala, one of the great experiences of my life. Isn't it wonderful that…there can still be something I'm doing for the first time?" June '67 "I've just arrived in Vienna…Now the big Mahler week….I have to return subito to New York for conferences with Jerry Robbins about our new work--whatever it will be." Estimated Value $30,000 - 50,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 188		Blake, Eubie & Duke Ellington. Two First Day Covers, one commemorating the 150th anniverary of W.C. Handy, signed, "Forever/Eubie Blake/April 19th 1980"; the second honors George Gershwin and is signed "Duke Ellington" across the postmark. Both fine. Estimated Value $150 - 250. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 189		Coltrane, John (1926-1967) Legendary American jazz saxophonist and composer; his musical innovations broke formal thematic and harmonic restrictions in jazz improvisation, setting new standards. A unique autograph musical quotation, 2 pages, recto and verso, 12 x 9", featuring the theme of "A Love Supreme" in 12 keys. Backstamped with Jowcol Music (Coltrane's company), 2005 copyright by Coltrane's estate. Recorded in 1964 by Coltrane, "A Love Supreme" is recognized as one of the most important records ever made, as well as his pinnacle studio piece. It has since been recorded by numerous artists, including Elvin Jones and Wynton Marsalis. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. Ex Christie's. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 190		Coltrane Musical Score Unsigned. Autograph musical score unsigned titled "I Don't Want To Talk About You," on both sides of a 12½ x 9½ in. composition sheet. The title and the first five lines are written with black marker, as is "1st Trumpet" at top left. The remainder is written in pencil. Some soiling. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 191		Ellington, Edward Kennedy "Duke" (1899-1974) Composer, pianist, and bandleader. Typed document signed "Duke Ellington," 1p, 11 x 8½ in., n.p., 4/1/61. Authorizing a video tape recording to be made of his participation in one of the "Hy Gardner Show" television shows, for which Ellington received no compensation. Fine. Estimated Value $200 - 250. Ex collection of Hy Gardner, reporter, columnist and radio and television interviewer. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $115
Lot 192		Milhaud, Darius (1892-1974) French composer. Autograph letter signed ("Milhaud"), 1 page on back of postcard, 5½ x 3½, in French, Mechelen Malines (Belgium), November 14, 1930. Written to composer Arthur Hoerée: "Dear Friend, your program seems very good to me, and your idea to give one or two records is excellent. Unfortunately, my work is very difficult at this time and I cannot assure you of my cooperation. I would prefer if you would take a pianist. I will be in Paris Sunday night or Monday. Call me Tuesday morning for example…." Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 193		Toscanini, Arturo (1867-1957) Italian Conductor. During his long career, Toscanini was the Musical Director of La Scala in Milan, and conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He specialized in the works of Verdi and Puccini. Italian. Original signed pencil sketch of Toscanni by Seymour Halpern on an off-white 4" x 5½" card. Toscanni has signed along the bottom in fountain pen, with Halpern signing and dating "1932" under the image. In fine condition, with several creases, not affecting signatures or overall image. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 194		Marx' Autograph Notes on Das Kapital (1818-1883) Most influential socialist thinker of the 19th century; philosopher, historian, and revolutionary. Autograph manuscript, 4pp, in German, each about 6 x 4", *from Marx' study notebook in preparation for Das Kapital, his critical analysis of capitalism. The first volume was published in 1867. Marx died before he could finish the second and third volumes, which he had already drafted. Friedrich Engels, his friend and collaborator, published the two volumes in 1885 and 1894, listing Marx as the author. In these pages, Marx takes notes on the economic work, "The Advantages Which Result From the Reduction of Interest Rates*." Fine condition; penciled numbers "35" and "36" are at the top center of the opened pages. As a theory, socialism seems ideal and, according to Marx, inevitable; however, the elimination of investors, rish-takers and initiative has a devastating effect on productivity, expansion, and innovation. It is also a difficult concept to accept for those who desire economic freedom. Estimated Value $40,000 - 50,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold