Rare books and antique sheet music, librettos, programs and posters: music, opera, ballet, choreography...

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on Madagascar paper, the deluxe issue.

A rare and fine copy, with full margins.

First edition of the French translation, illustrated with 18 engraved plates, 10 of them hand-coloured (cf. Blackmer 87; Atabey 68; Contominas 39; Monglond VII, 654-655).

The 18 plates include the two plates of musical notation and the large folding map at the end of the second volume.

Contemporary green half sheep, darkened smooth spines ruled in gilt, with a narrow gilt roll at foot, marbled paper boards, speckled edges.

Some foxing, light rubbing to the joints, a few gatherings browned. 

First and only edition of Auguste du Coudray's French translation of this account of a journey through Greece, written in the form of letters. Jacob Levin Salomo, known as Jakob...

Original linen-backed lithograph, featuring a large portrait of Liane de Pougy by A. Gallice after a photograph by Léopold-Émile Reutlinger (“cliché Reutlinger” stated on the plate). Printed by G. Bataille. Horizontal and vertical fold marks, discreet traces of rolling at the hem of the dress, four pasted and stamped tax stamps, and a shadow in the left margin.

◊

Exceptionally rare original poster advertising a performance by the dancer and courtesan Liane de Pougy, renowned...

First edition of Joseph von Hammer's major history of Persian belles-lettres, published in Vienna in 1818 by Heubner und Volke. Large quarto, XII and 432 pages, with an engraved portrait of the author as frontispiece, a plate of music bound between pages 272 and 273, and an index. The work is dedicated to Silvestre de Sacy.

Contemporary half polished tan calf, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets, chain tools and floral ornaments, saffron-coloured boards, marbled edges. Joints split at foot and more slightly at head. A handsome copy with generous margins.

Hammer's...

First edition of the French translation by Pierre Jean Jouve of Georg Büchner's libretto for Alban Berg's opera, one of 40 copies on pure wove paper, this one specially printed for Charles Orengo.

Endpaper partly toned, a pleasant copy.

Inscribed, dated and signed by Pierre Jean Jouve to Charles Orengo.

First edition of the French translation prepared by Joseph Lavallée.

The atlas volume is illustrated with 16 plates (portrait, views, birds, insects), 12 engraved music plates (printed on 6 leaves), and a large folding map on thick paper (cf. Quérard, I, 6; British Museum (Natural History), I, 8 for the atlas only; Pritzel, 6 for the original English edition).

Bound in contemporary half calf, smooth spines gilt-tooled with floral ornaments, rolls and motifs, sometimes slightly faded, orange calf title and volume labels, marbled paper boards, a few rubs and minor defects along the joints, sprinkled red edges; the atlas volume in contemporary half brown calf, smooth...

First bilingual edition, one of 270 copies on Arches Ingres paper, including a photographic portrait of Ratna Mohini by her husband Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Rare and handsome copy.

First edition, one of the press copies.
Half brown shagreen binding, smooth spine with gilt floral panels, gilt initials C.T. at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers, covers preserved, gilt edges, one upper corner slightly rubbed, binding dating from some years later.
Inscribed by Charles Terrasse (son of Claude) in ink at the head of a flyleaf.

Discreet restorations to the joints.
Precious presentation copy signed and inscribed by Alfred Jarry: "A Claude Terrasse son admirateur et son ami. Alf. Jarry" [his admirer and friend]

 

First edition, for which there was not printed any grand papier (deluxe) copies.
Publisher's binding in full grey cloth.
Illustrations.

Copy complete of its dust jacket illustrated by Jimmy Ernst, the dust jacket being in a poor state with several tears and corners missing.

Very precious handwritten dedication signed by Harriet Janis to Boris Vian: “To Boris Vian with Paris greetings for Rudi Blesh & myself, Harriet Janis. May 1953.”

Three original childhood photographs of Maurice Béjart, and his birth announcement 
[after 1927] | 12.2 x 17.2 cm| three photographs and a card
Three original photographs of Maurice Béjart as a child beside his mother, taken in Mougins.
We attach the birth announcement, dated 1 January 1927, printed with his name “Maurice Jean Berger.”
Provenance: Maurice Béjart's personal archives.

Personal diary handwritten by Maurice Béjart, written in a 1969 diary celebrating the centenary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
52 handwritten leaves, written in red and blue pen in a spiral-bound notebook. This diary features amongst Béjart's very rare, privately owned manuscripts, the choreographer's archives being shared between his house in Brussels, the Béjart foundation in Lausanne and the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie.
The choreographer Maurice Béjart's diary written during the year 1969. An extremely rare collection of thoughts, questions and introspections from the point of view of Hinduism and Buddhist wisdom, which Béjart adopts following his first trip to...

Autograph manuscript signed by the painter and writer Jacques-Émile Blanche, entitled « Serge de Diaghileff ». Five leaves written in black ink, with numerous corrections in blue. Autograph foliation in black ink, later foliation in blue pencil. Leaf 4, originally in two parts, was joined with a strip of adhesive affixed to the verso.

Crossed-out passages and corrections.

A very fine funeral oration by Jacques-Émile Blanche for his friend Serge Diaghilev, director of the celebrated Ballets Russes.
The painter and writer Jacques-Émile Blanche pays tribute to the genius of Serge Diaghilev, shortly after his death in Venice in 1929. Chosen as...

Reprint of a photograph showing a young Shirley Temple lying on a bed.

A fine copy.

Inscribed and signed in black felt-tip pen by Shirley Temple, dated 1988, to the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Press clipping illustrated with a photograph depicting Josephine Baker on stage.

Horizontal central fold, minor tears of no consequence along the right margin of the clipping.

Inscribed and signed by Josephine Baker in black felt-tip pen a few months before her passing: "A Claude Armand ami de Jospéhine Baker 1975".

Black-and-white photographic postcard depicting Gilbert Bécaud.

Discography of Gilbert Bécaud printed on the verso, with minor paper losses.

Inscribed and signed by Gilbert Bécaud to the noted autograph collector Claude Armand: "A Claude Gilbert," enhanced with a small cat sketch in blue ballpoint pen.

Oblong color postcard depicting Charles Aznavour with his hands crossed under his chin.

A fine copy.

Signed by Charles Aznavour in black felt-tip pen in the right-hand margin of the card.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition with 25 full-page photographs.
Green cloth publisher's binding. Copy complete with its dust jacket, with very slight tears, and traces of wear to the margins.
Rare autograph signature of Maria Callas on the title page.

Original black and white portrait of Mistinguett wearing a hat.

Very slight, superficial scuffing to the margins, not affecting the image.

Vintage gelatin silver print. Printed stamp of the P. Apers photographic studio in Paris to the right margin of the image.

Inscribed by Mistinguett to André Saudemon, signed and dated in black ink, at the foot of the photograph.

Original black and white photograph by the Associated Press British showing Cliff Richard posing in Athens with the Acropolis in the background, taken on the occasion of the release of the film "Summer Holiday".

A fine example. Associated Press British label affixed to the verso. Autographs of actors Roy Castle and Lebbi Siffre below the image.

Cliff Richard’s autograph in black felt-tip pen in the left margin of the print.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Original colour print, printed on laid paper and signed in the plate lower left.

Original engraving produced for the illustration of La Gazette du Bon Ton, one of the most beautiful and influential fashion journals of the 20th century, celebrating the talent of French designers and artists at the height of the Art Deco era.

Photographic portrait of Erroll Garner, seated at his piano.

A fine copy.

Inscribed and signed by Erroll Garner in blue ink in the upper left margin of the photograph.

Provenance: from the collection of the renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

Black and white photograph depicting Cliff Richard slightly turned towards the camera.

A very well-preserved example.

Bold black ink signature by Cliff Richard in the right margin of the photograph.

Provenance: from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition of this exceptionally rare complete set of twelve dance scores, each comprising a color-printed wrapper and five leaves (title page, four numbered pages of engraved music, and one blank leaf). All covers were lithographed and hand-colored using stencil techniques by Adolphe Cathelin, whose name appears on the title pages.

The musical works are by composers Alexandre Croisez, Alexandre Artus, Eugène Dupuis, Camille Michel, Alphonse Leduc, Émile Waldteufel, Voctir-Auguste Dolmetsch, Félix Joufferoy, and Antony Lamotte.

Contemporary half green calf binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt and blind-stamped fillets and dotted lines, joints rubbed; granite-patterned...

First edition of this celebrated illustrated publication, issued in Paris by H.-L. Delloye in 84 parts between February 1842 and October 1843 and subsequently gathered into three volumes. Carteret described it as an “admirable publication printed on stout wove paper [...] one of the finest of the 19th century”, comparing the quality of its production to that of the great illustrated books of the 18th century. Carteret III, 143-153; Vicaire II, 234-248.

The first volume comprises 5 unnumbered leaves - half-title...

First edition, one of 35 copies on pure rag paper, this one not numbered but specified as a copy printed for Pierre Jean Jouve under the colophon, the only deluxe paper copies issued.

Three small spots on the lower cover.

A very good copy.

Second illustrated edition, with 68 wood engravings within the text.

The first leaf bears, on its verso, a few lines of music (the recto is blank). On the final leaf, the same score reveals, when folded, lines of writing: "Les notes musicales qui servent de Frontispice à cet Ouvrage, ressemblent parfaitement au Discours & à la Musique ci-dessus. C'est la manière de plier le papier qui fait paraître l'un & disparaître l'autre" (cf. Fechner, p. 152).

Paris: Chez l'Auteur, Granger, Bailly, Lesclapart, Hardouin & Gattey, Varin, Lagrange [Printed by Veuve Hérissant], 1786. Octavo (in-8), 2 ff. n. ch., pp. [v] to xix, 328 pp., 1 folding unnumbered leaf in accordion format, 68...

Autograph postcard signed and addressed to his friend Ariel Denis from his summer residence in Vendée, 22 lines in black ink.

The postcard shows a general view of the coastal cliffs of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez in Vendée.

Julien Gracq expresses his satisfaction with the advice he had given his friend, while lamenting the petty calculations of administrative life: "j'avais décidément raison de vous recommander une saine stratégie syndicale : faute ce cet appui je crains qu'il n'y ait plus de belle carrière dans l'enseignement ! J'espère tout de même que la stabilité au moins va venir couronner vos efforts (il y en a un de ma part sous le beau style ! malgré...

Original photograph depicting Charles Gounod, full face.

Vintage gelatin silver print mounted on cardboard, produced by photographer Isidore Alphonse Chalot at 18, rue Vivienne, Paris.

Autograph inscriptions in black then blue ink on the verso by the recipient, A. Lasserre, inspector at the Opéra Garnier: "Portrait de Ch. Gounod signé le soir de la 926eme représentation de Faust (samedi 29 septembre 1888) A. Lasserre."

Additional handwritten note in pencil in the right margin of the verso: 1867e représentation de Faust le 28 septembre 1929.

Printed stamp at foot of the verso: "Maison Martinet Albert Hautecoeur, 18, bd des Capucines."

First edition of the vocal and piano score of the opera Déjanire by Camille Saint-Saëns.

A few pencil annotations in the margins of certain staves.

Our copy is presented in a 3/4 shagreen clamshell box, spine with five raised bands framed by gilt garlands and decorated with gilt fleurons, gilt lettering at foot of spine: "Inscribed by composer". Boards, endpapers and pastedowns in marbled paper. Spine of the box slightly faded.

Inscribed, dated and signed by Camille Saint-Saëns to music critic Edouard Beaudu.

Original black and white photograph depicting Michel Polnareff in the street, standing opposite a security guard.

A handsome example. Signed by Michel Polnareff on a piece of paper mounted to the verso of the photograph.

Signed by Michel Polnareff in the upper part of the image.

Provenance : from the collection of renowned autograph collector Claude Armand.

First edition of this rare and fragile promotional item for the Galeries Lafayette consisting of 47 cardboard pieces with an illustration in medallion drawn by Jack Roberts and a children's song of eight verses.

A handsome copy, complete with its original printed crystal paper envelope.
 

Original inscribed photograph showing Yves Montand dressed as a cowboy and pointing a revolver in his right hand.

Yves Montand is slightly facing forward. Vintage silver gelatin print. 
On the verso, Yves Montand's name is misspelled twice.

Autograph inscription signed by Yves Montand at the bottom of the photograph: "Pour Michel amicalement Y.Montand."


 

"Chère Madame,
Mille excuses pour le malentendu qui est de ma faute, sans doute.
Je ne me souvenais pas du tout que vous n'étiez pas libre ce soir. Si vous l'êtes demain samedi, j'en serais heureux. J'ai couru à Châtelet et suis parvenu à faire changer le jour...

First edition, one of 35 numbered copies on imperial Japan paper, this copy no. 1, from the deluxe issue.

A fine copy.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Spine slightly sunned, with a few small nicks.
Signed presentation copy from Léo Ferré to a woman named Véronique.

 

First edition of the opera libretto.

Full red morocco binding, spine with five raised bands and panels stamped with fleurs-de-lys, boards framed three times in gilt, stamped at center with the arms of the Marquis de Louvois and de Courtenvaux, gilt roll-tooling to the edges, marbled paper endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.

A few scuffs to the lower cover, binding with light spotting.

Illustrated with a superb frontispiece by Berin (Berain), who also designed the opera's sets, etched by Jean Dolivar, depicting the destruction of Armide's palace by the demons at the close of the work.

A superb copy of...

Autograph letter dated 25 July 1918 and signed by Mistinguett, 15 lines in black ink and on her monogrammed stationery, addressed to a newspaper editor concerning a dispute.

Two small tears to the lower right-hand margin of the leaf, not affecting the text; fold marks from having been sent through the post.

"25 juillet 18,

monsieur le directeur, je vous serai très reconnaissante de bien vouloir faire insérer dans votre journal la lettre ci-jointe afin de mettre les choses au point. Avec mes remerciements anticipés, veuillez me croire votre tout dévoué. Mistinguett."

Autograph card signed and dated by Marguerite Yourcenar, 12 lines in black ink written on both sides, addressed to Jane Bathori.

The ink has slightly faded.

With the original manuscript envelope addressed to Jane Bathori.

"6-III-54,

Dear Madam, I thought of you this morning as I was passing through your neighbourhood, and was reminded of the charming welcome you gave me last month. I did not have the time to try to call on you, but these flowers will at least convey my warm remembrance and friendly regards. Marguerite Yourcenar."

Jane Bathori was a French mezzo-soprano, choir director, teacher, theatre...

First edition, of which no deluxe paper copies were issued.

A copy complete with its illustrated dust-jacket, which, as is often the case, shows a few small marginal tears; wrappers lightly soiled.

Rare presentation copy by Georges Brassens to Michel Soulié.

First edition, one of the press service copies.
Minor tears to the margins of the covers, spine slightly sunned with a few small nicks.
Precious signed autograph inscription by Léo Ferré to Marie Bell and Jean Chevrier.

 

Later edition on ordinary paper.

Illustrated wrappers.
Illustrations.
Spine slightly split as is often the case, a few minor marginal tears to the covers, the paper inevitably toned owing to the poor quality of this post-war stock.
Inscribed, dated and signed by Marcel Sauvage to Mr. Berthet.

First edition.

Contributions by Albert Valentin "Eugène Atget", Morely Callaghan "Une passion de rustre", E.L.T. Mesens "Hans Arp", Pierre Mac Orlan "L'aube", Denis Marion "La découverte de l'Amérique", Paul Fierens "Vénus et les mannequins", Franz Hellens...

Issue illustrated with photographs by Eugène Atget, Man Ray, Germaine Krull, Mylander and drawings by Marc-Eemans, Ramah, Frits van der Berghe, Hans Arp, Fernand Léger, Léopold Survage...

Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, not affecting the soundness of the copy, internally well preserved.

First edition.

Contributions by Pierre Mac Orlan "Accordéons", P.G. Van Ecke "L'envoûte ou la destinée des peintres", Denis Marion "A double tour", Gille Anthelme "Un aspect décisif des Ballets Diaghilew : Léonide Masside", Frans Vervoot "Nine, ou l'avant-propos", Albert Valentin "Aux soleils de minuit (IV)", Paul Fierens "Des rues et des carrefours", Franz Hellens...

Issue illustrated with photographs and drawings by Hans Arp, Jean de Bosschère, Marc Chagall, Gustave de Smet, Edgar Tytgat, Frits van der Berghe...

Spine and covers slightly and marginally sunned, small losses and tears to the spine, a pleasing copy internally.

First edition, one of 10 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe issue.

Contemporary half tawny marbled sheepskin binding, spine slightly sunned with five raised bands and gilt floral tooling, a few rubs to the spine, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, wrappers preserved.

Included is a handwritten biographical note concerning the author and the subject of the work.

First edition, one of 925 copies numbered on Artois wove paper, the only issue including 1 copy on butcher’s paper in honour of General de Gaulle, 20 hors commerce copies and 75 on Marais paper.

Illustrated with headpieces and tailpieces.
Spine and boards slightly sunned, as often.

First edition of the French translation and adaptation prepared by Edmond Haraucourt, one of 10 numbered copies on Holland paper, the only deluxe paper issue.

Bradel binding in half tobacco percaline, smooth spine decorated with a gilt floral motif, date and double gilt fillet at foot, hazelnut shagreen title label showing some rubbing, marbled paper boards, wrappers with small marginal losses at corners and spine preserved, contemporary binding.

A few small foxing spots.

Music by Gabriel Fauré.

A further compilation bringing together several successes of the troubadour from Sète, including "Le temps ne fait rien à l'affaire", "Dans l'eau de la claire fontaine", "La traîtresse", "La ballade des cimetières"; "La complainte des filles de joie", "Tonton Nestor - La noce de Jeannette", "Le temps passé" and "La fille à cent sous".

A pleasant copy despite very slight rubbing to the margins of the sleeve.

A name and an initial in blue ballpoint pen at the head of the second panel of the sleeve.

Manuscript signature of Georges Brassens in the left margin of the front panel of the sleeve.

Press clipping comprising a photograph of Joséphine Baker in stage costume, signed and dated by her in black felt-tip.

A fine example.

Expanded new edition including a notice and an appendix providing a catalogue of the principal violin makers from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century, a description of the most sought-after violins, their dates of manufacture, their market value, and the distinguishing features by which they may be identified, by L. de Pratis.

Half chocolate-brown morocco binding with corners, spine with five raised bands ruled in black, gilt date at foot, marbled paper sides, marbled endpapers and doublures, illustrated wrappers and spine preserved (with a small loss at foot), gilt top edge, signed binding by H. Blanchetière.

A fine copy attractively bound in a signed binding.

First edition, one of 925 numbered copies on Artois vellum, the only issue including a sheet of butcher’s paper in tribute to General de Gaulle, together with 20 hors commerce copies and 75 on Marais paper.

Illustrated with headpieces and tailpieces.
Attractive copy.

First edition on standard paper.

A fine copy, complete with its promotional band.

Signed autograph inscription by Pascal Quignard to a friend named Nicolas: "A Nicolas en t'embrassant, Pascal."

New compilation of the celebrated songs by the troubadour from Sète, including "La mauvaise réputation", "Le parapluie", "Le petit cheval", "Le fossoyeur", "Le gorille", "Corne d'auroch", "La chasse aux papillons" and "Hécatombe".
Inevitable creasing and light rubbing along the margins of the record sleeve.

A small ballpoint pen doodle in blue ink on the lower cover.
Autograph signature of Georges Brassens in the lower right margin of the upper cover.

First edition, one of 200 numbered copies on “light green paper,” the only deluxe paper issue announced.

Turquoise half morocco binding, smooth spine, date in gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, endpapers, and pastedowns, original wrappers and spine preserved, top edge gilt; an elegant contemporary binding signed by G. Gauché.

A very handsome copy, finely bound by Georges Gauché and complete with its publisher's prospectus. 

Signed presentation inscription by René Crevel: "My dear Georges, here, in its finest form: Diderot’s Harpsichord, if you can help him play his music? With all my affection. René" (our own...

First edition of this biblical poem later set to music by Mondonville (cf. Barbier II, 970; Cioranescu 63676).

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (1711–1772), violinist, conductor and composer, wrote several operas, oratorios and pastorals, as well as works for harpsichord and sacred music.

He directed the Concert spirituel between 1755 and 1762.

Claude-Henri de Fusée de Voisenon (170–1775), a friend of Voltaire, a familiar figure in the salons and much in favour with Madame de Pompadour, was elected to the Académie française in 1762.

He left a body of dramatic works, novels and tales.

A date inscribed at the head of the title-page, which shows small spots...

First edition illustrated with 8 engraved plates outside the text by Le Bas after Oudry, including a frontispiece and 6 hunting plates depicting stag hunting scenes (cf. Cioranescu, 60 125. Thiébaud 836-39. Cohen 952, with the often fanciful collation characteristic of this bibliography).

A fine copy complete in all its parts, notably retaining leaf Diij, which is sometimes found supplied in facsimile or replaced by a cancel leaf.

Contemporary full mottled tan calf, spine with five raised bands gilt-ruled and richly gilt in compartments with floral tools, gilt rolls to the spine ends, marbled endpapers, two engraved bookplates pasted to the endpapers and pastedowns, gilt...

Rare first edition illustrated with 2 out-of-text plates, hand-coloured at the time, depicting Morlach costumes (cf. Conlon 78:960. Not recorded by Quérard.)

Our copy is preserved in its original stitched wrappers, under the period plain grey covers (spine lacking, covers with tears and detached, corners bumped, a few foxing spots, final endpaper stained at foot).

We have encountered another copy of this work illustrated with a single folding plate containing 3 figures.

Pages 78 to 85 contain a song in the Morlach language, with a French translation printed opposite.

First edition of this short work intended as a supplement to the Voyage dans le Levant by the same author: Auguste de Forbin (1777–1841) indeed undertook this journey in 1820, one year after returning from his extensive expedition to the Middle East, officially carried out in his capacity as Director of the Royal Museums.

Contemporary half caramel sheep, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and garlands and blind-stamped ornaments, gilt rolls at head and foot of spine, joints slightly split at head and foot, blind-stamped palmette decorations to marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns of vat paper, marbled edges.

Our copy is complete with its engraved...

Collective first edition issued by subscription (cf. Le Quillec 524.)

Contemporary red half-shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands ruled in black, minor rubbing to spine and joints, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges, wrappers preserved.

Scattered foxing, trace of a removed bookplate at the upper left corner of a pastedown, small marginal tears to the right margins of several leaves.

The celebrated "Le Temps des cerises", anthem of the Paris Commune, appears on page 243.

First edition (cf. Barbier, III 1145; Monglond, IX 756).

Contemporary half sheep in brown, smooth spine gilt with decorative rolls and stars now partly dulled, joints rubbed, red and dark green morocco lettering-piece, author’s name gilt at the foot, marbled paper boards, a few small abrasions to the edges, corners softened, sprinkled edges, period binding.

Scattered marginal foxing.

Alphonse-Toussaint-Joseph-André-Marie-Marseille, comte de Fortia de Piles (1758–1826), pursued a military career while composing operas, then emigrated during the Revolution and travelled throughout Europe with his friend the chevalier de Boisgelin.

Upon his return to France, he...