Best.-Nr. 91857USA: RCA Victor Red Seal USA LCT 6401 Treasury of Immortal Performances Dark Red label shaded dog. Four mono LP records in sleeves in original slipcase box with no booklet but with text printed to insides of box. Signs of light use to record surfaces in about Very Good box with some rubbing to corners and short split to portion of top edge. Sir Thomas Beecham conducts the Royal Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra with Elsie Suddaby Marjorie Thomas Heddle Nash Trevor Anthony. From the Treasury of Immortal Performances series. The first band is an introductory talk by Sir Thomas Beecham. 2.8 Jm FRT03top. Vinyl LP. Very Good. Used Vinyl LP records. RCA Victor Red Seal Paperback
1951Best.-Nr. 91989USA: Angel Records 1951. USA 3517 C Three mono LP records in Original jackets in the original box with the libretto booklet. Tullio Serafin conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Opera House with Maria Callas in the title role Mario Filippeschi Ebe Signani Nicola Rossi Lemeni and others. No visible faults to surfaces Fine in Near Fine box includes the libretto booklet. 2.3 JM FRT01. Vinyl LP. Fine. Vinyl LP records. Angel Records Paperback
Best.-Nr. 91644USA: Angel Records USA 3615 C/L Three stereo LP record in paper jackets in the original box with the libretto booklet. Tullio Serafin conducts the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala Opera House with Maria Callas in the title role Franco Corelli Christa Ludwig Nicola Zaccaria and others. This is the second version of Norma recorded by EMI in 1960 which features Callas in the title role in which she renewed her collaboration with Serafin with whom she had not worked since 1953. No visible faults to surfaces Fine in Fine box includes the libretto booklet. 2.3 JM FRT01. Vinyl LP. Fine. Used Vinyl LP records. Angel Records Paperback
1889Best.-Nr. 40924London: John C. Nimmo 1889. Paper. Good/No Jacket. Wrappers 32 cm Decorated wraps 4 pages plus 3 full page hand colored illustrations. Part 5 only Margot a comedy in three acts in prose by M. Henri Meilhac represented for the first time at the Comedie-Francaise Paris on the 18th January 1890. Illustrations by MM. Lebegue and Riverend and signed in the plates. Good. John C. Nimmo unknown
1956Best.-Nr. 05622UK: Royal Opera House Covent Garden 1956. UK Owner's notation about Tosca opera to front cover soft crease to cover about Very Good. SIGNED by Argeo Quadri the conductor; Melchiore Luise who sings the part of the Sacristan and Scipio Columbo in the role of Baron Scarpa all autographs on page 8. 19 x 12 cm paper covers no page numbers 16pp. B&Willustrations to the ads. This is the programme for the Covent Garden productions of Puccini's Tosca with Zinka Milanov singing the title role. Ferruccio Tagliavini as Cavaradossi David Tree Ronald Lewis Noreen Berry Rhydderch Davis. List of the opera chorus and orchestra members. Local ads: Horrockses; SNCF French Railways; His Master's Voice Records. Argeo Quadri 1911-2004 was an Italian conductor best known for his work with Italian and French opera. From 1957 he was largely resident at the Vienna State Opera. 1.0 JM ITF2 docket 42. Signed. Staple Bound. Good. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Programme. Royal Opera House Covent Garden Paperback
Best.-Nr. 2048Los Angeles March 1858. Ballet. Fletcher was a bookseller specialising in Performing Arts and founder of the Society for Theatre Research. One page 4to chipped four small tears fold mark punch-holes small hole in centre but complete and legible. He thanks Fletcher for submitting a print to "us" Leslie and Niles but they decline regretfully requesting others from the Romantic Period as they occur. "The 'Pas de Quatre' is most beautiful and now graces our walls." He requests an English translation of "Stepanow alphabet les Mouvements du Corps Humain". He refers to an enclosed cheque and asks if Fletcher has a copy of "Lo Barbarino Campanini " giving publishing detail. Fletcher has added some annotation in pencil revealing his acting on the requests. Los Angeles, March 1858. unknown
1956Best.-Nr. 64860San Francisco: San Francisco Opera 1956. USA INSCRIBED BY Boris Christoff to page 33 tea or coffee spill to pages 33/ 34 thus Good used copy. Paper cover with notes by previous owner in ink to cover side stapled 64pp. Local ads. This season's prgramme feature Falstaff starring Leonard Warren and Elisabeth Swchwarzkopf Francesca da Rimini with Leyla Gencer and Ricard Martell Boris Godounoff with Rosalind Nadel and Boris Christoff. 1.2 JM ITF2 DOCKET 22. Inscribed By Artist. Paperback. Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾". San Francisco Opera Paperback
2001Best.-Nr. 2-2747502864Editions L'Harmattan 2001. Paperback. New. 258 pages. French language. 8.19x5.43x0.79 inches. Editions L'Harmattan paperback
Best.-Nr. n0119CASA MUSICALE SONZOGNO DIPIERO OSTALI 1917. 224 pages. AsNew Hardcover Green cloth Gilt lettering. 12.75"x9.25". be7 CASA MUSICALE SONZOGNO DIPIERO OSTALI hardcover
Best.-Nr. 0816607516.Gpaperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book. paperback
Best.-Nr. 0816606536.Ghardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book. hardcover
Best.-Nr. 4063No place or date. Italian Opera Singer 1810-1883 "the most famous tenor of the 19th century. In French. One page 6" x 5" remains of the album page on which it was laid down on reverse probably trimmed leaving just the body of the letter as follows: "Monsieru Mario presentes compliment a Mlle Maria Julivan et il est bien de ne pouvoir accepter son invitation ne donnat pas de lecons - il prend la liberte de recommander Mr Segira - avev le quel il a etudie lui meme et qui croit le meilleur maestro a Londres." No place or date. unknown
1697Best.-Nr. 23479Oxford: Etheatro Sheldoniano 1697. leather_bound. Contemporary cambridge style binding in full brown calf. Very good. Folio6 A4-Ppp4 Qqq-Pppp Qqqq2-Zzzz2 Aaaaa-Mmmmm. The first English edition of the Greek text edited by Richard West & Robert Welsted. Engraved portrait of Pindar by M. Burghers facing the title page. DIBDIN II 289. "a beautiful and celebrated edition. on the whole we must allow that the editors of this magnificent work have taken infinite pains to bring together every thing which could illustrate and improve the reading of the poet". The editors compared the Mss held by the Bodleian with that of the Biblioteca Palatina. Engraved portrait of Pindar and large title page vignette by M. Burghers. Pindar c. 522 – c. 443 BC was an Ancient Greek lyric poet of the classical period from Thebes and the first Greek poet to reflect on the nature of poetry and on the poet's role. Errata. BRUNET IV p.659. Armorial bookplate. Raised bands spines richly gilt small front cover nick scrape lower front cover corner binding tight with leaves at end of text of Pindari Opera Omnia leaves Oooo-Mmmm toned. Etheatro Sheldoniano unknown
Best.-Nr. A9781168473875New. unknown
Best.-Nr. A9781167684180New. unknown
1984Best.-Nr. 240710New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons 1984. First Printing. Hardback. Fine/near fine. 8vo 480 pages clothbacked boards The 5th volume in the excellent Dune Cycle. This has the $16.95 price on the dj flap with "8404" at the bottom of that flap; and with ISBN 0-399-12898-0 above the price on the copyright page and on the rear panel. G. P. Putnam's Sons hardcover
Best.-Nr. 222466 October 1913; on letterhead of 55 York Terrace Regent's Park N.W. 2pp 12mo; and 1p 8vo. On a bifolium with the 8vo page written lengthwise across the central pages. In good condition lightly aged and worn. Folded twice. Signed 'Percy Anderson.' According to a pencil note Broadhurst was Beerbohm Tree's 'press agent'. He has received Broadhurst's letter late the same night and begins by informing him that he cannot go to Covent Garden the following day as he will be with a sitter. He continues: 'As I implied to you in my last letter it seems almost impossible for me to give you details of the costumes to be worn in “Joan of Arc.” Period Charles XII of France he reigned from 1403 to 1461. The dresses are of necessity tremendously fantastic & in designing them I have endeavoured to make them historically correct. Therefore what else can I say about them' Were the dresses 'fanciful' it would be easy for Anderson to describe them but 'as it is they must be rather on conventional lines'. He concludes: 'I hate to appear discourteous & if I cld. be of any use to you or to Mr. Eyles I wld. but I think you will readily understand the difficulty'. 6 October 1913; on letterhead of 55 York Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W. unknown
Best.-Nr. 19944Place and date not stated. Written one above the other on one side of a pink 12mo leaf of paper removed from an album. In fair condition aged and worn with small square of tape staining at head and some light offsetting of ink over Nicholls' signature. Reads: 'Yours sincerely Ben Davies.' and 'In remembrance of Agnes Nicholls'. Place and date not stated. unknown
Best.-Nr. 20984On letterhead Glyndebourne Lewes Sussex. 22 March 1956. 1p. 12mo. In envelope addressed to Giles at Moulsecoombe Brighton. In good condition lightly aged. He has looked for Giles's letter 'but cannot – yet – find it. Sorry. I vaguely remember it.' He will find Giles '2 tickets for a Dress Rehearsal if you will let me know which one.' Options of six operas on six different days are listed including Figaro and Giovanni. On letterhead, Glyndebourne, Lewes [Sussex]. 22 March 1956. unknown
Best.-Nr. 2224712 March 1912 31 December 1912 and the other two without year; all on letterheads of 55 York Terrace Regent's Park N.W. Total of 7pp 12mo. All in good condition lightly aged and worn. Each folded once. All signed 'Percy Anderson'. ONE: 12 March 1912. Begins: 'Your properties are quite splendid.' He thanks Clarkson and his assistant for the trouble they have taken 'over the “M”'. Ends: 'I thought everything as good as it cd be – I refer to yr work of course'. TWO: 31 December 1912. He thanks him for his 'delightful' card and for 'yr. good wishes & for the tickets you so kindly send me for The Miracle. It was most thoughtful of you.' He ends in the hope that 1913 will be a crowning success you for sic & that you will have a very happy time'. THREE: 19 January no year. He is seeing 'Mr. Simmons' at 11 am the following day and will 'look in' on Clarkson afterwards. He thanks him 'for all the good work' on 'The Country Girl' adding: 'I want you to put all yr “guts” please into the “Ulysses” wigs'. FOUR: 10 September no year. 'It is too kind of you to send me those lovely figs. There's nothing I like better & I am most grateful.' FOUR: 31 December 1912. The recipient William Clarkson was the owner of Clarkson's Wigs Wellington Street London. James Morton in his 'Gangland Soho' 2012 alleges that Clarkson who has a blue plaque to his name at 41-43 Wardour Street was not only a repeated insurance fraudster but a notorious homosexual blackmailer after whom the public lavatory in Dansey Place was named 'Clarkson's Cottage'. RE Anderson & G & S: "The artist and costume designer Percy Anderson 1851-1928 was based in London where he exhibited watercolours at the New Water Colour Society in 1886. He designed costumes for the original productions of the last four Gilbert and Sullivan operas at the Savoy Theatre - The Yeomen of the Guard 1888 The Gondoliers 1889 Utopia Limited 1893 and The Grand Duke 1896 and for several D’Oyly Carte revivals including that for Utopia Limited considered by Rupert D’Oyly Carte in 1926 and but never realised. Given Gilbert’s exacting attitude to his productions it is an accolade to Anderson that he worked with Gilbert on so many including Gilbert and Edward German’s Fallen Fairies 1909 when Gilbert said Anderson: ‘surpassed himself’". 12 March 1912, 31 December [1912], and the other two without year; all on letterheads of 55 York Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W. unknown
Best.-Nr. 22266Undated; on letterhead of the Prince of Wales Theatre Coventry Street London. 2pp 12mo. Bifolium. Aged and grubby; folded several times. Reads: 'I am sorry to say I do not know Mr Alexander or would have been very pleased to give your friend an introduction to him. Hoping you are well – with kind regards. Yours sincerely Decima Moore'. Undated; on letterhead of the Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street [London]. unknown
Best.-Nr. 17903On letterhead of the Royal Italian Opera Covent Garden. 6 June 1866. 1p. landscape 12mo. In good condition on lightly-aged paper. Reads with manuscript text in square brackets: 'Royal Italian Opera Covent Garden. Madle Vestris Londres Le 6 Juin 1866. Recu de M. Gye la somme de £40 - - G Vestris B.V £40 : - : -''. On letterhead of the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden. 6 June 1866. unknown
Best.-Nr. 20494No place. Dated 1942. There has been a recent resurgence of interest in Mona Inglesby and her International Ballet 1942-1951. In 2008 Kay Hunter published a study of the troupe titled 'Ballet in the Blitz'; then in 2012 BBC Radio 4 aired a documentary about Mona Inglesby and International Ballet titled 'Black-Out Ballet: The Invisible Woman of British Ballet'. The writer of the documentary Ismene Brown gave the following explanation of her motives: 'In 2006 an elderly dancer died in Bexhill-on-Sea Sussex. She was 88 and had once been one of Britain's most recognised ballerinas. Why did she die in obscurity Why is the great ballet company that she ran now a forgotten name This was what I set out to explore in a BBC Radio 4 documentary which aired yesterday. Inglesby's story has the improbability of an epic. As a very young woman she defied wartime conditions to launch a major ballet company which introduced the British public en masse to grand ballet. She was also nothing less than the saviour of the most precious texts in all classical ballet. A mounting sense of injustice caused the last remaining dancers of her company now in their eighties and nineties to try to get some amends for Inglesby before they too were gone.' The scenery and costume designs of International Ballet are at Harvard. The present item is on one side of a 12mo piece of paper. It is in good condition lightly aged and spotted. Half way down the page slightly to the right of centre is the large firm signature in red ink of 'Mona Inglesby 1942.' Arranged above and below this in two loose columns and in a variety of different-oloured inks are the other 23 signatures: 'Thelma Fabian Anne Negus Joan Harris later ballet director for The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and founder and first director of The Norwegian National Ballet School Anglela Bayley <Eileen> Ward. Harold Turner. Nina Tarakanova c.1911-1994; Russian see obituary Independent 16 June 1994 Joyce Graeme. 1918-1991; later director of the National Theatre Ballet in Australia and assistant director of the Ballet Rambert Claudie Léonard b.1924; later Claudie Algeranova; French Muriel Harding. Jean Beazley Moira Shearer. 1926-2006; later a celebrated film actress Patricia Lynne. Barbara Barrie Anna Marinova 1917-1982; English born Daphne Marie Tietgen <Peter Yard> Raymond Farrell Maria Balinska. Rex Reid 1921-2000; Australian dancer and teacher David Kerral <Harold Baring> Ronald <Bracie>'. No place. Dated 1942. unknown
Best.-Nr. 11697New York. 27 February 1895. 1p. 4to. Fair on lightly-aged paper with unobtrusive closed tears along crease lines. 'Mr. Ben Fack Falk the photographer will I am sure give you such a photograph of me as you may select from the assortment he has if you inform him of your business.' She asks him to send her a sample if 'the tumblers prove a success as far as my likeness is concerned . If I like it I will possibly order a quantity.' New York. 27 February 1895. unknown
Best.-Nr. 12985The five letters from 152 rue Leon-Maurice Nordmann Paris. One from 1980 and the other four from 1982. The first four letters are each 1p. 12mo; and the fifth letter is 1p. 4to. The price list which accompanies the last letter is 2pp. 4to. All items in good condition on lightly-aged paper. In the first letter 4 May 1980 he replies to his correspondent thanking him for a letter 'concernant la representation d'Orphée aux Enfers que vous avez vu à Oxford en 1977'. He declares: 'Je suis très touché et très flatté par votre appreciation au sujet des costumes de ce spectacle et cela m'a fait un très grand plaisir.' He still possesses 'les maquettes originales de ces costumes - et je suis parfaitement disposé éventuellement à en vendre - Je vous indique le prix de ces dessins - 3000FS. la maquette.' In the next letter 28 May 1982 he acknowledges receipt of a cheque for the price of 'la maquette de "Diane" d'Orphée aux Enfers. Je vous en remerci beaucoup et je suis très flatté que vous ayez été seduit par ce costume de Diane et j'espère que la maquette de ce même costume vous plaira de la même façon'. The third letter 7 June 1982 accompanied the 'Diane' maquette. Malclès asks for confirmation of receipt and of the correspondent's satisfaction and informs him that another drawing has been sold. In the fourth and fifth letters 8 and 26 July 1982 concern the sending of photographs of other drawings the latter being accompanied by a numbered list giving the titles and prices of 31 items from '1 planche 4 costumes pour "la Cagnotte" de Labiche. 5000' to '31 Colombe de Jean Anouilh Mde. Alexandra. 4000 la maquettes sic avec 3 danseuses "la Fiancee du Diable". 6000' The five letters from 152 rue Leon-Maurice Nordmann, Paris. One from 1980 and the other four from 1982. unknown
