Collection of five items signed by noted American composers, including: Jerome Kern (ALS and TLS), Richard Rodgers (SP), J. Fred Coots (ALS), and Noel Coward (TLS). In overall very good to fine condition.
Item specifics:
Jerome Kern (ALS): ALS signed "Jerome," one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, no date. Letter to Mildred and Edwin, in full: "You are too gracious and kind and by continually putting us in your debt carry things entirely too far!!! This note is not only for appreciation of the decanter and the charming thought you had in sending it, but serves to thank you again for one of the pleasantest evenings I can remember. Our respects to Mrs. Knopf." Kern adds a vertical postscript along the left side, "Fairly ettiquetty, I calls it, and pretty God-damned unnatural. Love J." In fine condition.
Jerome Kern (TLS): TLS, one onionskin page, 7 x 10.5, 917 North Whittier Drive letterhead, April 6, 1938. Letter to Gabriel Wells, in part: "I wish I had the time now to make a comprehensive study of the Cortlandt Bishop catalogue, and I wish that I felt that I had the means to indulge myself. But, regretfully, I shall have to postpone assuaging what you call my collecting instinct until the work shrinks and the exchequer expands." In fine condition, with tear to the upper right corner repaired on the reverse with old tape.
Richard Rodgers (SP): Vintage matte-finish 8 x 10 close-up portrait of the acclaimed American composer, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "For my Irene, from her Dick Rodgers." Blindstamped in the lower left by the photographer Alfredo Valente. In very good to fine condition, with trimmed borders, a tear to the top edge, and old mounting remnants on the reverse. Irene Gallagher was an executive for the Chappell Music Co., who worked with Rodgers and other composers for over four decades.
J. Fred Coots (ALS): ALS signed "J. Fred," one page, 7.25 x 10.5, Toy Town Tunes letterhead, March 9, 1979. Letter to former business partner and Hall of Fame pitcher Waite Hoyt, in full: "I'm getting a lot of raves about your calendar. A wonderful possession for me. When will they elect you to Baseball's Hall of Fame? Long overdue. God bless." In fine condition. Accompanied by copies of letters related to Hoyt and his search for promotional material concerning his work with Coots, as well as a pamphlet promoting Coots's Programs of Entertainment.
Noel Coward (TLS): TLS signed "xx, Noel," one page, 5.75 x 7.75, personal letterhead, March 5, 1959. Letter to Radie, in full: "Thank you ever and ever so much for your sweet telegram on the opening night, and for your letter. I really don't think it was Charles's fault about the middle-he had been assured by the management that you were 'looked after' and not unnaturally assumed that it was for the opening night. Anyway, the great thing is that you were there. The notices were a bit of a blow, but we are pressing sturdily on and hoping to rise above them-I am getting quite used to what they call mixed notices by now! Enjoy yourself in Bermuda." In fine condition.
