Autographs
Done
New York, NY, United States
Auction Details
Autographs
It is doubtful that anyone needs to be reminded that the names of Americans have a surprising way of turning up on the pages of history. Foremost among them are the names of U.S. presidents, and the fall autographs auction includes some remarkable illustrations of this, including an extraordinary album of autographs by presidents—a continuous run of autograph letters, many outstanding in content and condition, from George Washington to Harry Truman—one of only a handful of such albums ever offered at auction (pictured left). Other important Americans in the sale include a Revolutionary War–dated letter signed by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben concerning Cornwallis’s abandonment of his own troops; and an endorsement from Major General George Custer, signed by him during the Civil War.
The world is wide and there are heroes everywhere, like Marie Curie, whose uncommon autograph note signed to a dancer wanting help making her costume glow is available; or Florence Nightingale, who, in an attractive autograph letter, thanks an engineer for supplying equipment to a girls’ school in Sarajevo; or Rabindranath Tagore, who stole a moment to sign a photographic portrait of himself.
In addition to yet more exceptional autographs—such as a copy of Black Muslims in America signed and inscribed by Malcolm X, and the autograph notes by John Ford for his 1939 film Stagecoach—there are also notable items by writers, artists, entertainers, astronauts, scientists, musicians, and others.
Auction Curator:

Marco Tomaschett
Specialist, AutographsSOLD
Est.
$400
-$600
SOLD
Est.
$1,000
-$2,000
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$700
-$1,000
SOLD
Est.
$700
-$1,000
SOLD
Est.
$2,000
-$3,000
SOLD
0151: Claude Debussy. Autograph Letter Signed, to "Dear Sir and Friend," [Mr. GÈrard, husband of his
Est.
$800
-$1,200
SOLD
Est.
$800
-$1,200
SOLD
Est.
$1,000
-$2,000
SOLD
Est.
$700
-$1,000
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$1,000
-$2,000
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$800
-$1,200
Est.
$600
-$900
Lot Passed
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
SOLD
Est.
$400
-$600
SOLD
Est.
$1,500
-$2,500
SOLD
Est.
$800
-$1,200
SOLD
Est.
$60,000
-$70,000
SOLD
Est.
$600
-$900
Est.
$800
-$1,200
Lot Passed
TOP




![Enrico Caruso. Group of 4 items. 3 drawings, signature. [Stuttgart?], 1913; [Ostende?], nd; [New: Enrico Caruso Group of 4 items: three graphite or ink drawings, including two Signed * Signature. The drawings, each a bust portrait drawn on verso of hotel stationery. The first, showing a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603563_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)

![Claude Debussy. Autograph Note Signed, to "Miss" [his student Miss Worms de Romilly, later Mrs.: Claude Debussy Autograph Note Signed, to "Miss" [his student Miss Worms de Romilly, later Mrs. GÈrard de Romilly], in French, sending regards, looking forward to their Friday meeting, and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603565_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)
![Claude Debussy. Autograph Letter Signed, to "Miss" [his student Miss Worms de Romilly, later Mrs.: Claude Debussy Autograph Letter Signed, to "Miss" [his student Miss Worms de Romilly, later Mrs. GÈrard de Romilly], in French, explaining that he must attend a rehearsal, hoping to meet on](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603566_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)
![Claude Debussy. Score for voice and piano of Chansons de Bilitis, Paris: EugËne Fromont, (1898): Claude Debussy Score for voice and piano of Chansons de Bilitis, Signed and Inscribed, "a: E. Damati[?] / bien cordialement," settings for three poems from Pierre Louˇs's work by the same name](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603567_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)
![Claude Debussy. Autograph Letter Signed, to "Dear Sir and Friend," [Mr. GÈrard, husband of his: Claude Debussy Autograph Letter Signed, to "Dear Sir and Friend," [Mr. GÈrard, husband of his former student Miss Worms de Romilly], in French, explaining that he has an engagement on Sunday in](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603568_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)







![Jules Massenet. HÈrodiade OpÈra en 4 Actes & 7 Tableaux. Piano-vocal score Signed and: Jules Massenet HÈrodiade OpÈra en 4 Actes & 7 Tableaux. Piano-vocal score Signed and Inscribed, "‡ Mademoiselle / [name rubbed out] / hommage d'un ami de son pËre / J. Massenet](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603576_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)

![NiccolÚ Piccinni. Letter Signed, to "Citizen Director." [Paris], 30 September 1799.: Seeking money due to him a few months before his death NiccolÚ Piccinni Letter Signed, "N. Piccinni / Maison d'angivilliers," to "Citizen Director," in French, pleading that he order the](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603578_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)

![Giacomo Puccini. Autograph Note Signed, to an unnamed recipient ("Eg[regi]o Signore [Dear Sir]").: Giacomo Puccini Autograph Note Signed, to an unnamed recipient ("Eg[regi]o Signore [Dear Sir]"), in Italian, thanking for his kind reception in the city of Lausanne. 1 page, 12mo; faint marginal](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/199/394464/218603580_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1761766804)





