Gershwin, GeorgeBiblio.com
429 résultats
19321909112Random House 1932. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Signed limited edition one of 300 signed by George Gershwin. In publisher's original leather covers. Random House hardcover
1932130<p><strong>Ltd to 300 numbered copies signed by Gershwin & the illustrator Alajalov on the colophon</strong>.</p><p>Orig. moroccan leather cover with gilt title. Gilt title on spine. Includes the 8pp pamphlet containing the song: "Mischa Yascha Toscha" inserted in rear pocket as issued. Slightly rubbed at edges but a beautiful copy! Spine has been professionally rebacked. Signed.<br /><br />Also annotated in pencil on free end paper by singer Gerald Shattuck: "Yps - while this is signed by the composer & the illustrator I feel it would not be complete until signed by the choice singer of these lovely ballads. None other than Gerald Shattuck".</p> Random House hardcover
06672New York: Simon and Schuster 1960. A Superb Association Copy Across Two Generations of Great Songwriters<br /> Inscribed by Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse<br /> A First Day Cover Signed by Ira and with a Clipped Signature of George<br /> And an Original Sketch by Ira<br /> <br /> GERSHWIN George & Ira. The George and Ira Gershwin Song Book. Foreword by Ira Gershwin. Illustrated by Milton Glaser. Arrangements by Dr. Albert Sirmay. New York: Simon and Schuster 1960.<br /> <br /> First edition first printing. Folio 12 x 9 inches; 305 x 229 mm. xiv 178 pp. Illustrated throughout with bold color designs by Milton Glaser. <br /> <br /> Spiral bound quarter orange cloth over black cloth boards front cover decoratively stamped and lettered in blind spine lettered in black. Spine slightly faded otherwise near fine. Housed in the original slightly worn color pictorial slipcase.<br /> <br /> A superb inscribed copy from the library of Leslie Bricusse enriched with a George Gershwin First Day Cover envelope signed and with a sketch by Ira.<br /> <br /> On the verso of the front free endpaper is mounted a First Day Cover February 28 1973 honoring George Gershwin signed in black ink by Ira Gershwin together with a carefully pasted clipped signature of George Gershwin uniting the brothers once again in a single presentation.<br /> <br /> On the color title-page Ira Gershwin has inscribed:<br /> "For Leslie Bricusse / with admiration / and all best - From sketch Ira Gershwin / Beverly Hills Nov. 4 '68"<br /> <br /> The sketch depicts a small stylized bowing figure - rendered in quick fluid lines - leaning forward in a gesture of theatrical deference. Rather than a portrait it is best understood as one of Ira Gershwin's characteristic spontaneous doodles: whimsical understated and gently performative. The figure reads almost as a self-effacing stage bow - an elegant visual flourish that mirrors the tone of the inscription itself. Such drawings when present add a distinct personal dimension to Gershwin inscriptions and are highly prized.<br /> <br /> This copy embodies a rare and meaningful intersection of three major figures in twentieth-century musical theater:<br /> George Gershwin - whose music defined an era; Ira Gershwin - custodian of that legacy and voice of its refinement<br /> and Leslie Bricusse - heir to that tradition bridging Broadway and the modern musical.<br /> <br /> The layered inscriptions correspondence and added materials create a dialogue across decades - transforming the volume from a musical anthology into a living document of artistic lineage.<br /> <br /> A deeply evocative association copy - uniting autograph material presentation inscription and original artwork-linking the Gershwins directly to one of their most important successors.<br /> <br /> A copy that transcends its bibliographical importance to become a piece of musical and cultural history. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1960 unknown
1935212351New York: Random House 1935. Limited. hardcover. very good. Libretto by Dubose Heyward; Lyrics by Dubose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Frontispiece and title page decoration by George Biddle. Small folio full red leather professionally recased with most of the original spine preserved and with the black morocco labels restamped. New York: Random House 1935. First Edition. One of 250 copies autographed by both Gershwins Heyward and Rouben Mamoulian the director. A very good copy.<br/> <br/> Random House unknown
193084308New York: The John Day Company 1930. First edition of this work on American popular music. Octavo original cloth illustrated. Introduction by George Gershwin. Boldly signed "Sincerely George Gershwin" on the dedication page. Additionally signed by conductor Charles Previn and tenor James Melton. Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Previn was an American film composer who was highly active at Universal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s. Before going to Hollywood Previn had arranged music for over 100 Broadway productions. Melton was a popular singer in the 1920s and 1930s and later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out of style in popular music around 1932–35. Contemporary bookplate near fine in a very good dust jacket. Rare and desirable signed. American composer and pianist George Gershwin’s orchestral compositions spanned the genres of popular jazz and classical music and are now considered to be some of the most important musical works of the twentieth century. Gershwin began his career composing Broadway theatre works with his brother Ira Gershwin and soon became a major figure in musical theatre in New York City and later Hollywood. Gershwin's classic Song-Book is illustrated with full-page color lithographic plates after Constantin Alajalov and includes such Gershwin standards as “Swanee†“Fascinating Rhythm†“That Certain Feeling†“The Man I Love†“Strike Up the Band†and “I Got Rhythm†among others. “In one of his few prose writings George provided an introduction for the song book. What is most important… is that it contained the original published version of each song followed side by side by George’s ‘improvised’ versions of the songs†Carnovale 14. The John Day Company hardcover
1932149432New York: Simon and Schuster Inc 1932. First edition of Gershwin’s classic songbook with stunning full-page illustrations by Constantin Alajalov. Quarto original half-cloth frontispiece photograph of Gershwin playing the piano taken by Maurice Goldberg profusely illustrated by Constantin Alajalov. Presentation copy inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper "To Jean King Good wishes George Gershwin." Very good in a good dust jacket. Rare in the original dust jacket and signed and inscribed. American composer and pianist George Gershwin’s orchestral compositions spanned the genres of popular jazz and classical music and are now considered to be some of the most important musical works of the twentieth century. Gershwin began his career composing Broadway theatre works with his brother Ira Gershwin and soon became a major figure in musical theatre in New York City and later Hollywood. Gershwin's classic Song-Book is illustrated with full-page color lithographic plates after Constantin Alajalov and includes such Gershwin standards as “Swanee†“Fascinating Rhythm†“That Certain Feeling†“The Man I Love†“Strike Up the Band†and “I Got Rhythm†among others. “In one of his few prose writings George provided an introduction for the song book. What is most important… is that it contained the original published version of each song followed side by side by George’s ‘improvised’ versions of the songs†Carnovale 14. Simon and Schuster Inc hardcover
1932115405Random House 1932. hardcover. Very Good. 1932 Random House signed Gershwin and Alajalov illustrator #263 of 300 in gilt titled and decorated blue leather slightly dried at the gutters. Includes string bound score for a song in rear pocket. In original slip case. oversized and overweight. Please email for photos. Random House hardcover
06674New York: Longmans Green & Co. 1938. From Gershwin to Bricusse"<br /> A Remarkable Association Pair Linking Two Generations of Great Songwriters<br /> With Inscriptions by Ira Gershwin and an Autograph Letter<br /> <br /> GERSHWIN George. GERSHWIN Ira. ARMITAGE Merle. George Gershwin. New York: Longmans Green & Co. 1938.<br /> <br /> Quarto 10 3/8 x 7 7/8 inches; 263 x 200 mm. xii 252 pp. Pictorial title printed in red and black 32 photogravure plates and portrait on blue paper. Publisher's original yellow and red cloth musical notation endpapers; very light wear to extremities an exceptionally bright near fine copy.<br /> <br /> Presentation copy inscribed by Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse:<br /> "who in turn inscribes it to brilliant Leslie Bricusse - With admiration and affection - Ira Gershwin - Beverly Hills February 1971."<br /> <br /> Loosely inserted is a warm autograph letter signed "Ira" on Gershwin stationery thanking Bricusse for Scrooge and referencing the present volume together with a note enclosing a program for the first memorial concert.<br /> <br /> WITH:<br /> <br /> GERSHWIN George. GERSHWIN Ira.<br /> George Gershwin Memorial Concert. Hollywood Bowl September 8 1937.<br /> <br /> Folio 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches. 16 pp. Illustrated. Original printed wrappers; near fine.<br /> <br /> Inscribed by Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse:<br /> "For Leslie B. From Ira G. / Feb. 1971 / Beverly Hills."<br /> <br /> A Musical Lineage in Print:<br /> A deeply evocative association set uniting three defining figures in American and British musical theater. The 1938 Armitage volume - long regarded as the most important early tribute to George Gershwin - is here transformed into a personal artifact through Ira Gershwin's inscription and accompanying letter to Leslie Bricusse.<br /> <br /> The accompanying 1937 Hollywood Bowl Memorial Concert program issued only weeks after Gershwin's death captures the immediate cultural response to his passing. Preserved for more than three decades it was later gifted by Ira to Bricusse - an act that resonates as a symbolic passing of the torch.<br /> <br /> That Ira Gershwin should present both the definitive early book on his brother and a contemporary memorial document to Leslie Bricusse - himself one of the great lyricists of the next generation - creates a compelling narrative of artistic continuity.<br /> <br /> The accompanying letter adds a further layer of intimacy revealing a warm collegial exchange between two masters of song.<br /> <br /> An Exceptional Association Copy - A rare convergence of:<br /> The key early Gershwin monograph 1938<br /> A contemporary memorial artifact 1937<br /> A signed presentation linking directly to Leslie Bricusse<br /> A supporting autograph letter providing context and warmth.<br /> <br /> Together these elements form a museum-level association grouping preserving a tangible thread between the golden age of American songwriting and its distinguished successor. New York: Longmans, Green & Co., , 1938 unknown
1932179299New York: Alfred A. Knopf 1932. Signed by the composer First edition signed by George Gershwin George S. Kaufman and three members of the original Broadway cast. This political lampoon opened on Broadway on 26 December 1931 and was the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Victor Moore who created the role of Alexander Throttlebottom William Gaxton who created the role of John P. Wintergreen and Lois Moran who created the role of Mary Turner have signed the page opposite the cast list. Octavo. Original red and blue boards spine lettered in light blue covers decorated with stars in light blue. With dust jacket. Housed in a custom grey cloth folding box. Bookplate of Maxwell Steinhardt designed by Rockwell Kent. Extremities a little worn with occasional loss; some loss to head and foot of jacket spine spine a little toned unclipped jacket: a very good copy in like jacket. hardcover
019591Framed Photograph. A beautiful presentation in perfect condition not examined out of the frame. Wonderful 8" x 10" black-and-white photograph showing Gershwin partly in shadow and seated playing the piano elaborately matted and framed to an overall size of 20" x 17-1/2" SIGNED by the composer with the sentiment "Sincerely." <br/><br/> unknown
1932140940789New York: Simon and Schuster 1932. First Edition. Near Fine. First trade edition first printing. Signed by George Gershwin and dated in the year of publication. Bound in publisher's original orange cloth with umber cloth overlay on front cover lettered in blue. Near Fine with light fading and small stain to spine cloth light shelf wear and soiling to cloth. Pages toned hinge at dedication page is lightly exposed. A lovely copy signed by the composer with illustrations by Constantin Alajalov. Simon and Schuster unknown
193255367New York: Random House 1932. Near fine. Signed limited first edition - in a lovely modern Art Deco binding - from this "quintessentially American composer" whose music helped establish "the groundwork for the Great American Songbook" Cambridge Companion to Gershwin. SONG-BOOK presents piano music transcriptions of many of Gershwin's most beloved songs with colorful Art-Deco illustrations by Alajalov. Tunes include: "'S Wonderful" "Strike Up The Band" "Swanee" "The Man I Love" "Nobody But You" "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Oh Lady Be Good" among others. Published just one year after Gershwin was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his musical OF THE I SING a striking edition capturing one of the US's finest songwriters at the height of his powers and popularity. 12.5'' x 9''. Modern auburn full crushed morocco rebound to match style of original deluxe binding. Top edge gilt. Grey cloth endpapers. Photographic frontispiece of Gershwin at the piano by Maurice Goldberg. 4 xii 168 6 pages. "Mischa Yasha Toscha Sascha" booklet present pocket at rear. With an introduction by Gershwin and a foreword on Alajalov by Samuel M. Kootz. One of 300 numbered copies signed by Gershwin and Alajalov on the colophon this #233. Minor rubbing at extremities spine mildly sun darkened. Presents beautifully. Random House unknown
193598943New York: Random House 1935. Deluxe limited edition of Porgy and Bess number 55 of only 250 copies signed by George Gershwin Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian. Folio original full red morocco raised bands top edge gilt illustrated. In near fine condition. An exceptional example. Gershwin read Porgy in 1926 and proposed that he should collaborate with Heyward on Porgy and Bess. In 1934 Gershwin and Heyward began work on the project by visiting the author's native Charleston. Gershwin explained why he called Porgy and Bess a folk opera in a 1935 New York Times article: "Porgy and Bess is a folk tale. Its people naturally would sing folk music. When I first began work in the music I decided against the use of original folk material because I wanted the music to be all of one piece. Therefore I wrote my own spirituals and folksongs. But they are still folk music – and therefore being in operatic form Porgy and Bess becomes a folk opera." Today Porgy and Bess is widely considered to be Gershwin’s masterpiece. This deluxe edition of the piano-vocal score according to Fuld no orchestral score has ever been published was published in 1935 the year of Porgy and Bess premiere almost simultaneously with the first edition and is boldly signed on the limitation page at the rear by George and Ira Gershwin and the other principal creators of Porgy and Bess: librettist DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian Fuld 539. Random House hardcover
193269154New York: Simon and Schuster 1932. GERSHWIN George; ALAJALOV. composer. ALAJALOV illustrator. George Gershwin's Song-Book. Alajalov Illustrator. New York: Simon and Schuster 1932.<br> <br> Full Description:<br> <br> GERSHWIN George composer. ALAJALOV illustrator. George Gershwin's Song-Book. Alajalov Illustrator. New York: Simon and Schuster 1932.<br> <br> First trade edition first printing. With a full page signed inscription and musical quotation by Gershwin on the front free endpaper. Quarto 12 5/8 x 9 5/8 inches; 320 x 245 mm. xi 1 blank 167 5 blank pp. With eighteen songs of printed music each which include a full or double- page color illustrations by Alajalov. Title-page with a illustrated vignette and printed in red and black.<br> <br> Inscription reads "For Ella-/In memory of many/ happy times together./With love/from/George." Followed by a hand-drawn musical notation of four bars and six notes along with lyrics reading "No-body but you" and then dated "September 16 1932." The printed music of this line can be found at the top of page 14. Inscription is in black ink and takes up the full page. Full page Gershwin inscriptions are very rare. This might possibly be inscribed to Ella Fitzgerald as they were friends and Fitzgerald sung songs from Gershwins song book.<br> <br> Quarter rust flocked cloth over tan woven cloth boards. Front board ruled and lettered in blue. Spine lettered in blue. Some rubbing and scuffing to boards and spine. Title-page a little frayed. A bit of toning mainly to endpapers. Still a very good copy with a wonderful provenance.<br> <br> The "Ella" in the inscription refers to Ella W. Aarons Crouch who was a concert pianist and wife of Alexander Alfred Aarons who was a producer on most of Gershwin's Broadway productions.<br> <br> HBS 69154.<br> <br> $7500. Simon and Schuster unknown
1935321533New York: Random House 1935. Limited. hardcover. near fine. Libretto by Dubose Heyward; Lyrics by Dubose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Frontispiece and title page decoration by George Biddle. Small folio full red leather. New York: Random House 1935. Limited First Edition. The black leather labels are missing as is often the case otherwise near fine in a good slipcase.<br/> <br/> One of 250 copies autographed by both Gershwins Heyward and Rouben Mamoulian the director. A near fine copy in the original raffia slipcase which is roughed up on the spine.<br/> <br/> Random House unknown
1932310443New York: Random House 1932. First Edition. One of 300 copies signed by Gershwin and Alajalov. Frontispiece portrait of Gershwin at piano and numerous full-page illustrations by Alajalov. 167 3pp. 1 vols. 4to. Original full dark blue publisher's morocco decorated with "Art-Deco" style gilt stamped rules. Fine in a custom red half morocco slipcase and chemise. First Edition. One of 300 copies signed by Gershwin and Alajalov. Frontispiece portrait of Gershwin at piano and numerous full-page illustrations by Alajalov. 167 3pp. 1 vols. 4to. Containing the words and music to some of the best known American music ever written: "Lady be Good" "I Got Rhythm" "Swanee." The list goes on and on. The whole book is further enhanced by the charming Art-Deco illustrations by Alajalov.<br /> <br /> This Deluxe Edition is signed by the composer and the artist. Random House unknown
193899122New York: Privately printed 1938. Hardcover. Fine. Facsimile of the handwritten score. Folio. Full leather ruled with a Greek key design and lettered in gilt. Blue silk endpapers all edges gilt. Fine. Laid in is a Typed Letter Signed dated 12 April 1938 from Abraham Ellis to Gershwin's mother Rose who was the unmarried composer's heir. Ellis announces in the letter that he has just purchased the Manhattan Opera House which became the Manhattan Center and that with Rose's permission he would like to rename the rebuilt auditorium the Gershwin Room. This volume was apparently a private photographic reproduction of the score that was produced for family and friends before the manuscript was eventually donated to the Library of Congress. Gershwin's mother's copy with the letter dated less than a year after the composer's untimely death. A classic of 20th Century composition and inspiration for the Vincente Minnelli film scripted by Alan Jay Lerner around Gershwin's music and starring Gene Kelly Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant. Privately printed hardcover
192623613N. Y.: Albert and Charles Boni 1926. First edition. Presentation copy inscribed by George Gershwin to Hellen Ingram Merrill the wife of Charles Merrill founder of Merrill Lynch and the mother of the poet James Merrill on the front free endpaper: “To Hellen - All the best on her birthday from George Gershwinâ€. Beneath his inscription Gershwin has written a single bar of music followed by the identification “Rhapsody in Blue†and the date August 14 1926. The particular bar is a pivotal one in the composition from which point "the whole mood of the work" changes. Several of Gershwin’s compositions are included in this anthology namely “Excerpt from Krazy Kat. A Jazz Pantomime†“The Half of It Dearie Blues†“Concerto in F. II Movement Excerpt†and “Rhapsody in Blue for Jazz Band and Pianoâ€. In 1925 Hellen Ingram married Charlies Merrill and gave birth to their son James Merrill in March of 1926. Charles Merrill owned “The Orchard†in Southampton New York. Designed by Stanford White it was one of the finest summer estates on Long Island and the Merrills entertained lavishly there. One of their many guests was George Gershwin and it was no doubt at Hellen’s twenty-eighth birthday party that he inscribed this copy of The Blues. Whether Gershwin gave this copy of Blues to Hellen as her birthday present is also plausible. Some foxing and soiling covers lightly soiled and rubbed but a very good copy which appears to have been used at the piano rather than merely read. 4to original two-toned cloth. Some foxing and soiling covers lightly soiled and rubbed but a very good copy which appears to have been used at the piano rather than merely read. Albert and Charles Boni unknown
021548Framed Manuscript. Ink blot slightly affecting first notes of the manuscript as well as "G" in "George." Not examined out of the frame but appears to be Near Fine. On a 6" x 6-1/2" piece of paper Gershwin has written three measures of the lyrical theme in E major from the "Andantino moderato" section of his composition RHAPSODY IN BLUE and INSCRIBED it "To Channing Way" and SIGNED "with all good wishes/from/George Gershwin." Matted and framed to an overall size of 17" x 13" with a fragment of the printed music a printed title of the piece with "Dedicated to Paul Whiteman" at the top and a SIGNATURE with sentiment of Paul Whiteman. Commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman RHAPSODY IN BLUE was composed by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band in early 1924 and premiered in New York City on 12 February 1924 as part of a concert entitled An Experiment in Modern Music. It was originally performed by Gershwin on the piano and by members of Paul Whiteman's band. The combination of elements of classical music with jazz effects was revolutionary for its time. <br/><br/> unknown
1925145285New York: Harms Incorporated 1925. Rare 1925 printing of the piano score for the orchestral composition that defined the jazz age first published in 1924. Small folio original illustrated wrappers piano solo and second piano in score. Presentation copy inscribed by George Gershwin on the title page "For Mr. Fuerst - with all best wishes George Gershwin." The recipient Eugene Fuerst was conductor and director of the Portland Civic Opera Association and the Theater Arts Opera Association. In very good condition with some loss and creasing to the cover and slight toning to the title page. A beautiful signature from Gershwin. "Rhapsody in Blue" first premiered at Aeolian Hall in New York City on February 12 1924 to blazing reception. The rhapsody is one of Gershwin's most recognizable creations ushering in a new age in Jazz history. By 1927 bandleader Paul Whiteman's band performed 'Rhapsody in Blue' approximately 84 times and sold a million copies of its recordings. Harms Incorporated unknown
06558New York: Random House 1935. One of the Great Signed American Musical Landmarks<br /> The Sumptuous Limited Edition of Porgy and Bess<br /> <br /> GERSHWIN George. Porgy and Bess. An Opera in Three Acts by George Gershwin. Libretto by Dubose Heyward. Lyrics by Dubose Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Production directed by Rouben Mamoulian. New York: Random House 1935.<br /> <br /> First edition limited to 250 copies of which this is no. 167 signed by George Gershwin Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and Rouben Mamoulian.<br /> <br /> Large quarto 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 inches; 310 x 235 mm. xiv 559 1 blank pp. Including color frontispiece and pictorial color title-page by George Biddle commissioned in connection with the original production. With the signed limitation leaf inserted at rear.<br /> <br /> Publisher's full red morocco front cover decoratively blind stamped and with a gilt-lettered black morocco label spine with two raised bands and two black morocco labels lettered in gilt straw endpapers top edge gilt. Spine with only the faintest touch of darkening. Housed in a later red cloth slipcase. A superb copy and one of the finest examples we have encountered.<br /> <br /> A particularly desirable example of one of the most important American musical publications of the twentieth century: the deluxe signed issue of Porgy and Bess issued in the year of the opera's first performances. The work opened first in Boston on September 30 1935 and reached New York's Alvin Theatre on October 10 1935 under the direction of Rouben Mamoulian. From the beginning it was understood as an ambitious and unprecedented undertaking - Gershwin's own attempt to unite operatic form with jazz spiritual folk and theatrical idioms in a distinctly American work.<br /> <br /> The present limitation is especially appealing in that it bears the signatures not merely of the composer but of the principal creative collaborators responsible for bringing the work to the stage: George Gershwin lyricist Ira Gershwin librettist DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian. Copies signed by all four figures capture the collaborative nature of the production in a way few American musical books can match. The Library of Congress records the existence of this 1935 limited edition within the Gershwin materials further underscoring its place as the formal book publication of the original production.<br /> <br /> Few works of American musical theater or American opera have had a comparable afterlife. Whatever the critical debates that have accompanied it Porgy and Bess endures as Gershwin's most ambitious stage composition and one of the central monuments of American music. <br /> <br /> In the present handsome morocco binding and in such striking condition this is an unusually choice copy of a book that is increasingly difficult to secure well preserved. New York: Random House, 1935 unknown
1935174953New York: Random House 1935. Summertime an' the livin' is easy": the Gershwins' masterpiece signed by George and Ira First edition signed limited issue number 141 of 250 copies signed by George and Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and Rouben Mamoulian. The show was a landmark for the American stage and for the casting of African Americans in the lead roles. Copies are rare in this condition. In the summer of 1926 and in one sitting George Gershwin read DuBose Heyward's 1925 novel Porgy about the Gullah community in South Carolina. "The potential of this book to become the basis of a powerful opera - his opera - jumped out at him. In the morning he wrote to Heyward saying they ought to get together to discuss the idea" Rimler p. 21. The immediate plan to adapt it into an opera was curtailed by Heyward's wife first adapting the novel as a stage play Porgy and Bess which opened in 1927. It was not until 1933 that Heyward and Gershwin settled on working on a musical adaptation with the agreement on 3 November 1933 that Gershwin would write the score Heyward the libretto and that Heyward and Ira would collaborate on the lyrics. On its opening night 30 September 1935 Boston's Colonial Theatre gave the performance a 15-minute standing ovation. The work opened on Broadway on 10 October 1935 and ran for 124 performances. "Combining the dramatic structure of opera and the musical style of jazz and Tin Pan Alley the work was especially important in the development of American musical theater. Although it did not recoup its investment Porgy and Bess was an outstanding achievement that brought black singers to the Broadway stage in significant roles" American National Biography. Quarto 311 x 230 mm. Colour frontispiece and pictorial title page by George Biddle. Original red morocco spine lettered in blind with raised bands black morocco label to front board lettered in gilt with publisher's device in blind top edge silver silken straw weave endpapers. With the original raffia-covered slipcase. Playbill for the original Broadway production at the Alvin Theatre loosely inserted. Foot of spine a little worn spine toned minor soiling to front cover slight separation at gutter between gatherings and endpapers slipcase a little worn; box bumped and faded: a near-fine copy in like slipcase. Walter Rimler George Gershwin: An Intimate Portrait 2009. hardcover
1935190205New York: Random House 1935. Gershwin's masterpiece - signed by George and Ira First edition signed limited issue number 229 of 250 copies bound in publisher's full red morocco and signed by George and Ira Gershwin DuBose Heyward and Rouben Mamoulian this copy in exceptional condition the vulnerable spine labels present in entirely unrestored condition. In summer 1926 and in one sitting George Gershwin read DuBose Heyward's 1925 novel Porgy about the Gullah community in South Carolina. "The potential of this book to become the basis of a powerful opera his opera jumped out at him. In the morning he wrote to Heyward saying they ought to get together to discuss the idea" Rimler p. 21. Heyward's wife thwarted the immediate plan to adapt it into an opera by adapting the novel as a stage play Porgy and Bess which opened in 1927. On 3 November 1933 however it was agreed that Gershwin would write the score Heyward the libretto and that Heyward and Ira would collaborate on the lyrics. On its opening night 30 September 1935 Boston's Colonial Theatre gave the performance a 15-minute standing ovation and the work is now considered Gershwin's masterpiece. "Combining the dramatic structure of opera and the musical style of jazz and Tin Pan Alley the work was especially important in the development of American musical theater. Although it did not recoup its investment Porgy and Bess was an outstanding achievement that brought black singers to the Broadway stage in significant roles" ANB. Quarto 311 x 230 mm. Original red morocco spine lettered in blind with raised bands black morocco label to front board lettered in gilt with publisher's device in blind top edge gilt silken straw weave endpapers. Housed in the original raffia-covered slipcase. Colour frontispiece and pictorial title page by George Biddle. Bookseller's ticket to rear pastedown of Frank Rosengren San Antonio Texas. Spine toned small chip to second spine label slight contact discolouration to front and rear blanks from endpapers light wear to fragile raffia slipcase. A superior copy. Walter Rimler George Gershwin: An Intimate Portrait 2009. hardcover
193070729New York: New World Music Corporation 1930. First edition association copy inscribed by both George and Ira for Newman Levy with quotations from the show: "He's a man of very high degree not low - but high!". Accompanying the inscription is a sketch by Ira of a man bowing. Newman Levy was a lawyer who graduated from New York University in 1911 and served as Assistant District Attorney New York County 1916-19. A student of the Algonquin habitué Deems Taylor he wrote light verse which was published in the New Yorker and Saturday Evening Post and collected in book form. He also reviewed operas and musicals and composed skits for Broadway revues. A friend of the Gershwins he is best remembered for his swift riposte to George's musing as to whether his music would still be performed in a hundred years' time: "Yes if you're around to play it!" Heavily influenced by Gilbert and Sullivan Strike up the Band was the Gershwins' first fully integrated score for a book musical. It failed on tryout in Philadelphia in 1927 so for its Broadway run three years later Ryskind rejigged various elements of the story. The Gershwins added 12 new songs and rewrote many others both melodically and lyrically. Overall the effect was to make the show more in tune with the developing swing craze. Red Nichols led the pit orchestra at the Times Square Theater which included Benny Goodman Glenn Miller Gene Krupa Jimmy Dorsey and Jack Teagarden. Quarto. Contemporary red cloth purple label to spine and green patch label on front board top edge gilt original wrappers bound in. Housed in custom black cloth solander box. Slightly rubbed at the extremities a little soiled light toning the first few leaves with minor restoration to the margins: a very good copy. hardcover
06561New York: Random House 1932. A Superb Association Copy Across Two Generations of Great Songwriters<br /> Signed by George Gershwin and Inscribed by Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse<br /> <br /> GERSHWIN George composer. George Gershwin's Song Book. Illustrated by Constantin Alajalov. New York: Random House 1932.<br /> <br /> Limited first edition one of 300 copies signed by George Gershwin and Alajalov this being copy No. 201.<br /> <br /> Large quarto 12 3/4 x 9 1/2 inches; 324 x 241 mm. Frontispiece portrait photograph of Gershwin at the piano by Maurice Goldberg. xii 160 pp. followed by an 8-page bibliography. Profusely illustrated with striking full-page color designs by Alajalov. Complete with the often-missing 8-page sewn booklet containing the song "Mischa Yascha Toscha Sascha" here preserved in the rear pocket.<br /> <br /> Publisher's full blue morocco expertly and almost invisibly rebacked with the original spine laid down covers decoratively ruled and lettered in gilt with characteristic sweeping gilt lines extending from spine and fore-edge blue endpapers top edge gilt. Front inner hinge with neat reinforcement. <br /> <br /> A handsome and well-preserved copy of a book seldom encountered in superior condition. Exceptionally accompanied by the original color pictorial dust jacket from the trade edition - an unusual and highly desirable survival.<br /> <br /> Additionally inscribed by Ira Gershwin on the limitation page: "To Leslie Bricusse / With unlimited admiration and affection / From Ira Gershwin / Beverly Hills June 1973."<br /> <br /> Accompanied by a loosely inserted fine typed letter signed TLS from Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse dated June 13 1973 in which Gershwin warmly congratulates Bricusse on his score for Feeling No Pain and notes with characteristic wit that he has "taken the liberty" of adding his signature to the page already signed by his brother and Alajalov humorously expressing the hope that this "doesn't decrease the value of the book."<br /> <br /> One of the most celebrated American musical publications of the twentieth century George Gershwin's Song Book represents the composer's work at its most refined and enduring. Issued in a luxurious limited format it brings together a selection of Gershwin's finest songs drawn from Broadway and Hollywood arranged for piano and voice and presented with the vivid and sophisticated color illustrations of Constantin Alajalov whose work lends the volume a distinctive Art Deco elegance.<br /> <br /> Signed examples are always sought after; however the present copy is elevated far beyond the norm by its remarkable association. The inscription from Ira Gershwin to Leslie Bricusse links two of the most important figures in twentieth-century songwriting. Bricusse an Academy Award - winning lyricist and composer was responsible for such enduring works as Stop the World-I Want to Get Off The Roar of the Greasepaint The Smell of the Crowd Doctor Dolittle and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as well as songs including "What Kind of Fool Am I" "Feeling Good" "Goldfinger" and "Pure Imagination." Their longstanding friendship is reflected in the warmth of the inscription -"unlimited admiration and affection" - a phrase that speaks to genuine personal regard rather than formality.<br /> <br /> Provenance: From the collection of Leslie Bricusse assembled over many decades with the close involvement of David Brass who first met Bricusse in 1968 and remained a trusted advisor and friend until his death in 2021.<br /> <br /> A copy of exceptional depth and character: not merely a signed limited edition but a document of musical lineage linking the Gershwins to one of their most distinguished successors. Rarely does a copy so clearly embody both the artistic achievement of its creators and the enduring influence of their work. New York: Random House, 1932 unknown
