Composer Autographs - Photos (over $500)

German opera composer (1864-1949), one of the greatest of the 20th century, whose best-known works are Elektra, Salome, and Der Rosenkavalier. Beautiful cabinet photo of signed by Strauss twice; photo by Albert Meyer, Berlin, blind-stamped on the front with the year 1906. The first signature is in black ink at the bottom with the written text "Hamburg" below in his handwriting. The second signature is over the top of his head, in blue ink. On verso, a text in ink by a different hand reads "Heard Dr. Strauss in a song recital with Fraulein Schumann... Nov 21st, 1921". Size is 4.1 x 6.5 inches, in very good condition. VERY rare! Richard Strauss toured America in 1921 with soprano Elisabeth Schumann, and on November 21st they performed in St. Louis with Schumann singing Strauss songs and Strauss at the piano. 

German composer (1864-1949) and conductor, best known for his tone poems and his operas Salome, Elektra, Der Rosenkavalier, and others; considered a successor of Wagner and Liszt.  Nice black-and-white photo postcard signed by him on the front with a short message in German on verso to Professor Joseph Suttner, dated August 30, 1941. Size is 3.3 x 5.25 inches, jagged edges, in very good condition.

Russian, later French and American composer (1882-1971), widely considered one of the most important of the 20th century. Signed photo, shown from behind at the podium conducting, on the occasion of a performance of his violin concerto at Hollywood High School, 1940, by the American violinist and friend Sol Babitz (1911-1982). Stravinsky inscribed this photo to Batitz, and dated his signature on Oct 27th, 1940. This is an original photograph by Otto Rothschild, who stamped on ink on verso, size is 10 x 8 inches. Minor tape residues over borders and some small creases, otherwise in very good condition.

Russian composer (1882-1971), pianist, and conductor; widely considered one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. Nice black-and-white photograph mounted on cardboard and matted signed and inscribed to Cirilo Grassi Diaz (head of Teatro Colon).  Total size is 4.2 x 5.65 inches, minor loss of paper over the lower-left corner, minor scratches, in overall very good condition. Contrast in actual photograph is much better than in the scan.

Star Russian composer (1840-1893) of the late romantic period, today one of the most popular composers in the classical music world. Wonderful cabinet photo, signed by him, dated on Dec 18th, 1882. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, minor stains, in very good condition, no photographer name. 

Star Russian composer (1840-1893) of the late romantic period, today one of the most popular composers in the classical music world.  Great signed cabinet photo showing the composer seated, inscribed and dated on October 24th, 1887 to Vasily Vasilyevich Yastrebtsov, who was a Russian musicologist (1866-1934), later biographer of Rimsky-Korsakov and museum director.  On verso, Yastbretsov wrote that this autograph was signed to him on occasion of the memorial concert to composer Alexander Borodin - who had died a few months earlier in that year - and that the actual occasion was in the morning of October 25th, 1887 (Tchaikovsky incorrectly wrote as Oct. 24th). Below this, is a short text by the wife of Georgy M. Rimsky-Korsakov (1901-1965), grandson of the famous composer of the same last name, and a composer and teacher at the Leningrad Conservatory for over 30 years. He received this photo from Yastbretsov, and upon his death in 1965, his wife wrote this photo was handed over to a new owner named Mikhail Grigorievich Bialik. This is one of the very rare cases in which we can trace back in time not only the precise occasion of signing but perhaps the full line of ownership!. Size is 4.3 x 6.7 inches, very uniform overall age-toning, darker on verso, wear on edges, but still in very good condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. Nice imperial sepia cabinet photograph signed by him and dated July 30, 1899, at Montecatini, shown during a social meeting; original photo by Pietro Tempestini (Spezia, Italy). From left to right: Giuseppina Pasqua, doctor Pietro Grocco, Teresa Stolz, Giuseppe Verdi, Leopoldo Mugnone and his mistress. Standing: Verdi´s secretary and Astore Giacomelli.  Size is 9.75 x 6.8 inches, in excellent condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. Great signed cabinet photo by Benque, Paris, dated in 1892. Photo is signed and inscribed to French soprano Blanche Marchesi (1863-1940), daughter of the famous mezzo-soprano and singing teacher Mathilde Marchesi (1821-1913).  Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, the front is in very fine condition with some wear on corners, verso shows rust and mounting traces. See scans.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840.  Beautiful cabinet photograph of the composer signed by him and inscribed to Gregor Mayer, dated October 15th, 1889.  Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, ink is a bit faded but still clearly visible, some repairs over the upper border, rust stains on verso, in overall very good condition.

Star Italian opera composer (1813-1901), a central opera composer in all Europe for 50 years, starting in 1840. Fine photograph of the composer by photographer Montabone signed by Verdi. Size is 2.5 x 3.75 inches, some fading over the image and signature but still very visible, crease over the upper-left corner, otherwise in very good condition.

German composer (1900-1950), who was a leading stage composer in Germany and later moved to the United States, becoming a citizen in 1943, whose most famous work is The Threepenny Opera. Beautiful second-generation photo print signed by him. Size is 5 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.