THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG
» Memorabilia
Opera Memorabilia: Tosca - The Tumultuous Premiere of a Puccini Classic
Some operas seem destined to take a firm place in the repertoire from their premiere, and Tosca can certainly be said to be one of these. Tosca opera memorabilia is widely sought-after, and a new production is something that is always guaranteed to sell well, or if cast with international...
Richard Strauss Memorabilia: Lost Photo Found - Strauss and Vienna 1929
Two years ago while antique shopping in Purcellville, Virginia, I discovered a black lacquered frame with glass, sitting on the floor of a dingy consignment shop. Its only identifying mark at the time was a raised stamp near the bottom right, Herlango, which was a photograph company of Austria in...
Vienna Philharmonic 1926 – Large Original Etching by Ferdinand Schmutzer
Ferdinand Schmutzer (1870-1928), an Austrian artist, printmaker and photographer produced this etching , in 1926, featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, in rehearsal, under the baton of conductor Felix Weingartner (1863-1942). A number of texts have been written regarding this exceptional print, notably “Dermusikerportraits of Ferdinand Schmutzer”, Barbel Holaus , Vienna,...
Beautiful Memorabilia sold by the Met
Probably the most popular and celebrated memorabilia items associated with the Metropolitan Opera are pieces of the ornate Sputnik Chandeliers hanging in the main auditorium (see images). Now that the Met Opera is replacing these crystals with new ones, the old ones are for sale as souvenirs at the Met...
Renata Tebaldi – Signed Handkerchief from Otello
Collecting opera and classical music memorabilia not always focuses strictly on the usual autograph photos, letters, books, programs, and playbills. Over the years, we have seen many unusual items that can become treasured collectibles by the music fan. They include signed ballet pointe shoes, conductor´s batons - signed and unsigned...
Marc Chagall´s Poster “Die Zauberflote”
We love it when customers frame their purchases from us and send us a picture! Here is one of a poster we sold unframed, our customer was nice to send us a picture of the final product, beautifully framed. Back in 1966, five thousand of these posters were created in...
Sign Here: Opera Magazines!
For a long time, opera fans have been turning to opera-related publications such as programs, librettos, scores and even opera magazines, all for the purpose of getting them autographed by their favorite artists. Opera magazines offer a good option, since most feature beautiful photographs of opera stars in their covers....
Sign Here: Autograph Books!
An autograph book is simply a small notebook where someone collects autographs from others. Shown here is an autograph album page, signed by opera singer Claudia Muzio, with a short text quote from the opera "Tosca". They started to be used as early as the 16th century among students in...
Caruso Porcelain Figurines
Made at different times, porcelain figurines of the superstar Italian tenor (1873-1921) are valuable, sought-after collectibles that one can find in antique shops, auction houses and even flea markets around the globe. Top Line (from left to right): Caruso as Canio in Pagliacci, his signature role, first 2 from the...
Opera & Concert Scrapbooks: A Window to the Past – The Biggest One Yet?
In the 19th and early 20th century, people who regularly attended opera, music concerts and theater performances many times kept a scrapbook with clippings from programs. Keeping the full program from performances demanded space and especial care, so using a good pair of scissors to cut out the cast page...
