Rare Book Monthly

Book Catalogue Reviews - June - 2013 Issue

Old and Classic Music from J & J Lubrano Music Antiquarians

The first book of music written and printed in America on the cover of Lubrano's catalogue.

The first book of music written and printed in America on the cover of Lubrano's catalogue.

J & J Lubrano Music Antiquarians have issued their Catalogue 67. It is filled with the sound of music, printed music that is, and music-related material, ranging from the 16th to the 20th century. The catalogue is divided into four sections, autographs (which include manuscripts, letters, photographs, scores, and facsimiles), rare printed music, musical literature, and iconography. Over half of the items fall within the category of rare printed music, primarily 18th and 19th century. Most of the music falls into the classic category or opera, though there is material of a more “popular” nature to be found. Here are just a few of the over 650 items offered.

The item displayed on the cover is a rare book and a first, the first book of music both written and printed in the New World. While music was printed earlier in Mexico, this is also the only music book printed in Mexico in the 17th century. It was published in 1604, and for whatever reason, no more music was published in that country for the remainder of the century. The writer of Liber in quo quatuor passiones... was Juan Navarro, a Franciscan priest and choir singer. He composed music for the Passion narratives and other readings that would not be too difficult to sing. It contains commendatory letters from Dominican and Augustinian officials along with the archbishop and viceroy. Evidently Navarro wanted the endorsements so the book would be salable to orders other than his own. This copy has been expertly restored. There are only four copies known in the U.S., all at major libraries. Item 415. Priced at $35,000.

Item 399 is a first edition, unrecorded issue (possibly contemporary with or even predating the first) of Mozart's Le Nozze de Figaro (the Marriage of Figaro). It was published in 1796. Figaro was first performed on May 1, 1786, being heartily received by the audience though the subject was somewhat controversial. Mozart had brought in renown librettist Lorenzo da Ponte, whose libretto removed the most controversial political aspects of Beaumarchais' original book, thereby making it acceptable. This was the first of Mozart's most noted four operas, created during the last five years of his short life. $7,500.

Item 111 is a letter from perhaps the most famous singer of the 19th century, Jenny Lind. There is debate as to whether she was one of the best, some contemporary critics finding fault, but no one pulled in the crowds like Jenny Lind, particularly during her American tour. She had established a great reputation in her native Sweden when showman P.T. Barnum saw an opportunity, even though she was a great talent, rather than some odd “freak” of nature that was his normal specialty. He brought her to America for a year-long tour in which she regularly filled the house with adoring fans. This letter is dated November 16, but without a year. It was written in London. Lind returned to Europe from America in 1852, and moved to England in 1855, so it likely postdates that year (she died in 1887). Naturally, she continued to receive many requests for performances, though she sang with decreasing frequency as the years went on. This letter is evidently a response to such a request, and Ms. Lind politely replies, “I never accepted similar engagements and [it] would be out of the question for me to do a thing of that sort, overwhelmed as I am by all possible requests... If I had 10 throats instead [of] one – and no children instead of 3 – I might go out and do those little pleasure trips...” She has signed the letter “Jenny Goldschmidt,” using the last name of her pianist husband. There are no recordings of Lind's voice, though there are reports that she made a recording cylinder for Edison, now lost. $400.

If you want some good drinking songs, this is probably not the best place to look: Glorious Cause. A Collection of Songs, Hymns, and Choruses for Earnest Temperance Workers. The writer was George Frederick Root, a composer of popular songs in the pre-Civil War era who became most noted for his war songs during that conflict. Root was a strong Union supporter, and some of his war songs are still sung today, such as Tramp! Tramp Tramp! and Battle Cry of Freedom. As with many who took up the anti-slavery cause, Root also supported the cause of temperance. This collection was published in 1888. Item 222. $50.

Rare Book Monthly

  • Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    APRES DE MANNEVILLETTE
    Le Neptune Oriental
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    CASSAS
    Eaux fortes de la Sicile et quelques vues d’Espagne
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    CASSINI DE THURY
    Carte générale et particulière de la France.
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    JOUY; GARNERAY
    Vues des côtes de France dans l'Océan et dans la Méditerranée
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    LA PÉROUSE
    Voyage autour du monde
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    LE GENTIL DE LA GALAISIERE
    Voyage dans les Mers de l’Inde
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    LICENT
    Hoang Ho, Pai Ho, Loan Ho, Leao Ho. Itinéraires suivis dans le bassin du golfe du Pei Tcheuly
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    FRENCH SCHOOL FROM THE 19th CENTURY
    Panorama d’Athènes
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    PEETERS
    Description des principales villes, havres et isles du golfe de Venise
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    PÉRON; FREYCINET
    Voyage de découverte aux terres australes
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    STACKELBERG
    La Grèce : vues pittoresques et topographiques.
    Gros & Delettrez, 7 November:
    VALENTINER
    Atlas des Sonnensystems.
  • Forum Auctions
    Online Sale:
    The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper
    Ending 7th November, 2024
    Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). The Thirteen Problems, first edition, The Crime Club, 1932. £15,000 to £20,000.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Dumb Witness, first edition, 1937. £3,000 to £4,000.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Cards on the Table, first edition, The Crime Club, 1936. £2,000 to £3,000.
    Forum, Nov. 7: [Carr (John Dickson)], "Carter Dickson" and John Rhode. Drop to his Death, first edition, Heinemann, [1939]. £600 to £800.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Berkeley (Anthony). Jumping Jenny, first edition, Hodder and Stoughton, 1933. £800 to £1,200.
    Forum Auctions
    Online Sale:
    The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper
    Ending 7th November, 2024
    Forum, Nov. 7: Marsh (Ngaio). Overture to Death, first edition, The Crime Club, 1939. £600 to £800.
    Forum, Nov. 7: [Day-Lewis (Cecil)] "Nicholas Blake". The Beast Must Die, first edition, 1938. £750 to £1,000.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Brand (Christianna). Green for Danger, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, John Lane the Bodley Head, 1945. £600 to £800.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Murder is Easy, first edition, signed by the author, 1939. £3,000 to £4,000.
    Forum, Nov. 7: Sayers (Dorothy L.) Lord Peter Views the Body, first edition, Gollancz, 1928. £6,000 to £8,000.
  • Doyle
    Stage & Screen
    November 14 & 15
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: A studio-sanctioned Darth Vader Touring Costume from The Empire Strikes Back. $50,000 to $100,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: An original Al Hirschfeld's illustration of the cast of On Golden Pond. $4,000 to $6,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: The largest trove of personal Grace Kelly letters to come to market. $60,000 to $80,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: An Important Archive of Musical Manuscripts of Truman Capote and Harold Arlen's House of Flowers. $40,000 to $60,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: The archive of an original Merrily We Roll Along Broadway cast member. $5,000 to $10,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: Jerry Herman's Yamaha Model C7 Ebonized Grand Piano. $6,000 to $9,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: A large group of Jerry Herman musical posters. $300 to $500.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: Group of awards presented to Jerry Herman. $300 to $400.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: Six pages of original art for "The MAD Game of Basebrawl," a complete story published in MAD #167, pages 31-36, June 1974. $3,000 to $4,000.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: A MAD book made for Al Jaffee, containing original art and writings from many MAD contributors. 2011. $1,200 to $1,800.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: A Jaffee-themed MAD Fold-In - "What honor should the creator of the MAD Fold-Ins be given?" $800 to $1,200.
    Doyle, Nov. 14-15: MAD Fold-In - "What developing news story has many Americans totally transfixed?" $800 to $1,200.
  • Sotheby's
    Fine Books, Manuscripts & More
    Available for Immediate Purchase
    Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 11,135 USD
    Sotheby’s: Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven and Other Poems, 1845. 33,000 USD
    Sotheby’s: Leo Tolstoy, Clara Bow. War and Peace, 1886. 22,500 USD
    Sotheby’s: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1902. 7,500 USD
    Sotheby’s: F. Scott Fitzgerald. This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, and Others, 1920-1941. 24,180 USD
  • Freeman’s | Hindman
    Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana
    November 14
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: LEROUX, Gaston. The Phantom of the Opera. FIRST AM. ED, FIRST ISSUE IN THE VERY RARE DUST JACKET. 1911. $6,000 – 8,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: GOULD, John. A Monograph of the Trochilidae...Humming-Birds. L., [1849-] 1861. $60,000 – 80,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: A COMPLETE RUN of Limited Editions Club publications, v.p. [mostly New York], 1929-2010. $50,000 – 60,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: ORWELL, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. Lon., 1949. FIRST EDITION IN A VERY FINE DUST JACKET. $6,000 – 8,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: GOULD. A Monograph of the Ramphastidae...Toucans. L., [1852-] 54. SECOND ED. $35,000 – 45,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: The Federalist. NY, 1788. FIRST EDITION, THICK PAPER COPY. $60,000 – 80,000.
    Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: SELBY. Plates to Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edin., [1833-] 34. $20,000 – 30,000.

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