Singers - Autograph Manuscripts

Famous French tenor (1859-1940), well-known in his time for his performances of heroic roles in French and Italian opera.  Signed card, where he wrote, in French, "Sir, my favorite role? Arnold in Guillaume Tell". Size is 4.1 x 2.5 inches, in excellent condition. Autographs of Escalais are very scarce! ALSO INCLUDED is a small printed photo (modern copy) of Escalais in role (probably as Arnold in Guillaume Tell).

American soprano (1864-1935), whose career developed mostly in the United Kingdom. Autograph letter signed by her, about personal business, no date.  Size is 4.3 x 6.9 inches each page, 3 pages (in one sheet), in excellent condition.

Set of 2 signed album pages one from the Belgian baritone Camille Everardi (1824-1899), dated in 1858, the other signed by his wife Georgette, a Belgian soprano (1831-1887) signed in St. Petersburg, also in 1858. Each page is 9.25 x 13 inches in size with very small tears at both the top and some sides of the page but not affecting the text and signature. Rare vintage items not sold separately!

Stage name of Carlo M. Michelangelo Nicola Broschi (1705-1782), probably the most celebrated Italian castrato singer of the 18th Century and considered one of the greatest singers in opera history. Exceedingly rare legal document, related to the building of a house for him in Madrid, where he lived for over 20 years. The year of 1749 is printed at the top. Document is written by another hand, and signed at the bottom by Farinelli in full name, in a somewhat darker ink. One page of hand-laid paper, 7.9 x 8.4 inches, central fold, spotted rust stains, otherwise in excellent condition. Autographs of Farinelli as extremely rare and only show up in the market every few years, this one is important and also has a very clear signature. ALSO INCLUDED is a nice vintage print with his image, a lithograph by Richard Bentley, London. Size is 5.25 x 8.5 inches, some stains on borders and small paper loss on the bottom right corner, otherwise in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1877-1955), starred in the world premiere production of Pietro Mascagni's Isabeau in 1911. Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in 1913. Size of each page is 5.25 x 6.75 inches, very small creases on bottom and tears in middle, otherwise in very good condition. 

Italian soprano (1877-1955), starred in the world premiere production of Pietro Mascagni's Isabeau in 1911. Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Written in Milan, dated in 1935. Size is 6.25 x 8.25 inches, some jagged edges, otherwise in very good condition. 

Italian soprano (1877-1955), starred in the world premiere production of Pietro Mascagni's Isabeau in 1911.  Set of two autograph letters signed, both written in Italian, sold untranslated. The first scan is of a 4-page letter written in Milan in 1921 on all sides of a folded 5.25 x 8.25 inch sheet, signed as "Maria Riboldi Farneti", reflecting her marriage to lawyer Luigi Riboldi. The second scan is of a letter written on 3 sides of a folded 5.75 x 7.25 sheet, dated in Milan in 1920, and signed only as "Maria", both are in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American soprano and film actress ‬(1882-1967),‭ ‬who was a superstar in her time. Signed album page, signed by her in 1932 underneath a quote of the subtitle of her autobiography.  Also included: an additional signature on this page is that of the French born child actor in silent films and later advertising agency executive and film and television director Philippe De Lacy (1917-1995), whose film career began with a visit to the set of Farrar's film The Riddle: Woman in  1921. His inscription with sentiment appears to be addressed to Farrar. Size is 6.5 x 8.25 inches, some wear on edges, otherwise in very good condition. 

American soprano and film actress ‬(1882-1967),‭ ‬who was a superstar in her time. Beautiful collection of 40+ original and genuine letters written and signed by her between 1938 and 1939, including some typed letters signed by her as well. Various sizes and lengths, some include its original envelope, all in excellent condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

American soprano and film actress ‬(1882-1967),‭ ‬who was a superstar in her time. Lot of 2 autograph letters signed and 2 autograph notes signed, each containing envelopes, most dated in 1963, item size is 6.25 x 7 inches, with additional loose autograph letter signed, 4 pages of text, dated in 1940, this item is 5.75 x 8.75 inches . ALSO INCLUDED: one 3  x 3.75 inch signed personal card, dated in 1964. All items are in excellent condition. SOLD ONLY AS A LOT, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.

Czech-born German soprano (1879-1954), longtime partner of the celebrated Austrian conductor Felix Mottl whom she only married on his deathbed in 1911 after he collapsed conducting a performance of Tristan und Isolde in Munich. Signed album page on soft cardboard containing a 3.5 x 5.5 inch postcard photograph of her as Venus in Wagner's Tannhauser (the photo contains a printed signature, the handwritten signature is on the bottom of the cardboard on which this photo is matted), dated in Munich in 1913. There is also a musical quote from the opera.  Total item size is 8 x 10.5 inches, beautifully preserved in excellent condition.   

Czech-German soprano (1879-1954). Autograph letter signed by her, mentioning the performance of Tristan, dated in 1905. Four pages with two of them handwritten. Size is 4.5 x 5.5 inches. 

French baritone and composer (1830-1914). Autograph letter signed with embossed letterhead, 1 page, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, neatly folded, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1879-1941). Autograph letter signed, attractively embossed, written on the letterhead of the Grand Hotel, Hyeres, written in French on the first three pages of a folded 4-page document, sold untranslated. Each page (folded) is 4.25 x 6.75 inches, in excellent condition.

French soprano (1886-1941); considered the queen of operetta in her days. Autograph letter in French (sold untranslated) signed by her.  Size is 7 x 8.8 inches, 1 sheet, folds, in excellent condition. ALSO INCLUDED is a print of the soprano shown young, with a printed text and a printed signature below.  Size is 7.1 x 10.7 inches, in excellent condition.

German tenor (1912-1984).  Signed card attached to a half-tone photo of him.  Size is 3.25 x 5.25 inches, in very good condition.

German baritone (1869-1940), signed card, dated in New York in 1908. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 2.75 x 4.25 inches, in excellent condition.

German baritone (1869-1940), signed card, dated at the Berlin Philharmonic in 1911. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, in excellent condition.

American soprano (b.1930). Autograph letter signed, written on the letterhead of the Hotel Tropicana, Las Vegas in 1961. 2 pages on both sides of a 5.5 x 8.5 inch document, small stains on various corners, otherwise in very good condition.

French mezzo (1921-2004). Autograph letter signed, 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1819-1891), who created roles in several world opera premieres, including Verdi's Il Giorno di Regno. Autograph letter signed, with additional writing by another hand at the top of the first page and throughout the second page, with Ferlotti's text and signature at the bottom of the first page. 2 pages, written on both sides of a 6 x 8.5 inch document, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Some rust at the bottom of the document but in generally good condition. 

Italian soprano (1805-1853), document signed by her in 1827, and by another hand below her signature. 1 page written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 7.25 x 11 inches, small bullet hole on top right and some rust throughout but otherwise in good condition.

Italian soprano ((1849-1934). Autograph letter in Italian (untranslated) signed by her. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, 3 written pages in 1 folded sheet, letterhead, in very good condition.

Italian soprano (1846-1926), autograph letter signed, 3 pages, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Each page is 5 x 7.75 inches, unfolded item size is 7.75 x 10 inches, in excellent condition. 

Italian tenor (1878-1936), signed and inscribed postcard, showing a painted image by the Dutch painter Frans Hals entitled "La Bohemienne" taken from Paris's legendary Louvre art museum. Size is 3.5 x 5.5 inches, with a small piece of unobtrusive tape on bottom right, otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian soprano (1882-1971), autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in Italian, sold untranslated, dated in 1968. Size is 5.75 x 7.75 inches, small creases and folds, otherwise in very good condition. 

Italian tenor (1903-1986), autograph letter signed, 2 pages of a 4 page folded document, composed in Rome, dated in 1942.  Written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size of each page is 5.5 x 7 inches, in excellent condition. 

French Algerian soprano (1896-1972), autograph letter signed, dated in 1933. Written in French, sold untranslated. Written on both sides of two-sided stationary page. Size is 7.6 x 9.6 inches, with jagged edges but otherwise in excellent condition.

Italian baritone (1818-1881). Autograph letter signed, one page, written in Italian, sold untranslated. Size is 5.25 x 8.25 inches, in excellent condition.

English contralto (1912-1953) whose death at the peak of her fame was a shock to the musical world. Signed card of 2 x 3.5 inches with bold handwriting and signature. Also included: unsigned photograph, shown as herself, size is 4 x 5.75 inches. Both in excellent condition. Not sold separately. 

Italian baritone (1923-1999). Autograph musical quote signed of the opening bars of the Count Di Luna's aria "Il Balen" from Verdi's Il Trovatore.  Musical quote is on front page of a 3 x 5 inch card, with Fioravanti's signature at the top of the card. Well preserved 3 x 5 inch card, in excellent condition.

German dramatic bass-baritone (1838-1914). 2-bar autograph music quote signed by him with a short text in German (apparently) written by him, dated 1898. Size is 9.25 x 6 inches, minor stains, in very good condition.

Norwegian soprano (1895-1962), one of the greatest Wagnerian dramatic singers of the 20th century. Signed album page, dated in 1950, addressed to Gerald Fitzgerald, who later became an associate editor of the Metropolitan Opera Guild's Opera News magazine from 1960-1990 and a well-known figure in American opera. Bold handwriting and signature. Size is 4 x 6.25 inches, small creases and bends, otherwise in very good condition. 

Norwegian soprano (1895-1962), one of the greatest Wagnerian dramatic singers of the 20th century. Fine card signed by her. Size is 3.7 x 2.25 inches, in excellent condition.

Belgian contralto (1876 -?). Autograph note signed on the letterhead of the Hotel Savoy, New York, dated 1909. 1 page written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 5 x 8 inches, in excellent condition. Also included: unsigned half-tone photo, shown in role.

French soprano (1789-1870). Fine autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated January 13, 1828, where she addresses a gentleman: “…Victime, depuis plus de deux longues années du caprice et de l’injustice d’une direction théâtrale pour la quelle je laissai (vous le savez) le sort le plus brillant dont jamais artiste ait joui à l’étranger et qui n’a voulu, jusqu’à ce jour, ni me laisser en liberté ni me payer: atteinte d’une maladie cruelle qui m’ôte les moyens d’exercer mon art et peut mettre mes jours en danger si je ne vais, promptement, respirer l’air plus doux de l’Italie; je vien implorer votre haute protection; le souvenir de la bienveillance dont vous m’honorâtes à Vienne m’enhardit à cette démarche…”. Size is 5 x 7.3 inches, 2 written pages in one sheet (front and back), folds, creases, overall age toning, in very good condition.

Finnish soprano (1856-1936). Signed card, signed in San Francisco, dated in 1886. Attached to another card behind, providing a solid backing. Size is 3.5 x 2 inches, in excellent condition.

Irish bass (1837-1898), professionally known as "Signor Foli" (in accordance with the then prevailing preference for Italian artists).   Signed page (signed as "A.B. Foli"), dated in London in 1885. The signature is on the first page of a folded 4-page document, each page is 4.5 x 7 inches, stains not affecting the signature, some mounting traces on the final page, otherwise in good condition. 

German bass (1815-1889) who had a long international career especially in Germany, London and New York, sang in the world premiere of several operas, notably Flotow's Martha. Autograph note signed, dated in 1858. 1 page written in German (sold untranslated). Size is 5 x 8 inches, small tear at bottom of the page, not affecting any of the writing or signature. Otherwise in excellent condition. 

German bass (1815-1889), whose important career focused on opera and oratorio. Set of 2 short notes in German on album pages signed by him (one of them also signed by his wife) adding a music quote in one of them. Size is 7 x 8.8 inches each, 1 page each, irregular borders, both in excellent condition. SOLD TOGETHER, NOT SOLD SEPARATELY.  

German tenor (1826-1874), who debuted in 1846 in Budapest as Edgardo in Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor". Autograph letter in German (untranslated) signed by him, dated 8 Aug 1858, where he addresses the composer Julius Benedict, concerning performances and fees. Size is 5.8 x 9.1 inches, 4 written pages, overall age toning, in very good condition.

South-African soprano (1877-1966), also known as Ada Cherry Keardon. Autograph letter signed by her with the letterhead of a hotel, dated in South Africa, December 13, 1920, about personal matters.  Size is 5.1 x 8.1 inches, 2 pages written on one sheet, in very good condition.

French bass (1858-1926). Autograph letter signed, 1 page, written in French (sold untranslated). Size is 4.5 x 5.5 inches, small cracks at bottom and top of the page not affecting the writing, otherwise in excellent condition.

French bass-baritone (1861-1933), who was in the world premiere Thais. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1890, Paris. Size is 4.5 x 7 inches, tow pages, in excellent condition.

French bass-baritone (1861-1933), who starred in the world premiere of Massenet's Thais and many other operas. Autograph letter signed, dated in 1910. Size is 4.75 x 6.25 inches, one page, in excellent condition.  

French bass-baritone (1861-1933), who starred in the world premiere of Massenet's Thais and many other operas. Autograph note signed, 1 page, dated in Paris in 1900, written in French, sold untranslated. Size is 4.5 x 6 inches, in excellent condition.  

French-Finnish soprano (1859-1911) and voice teacher, creator of the role of Musetta in Leoncavallo's "La Bohème". Rare autograph letter in French (untranslated) signed by her, dated December 23, 1883, to the impresario Canedi: “…M.elle [Jeanne] Perrouze. Elle part lundi pour Rome où elle doit chanter l’opérette en français, elle a beaucoup de talent et débute mardi- Si vous pouvez faire quelque chose pour elle je vous en serai très reconnaissante. J’ai vu le théâtre Sannazaro, il m’a paru tout petit et très sourd…”. Open size is 7.4 x 8.9 inches, three written pages in one folded sheet, central fold, in overall very good condition. ALSO INCLUDED is Frandin's visiting card signed by her with a short sentiment.