THE AUTOGRAPH BLOG

Investing in Autographs: 6 Things You Need to Consider

Investing in autographs is a compelling niche in the world of collectibles, combining the allure of personal connection with historical figures and celebrities with the potential for substantial financial gain. Every collector wants to also think his autographs are a good investment, but the truth is that is not always...

Seiji Ozawa: A Life and Career in Classical Music

Born September 1st, 1935, Seiji Ozawa passed away at the age of 88 on February 6th, 2024. Seiji Ozawa was a renowned orchestra conductor with a career spanning over five decades, most notably as the music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1973 to 2002. Ozawa was celebrated for...

Tchaikovsky in America - In his Own Words

Did you know that Tchaikovsky came to America for the inauguration of Carnegie Hall, in New York, in 1891?. The composer conducted his own music, and visited other American cities during the 4+ weeks he was in the USA. We can follow his trip by reading some extracts from his...

Collecting Music Autographs: An Appealing Hobby

Collecting music autographs has universal appeal, making it the most dynamic field in autograph collecting. This specialization is unique in its universal appeal; while assembling collections of signers of the Declaration of Independence or American presidents might not interest most German or Japanese collectors, they are likely to share with...

Halcyon Years at the Met: 1921-1926

General Manager Giulio Gatti-Casazza’s repertory policy remained unchanged for the seasons immediately following the death of Enrico Caruso. With seemingly inexhaustible funds at his disposal, he mounted new productions of revivals that were wonderfully cast and usually well received. Novelties also proliferated but were, at best, hailed as interesting experiments. New...

"Maestro" Movie in Review - A Leonard Bernstein Biopic

Maestro is a biographical drama film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper as legendary American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Boasting impeccable technical merits from cinematography to production design, the film still falls into a common biopic trap of lacking emotional resonance even as it aims to capture a cultural...

How to Avoid Buying Autographs from Fake Sites

SAFEGUARD YOURSELF FROM FAKE AUTOGRAPH SHOPPING WEBSITES As the world shifts more towards online shopping, it's crucial to recognize and avoid the pitfalls that come with it. One such pitfall is the proliferation of fake shopping websites. These sites appear legitimate but are designed to steal your money or personal...

7 Things to Do for An Autograph Session

You're going to meet someone famous at an event or party. Beforehand, there are several things you should consider doing to prepare for the experience. KNOW WHO YOU ARE MEETING If you're meeting someone who's well-known, you'll probably want to make sure you've done some research beforehand. This will help...

Marston Records - A Story

MARSTON RECORDS IS NOW 26 Scott Kessler and I founded Marston Records in 1997, so it is now twenty-six years old. Starting the label was a natural extension of the audio restoration work I had been doing since 1976, remastering historic recordings of musical performances reissued by labels such as...

The Sembrich Museum: History, Collection, and Events

Marcella Sembrich: Her Life and Career The Sembrich Museum originally served as teaching studio for Marcella Sembrich. She was a famed Polish musician, soprano, and teacher active throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Sembrich's first performance in the opera took place in 1877 in Athens. She then moved...

Beethoven Hair: In Search for the Truth

Reality may often be weirder than fiction, with more planning and rifer with an accident that could be envisaged in a composition generated only by the mind. One example of this aspect is Russell Martin's Beethoven's Hair: An Extraordinary Historical Odyssey and a Scientific Mystery Solved. Some components may shake even...

No German at the Met: 1917-1921

In 1917, the Metropolitan Opera could hardly ignore the fact that the United States was at war with Germany, the homeland of the Richards Wagner and Strauss, and of many of the singers who sang their music. The German language would not be sung again from the stage of the...

Richard Wagner's Visit to London in 1855: A Turning Point in His Career

One of the most enduringly influential composers of the 19th century, Richard Wagner made three visits to London. His first, in 1839, was almost accidental - caused by the travel requirements of the Wagners large Newfoundland dog, and a planned trip to Paris. [CLICKABLE IMAGE] A portrait of the celebrated...

Schubert Geburtshaus in Vienna - Exploring Where it All Began

Schubert Geburtshaus, or Schubert’s birthplace, is a museum in Vienna, Austria, dedicated to the life and work of composer Franz Schubert. The museum is located in the building where Schubert was born. Here, a young Schubert took his first explorative steps in the world - long before he became known...

Francesco Tamagno - The Fantastic Tenor and First Otello

Francesco Tamagno was born in Turin on December 28th 1850. His family was from the peripheral area “Barriera di Milano”, where they run a trattoria (small family-run casual restaurant). Unfortunately, after the Cholera outbreak of 1854, parents Margherita and Carlo were left with only 5 of their 15 sons. Among...

The Met 1910-17: The Toscanini Era and the Winds of War

NEW BROOMS At the start of the 1910-11 season, Giulio Gatti-Casazza and Arturo Toscanini had secured mastery over the artistic fortunes of the Met, but rather than settle into complacency, they strengthened their resolve to give New York a program of meticulously prepared revivals of the standard repertoire, premieres of...

Marcel Proust: Une vie de lettres et d’images by Pedro Corrêa do Lago

When an author spends forty years of their life putting together a book that is as much labor of love as it is academic text, you know it’s going to reach a wider audience than a new life of Proust might otherwise do.  Only a part of Pedro Corrêa do...

The History of Photographic Formats After 1924

The main challenge during the first 100 years of photographic printing was to develop a stable method for saving an image on paper. The following century was devoted to fine-tuning this process, yet, having reached the pinnacle of printing with exceptional clarity and vibrant colors, it is now largely ignored...

Did Callas give birth to a son by Onassis?

Soon after the sudden death of Maria Callas in 1977, rumors of a pregnancy by her lover Aristotle Onassis emerged, but of a forced abortion rather than a birth. Those close to her could not believe that she would have done this, as she desperately wanted a child. She had investigations for...

Jaws Memorabilia: The Ultimate Guide for Collectors

As one of the most iconic and memorable films in U.S. cinema history, Jaws catapulted Steven Spielberg from a fledgling director with promise to a household name who's never wavered from his place on the roster of box office royalty. Fans have feverishly collected Jaws memorabilia, from T-shirts to movie...

Haus der Musik - Oscillate Between History and Musical History and Interactive Experiences

The Haus der Musik, or "House of Music," is a museum in Vienna, Austria, dedicated to the history and appreciation of music. Located in the center of the city, the museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, concerts, and educational programs for visitors of all ages. The self-proclaimed "musical adventure...

Farewell to Grace Bumbry: A Life of Trailblazing Success

THE BIRTH OF A STAR Grace Melzia Bumbry (1937-2023) was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 4, 1937; the third child of Benjamin Bumbry, a railroad freight handler, and Melzia Bumbry, a teacher, a family of modest meands, deeply religious and highly musical. [IMAGE] A beautiful black-and-white photograph  signed...

19 Greatest Organ Composers in Classical Music

Organ music is one of the most beautiful and moving forms of classical music. It's also one of the more difficult to write, as the organ is an incredibly versatile instrument that can be used to create a wide range of moods and styles. But who are the greatest composers...

Farewell to Record Collector Larry Holdridge

Record collector and dealer Larry Holdridge - a unique and important member of the classical music community passed on February 7th, 2023. Lawrence “Larry” Holdridge of Amityville, New York was 83 years old and died after a short illness. His key place in the current music scene was little known,...

Showing items 1-24 of 220.

Tamino Autographs @2021 - All rights reserved.


Showing items 1-24 of 220.

Tamino Autographs @2021 - All rights reserved.