I don't fully understand the attraction towards historical ephemera, autographs, and so on. But I don't have to understand it to experience it, and there's no doubt that the signature of a much-loved performer on a CD, or of an admired author on his or her book, does have a transforming effect on my perception of the CD or book. It doesn't have to be a signed item - sometimes any old piece of historical ephemera associated with a composer can have a certain kind of magic, perhaps because it's a lovely thing in itself, or, more likely, just because it provides a physical connection with the past.
Anyway, I wanted to create a space to talk about this sort of thing, so here's a start. Here's an item I picked up in a secondhand bookshop (already discussed a little in the chat thread in the diner): Russell Braddon's biography of Joan Sutherland. And here's the title page:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/sutherland.jpg)
All copies of this book have a printed facsimile signature on the page following, beneath the printed inscription 'TO MY MOTHER AND FATHER'. An interesting feature of my copy is that she's crossed out the word 'FATHER' and replaced it with 'HUSBAND' - and has initialled the change in her own hand.
So here's a start. Show your treasures, tell your tales. I guarantee you at least one reader.
Signed photos by: Heifetz, Oistrakh, Francescatti, Szigety, Ricci, Campoli, Odnoposoff, Menuhin, Szering.
And: Amparo Iturbi, Edward von Kilenyi, Raymond Lewenthal, Gulda, Badura-Skoda, Alexander Borowsky, Weissenberg.
:D :D
When Carter came to Symphony for the premiere of his Horn Concerto, he autographed my program. (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2008/12/happy-birthday-mr-carter.html)
His assistant was helping him walk along the corridor on the Mass Ave side of Symphony Hall; they had left the Hall while applause for the Mahler continued, no doubt to avoid the foot traffic, as perforce Carter moves a bit slower these days. The maestro did not answer me, himself . . . I introduced myself as a composer, I congratulated him on the premiere, and asked if he would sign (I did bring a pen with me). The gentleman assisting him did not address me directly, either, but Carter (who spoke not a word thoughout) and the assistant made eye contact, and the latter said something, I forget exactly what, but it was a gracious understatement suggesting compliance. We guided the (elder) composer to a nearly-horizontal display case sturdy enough for him to sign that page of the booklet upon it. I thanked them, and left them to their further promenade.
I've got a few autographs. I don't order them though. To me its about meeting the person and the autograph is just the token of the experience. The nicer the person the more valuable the autograph is to me.
My modest list:
Hilary Hahn (violinist)
Frances McBeth (composer)
Shannon Miller (Olympic Gymnast)
Pam Stone (Stand Up Comic/Actress)
Jonathan Frakes (actor)
Marina Sirtis (actress)
Sarah Sutton (actress)
Bonnie Langford (actress/singer)
Quote from: hornteacher on July 29, 2009, 06:38:35 AM
Jonathan Frakes (actor)
Star Trek Next Generation guy, right? Has he done much acting apart from that? For whatever passel of reasons, he fell completely off my radar since Buffalo (where my roommate was a
Next Generation junkie).
Quote from: DFO on July 29, 2009, 04:01:10 AM
Signed photos by: Heifetz, Oistrakh, Francescatti, Szigety, Ricci, Campoli, Odnoposoff, Menuhin, Szering.
And: Amparo Iturbi, Edward von Kilenyi, Raymond Lewenthal, Gulda, Badura-Skoda, Alexander Borowsky, Weissenberg.
:D :D
Could you post one or two favourites, so we can see them?
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 29, 2009, 05:25:30 AM
When Carter came to Symphony for the premiere of his Horn Concerto, he autographed my program. (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2008/12/happy-birthday-mr-carter.html)
His assistant was helping him walk along the corridor on the Mass Ave side of Symphony Hall; they had left the Hall while applause for the Mahler continued, no doubt to avoid the foot traffic, as perforce Carter moves a bit slower these days. The maestro did not answer me, himself . . . I introduced myself as a composer, I congratulated him on the premiere, and asked if he would sign (I did bring a pen with me). The gentleman assisting him did not address me directly, either, but Carter (who spoke not a word thoughout) and the assistant made eye contact, and the latter said something, I forget exactly what, but it was a gracious understatement suggesting compliance. We guided the (elder) composer to a nearly-horizontal display case sturdy enough for him to sign that page of the booklet upon it. I thanked them, and left them to their further promenade.
Great story. Smashing autograph. Thanks.
Some of you have impressive collections. I have none. My highest ambition is getting an autography of the esteemed Dr. Karl Henning. ;D
Quote from: hornteacher on July 29, 2009, 06:38:35 AM
I've got a few autographs. I don't order them though.
'Order them'? Do you mean, buy from a dealer? Write to the person directly?
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 29, 2009, 06:48:18 AM
Star Trek Next Generation guy, right? Has he done much acting apart from that? For whatever passel of reasons, he fell completely off my radar since Buffalo (where my roommate was a Next Generation junkie).
He became a director and a producer for tv shows (and a couple of the Star Trek movies). I saw him talk about how he got into directing on the Captain's Summit bonus disc on the Star Trek movies blu-ray set. :)
His biggest creative effort has been Roswell, which had a promising first season despite being a scifi 90210, but it quickly went downhill and suffered multiple cancellations and resurrections. :-\
8)
Quote from: Elgarian on July 29, 2009, 07:25:37 AM
Could you post one or two favourites, so we can see them?
Sure: There is my favorite:
I have autographs of the composers Akira Ifukube and Khachaturian. Also have Osmo Vanska's autograph as well as a signed photo of the koto virtuosa Keiko Nosaka.
I've collected rare articles about Sibelius from old magazines but I have yet to get his signature...it's pretty expensive.
I only have two: Hilary Hahn's autograph on her Elgar VC CD and Barenboim's autograph on his Beethoven cycle.
Quote from: DavidW on July 29, 2009, 07:35:39 AM
He became a director and a producer for tv shows (and a couple of the Star Trek movies). I saw him talk about how he got into directing on the Captain's Summit bonus disc on the Star Trek movies blu-ray set. :)
His biggest creative effort has been Roswell, which had a promising first season despite being a scifi 90210, but it quickly went downhill and suffered multiple cancellations and resurrections. :-\
8)
He had a decent role in North and South as well (a huge mini-series in the 80s), although that was before TNG. He was a really nice guy too. Met him in Atlanta, GA just after TNG finished their first season. He had just grown his beard and asked if I thought he should keep it for the next season. I'm sure he asked a lot of people but it was still kind of neat, especially since he kept it for years.
Quote from: Elgarian on July 29, 2009, 07:29:15 AM
'Order them'? Do you mean, buy from a dealer? Write to the person directly?
Exactly. Writing to the person is okay I guess but ordering from a dealer just doesn't mean much to me. I think the real charm of having an autograph is that one actually meets the person.
Quote from: DFO on July 29, 2009, 09:13:12 AM
Sure: There is my favorite:
Thanks. Nicely composed autograph, tucked there under his hand!
Quote from: hornteacher on July 29, 2009, 11:29:25 AM
I think the real charm of having an autograph is that one actually meets the person.
That's the best of all possible worlds, but of course it isn't always possible. For example:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/butt1.jpg)
On the previous page, in huge sprawling writing, completely filling the page:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/butt2.jpg)
Quote from: Tapkaara on July 29, 2009, 09:50:20 AM
I've collected rare articles about Sibelius from old magazines but I have yet to get his signature...it's pretty expensive.
I can imagine. My equivalent is that I'd love to have something that Elgar's signed, but it's hopeless, really, apart from stumbling upon the most unlikely good fortune. What I do like doing, however, is rummaging around in secondhand bookshops for period pieces of Elgar sheet music:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/salutdamour.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/Wherecoralslie.jpg)
The one on the left hangs in a frame in the bathroom.
I have a photo of Mel Torme with a signature that was verified by a guy on eBay!! ;D ;D
(http://www.citymorguegiftshop.com/images/torme.gif)
(I really have one)
Just a tip: most wanted and expensive signatures on the market are:
1) any composer
2) Glenn Gould
3) Ginette Neveu
4) S.Richter
5) Heifetz, in particular young
6) young Horowitz
7) young Furtwangler
8) Josef Hassid (if it exist, it'll be worth several thousends)
9) Ferras
10) Rabin
11)in general, any composer, player, conductor who had died young
12) and the Beetles, of course.
Not valuable, particularly, but brings back fond memories of a night in Atlanta when I was on a business trip and never expected to attend a concert. As it turned out, I saw a very good one, and I happened to have a CD with me by the featured soloist:
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa159/Gurn_Blanston/BellCover.jpg)
As it turned out, a very nice young man who was disposed to chatting in the lobby for a little while. His Strad was magnificent! He played a couple of licks for me, what a sound from 3' away! :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
Norrköping SO / Parrott Brautigam - Op 037 Concerto #3 in c for Pianoforte 2nd mvmt - Largo 3rd mvmt - Rondo: Allegro
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on July 29, 2009, 04:27:28 PM
As it turned out, a very nice young man who was disposed to chatting in the lobby for a little while. His Strad was magnificent! He played a couple of licks for me, what a sound from 3' away! :)
Oh I'm so glad you had a good experience with him. I've met a few people who thought JB was quite rude and cocky (but I've never met him so I can't say for myself). One hopes that good manners goes with good talent.
Found in the basement of a secondhand bookshop:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/BannerStGeorge.jpg)
The blue is, well, deliciously blue.
I'm moving this story from the chat thread: In 1995, the Trio Di Clarone (Sabine Meyer, Reiner Wehle, and Wolfgang Meyer) did a program of clarinet and basset horn music in DC. I sat in the front row, held my breath through the entire performance, then dashed backstage and accosted the performers, begging them in a mangled mixture of English, German, and besotted fan-speak to sign my program and please, please, PLEASE tell me how they could do what they did. (That was SO not like me. I was possessed by an evil spirit.) Then I came home and seriously contemplated putting my entire grendilla collection, which at that time consisted of clarinets in Eb, C, Bb, and A and a basset horn in F, into the fireplace, dousing them with lighter fluid, and tossing in a match. Possibly myself as well. I contented myself with drinking the pain away and eventually framing the program and ticket stub to hang next to the piano as a reminder that Music Gods walk among us.
It has taken me some time, but I have finally figured out how to post a photo of this:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3806535710_ff69ce4d87.jpg)
I have a Salzburg Fest programme booklet of Lutoslawski's 75th birthday concert -
with the composer's autograph & Krystian Zimerman and Seiji Ozawa signatures - all obtained in 1 night in 1988.
Anybody got seven thousand dollars (http://cgi.ebay.com/JOHANNES-BRAHMS-Signed-Musical-Quotation-AMQS-PADA-UACC_W0QQitemZ110423018229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b5b98af5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)?
I told you that composer's signatures are the most expensive ones. ;D
But you don't need 7000. Only 6999,90. But IMHO it's absurd. With that kind of money you can get at least 400/500 CDs.
Quote from: DFO on August 11, 2009, 10:11:21 AM
I told you that composer's signatures are the most expensive ones. ;D
But you don't need 7000. Only 6999,90. But IMHO it's absurd. With that kind of money you can get at least 400/500 CDs.
Well, it's the economics of demand. Nothing is absurd if you have the money, you're willing to spend it, and you know what you're gettng. I spent a good deal for Charles Ives's signature a couple of years ago, and I've never regretted it. I doubt I would have used the money to purchase 200 CDs.
Quote from: Joe Barron on August 11, 2009, 11:26:16 AM
Well, it's the economics of demand. Nothing is absurd if you have the money, you're willing to spend it, and you know what you're gettng. I spent a good deal for Charles Ives's signature a couple of years ago, and I've never regretted it. I doubt I would have used the money to purchase 200 CDs.
So, go for it, Joe! Brahms is certainly one I'd want in my collection! 8)
Quote from: secondwind on August 11, 2009, 05:16:58 PM
So, go for it, Joe! Brahms is certainly one I'd want in my collection! 8)
Believe me, if I could afford it, I would, but I can't, so I won't. The Ives was my big splurge for the decade..
Quote from: Joe Barron on August 11, 2009, 06:46:05 PM
Believe me, if I could afford it, I would, but I can't, so I won't. The Ives was my big splurge for the decade..
Sorry. I understand--I'm a little over-splurged myself at present. . . :-\
Quote from: secondwind on August 09, 2009, 06:32:52 PM
It has taken me some time, but I have finally figured out how to post a photo of this:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/3806535710_ff69ce4d87.jpg)
Nice to read the story again, and even better to see the famous magic ticket stub. Thanks for solving your posting problem.
Quote from: Joe Barron on August 11, 2009, 08:28:36 AM
Anybody got seven thousand dollars (http://cgi.ebay.com/JOHANNES-BRAHMS-Signed-Musical-Quotation-AMQS-PADA-UACC_W0QQitemZ110423018229QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b5b98af5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)?
I think I'd rather spend under $900 and get the Stravinsky.
Quote from: DFO on August 11, 2009, 10:11:21 AM
composer's signatures are the most expensive ones.
Depends on the composer of course. This one cost me £30, which may seem like a lot or a little, depending on the degree of one's admiration for Parry.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/ParryAutograph.jpg)
As a rule I don't collect autographs. I've only stood in line once to meet an artist: Hélèn Grimaud, playing at the Rosengarten in Mannheim with the Cincinnati Symphony (Paavo Järvi conducted the Beethoven Fourth PC). She signed a CD and I spoke with her a few moments about the trials and tribulations of getting to the concert hall (she was late...an accident on the Autobahn from Frankfurt diverted her limo).
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/goodmusic/Grimaud5.jpg)
Mrs. Rock got the program signed while I snapped a photo (Mrs. Rock in the black print dress)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/gmgpictures/HeleneandIrene.jpg)
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/gmgpictures/Grimaud.jpg)
Sarge
Found today in a secondhand book fair:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/sutherlandautobiog.jpg)
Quote from: Elgarian on September 13, 2009, 07:38:58 AM
Found today in a secondhand book fair:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/sutherlandautobiog.jpg)
Nice find, Elgarian! I found one at our local library book sale last year and gave it as a Christmas gift to a friend who is a singer (soprano) and who had told me Joan Sutherland was one of her favorites. It was well received! :)
Recent acquisition:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/img003.jpg)
Pottering around a secondhand book fair recently, I came across this:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v82/Alan_/JellydAranyi001.jpg)
I couldn't read the autograph with certainty, neither did I recognise the photo, but I thought it might be Jelly d'Aranyi - Hungarian violinist of some renown, and for a while, Elgar's 'tenth Muse'. I bought it for a couple of pounds, checked it out on the web at home, and sure enough, it is indeed her image, and signature.
I started searching around, found some mp3s rescued from old 78s that some kind souls had uploaded, and listened to them. Are they great performances? Honestly I've no idea. There's no Elgar among those I've found, sadly, but it's strange how finding this autograph has given me an interest in listening to her recordings, not because I think they're wonderful, but purely because they are her recordings; and this scruffy bit of paper here on my desk, which she's scribbled on, makes some weird link that fascinates me.
Quote from: Elgarian on October 29, 2012, 01:32:48 AM
I couldn't read the autograph with certainty, neither did I recognise the photo, but I thought it might be Jelly d'Aranyi - Hungarian violinist of some renown, and for a while, Elgar's 'tenth Muse'. I bought it for a couple of pounds, checked it out on the web at home, and sure enough, it is indeed her image, and signature.
I started searching around, found some mp3s rescued from old 78s that some kind souls had uploaded, and listened to them. Are they great performances? Honestly I've no idea. There's no Elgar among those I've found, sadly, but it's strange how finding this autograph has given me an interest in listening to her recordings, not because I think they're wonderful, but purely because they are her recordings; and this scruffy bit of paper here on my desk, which she's scribbled on, makes some weird link that fascinates me.
Holding something physical in your hands definitely creates a powerful personal link to the past. It's one of the reasons I have an interest in postal history.
I recently acquired these items that I find intriguing. A seat for a full season of Saturday night Boston Symphony performances only set you back $35.00 in 1937 for all 24 performances!
EDIT: The image is smaller than I anticipated, but you can read the text if you click on it.
Quote from: Szykneij on October 29, 2012, 06:13:07 AM
Holding something physical in your hands definitely creates a powerful personal link to the past. It's one of the reasons I have an interest in postal history.
Yes. Something is changed, though I've never been able to define what, exactly. There's a kind of
frisson created by the physical presence of the ephemeral past in the present, as it were.
Thanks for posting your intriguing postal artifacts.