Singers - Autograph Manuscripts ($50 - $100)

Famous American soprano (1864-1903), admired by Massenet and Saint-Saens. Among other roles, she was the first Thais in the world premiere at the Palais Garnier in Paris in 1894. Signed card, dated in 1895. Size is 2.25 x 3.5 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned mini-cabinet photograph, shown most likely in role, size is 2.25 x 3.75 inches, in excellent condition.  Not sold seperately. 

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym "Ralph Betterton". Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym "Ralph Betterton". 1 Autograph letter signed, 1 page, dated in 1892, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.  Also included: Autographed musical quote written on a 3.5 x 8.25 album page, signed by him in New York, dated in 1891, in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

English baritone and composer (1834-1922), composed music under the pseudonym "Ralph Betterton". Autographed musical quote written on a 4 x 4 inch album page mounted on soft cardboard (total item size is 5 x 6.75 inches), signed by him in Dublin, dated in 1896, in excellent condition. 

Italian soprano (1894-1948), autograph letter signed, written in 1940. 1 page of a 2-sided sheet, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 6 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian mezzo-soprano (1850-1922), very celebrated in her time, with a voice containing a range of 2 and a half octaves. Autograph letter signed 1 page written in Italian on letterhead of the Hotel Espanol in New York, dated in 1884. Sold untranslated but with typed transcription on a separate page (see scan). Size of the original letter is 8 x 10 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian bass (1838-1886), signed album page, signed in Graz, dated in 1876. Signature is on album page of 4.75 x 7.75 inches mounted onto larger album page of 6.25 x 8.75 pages, in excellent condition.

Austrian-American soprano (1879-1954), autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written on both sides of a 2 -sided 4.5 x 6.5 inch embossed card, written in English, dated in 1923. Several small bullet holes on the top, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Austrian-American soprano (1879-1954), autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written on a folded 4-page document, written in English, dated in New York in 1936. Size of each page is 5 x 7.75 inches, some rust stains on empty back page, otherwise in excellent condition. 

German baritone (1859-1923), who sang at the most important theaters and Festivals in Europe, including Bayreuth. Scheidemantel created the role of von Faninal in the world premiere of Der Rosenkavalier in 1911. Autograph letter signed by him, in 1 sheet of paper with his initials in the letter head (KS), in German, dated in 1897. Sold untranslated, size is 4.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Austrian soprano (1859-1910), autograph letter signed, discussing her repertoire. 3 folded pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Attractively embossed on front page. Size of each page is 4 x 6 inches, unfolded the total size is 6 x 8 inches, in excellent condition

German tenor (1855-1924), started his career as an operetta singer, later on focused on opera and sang in the world premiere of 3 operas by Karl Goldmark, one by D´Albert and in Die Drei Pintos by Weber-Mahler. Autograph note signed, with a text quote, dated in Vienna in 1910. Size is 10.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1848-1917). Autograph letter signed, written in Frankfurt, dated in 1883. 2 pages, written in German, sold untranslated. Size is 4.25 x 7 inches, in excellent condition.

Star German contralto (1861-1936), who had a very successful international career in Wagner roles. Album page signed by her with a short quote "In Art, life; in Life, truth" dated in Chicago, 1924. Additional signatures on front and verso.  Size is 5.6 x 4.2 inches, staple holes holes over the left border, in excellent condition.

Austrian soprano and mezzo-soprano (1803-1852). Set of autograph letters signed, one is handwritten by her and dated in 1841, the other dated in 1837 is in another person's handwriting but signed by her. The 1841 letter is on the first 2 pages of a 4 page document, 5.5 x 8.25 inches, slight tear on last 2 pages without text but otherwise in excellent condition. The 1837 letter is 1 page 5.5 x 7.75 inches with small stains on left side and tear on back pages but otherwise in good condition. Both are in Italian and sold untranslated. Not sold separately.

Star Italian baritone (1866-1936), one of the most important singers of the Metropolitan Opera for over 25 years. Autograph note signed, 1 page written in French sold untranslated, dated in 1889. Size is 4.75 x 8 inches (unfolded), in very good condition. Also included: unsigned postcard photograph, shown as himself, photo by Mishkin, New York. Size is 3.5 x 5.25 inches, in very good condition. Not sold separately. 

Star Italian baritone (1866-1936), one of the most important singers of the Metropolitan Opera for over 25 years. Album page signed and inscribed by him, dated in London, 1906. Size is 5 x 6.5 inches, central fold, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1906-1987), autograph letter signed, 6 pages  of text (3 2-sided pages), written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 4.75 x 8.25 inches,  in excellent condition.

Signed holiday card of the Japanese soprano, size is 4 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1848-1899), urban planner, and Socialist politician. Autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by him, dated in Paris, August 2, 1891, where he addresses a certain Mr. Jacquot: “…je vous félicite par Monsieur votre père à l’Expédition de Moscou, je partage votre satisfaction…”.  Size is 4.6 x 7.2 inches, two written pages in one sheet (front and verso), light smudge over the ink writting on the first age, central fodl, in overall excellent condition.

Famous Polish coloratura soprano (1858-1935), signed card, dated in 1924. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 2.25 x 3.75 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: 1 unsigned postcard photograph of her, shown as herself. Size is 3.5 x 5.25 inches, in excellent condition. Not sold separately.   

French tenor (1927-2018), particularly celebrated in character tenor roles.  Autograph note signed by him and dated August 11, 1956 (from Lydia Fournier's Guest Book). Size is 4.5 x 6.7 inches, in excellent condition.

Australian bass Harry Lempriere Pringle (1864-1914), autograph musical quote signed on the top of the page, dated in 1899 at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London, containing some music and text of Hunding in Wagner's Die Walkure. ALSO INCLUDED: At the bottom of the same page, signed autograph of French tenor Georges Imbart de La Tour (1865-1911), including short inscription with sentiment (written in French). Sold untranslated. This is an album page of 6.25 x 7.75 inches, small creases on edges, otherwise in excellent condition. 

English tenor (1821-1900). Short autograph note mounted over a slightly larger piece of soft cardboard signed by the tenor and dated 1862, stating "I am sorry to inform you that your song has been mislaid. I have so many compositions sent me that it becomes tiresome to remember them all." Total size is 5 x 7.5 inches, dust stains, folds, in overall good condition.

Moravian-born soprano and teacher (1853-?), autograph letter signed, 4 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5 x 8 inches, attractively embossed with her first name on the front page, in excellent condition.

Bohemian soprano/mezzo-soprano (1848-1928). Autograph letter signed as "Theresina Singer de Simens", no date. Written in two pages, in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Swedish soprano (1927-2009), known for both opera and song recital.  Lot of 1 signed card, shown as Christine in Richard Strauss's Intermezzo, inscribed with sentiment on the inside page, and 1 unsigned photo shown in role in Janacek's Makropoulos Case.  Signed card is 4 x 5.75 inches, the other photo is 4.75 x 6.75 inches. Both in excellent condition, not sold separately. 

French baritone (1918-2004), regarded as one of the very finest interpreters of French art songs. Autograph note in French signed by him, dated probably in 1954, on Lydia Fournier's Guests Book. Size is 4.5 x 6.7 inches, 1 pages, overall rust tone, in very good condition.

German bass (1796-1832), who focused mostly on basso buffo roles, his career developed mostly in Berlin. Autograph receipt note signed, handwritten in German (sold untranslated), dated by him in Berlin in 1827. One page sized 8.25 x 9.5 inches. Top corners are damaged, overall rust tone, otherwise in good condition, rare.

German baritone (1843-1905), later director of the Opera House in Konigsberg. Set of 2 presentation cards handwritten by him, one signed on verso as Max.

Austrian baritone (1850-1916), also known as "Josef" Staudigl, son of the Austrian Bass of the same name. Autograph note signed, dated in Vienna in 1905. 1 page, written in German, sold untranslated. Bold and clear handwriting and signature. Size is  5.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.

American contralto (1841-1904). Autograph note signed, signed as "Antoinette Sterling MacKinlay", reflecting her 1874 marriage to John Mackinlay. 4-page folded document (each page is 3.5 x 4.5 inches, unfolded item is 3.5 x 8.75 inches) written in English, in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1876-1945) who starred in the world premiere of operas by Puccini (as Madama Butterfly), Leoncavallo (as Zaza and Mimi in his La Boheme), Mascagni (as Lodoletta) and Giordano. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written in Italian, sold with a typed English translation. Size is 6.5 x 8.25 inches, some folds, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1876-1945) who starred in the world premiere of operas by Puccini (as Madama Butterfly), Leoncavallo (as Zaza and Mimi in his La Boheme), Mascagni (as Lodoletta) and Giordano. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1935, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 8.5 x 10.75 inches, in very good condition.

Italian baritone (1875-1955), who had a very successful and prolonged career interpreting Italian operas. His most memorable roles were Figaro (by Rossini) and Rigoletto (by Verdi).  Signed contract with Teatro La Scala, detailing what operas he will sing, salary, conditions, an interesting document. This is a carbon copy of the contract, four pages, Stracciari signs at the end of page 4, each page is 8.25 x 11.75 inches, folds, in excellent condition.

Canadian soprano (b.1938), a major star of the Met Opera and other international houses from the 1960s to the 1990s, sang a very broad range of repertoire. Autograph letter in English signed by her, dated Dec 16/91, to professor Patricia Lee: “...sorry for the delay. This was the first weekend in seven weeks that we were not rehearsing...”.  Size is 6.2 x 8.9 inches, in excellent condition.

Siberian-born soprano (1920-1987), one of the most admired coloratura voices of the post-WWII period. Set of 2 typed letters signed by her, with the letter head from the Vienna State Opera and dated in 1967 and 1968, plus a smaller page with her signature. In German, sold untranslated, each one is 8.2 x 11.5 inches, smaller page is 8 x 7.6 inches. Crack on one of the letters, storage holes in the smaller signed page, otherwise in very good condition.

Autograph music quote signed by the Austrian tenor (1858-1937), who focused mostly on operetta. Music quote from The Gypsy Baron, signed by him. Streitmann wrote under the quote "Friendly memories from the 1000th representation of the Gypsy Baron", Vienna 1909. One page, 8 x 8 inches, dated in Vienna in 1909, in excellent condition.

Austrian tenor (1858-1937), who world-premiere several operettas by Lehar, Johann Strauss and other composers. Autograph note signed, dated in 1888. Size is 4.5 x 7.25 inches, in excellent condition.

German soprano (1849-1927), signed card with textual quote from Wagner's Die Walkure, signed in Bayreuth, dated in 1896. Size is 3 x 4.5 inches, in excellent condition.

Signed album page containing multiple signatures - those of the British soprano Elsie Suddaby (1893-1980), English contralto Muriel Brunskill (1899-1980), the tenor John Adams, and the English bass-baritone Keith Falkner (1900-1994), dated from a performance of the Nottingham Sacred Harmonic Society in March, 1928. The album page is 3.75 x 4.25 inches mounted onto a larger page of 6 x 6.5 inches, in very good condition. 

Belgian soprano (1874-1940), autograph note signed with embossed seal on top left, 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.5 x 7 inches, small ink stain to the left of the text, otherwise in excellent condition.

Superstar Australian soprano (1926-2010), signed envelope with the embossed image and name of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, one of her primary artistic homes. Size is 4.75 x 7.25 inches, attractive item in excellent condition. 

Italian soprano (1860-?). Autograph letter signed, written on a postcard, postmarked in 1895. Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, slight stain near the bottom, otherwise in very good condition.

Austrian tenor, actor, and director (1836-1901), associated with the "Golden Age" of Viennese operetta, appeared in world premieres of operettas by Offenbach, Johan Strauss and Von Suppe. Signature cut, sized at 1.75 x 4.5 inches, vintage item in excellent condition!

Italian baritone (1845-1921), husband of famous pianist Teresa Carreno. Autograph letter signed, written in New York, dated in 1897, 1 page written in English on his personal business letterhead. Size is 5.75 x 9 inches, in excellent condition.

French tenor (1851-1896), strongly associated to the French repertoire, and creator of the main tenor roles in the world premieres of Offenbach's Les Contes d´Hoffmann, Delibes' Lakme, and Massenet's Manon.  Signed album page, inscribed and dated in 1888. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 4.5 x 4.5 inches, very small creases on bottom left corner and mounting traces on verso, otherwise in excellent condition. 

Ukrainian baritone (1860-1923). Autograph note signed written on a postcard, written in Russian, sold with an English translation. Postcard also contains a half-tone photo image of Tartakov, shown as himself. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.