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2013Best.-Nr. CNAP098bSan Francisco: The Arion Press 2013. Hardcover. New. Kara Walker. Quarto 12-5/8 by 9-3/4 inches 136 pages. Prints editioned by Derrière L’Etoile Studio NYC under the supervision of Maurice Sanchez. Bound with red leather spine and printed cotton sides in slipcase. Edition of 400 numbered and signed copies for sale. Additional suite of four lithographs different from the images in the book signed and numbered by the artist. This artist book of Porgy & Bess the libretto by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin is the occasion for Kara Walker’s first series of lithographs. The book contains 16 lithographs with another four images not in the book in a separate portfolio. Porgy & Bess has been controversial since its premiere in 1935; Kara Walker is known for her controversial art on themes of race violence and American history. In her Artist’s Statement she says of the characters: "they’ve become archetypes of another no less grand drama that of: ‘American Negroes drawn up by white authors and retooled by individual actors amid charges of racism and counter charges of high-art on stage and screen in the face of social and political upheaval over generations." This fraught status along with memories of her mother’s reaction to a cast recording led her to render them in a straightforward way "…more an homage to the feeling of the music. And to that feeling I had as a child of a heavy atmosphere hanging around a timeless act of love." ___POSTAGE: International customers please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA ILAB and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have we are here to help. The Arion Press hardcover books
1931Best.-Nr. 020634New York NY: RKO Pictures Inc. 1931. Autograph. Very good condition. Unbound. Signed by Authors. First Edition. Quarto 4to. Two-page typed contract complete between the composers and RKO Pictures Inc. dated March 9 1931. The document signed by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin formalizes former agreements to secure the copyright to seven previously unpublished songs that were all incorporated in the musical "Girl Crazy" which opened on Broadway on October 14 1930. The songs include: 1 Boy What Love Has Done To Me. 2 But Not For Me. 3 Could You Use Me. 4 Embraceable You. 5 I Got Rhythm. 6 Sam and Delilah. 7 Bidin' My Time. CONDITION: minor creasing and staple holes. Countersigned and with the stamp and embossed seal of Notary Public Ralph Kravette. These songs and this musical performance launched Ginger Rogers' career. RKO Pictures, Inc. Paperback
1935Best.-Nr. 1246541935. First Edition. Signed. GERSHWIN George. Porgy and Bess. An Opera in Three Acts. By George Gershwin. Libretto by DuBose Heyward. Lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Production Directed by Rouben Mamoulian. New York: Random House 1935. Folio original full red morocco raised bands black leather label on front cover top edge gilt. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $48500.Deluxe limited edition of the piano-vocal score of Porgy and Bess number 103 of only 250 copies signed by George Gershwin Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian additionally inscribed by Gershwin to his lover Kay Swift who was intimately involved in the composition of the piece: ÒFor Kay Ñ/ Best Ñ/ George / Nov. 1 1935.Ó According to Ohl ÒbestÓ their code word for ÒloveÓ allowed them to be discreet.This deluxe edition of the piano-vocal score according to Fuld no orchestral score has ever been published was published in 1935 the year of Porgy and Bess premiere almost simultaneously with the first edition and is boldly signed on the limitation page at the rear by George and Ira Gershwin and the other principal creators of Porgy and Bess: librettist DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian. Fuld 539. The recipient Kay Swift met Gershwin in 1925. A highly educated beauty of prominent social position she was not yet known as a songwriter her first big hit would be in 1929 with ""Can't We Be Friends"". ""If one measures by the dedication of his Song-Book to her his generous gifts of paintings manuscripts and other keepsakes that betokened affection plus the many hours he spent with her Gershwin obviously had a special place in his heart for Kay SwiftÉ With Kay Gershwin probably came as close to settling down with one woman as he ever did"" Schwarz 190. Swift was extensively involved with the composition of Porgy and Bess almost from the beginning: Swift was Gershwin's guest at the premiere of the play version by Heyward's wife. When composing the operaÑmuch of which occurred at a cottage on Swift's country estateÑSwift was often in her words Gershwin's ""soundboard"" for new ideas. ""'He'd call me and tell me to rush over to play the orchestra part of a song. He couldn't sing. Neither could Ira. But we'd all sing Ira's or DuBose Heyward's lyrics sounding like a chorus of crowsÉ Each day as the work grew a few of usÑBill Daly his close friend and favorite conductor and myself Ira of course and DuBose Heyward who wrote the libretto as well as some of the lyrics were probably present much of the time. It was thrilling to hear the themes develop the recitatives build into such an inevitable part of the score that they flowed as naturally as spoken words would. The whole sparkled with a fantastic quality of imaginationÉ She also had an even more direct part in the opera's development. In addition to listening singing and playing the work in progress Swift sometimes notated portions of pieces for Gershwin evidently to expedite his later work on the compositions. He believed she wrote faster and more neatly than she could."" Extensive portions of the original manuscript now in the Gershwin collection at the Library of Congress are in Swift's hand demonstrating ""her role as an assistant to the composer and signify the trust he must have placed in her and her notational and musical abilities"" Ohl 95-96. During actual production Swift attended most rehearsals and was present at many of the casting decisions. After the preview run in Boston it was clear that the four-hour opera was too long so ""Gershwin Mamoulian composer Alexander Steinert and Kay Swift walked the Boston Common in the early hours of the morning deciding which portions to cut""; one month later at the premiere in New York ""Swift was seated between George and Ira"". Later Swift would deliver lectures throughout the country as part of the promotion of Porgy and Bess. ""Ira recalled that she had memorized the entire 559-page score and would be illustrating songs from it at the piano"" Ohl 97-98. ""After her yeoman's effort during Porgy and Bess he presented her with a leather-bound autographed score the present copy that reads simply 'Tosic Kay. Best. George.' 'Best' their code word for 'love' allowed them to be discreet"" Ohl 115. Interior fine spine somewhat toned light rubbing to spine ends. A near-fine copy with an extraordinary association. hardcover
1935Best.-Nr. 1246541935. First Edition. Signed. GERSHWIN George. Porgy and Bess. An Opera in Three Acts. By George Gershwin. Libretto by DuBose Heyward. Lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Production Directed by Rouben Mamoulian. New York: Random House 1935. Folio original full red morocco raised bands black leather label on front cover top edge gilt. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $48500.Deluxe limited edition of the piano-vocal score of Porgy and Bess number 103 of only 250 copies signed by George Gershwin Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian additionally inscribed by Gershwin to his lover Kay Swift who was intimately involved in the composition of the piece: ÒFor Kay Ñ/ Best Ñ/ George / Nov. 1 1935.Ó According to Ohl ÒbestÓ their code word for ÒloveÓ allowed them to be discreet.This deluxe edition of the piano-vocal score according to Fuld no orchestral score has ever been published was published in 1935 the year of Porgy and Bess premiere almost simultaneously with the first edition and is boldly signed on the limitation page at the rear by George and Ira Gershwin and the other principal creators of Porgy and Bess: librettist DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian. Fuld 539. The recipient Kay Swift met Gershwin in 1925. A highly educated beauty of prominent social position she was not yet known as a songwriter her first big hit would be in 1929 with ""Can't We Be Friends"". ""If one measures by the dedication of his Song-Book to her his generous gifts of paintings manuscripts and other keepsakes that betokened affection plus the many hours he spent with her Gershwin obviously had a special place in his heart for Kay SwiftÉ With Kay Gershwin probably came as close to settling down with one woman as he ever did"" Schwarz 190. Swift was extensively involved with the composition of Porgy and Bess almost from the beginning: Swift was Gershwin's guest at the premiere of the play version by Heyward's wife. When composing the operaÑmuch of which occurred at a cottage on Swift's country estateÑSwift was often in her words Gershwin's ""soundboard"" for new ideas. ""'He'd call me and tell me to rush over to play the orchestra part of a song. He couldn't sing. Neither could Ira. But we'd all sing Ira's or DuBose Heyward's lyrics sounding like a chorus of crowsÉ Each day as the work grew a few of usÑBill Daly his close friend and favorite conductor and myself Ira of course and DuBose Heyward who wrote the libretto as well as some of the lyrics were probably present much of the time. It was thrilling to hear the themes develop the recitatives build into such an inevitable part of the score that they flowed as naturally as spoken words would. The whole sparkled with a fantastic quality of imaginationÉ She also had an even more direct part in the opera's development. In addition to listening singing and playing the work in progress Swift sometimes notated portions of pieces for Gershwin evidently to expedite his later work on the compositions. He believed she wrote faster and more neatly than she could."" Extensive portions of the original manuscript now in the Gershwin collection at the Library of Congress are in Swift's hand demonstrating ""her role as an assistant to the composer and signify the trust he must have placed in her and her notational and musical abilities"" Ohl 95-96. During actual production Swift attended most rehearsals and was present at many of the casting decisions. After the preview run in Boston it was clear that the four-hour opera was too long so ""Gershwin Mamoulian composer Alexander Steinert and Kay Swift walked the Boston Common in the early hours of the morning deciding which portions to cut""; one month later at the premiere in New York ""Swift was seated between George and Ira"". Later Swift would deliver lectures throughout the country as part of the promotion of Porgy and Bess. ""Ira recalled that she had memorized the entire 559-page score and would be illustrating songs from it at the piano"" Ohl 97-98. ""After her yeoman's effort during Porgy and Bess he presented her with a leather-bound autographed score the present copy that reads simply 'Tosic Kay. Best. George.' 'Best' their code word for 'love' allowed them to be discreet"" Ohl 115. Interior fine spine somewhat toned light rubbing to spine ends. A near-fine copy with an extraordinary association. hardcover books
