An original sepia portrait of the famous conductor shown in three-quarter profile, and which he has inscribed and signed in white ink. The recipient, Carlo Giorgio Garofalo (1886–1962), was an Italian composer, conductor, and organist. A handsome presentation with a beige linen mat and gold frame.

Toscanini made his very first recordings in 1920, just a few months after signing this photograph. His first session was with the La Scala Orchestra at the Trinity Church studio of the Victor Talking Machine Company in New Jersey, the ensemble having just embarked on a concert tour of the United States. Toscanini initially hated the whole business, but as recording technology improved, he warmed to it, and by the end of his career he was glad to have had his performances saved for posterity.