Lot 295

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Description:

Early 20th C. Musicians & Actors Signed Photos, Dealers' Lot, 5 Pcs

An unusual collection of vintage portrait photographs and letters signed by early twentieth-century musicians, composers, conductors, and concert managers including Walter Damrosch, Paul Kochansky, and George Engles. The lot belonged to a woman named Ruth Harris who worked in the music industry.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by influential musical talent manager George Engles as "George Engles" at bottom. Undated but ca. 1920s. On cream stationery with "George Engles / Aeolian Building / New York" letterhead embossed in blue at top. Heavily folded, with some closed tears found along these creases, and with scattered stains at right. Else very good to good. 8.5" x 11." Currently stored in a partly torn oversized Mishkin Studio folder. The letter appears to be a playful farewell to Engles's assistant Ruth Harris, who was leaving her job to get married.

George Engles served as the managing director of the NBC Artists Service and Concert Service from 1928. In this role, Engles was responsible for securing musical talent for radio broadcasts. By 1941, Engles was handling an estimated 350 artists. Talent included Ignace Jan Paderewski, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and other composers, conductors, and musicians.

2. Two photographs engrossed by Walter Damrosch (1862-1950).

These include:

A sepia-colored matte portrait from Mishkin Studio (New York) signed, inscribed, and partly dated along the bottom of the mat as "To Miss Ruth Harris / with cordial greetings and / best wishes / Walter Damrosch / Dec. 8/ 19--." A few superficial scuffs to the photograph surface, and loss to the lower right hand mat corner. Overall size matted: 9.875" x 13.75." Stored in a partly torn oversized Mishkin Studio folder.

A black and white glossy photograph from the studios of Pirie MacDonald (New York), signed and inscribed as "To Miss Ruth Harris / Cordially / from / Walter Damrosch." The white pen has smeared in two places, most notably affecting the "Walter" of Damrosch's signature. The lower left hand corner is lightly creased.

Walter Damrosch was a German-born conductor and composer who directed the New York Symphony Orchestra between 1885-1928.

3. A black and white glossy photograph from Underwood & Underwood Studios (New York), signed and inscribed in French by Paul Kochansky (1887-1934) as "A Mademoiselle Ruth Harris / Souvenir d'une amitiée / bien sincere de / Paul Kochansky / 1922 / N.Y." Minor loss to the upper left hand corner, and with a closed tear along the left edge. Else near fine. 8.125" x 10."

Paul Kochansky was a Polish violinist and composer who taught at the Julliard School of Music between 1924-1934.

4. A sepia-colored matte photograph from E. Forster Studios (Vienna, Austria), signed, inscribed, and dated by Leopold Kramer (1869-1942), the Austrian actor. Dated June 21, 1927 and with a message in German. Stamped verso. Expected wear including isolated stains and wrinkles, else near fine. Overall size matted: 9.375" x 13.375."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000