Books on Music

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  MOZART - BOOKS OF LETTERS Anderson, Emily and et al. The Letters of Mozart and His Family Transl. & ed. by Emily Anderson. Macmillan: New York, 1966. Second edition, prepared by A. Hyatt King & Monica Carolan. Large octavo. Two volumes: 510 pp. & 1031 pp. Fourteen b/w plates including frontispiece portrait and three fold-out facsimiles of letters. Red buckram. Condition is excellent except for light wear to d/j and corners of slipcase. Former owner's name at lower right on title pages.

  Anderson's definitive work first appeared in 1938. This second edition includes seven letters which have come to light since the first edition and is reduced in size from three volumes to two volumes by resetting the work in a contemporary format and removing the letters from Constanze Mozart to Johann Anton André.
  BKS-09731 $150Inquire
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  MOZART PORTRAITS Solman, Joseph (1909-2008) 12 Studies for a Portrait of Mozart New York, c 1944. Limited edition of 200. Folio. All silk screens in excellent condition in new acid-free mats, the originals being acidic. Spine of folder bumped top and bottom and folder a little soiled. In original grey cloth folder with tie.

  The arresting and often amusing series starts with a realistic and fairly conventional portrait of Mozart, expanding to variations which finally include one showing only ears and brain. The muted colors present an almost pastel-like appearance.

  Joseph Solman was a founding member of a group of young artists called "The Ten", which included Rothko, Polotiwsky and Ben-Zion. He has secured a prominent reputation as a major American painter.

  In the introduction to 1966 his book Joseph Solman, A.L. Chanin of the Museum of Modern Art writes: After Pearl Harbor Solman worked in defense, in New Jersey shipyards and as an isometric draftsman for Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. In the evenings, as a relief from the dry precision of his work he embarked on a long-cherished project - 'imaginative sketches of my idol in music, Mozart.' From among more than thirty varied watercolors of the Olympian composer's profile, Solman, with the expert help of Leonard Pytlak, silk-screened the twelve finest.

  BKS-12295 $1,650More Images/Inquire
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  Muncker, Franz Richard Wagner: A Sketch of His Life and Works Buchner: Bamberg, 1891. Octavo. Frontispiece Portrait. Many plates. Spine tips ragged, cover hinge weak.
  BKS-00152 $65Inquire
• Nicolini, G. and G. SCOLARI Come nasce un violino: Introduzione ai problemi e alle tecniche della liuteria Ed. Stradivari: Cremona, 1985. Octavo. 103 pp. B/w illustrations and diagrams throughout. Wrappers with d/j. As new. BKS-05169 $50Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Merseburger: Leipzig, 1897. Third edition. Octavo. 104 pp. Facsimiles. Wrappers. Spine split, otherwise good. BKS-05172 $25Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Merseburger: Leipzig, 1919. 5. vermehrte und auf Grund neuester Forschungen ve. Octavo. 158 pp. Illustrations. Illustrations. Largely uncut & unopened, covers detached and badly chipped; internally very good. BKS-05173 $25Inquire
• Niederheitmann, Friedrich Cremona: ein Charakteristik der italienischen Geigenbauer und ihrer Instrumente Albert Berr. Friedrich Hofmeister: Frankfurt am Main, 1956. Eighth edition. Quarto. 152 pp. 28 plates, not in previous editions. Cloth with d/j. Some tears to d/j, otherwise fine. BKS-05174 $35Inquire
• Norton, M.D. Herter The Art of String Quartet Playing: Practice, Technique and Interpretation Simon & Schuster: New York, 1962. Octavo. 189 pp. Paperback. Good. BKS-09496 $10Inquire
• O'Conner, Garry The Pursuit of Perfection: A Life of Maggie Teyte Atheneum: New York, 1979. First American edition. Large octavo. 327 pp. Frontispiece photograph. Many photographs. Cloth with d/j. Slightly frayed d/j, otherwise very fine. BKS-09634 $40Inquire
• OPERA - THE VICTROLA BOOK The Victrola Book of the Opera: Stories of the Operas With Illustrations & Descriptions of Victor Opera Records Victor Talking Machine Company: Camden. NJ, 1924. Seventh edition; revised and rewritten. Octavo. 447 pp. Many plates. Gold-decorated cloth. Slight tarnish of gold embossing on cover, otherwise very fine. BKS-09646 $30Inquire
• Otto, Jacob Augustus A Treatise on the Structure and Preservation of the Violin and all other Bow-Instruments; Together with an Account of the Most Celebrated Makers, and of the Genuine Characteristics of their Instruments Translated by John Bishop. Robert Cocks & Co.: London, 1860. Second edition, greatly enlarged. Large octavo. 92 pp. 92 pp. 3 plates. Embossed cloth. Cover sunned with one stain to corner. Tips of spine ragged, endpapers & inside covers stained; internally fine.
  One of the earliest works on the construction of the violin.
  BKS-05177 $100Inquire
• Owen, H. Goddard A Recollection of Marcella Sembrich Coneco Litho Graphics: Glens Falls, NY, 1995. Unabridged reprint. Large octavo. 79 pp. Many photographs. Buckram with d/j. As new. BKS-09636 $35Inquire
• PAGANINI The Caprice Bows: a Tribute to Paganini Ealing Strings: London, 1985. No. 120 of 1,000. Large octavo. 23 pp. 50 plates, 2 in color. Cloth. As new.
  Describes 24 bows made by Michael Taylor decorated with different likenesses of Paganini & excerpts from the 24 Caprices.
  BKS-07466 $75Inquire
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  PALESTRINA ICONOGRAPHY Coates, Henry Palestrina J.M. Dent: (The Master Musicians) London, 1948. Octavo. 243 pp. Cloth with D/J. D/J chipped.
  BKS-04571 $35Inquire
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  Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da (1525-1594) Iconografia Palestriniana Bianchi, Lino and Rostirolla, Giancarlo. Libreria Musicale Italiana Editrice: Lucca, 1994. Small Folio. 375 pp. Green linen with d/j. As new.

  A superb and definitive work, extensively illustrated with several plates in color. Includes portraits, scores, letters and commentary.
  BKS-10784 $85Inquire
• Panum, Hortense The Stringed Instruments of the Middle Ages: Their History and Development Revised and edited by Jeffrey Pulver. Reeves: London, nd. English edition. Quarto. 511 pp. 48-page catalogue: Reeves' Catalogue of Books on Music, Catalogue B. 403 illustrations. Music examples. Cloth with d/j. Fine (tear in d/j). BKS-05180 $50Inquire
• Peterlongo, Paolo Strumenti ad Arco: Principï fisici del loro funzionamento / Les Instruments à Archet: Principes physiques de leur fonctionnement Edizioni Siei: Milan, 1973. Quarto. 268 pp. 12 color plates. Some illustrations, mainly diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. As new. BKS-05183 $150Inquire
• Peterlongo, Paolo The Violin: Its Physical and Acoustical Principles Taplinger: New York, 1979. Quarto. 158 pp. 14 color plates. Cloth with d/j. As new. BKS-07965 $100Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1913. Second edition. ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Spine ends slightly bumped, otherwise fine. BKS-07496 $35Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1900. first edition ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. Fine. BKS-05184 $35Inquire
• Petherick, Horace Antonio Stradivari "The Strad" Office: London, 1900. first edition ('The Strad' Library, no. viii). Small octavo. 82 pp. Frontispiece portrait of the author. 4 plates + 7 diagrams. Cloth with gold-stamping. Spine tips a little ragged, slight shelf wear; otherwise fine. BKS-09544 $35Inquire
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  PIANO TUNERS HANDBOOK Betz, D. O. Tuners Handbook and Manual - A Technical Work, Practically Applied, Treating on the Grand and Upright Pianoforte, Player Piano and Piano Player The Art Press: Lima, Ohio, 1908. Small octavo. 4 pp. Preface, Table of Contents + 72 pp. + 12 pp. of Keyboard Advertising. Numerous diagrams and advertisements. Black buckram boards. Covers slightly soiled and with corners and spine tips bent. Otherwise in very good condition.
  BKS-11337 $75Inquire
• Pincherle, Marc Le Violon Presses Universitaires de France: Paris, 1966. Small octavo. 127 pp. Paperback. Very good. BKS-05190 $20Inquire
• Pincherle, Marc Les Violonistes: Compositeurs et Virtuoses Librairie Renouard: Paris, 1922. Small octavo. 128 pp. 10 plates. Cloth. A poor copy: front cover detached, spine missing. BKS-05191 $15Inquire
• Pirazzi Company Since the Days of Paganini Pirazzi Company: [USA], c 1920. Octavo. 47 pp. 42 b/w portraits of quartets and violinists. Wrappers. Very good.
  Contains endorsements and pictures of the famous violinists of the day to the Pirazzi string company.
  BKS-05192 $50Inquire
• Pirazzi Company Since the Days of Paganini Pirazzi Company: [USA], c 1920. Octavo. 47 pp. 42 b/w portraits of quartets and violinists. Wrappers. Detached from covers, otherwise good.
  Contains endorsements and pictures of the famous violinists of the day to the Pirazzi string company.
  BKS-09554 $40Inquire
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  Pirro, André (1869-1943) Manuels d'Histoire de L'Art. Histoire de la Musique de la fin du XIVe siècle à la fin du XVIe H. Laurens, Ed. Librairie Renouard: Paris, 1940. Small quarto. 371 pp. Including 32 black and white plates reproducing early engravings. Orange buckram boards with gilt title at spine. In excellent condition.

  André Pirro was a French keyboardist and musicologist who studied with César Franck. He published several books on J. S. Bach, but is perhaps best remembered today for his efforts in reprinting early organ music.
  BKS-13387 $20Inquire
• Poidras, Henri Critical and Documentary Dictionary of Violin Makers, Old and Modern Translated by Arnold Sewell. Imprimerie de la Vicomté: Rouen, 1928. FIRST ENGLISH EDITION, no. 73 of 150. Quarto. 286 pp. 36 plates. Half-leather. Spine rubbed and spine top starting.
  Inscribed to Jay C. Freeman by the author in 1927 prior to distribution.
  BKS-05193 $300Inquire
• Poidras, Henri Dictionnaire des Luthiers, Anciens et Modernes, Critique et Documentainre Translated by Arnold Sewell. Imprimerie de la Vicomté: Rouen, 1924. first edition. Quarto. 286 pp. 36 plates. Three quarter-leather. Very good. Light rubbing on spine. BKS-05194 $250Inquire
• Polonaski, E. The Value of Old Violins, being a list of the Principal Violin Makers, British, Italian, French and German with Approximate Valuations of their Instruments and Occasional Notes on their Varnish, with Illustrations of some Celebrated Instruments... Reeves: London, 1912. Small octavo. 78 pp. + Reeves catalog of music books. Cloth. Very good. BKS-05196 $35Inquire
• Pougin, Arthur Le Violon: Les Violonistes et la Musique de Violon du XVIe au XVIIIe siècle Librairie Fischbacher: Paris, 1924. Small quarto. 358 pp. 36 b/w portraits, plus illustrations. Half-leather, marbled boards. Leather decaying, internally fine (could use rebinding, priced accordingly). BKS-05197 $275Inquire
• Pougin, Arthur Le Violon: Les Violonistes et la Musique de Violon du XVIe au XVIIIe siècle Librairie Fischbacher: Paris, 1924. Small quarto. 358 pp. 36 b/w portraits, plus illustrations. 3/4 calf on morocco boards. Leather deteriorating but internally fine (could use rebinding, priced accordingly). BKS-09536 $225Inquire
• Pourtalès, Guy de Wagner: Histoire d'un Artiste Librairie Gallimard: Paris, 1932. Octavo. 446 pp. Bound with original paper covers present. Fine. BKS-05295 $35Inquire
• Primrose, William (1903-1982) Walk on the North Side: Memoirs of a Violist Brigham Young University Press: Provo, UT, 1978. Octavo. 237 pp. Extensive b&w illustrations and discography. Buckram boards with d/j (a little worn). Excellent. BKS-09920 $75Inquire
• Prod'homme, J.G. Nicolo Paganini: A Biography Carl Fischer: New York, 1911. Octavo. 67 pp. 12 plates. Buckram. Tiny rip on title page, one plate detached, a few pencil markings & a little shelfwear; otherwise very good. BKS-05567 $35Inquire
• Puccianti, Anna Antonio Stradivari Scuola Internazionale di Liuteria: Cremona, 1959. 16mo. 31 pp. 16 plates. Wrappers. Near fine. BKS-05199 $20Inquire
• PUCCINI, GIACOMO Puccini, Nelle Immagini Leopoldo Marchetti. Museo di Torre del Lago Puccini: Torre del Lago, 1968. Large quarto. 204 pp. Buckram with d/j. As new.
  A book of illustrations, including unparalleled iconography of Puccini's life and career, with facsimile letters and documents.

  This remarkably well-documented book has text in Italian and English.
  BKS-09703 $150Inquire
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  Puccini, Giacomo (1858-1924) and L. Illica, G. Giacosa Tosca. Melodramma in Tre Atti. [Libretto] G. Ricordi: Milan, 1899. first edition. Small octavo. With green "G. Puccini Tosca" stamp pasted to title page. Paper wrappers. In good condition overall. Wrappers with some spotting. Signature of former owner on front cover and title page; her initials also blindstamped on roles page. Light vertical crease down center of all pages.

  A lovely first-edition libretto of one of Puccini's most beloved operas.
  BKS-15252 $150More Images/Inquire
• Quirke, W. M. Recollections of a Violinist Dawson & Sons: London, 1914. first edition. Quarto. 144 pp. Spine tips & edges rubbed, just starting, otherwise a nice, tight copy. BKS-07497 $50Inquire
• Racster, Olga Chats on Big & Little Fiddles Frederick A. Stokes: New York, nd [c 1905]. Small octavo. 268 pp. Frontispiece. 19 illustrations of instruments. Dark red leather. Slightly cocked; spines bumped; slightly foxed; otherwise fine.
  Originally published in two volumes under the titles of "Chats on Violins" and "Chats on Violoncellos." These volumes have been largely rewritten and revised by the author, and are now issued in one volume.
  BKS-09914 $40Inquire
• Raikes, A. H. Violin Chat for Beginners Unwin: London, 1891. Small octavo. 96 pp. White vellum. Cover warped and soiled, internally very good.
  Bookplate of J.C. Freeman of the Wurlitzer company.
  BKS-05202 $35Inquire
• Reeves, Sims (1821-1900) The Life of Sims Reeves Written by Himself Simpkin Marshall & Co: London, 1888. Octavo. 279 pp. Frontispiece portrait. Elegantly decorated cloth. Edges bumped, otherwise fine. BKS-09655 $30Inquire
• Regazzi, Roberto Il Manoscritto Liutario di G.A. Marchi, Bologna 1786 / The Manuscript on Violin Making by G.A. Marchi, Bologna 1786 Translated by Nicoletta Sbarra, edited by John Guthrie. Arnaldo Forni: Bologna, 1986. first edition, limited to 800 copies. Octavo. 382 pp. Cloth with d/j. As new. BKS-05203 $125Inquire
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  Rhodes, William Barnes (1772-1826) and George Cruikshank, illustrator. Bombastes Furioso: A Burlesque Tragic Opera. [Libretto]. Thomas Rodd and T. Griffiths: London, 1830. Early edition. 16mo. 35 pp. Eight illustrations. Paper wraps. In good condition. Front wrapper with some spotting; backstrip missing. Internally very clean.

  An early copy of this popular play with music featuring eight comic illustrations by George Cruikshank. The work satirizes the over-the-top style of dramatic tragedies in vogue during the early nineteenth century: the protagonist, a certain unhinged General Bombastes, ignites a laughable string of murders by challenging anyone who dares to move a pair of boots that he has nailed to a tree.

  Bombastes Furioso, written by the English author William Barnes Rhodes, premiered at the Haymarket Theatre on August 7, 1810 with music by an anonymous source. Despite the play's immediate success, the first edition did not follow until 1822.
  BKS-15508 $100Inquire
• Richardson, Henry Handel The Young Cosima: a Novel W.W. Norton & Co.: New York, 1939. Octavo. 390 pp. Cloth. Spine faded, otherwise very good. BKS-05297 $10Inquire
• Roda, Joseph Bows for Musical Instruments of The Violin Family William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1959. No. 219 of 3,000. Large quarto. 335 pp. 20 illustrations + 47 double plates illustrating 241 bows & a biographical list of bow makers. Half leather. Fine. BKS-05622 $500Inquire
• Roda, Joseph Bows for Musical Instruments of The Violin Family William Lewis & Son: Chicago, 1959. No. 177 of the rare deluxe limited edition of 200. Large quarto. 335 pp. 20 illustrations + 47 double plates illustrating 241 bows & a biographical list of bow makers. Full leather with gold tooling, in slipcase. Fine. BKS-07452 $1,500Inquire
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  Rossini, Gioacchino (1792-1868) Three Early-Edition Librettos: L'Inganno Felice, L'Italiana in Algeri, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. 12mo. See additional notes below.

  A nice set of early-edition librettos for three of Rossini's early operas:

  L'Inganno felice. Firenze: Stamperia Fantosini, [likely dating from the first decade following the opera's premiere in 1812]. 27 pp. Contemporary paper wrappers. Wormholes in title and final pages, but otherwise in good, clean condition.

  L'Italiana in Algeri. Milano: Francesco Lucca, [1845, as per WorldCat]. 39 pp. Original paper wrappers. A few pages creased, but otherwise in good condition.

  Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Venezia: Giuseppe Molinari, [c. 1840, as per WorldCat]. 31 pp. Original paper wrappers. Some foxing and spotting, but otherwise in good condition.

  L'Inganno felice was Rossini's first emphatic success. He wrote the one-act work, which he classified as a farsa, to a libretto by Giuseppe Maria Foppa for the Venetian Teatro San Moisè, where it premiered in January 1812. (Rossini wrote five of his first nine operas for this venue). The popular opera helped Rossini secure his first commission from La Scala in the fall of that same year and enjoyed intermittent performances on Italian stages for a decade thereafter.
  BKS-15526 $225More Images/Inquire