Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Wilhelm Backhaus Autograph Lot

Wilhelm Backhaus: Hand signied, tinted Photo ( Fayer, Wien ). 3,2 x 5,3 inches, slightly fixed to a program from 1966 ( easy to remove ). Concert program of the Wiener Festwochen, Conductor Zubin Mehta, Soloist Wilhelm Backhaus. Complete Program, 8 pages.



Furthermore a greeting card ( Xmas and New Year ), signed and dedicated by Wilhem Backhaus himself “ Frl. Erika Salomon Ihre guten Wünsche herzlichst erwidernd Wilhelm und Alma Backhaus ). 15 x 10,5 cm. + cover.

Wilhelm Backhaus (1884–1969) was an important German pianist.

According to some critics Backhaus was one of the first modern artists of the keyboard (see Alfred Cortot for his antithesis) and played with a clean, spare, and objective style. In spite of this analytic approach, his performances are full of feeling. One of the first pianists to leave recordings, he had a long career on the concert stage and in the studio and left us a great legacy. He recorded virtually the complete works of Beethoven and a large quantity of Mozart and Brahms, and he was also the first to record the Chopin etudes, in 1928; this is still widely regarded as one of the best recordings.


More Classical Music Autographs HERE

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Renate Müller Autograph: Old Ross Photo, CoA

Renate Müller Autograph on "Ross - Verlag" Photo. Signed with pencil. The autograph comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.


Renate Muellers debut was in the silent movie area. However her breakthrough came with"Darling of the Gods" (30), Flute Concert of Sans-Souci (1931), "The Office Girl"(1931), The Little Escapade (1931), " Victor and Victoria "( 33 )...

Muller met Adolf Hitler in Denmark and they spent a great deal of time together but the relationship didn't last too long.

After Mueller left Hitler she was observed by the Gestapo since she knew things which could have compromised Hitler. She became addicted to morphine and went into a sanatorium. On 1st October 1937 Renate Müller was frightened by the appearance of 4 SS men at her sanatorium. In panic she jumped out of the window and was killed.

More such Autographs HERE

Sunday, February 10, 2008

China 1910: Vintage postcard Opium Smoker. Hongkong to Wien.

Old China: Vintage postcard depicting a group of young men as they smoke pipes and opium.



The postcard has been issued by Sternberg.

Sent as postcard from Hong Kong via Shanghai and Siberia to Wien, Austria.

Fine condition.

More Chinese Vintage Postcards HERE