Description:

Gershwin George 1898 - 1937 Superb George Gershwin TLS with "Porgy and Bess" content: "My new show is in rehearsal and takes all my time at present".

Single page TLS, 8.25" x 10.5", on George Gershwin's personal letterhead with his 132 East 72nd Street, New York address. Dated '11 September 1933", and boldly signed by Gershwin in full signature as "George Gershwin". Overall toning to the paper with a small 1" intact tear along the bottom edge, a small corner crease well outside of margins, and a small separation at horizontal fold, else near fine.

Gershwin expresses his avoidance of public speaking and notes his busy schedule and upcoming new show, "I have never made public addresses ... My new show is in rehearsal and takes all my time at present". At the time of this letter, Gershwin's most loved Opera, Porgy and Bess would have commenced production. In 1934 he had composed "Summertime" , Gershwin's attempt to create his own spiritual in the style of the African American folk music of the period and became one of his most well known hits. Initially a commercial failure, Porgy and Bess is now considered one of the most important American operas of the twentieth century.

This period of Gershwin's life was at a high point in his short career with Gershwin forming what one might today call the "Gershwin brand": the legacy of a composer of not only commercially successful songs and shows but of enduring classical masterworks of American music.

Gershwin passed away when quite young, just 3 years after the writing of this letter, so his autographs are quite scarce. This is an unusual example with a bold signature with high contrast.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. ***PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIPMENT TO BE SENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE ON FILE WITH INVALUABLE, YOU WILL NEED TO INFORM US OF THIS AS SOON AS PAYMENT IS SUBMITTED FOR YOUR WINNINGS*** Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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