Literature Autographs ($50 - $100)

Russian literature scholar (1924-2009), who lived most of his life in the USA; an expert in Russian and Slavonic literature. Typed letter in English signed by him addressed to the American composer Lucas Foss, about music matters. Size is 7.9 x 10.5 inches, 1 page, in excellent condition.

British writer (1880-1946). Black-and-white photo postcard signed by him in 1917. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, some writing on verso by another hand, in excellent condition.

American author (1899-1989). Black-and-white photograph signed by her. Size is 3.5 x 5 inches, in excellent condition.

American musical critic and author (1857-1918), best known for his guide to the operas, "The Complete Opera Book" first published in the United States in 1919 and the United Kingdom in 1922. Autograph letter signed, 5 pages, dated in March 1918, size of each page is 8 x 9.75 inches, small tear on left side of final page, otherwise in very good condition. 

Russian ballet historian (1915-1999) and critic, highly respected for her books and articles.  Beautiful photograph shown at home signed and inscribed by her with a short sentiment.  Size is 5.25 x 3.2 inches, in excellent condition.

Polish-born French poet (1857-1908), autograph letter signed. 1 page with very attractive handwriting and signature. Written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, in very good condition.

English poet (1784-1834), politician, and writer. Autograph letter signed by him, dated December 28th, 1820. Size is 7.25 x 8.9 inches, 4 pages written on a folded sheet, some damage over the upper border, folds, otherwise in very good condition.

French writer (1807-1903), dramatist, and women's rights activist. Set of two autograph letters signed by him (no date). One of them addressed to the French physician and poet Théophile Coupier (1820-1872), and the other, to a gentleman, thanking him for his appreciation.  Sizes are 5.1 x 8 inches and 5.2 x 8 inches, overall rust tone, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French writer (1853-1914), dramatist, and critic. Short autograph letter in French (untranslated) on a card signed by him, dated 1907. Size is 4.4 x 3.4 inches, in excellent condition.

American novelist (1925-2013), short-story writer, and screenwriter. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 10 x 7.9 inches, in excellent condition.

German journalist and writer (1859-1943). Fine black-and-white photo postcard with a short autograph note in German signed by him on verso, dated in Berlin, 1909. Size is 5.4 x 3.3 inches, in excellent condition.

British author (1885-1952). Autograph note in English signed by him, no date. Size is 7.8 x 9.9 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition.

American Lawyer and writer (1861 – 1927), best known for his short story "Madame Butterfly", which inspired Puccini's opera of the same name. Signature cut mounted on album page which also contains an unsigned portrait etching. Signature cut is 2.75 x 4.75 inches, total item is sized at 5 x 9 inches, attractive vintage item in excellent condition. 

Irish author (1868-1960), novelist, and poet. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 3.1 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian writer (b.1936) whose work focuses mostly on women's issues having written numerous plays and novels. Fine color photograph signed by her. Size is 7.9 x 9.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American poet (1933-2015), singer, songwriter, and composer; active between 1955 and 2004. Black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment dated in August 1984. Size is 7.9 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

American playwright (1915-2005).  Fine card signed by him. Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition.

English novelist (1904-1973). Autograph letter in English signed by her and dated 1963. Size is 5.3 x 7 inches, 2 written pages in 1 sheet, central fold, in excellent condition.

Canadian writer (1874-1942) best known for a collection of novels, essays, short stories, and poetry. Nice black-and-white photograph signed by her. Size is 2.8 x 4.6 inches, jagged edges, in very good condition.

British statesman (1838-1923), and newspaper editor. Autograph letter in English signed by him, dated 1874. Size is 4.3 x 7 inches, 1 page, folds, in excellent condition.

English writer (1879-1940) of adventure fiction, who also wrote under the pseudonym of Walter Galt, best known as the author of King of the Khyber Rifles and the Jimgrim series. Small black-and-white photograph signed and inscribed by him with a short sentiment. Size is 2.2 x 3.3 inches, in excellent condition.

French dramatist (1854-1916) and composer, who often collaborated with other playwrights, composers, and musicians, for a large number of operettas, opéra-bouffes, comedies, and vaudevilles. Autograph letter in Frnch (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, October 19, 1897, to a gentleman composer, concerning a manuscript he cannot find: “…Il me semble vous l’avoir remis en vous disant: ‘gardez tout le commencement du second acte et modifiez surtout la fin qui couchait la pièce’…”.  Size is 4.6 x 7 inches each page, three written pages in one folded sheet, irregular borders, creases, folds, dirt stains, in good condition.

French dramatist (1854-1916), a prolific author in creating theatrical works. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, January 27, 1908, to a gentleman composer: “…J’ai hâte également d’entendre votre partition, dont Alexandre est très enthousiaste, ce que je comprends d’avance…”. Size is 4.2 x 5.4 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back) with SACD letterhead, creases, folds, rust stains, and a punched hole at the top, in good condition.

American actress and writer (1899-1979); active between 1920 and 1970. Black-and-white photograph signed by her with a short sentiment. Size is 8 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition.

German actor (1823-1880), reciter, and writer. Autograph letter signed by him, written in German (sold untranslated), dated in Hamburg, 1871.  Size is 5 x 8 inches, 2 pages written on both sides of a sheet, folds, in excellent condition.

English poet (1842-1916), and also translator and publisher. Autograph letter signed by him on the first page, mentioning three of his works on the second page, dated April 1st, 1985.  Size is 5 x 7.9 inches, 2 written pages, folds, in excellent condition.

British novelist (1877-1948) who wrote popular works of romantic fiction. Fine black-and-white photograph signed by her. Size is 4.3 x 6.1 inches, in very good condition.

French dramatist (1814-1867) and poet. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Vienna, June 1, [1859], where he addresses a gentleman, thanking him for having sent a volume he recently translated and rejoices for the theater re-opening, hoping for new successes on the stage for the soprano Marie-Stéphanie Meyer (1828-1914).  Size is 5.3 x 8.3 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, creases, overall age toning, in very good condition.

French poet (1864-1936). Fine autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.1 x 6.75 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), some stains, in very good condition.

American writer (1885-1957) of historical novels. Small card signed by him. Size is 5.4 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition.

French writer (1805-1870), journalist, and director of the Paris Opera between 1847 and 1854. Set of 2 autograph letters signed by him. One of them, dated 1837, was written by a third hand but signed by him. Size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, 1 page in French, in very good condition. The second one is an autograph note written and signed by the writer, with letterhead, 1 page in French, size is 5.25 x 8.2 inches, in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATED.

Australian writer/novelist (1859-1936), her actual name was Elfie Adelaide Maria Henderson, later changed to Albanesi (Elfie Marie Albanesi), using her husband´s last name. Under the pen name of Rowlands, she became famous for publishing over 250 six-penny novels. Autograph note signed, dated in London in 1913, thanking someone for a letter to her. One page, 5 x 6.4 inches, mounted on soft cardboard, in excellent condition.

French dramatist (1794-1877), theatre director, and critic. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in January 1863. Both letters are addressed to the Director of the Société de Beaux Arts Louise Martinet (1814-1895), concerning a new “…centre de publicité musicale…”. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German Writer (1889-1969). Autograph letter in French signed by her, dated in Munich, 1924, to Arturo Toscanini, who desired an autograph letter by Richard Wagner: "... Countess Blandine Gravina, who came to see me on the way, told me of your desire to have an autograph of Richard Wagner. A happy coincidence gives me the opportunity to send you one; it is a letter from Wagner to Malwina von Meÿsenberg, the great friend of the Wagner family, the author of the famous "Memoirs of an Idealist (...) The enclosed letter is an invitation from Wagner to the "Mastersinger" in Munich 1868...". Each page's size is 5.6 x 8.7 inches, 4 written pages, in very good condition. Envelope is INCLUDED.

French philosopher (1841-1929), poet, playwright, novelist, music critic, and publicist of esoteric literature. Autograph letter in French signed by him, dated in Paris, March 6, 1921, where he addresses a gentleman, concerning Bossuet's music connections. Size is 4.4 x 6.9 inches, 3 written pages, vertical fold, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is his visiting card with a short message written by Schure, dated March 29, 1922.

American writer (1864-1955) and teacher of English literature. Autograph letter written on both sides of a card signed by her and dated 1946. Size is 4.25 x 2.75 inches, in very good condition. Its original envelope is ALSO INCLUDED.

French writer (1837-1901), librettist, whose poems have been set to music by Camille Saint-Saëns, André Messager, Léo Delibes, Benjamin Godard, and many others. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 25 Nov. 1897, concerning some newspaper directors: “…M. Walduck Romeau est l’ami de Valentin Simond; mais je crois que Valentin Simond n’est plus grand … au journal l’Echo où prévaut son fils…”. Size is 8.4 x 11.6 inches, 1 page, mounted on a larger piece of cardboard, in overall very good condition.

American playwright (1927-2018), screenwriter, and author. Fine black-and-white photograph signed by him, shown in his office. Size is 7.9 x 9.8 inches, in excellent condition.

American playwright (1927-2018), screenwriter, and author. Beautiful color casual photograph signed by him, shown young. Size is 7.8 x 9.7 inches, probably trimmed at the bottom, otherwise in excellent condition.

French musicologist (1846-1918) and music critic. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date, where he addresses the musicologist Johannes Weber (1818-1902): "...Je viens pour la 17e fois vous recommander mon petit Almanach des Spectacles...". Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 1 page, central fold and some light creases, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is his visiting card signed by him with a short sentiment dated August 24, 1886.

American poet (1833-1908), critic, and essayist.  Autograph note signed by him initialized as "E.C.S.". Size 4.7 x 7.6 inches, plus a card also signed by him, 4.9 x 3.8 inches in size, both in excellent condition.

French musicologist (1827-1894) and bibliophile, one of the first to study French music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date [ probably Paris, 1861 ca.], where he addresses a gentleman, concerning the renown engraver Firmin Gillot, inventor of the printing method based on relief photo-engraving known as "Gillotage": "...Je ne puis vous envoyer mon homme car il ne se dérangera pas. C'est lui qui fait toutes les planches des journaux illustrés tels que la Vie Parisienne, Le journal amusant (...) Il est donc très occupé et le plus simple est d'aller chez lui...".  Size is 5.2 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds and creases, overall dust stains, missing upper-right corner, in overall very good condition.

French musicologist (1857-1936), remembered for his work on folk songs of the French Alps. Set of two autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, both dated 1912. We report an extract as a sample, concerning an autograph dedication by Gaspare Spontini: "...J'avais l'an dernier chez Costa-Borgna l'exemplaire des trios de César Franck revetus de la dédicace à Spontini, et j'apprends maintenant que c'est nous qui en êtes l'heureux possesseur. Je voudrais pour une publication de documents autographes, pouvoir reproduire par la photographie l'une de ces dédicaces de l'auteur de Béatitudes à l'auteur de La Vestale...".  Size is 5.5 x 8.4 inches each, 1 written page each, central folds, light creases, printed letterhead, both in very good condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

German writer (1864-1946) of novels and short stories. Fine sepia photo postcard signed by him. Size is 3.3 x 5.3 inches, in excellent condition.

American author (1827-1916) An album page signed by him with a short text quote dated March 1892. Size is 5 x 4 inches, loss of paper at the bottom, otherwise in good condition.

English writer (1787-1849) and politician, a Shakespeare scholar. Autograph letter signed by him, written on both sides of a sheet. Size is 4.4 x 7.4 inches, 2 pages, folds, in very good condition.

French writer (1819-1893). Collection of three autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, no date, addressed to the literary critic Paul de Saint-Victor (1827-1881), concerning his contemporary composers: "...M. Victor Massé vient de publier un recueil de 12 mélodies qui a tout l'intérêt d'une partition. M. Victor Massé appartient avec Gounod et Félicien David a cette école qu'on pourrait appeler en musique l'école philosophique, talent peut-être un peu chercheur, et sait toujours rendre ses idées dans une forme élevée autant qu'original....".  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American poet (1885-1977). Fine black-and-white printed portrait of him in a photo. Size is 4.25 x 5.1 inches, in excellent condition.