Literature Autographs

French writer (1883-1984) and collector, collaborated with composers such as Massenet, Saint-Saëns, Ravel, and Fauré before devoting himself successfully to novelistic and theatrical writing. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated 1931, to the writer, member of the Académie des sciences, lettres et arts d'Amiens Henri Chenu: “…je viens de lire votre délicieux discours de l’Académie d’Amien et vous en félicite (…) Quel dommage de ne pas vous avoir vu à ma séance Lesueur (…) voici: votre groupement théâtral “la jeune comédie”, m’intéressa beaucoup. Pourrait on y monter une oeuvre de…, soit celle jouée ici au théâtre des arts, dans la direction de Lurel (1924), soit celle jouée à Bruxelles avec la Comédie-Française, soit encore celle montée par Gaston Baty [1885-1952]…”. Size is 8.4 x 10.6 inches, 1 page, central fold, in overall very good 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 actor, theater director and writer (1887-1964), known mainly for his popular biographies which made him the leading British biographer of his time, in terms of commercial success. Set of 2 1 page typed letters signed, both dated in 1949 addressed to various editors of the Saturday Review of Literature, an American literary publication referring to his published review of a book about George Bernard Shaw. Also included is the 6 page typed review. Each of these three documents are 8 x 10 inches, with several creases and folds, but in otherwise very good condition. Not sold separately.

English author (1862-1960), and also a poet and dramatist. Card signed by the author mounted on a larger piece of paper with a newspaper article about his death, dated December 30th, 1960. Size is 8.4 x 9.4 inches, in excellent condition.

American journalist (1833-1896), notorious for his anti-Lincoln sentiment during the American Civil War. Fantastic carte-de-visite (CDV) signed by him, shown young (circa the 1860s). Size is 2.4 x 3.9 inches, in excellent 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 fiction writer (1875-1950), celebrated for his adventure and science-fiction novels, including Tarzan. Signed check printed with his name in Tarzana, CA, dated in 1939. Size is 8.4 x 3 inches, protected in hard plastic case, in excellent condition. PSA-DNA Certificate of Authenticity.

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

French politician (1831-1913), writer, journalist and politician, founder of the of the newspaper “L’Intransigeant” in 1880. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him, dated 1908, to the French writer Jeanne Loiseau-Lapauze, wife to the art critic Henry: "... I have no news of the famous portrait, but I suppose it is installed in your little Palace. Judging by your charming verses, I guess your loan is at least as attractive as that of Fontainebleau...". Open size is 9.6 x 6.6 inches, two written pages in a folded sheet, overall rust stains, folds, otherwise in very good condition.

Austrian poet (1819-1904). Manuscript poem in German for famous Austrian ballerina Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) signed below by the poet himself.  Size is 5.7 x 8.8 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet, folds, minor stains, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a transcription in German and a translation into English.

Italian poet (1788-1865), and librettist for Don Nicetti and Bellini. Autograph letter signed, dated in Turin, 1849. One page, in Italian (sold untranslated), sized 8.25 x 10.4 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.

French poet (1857-1926), painter, writer, art critic, and director of the magazine "La Revue Lyrique et Choréographique". Set of three autographs letters in French (sold untranslated) signed by him and addressed to the art critic Henry Lapauze, as follows: A. Marseille, 1886, sending an issue of the magazine and requesting Lapauze to write an article to be published. 1 written page. B. Marseille, Dec. 2, 1886, saying, among other things, "... I am a poet before I am a dilettante and in a few months I intend to offer you a volume of verse...". 4 written pages. C. Marseille Dec. 4, 1886, with letterhead “Revue Lyrique & Choréographique”, concerning an article. 1 page. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

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.

British writer (b.1965) and philanthropist, best known for writing the Harry Potter fantasy series, which has won multiple awards and sold more than 500 million copies. Fine color photograph signed by her, shown promoting one of her books.  Size is 10.7 x 8.1 inches, authentication sticker on verso, in excellent condition.

English writer (1819-1900), philosopher, and art critic. Clip with his signature (probably the bottom of a letter). Size is 3 x .75 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is an unsigned carte-de-visite (CDV) by Elliot & Fry (London). Size is 2.3 x 4.1 inches minor mounting traces on verso, otherwise in very good condition.

French writer and critic (1818-1891). Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated 1871. Size is 5.25 x 8.1 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, otherwise in excellent condition.

French writer (1869-1950), philanthropist, and founder of the Université des Annales. Collection of five autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by her as "Madame A. Brisson", dated between 1946 and 1949. All letters are about the years of the Université des Annales' journal "Conferencia", concerning music matters and upcoming concerts. We report an extract as a sample, concerning a book by Bernard Gavoty about the composer Jehan Alain (1911-1940): "...Quel plaisir vous m'avez fait, et quelle émotion vous m'avez donnée en m'envoyant ce beau, j'allais dire, ce pathétique livre sur Jehan Alain (...) je le relirai plus attentivement encore voulant en extraire un passage pour Conférencia..." .  Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

Famous French dramatist (1831-1908), whose plays were turned into popular operas (Tosca, Fedora and others).  Large signed photo shown as himself, inscribed, mounted on a photographer mat; original photo by Paul Bayer, Paris.  Total size is 8.25 x 12.6 inches (actual photo is 5 x 8.4 inches), minor wear on corners, in excellent condition.

French philosopher, novelist (1905-1980), critic and political activist. Signed program for a performance of "Keane" at The Kings theater based on Dumas' novel adapted by Sartre for theatre (1953). Sartre signs on his picture, inscribed on page 3. Program was also signed by director Pierre Brasseur on his photo and also by actors Roger Pigaut and actress Claude Gensac. Full program with all his pages and covers. Size is 5.25 x 7.1 inches, in very good 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.

German poet (1800-1886) and author of the very popular German folksong "Ein Heller un Ein Batzen". Beautiful cabinet photograph of the poet by Hanns Hanfstaengl (Berlin) signed and inscribed by Schlippenbach with a short sentiment on verso dated 1884. Size is 4.25 x 6.5 inches, in excellent condition.

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.

French dramatist and librettist (1791-1861), wrote the libretto for many famous operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi and others. Two autograph note signed, in French (sold untranslated), each one is one page with his initials embossed at the top left corners. One is 5.1 x 8 inches and the other 5.25 x 6.25 inches, in good condition.

French dramatist and librettist (1791-1861), wrote the libretto for many famous operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, and others. An autograph note in French signed by him recommending someone (probably the last part from a longer letter whose top is missing) mounted on a card. Size is 3.8 x 2.6 inches, minor stains, in very good condition. Translation and Transcription are ALSO INCLUDED.

French music critic and musicologist (1806-1864). Set of four autograph letters in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated between 1841 and 1854. Scudo addresses the jurist Joseph Ortolan (1802-1873), concerning private matters and meetings. We report an extract as a sample: “…Je ne pourrai pas être de votres aujourd’hui, car je suis obligé d’assister à la reprise de La donna del Lago au Théâtre italien…”. Different sizes, lengths, and conditions (see scans provided for a detailed view). SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

French dramatist and librettist (1719-1797), especially noted for his librettos for operas. Printed document in French (untranslated) signed by him and dated in Paris, May 22, 1791, concerning "Décharges d'Arrérages de rentes", with details of rents collected by the French dramatist.  Size is 6.7 x 8.5 inches, folds and creases, in overall very good condition.

Irish playwright (1856-1950), critic, polemicist, and political activist, whose influence on Western theatre, culture, and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. His book "The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God" (1932) signed, inscribed, and dated by him on October 5, 1934. Published by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh, 1932, first edition.  Size is 5.3 x 8.2 inches, 74 pages, semi-hard covers, some wear on the spine, inside in excellent condition.  

Irish playwright (1956-1950) and critic, whose influence on Western theatre, culture, and politics extended from the 1880s on. His original business card signed by him with his initials adding an enigmatic short text quote, dated June 6, 1940. Size is 4.5 x 2.1 inches, mat burn signs, otherwise in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a half-tone unsigned photograph of the writer, shown in his elder days. Size is 4.5 x 7.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Irish playwright (1956-1950) and critic, whose influence on Western theatre, culture, and politics extended from the 1880s on. Playbill signed by him announcing his comedy "Too True to Be Good" (1932) at Cincinnati (no year indicated).  Size is 5.8 x 8.5 inches, 1 sheet, small crack over the left border, otherwise in excellent condition.

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.

French poet (1837-1901), and librettist, author of many opéra-comique librettos, including Saint-Säens' "Henry VIII" (1883). Autograph note in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated June 10, 1887, to a gentleman, thanking him for a present, saying he would ask to D'Auber to write an article on his "XV pièce de mariage". Size is 4.5 x 7.1 inches, 1 page, central fold, in 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 crime novelist (1918-2006), active between 1947-2006. Beautiful black-and-white photograph signed by him. Size is 8 x 9.9 inches, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a card printed with the name of his most famous novel character "Mike Hammer". Size is 5 x 3 inches, in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

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 writer (1783-1842), one of the best in his country in the first half of the 19th century, best known for his novels The Red and the Black (1830), and The Charterhouse of Parma (1839). His real name was Marie-Henri Beyle. Autograph note signed, in French, dated by him in 1809, about an appointment. Sold with translation and transcription. Size is 6 x 4.1 inches, in excellent condition.

Famous Argentinian poet of the modernist period (1892-1938). A very relevant voice among Latin American poets, Storni died young by committing suicide (walked into the sea and drowned).  Handwritten poem, signed by her, entitled "Faro en la Noche" (Lighthouse in the Night), in Spanish, dated by her in Buenos Aires in 1934. Also included is the first edition of her book "Mundo de Siete Pozos" (A World of Seven Pits), Editorial Tor, Buenos Aires, 1934 - where this poem was published for the first time.  Poem is one page, 4.5 x 7.1 inches, in excellent condition, book has 160 pages, hard covers (not original), 5 x 7.1 inches, ownership marks on title page, in very good condition. Rare!

French novelist (1804-1857). Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by him. Size is 4.2 x 5.3 inches, 3 written pages in one folded sheet, in very good condition.

English author (1837-1919), who was an important figure during the late Victorian literary scene. Autograph letter in English signed by her about personal matters. Size is 4.3 x 6.8 inches, three written pages in one folded sheet, folds, some stains, storage holes, in very good condition.

English novelist (1811-1863), and illustrator. His signature cut (probably the bottom of a letter or document). Size is 1.75 x 0.8 inches, in very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a carte-de-visite (CDV) of him. Size is 2.25 x 3.75 inches, mounting traces on verso, in very good condition.

French statesman and historian (1797-1877), second elected President of France and first President of the French Third Republic. Large signed photograph (21 x 27.25 inches !), also hand signed by famous photographer Leon Bonnat (1833-1922) - his portraits of Victor Hugo and Louis Adolphe Thiers are among his most famous works. Size of the actual photograph without the mat around (inside the golden borders) is 13 x 17.5 inches. The actual photo print is in excellent condition, original photographer mat has some loss of paper on corners, overall aging coloration and some stains. There is a clear crease over the left border, but is still in very good condition. This is a rare, large size item! See scans of item and detail of the signatures.  

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.