RR Auction: Rare Manuscript, Document, and Autograph Auction

Auction Details

Headquartered in Boston’s North End, RR Auction is a globally recognized and trusted source for rare documents, manuscripts, autographs, and historic artifacts. Since its inception in 1980, RR has achieved countless record-setting prices in over 425 successful sales, including Truman Capote’s hand-notated manuscript for Breakfast at Tiffany’s for over $300,000, President Kennedy’s 1963 convertible for $318,000, and a pair of Bonnie and Clyde’s guns for over $500,000. Internationally known and frequently featured in all media outlets—with appearances on NBC’s Today Show, CBS This Morning, Fox News, the New York Times Sunday Magazine, and the London Times—RR Auction prides itself on selling authentic material, thoroughly examined by in-house experts and third-party authenticators, to uphold the guarantee of authenticity. With a stunning full-color print catalog and a massive online presence, RR Auction continues to achieve record prices for clients around the world.
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
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Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr688 - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
RR Auction
ALS, one page, 4.5 x 7, November 2, 1887. Letter to a gentleman. In full: “I beg you to accept my cordial thanks for your kind letter, which has given
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Washington Irving689 - Washington Irving
RR Auction
Ink signature, “The autograph of Washington Irving, Sunnyside, April 17th 1847,” on an off-white 3.75 x 2 slip. Matted to an overall size of 6 x 4. So
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Johannes V. Jensen690 - Johannes V. Jensen
RR Auction
Danish author (1873–1950) who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1944. ALS in German, one page, 8.25 x 10.75, October 17, 1934. Untranslated
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Henry Miller691 - Henry Miller
RR Auction
Personal check, 6 x 3.25, filled out in another hand and signed by Miller, payable to Albert Wiggins for $30, February 22, 1978. In fine condition, wi
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Anne Sexton692 - Anne Sexton
RR Auction
A seminal confessional poet (1928-1974) and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1967, Sexton battled mental illness throughout her life until committin
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Eugene O’Neill693 - Eugene O’Neill
RR Auction
Signed book: The Hairy Ape. Special limited edition, numbered 90/775. NY: Horace Liveright, 1929. Hardcover with dust jacket and slipcase, 7.75 x 10.2
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Tennessee Williams694 - Tennessee Williams
RR Auction
Personal check, 8.5 x 3.25, filled out in type and signed by Williams, payable to Hotel Elysee for $719.32, September 14, 1978. Bank stamp touching fi
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Writers and Illustrators695 - Writers and Illustrators
RR Auction
Collection of five books, each signed on an opening page by the book’s writer or illustrator. Signers are: Bennett Cerf (Laughter Incorporated); John
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Wilhelm Backhaus700 - Wilhelm Backhaus
RR Auction
German pianist (1884–1969) known for his interpretations of Beethoven and romantic music such as that by Brahms. Extremely early 5.25 x 8.5 cabinet ph
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Max Bruch701 - Max Bruch
RR Auction
German composer (1838–1920) who wrote over 200 works, including staples of the violin repertoire. ALS in German, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Vincenzo Bellini702 - Vincenzo Bellini
RR Auction
Italian composer (1801–1835). Impressive and scarce musical manuscript in Bellini’s hand, on a 10.75 x 8 musically-lined sheet, identified along the t
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Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Hector Berlioz703 - Hector Berlioz
RR Auction
ALS in French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 5 x 8, April 10, 1845. Letter to Monsieur Chamboose. In full (translated): “It has been impossible for m
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Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Enrico Caruso704 - Enrico Caruso
RR Auction
Choice fountain pen signature, “Enrico Caruso 1919,” on an off-white 4 x 2.5 collector’s card. In fine condition.
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Enrico Caruso705 - Enrico Caruso
RR Auction
Untranslated ALS in Italian, one page on a 5.5 x 3.5 postcard depicting the interior of Pompei’s Casa degli Amorini Dorati. Dampstaining to the lower
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Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Enrico Caruso706 - Enrico Caruso
RR Auction
ALS, half in Italian and half in French, signed “Caruso,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.5 x 7.5, no date. Letter to “Cara Graziella.” In full (
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pablo Casals707 - Pablo Casals
RR Auction
Revered Spanish cellist and composer (1876–1973) widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of the instrument. Uncommon matte-finish 5 x 7
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pablo Casals708 - Pablo Casals
RR Auction
Uncommon 5 x 8 book photo of Casals at a Steinway piano, signed in blue felt tip, “Pablo Casals, 1971.” Multiple horizontal folds and staple holes to
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Eugen d’Albert709 - Eugen d’Albert
RR Auction
Scottish-born German composer (1864–1932) of operas and much orchestral and piano music. AMQS on a 4.5 x 3.5 off-white card. D’Albert pens two measure
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Vincent d’Indy710 - Vincent d’Indy
RR Auction
French composer and teacher (1851–1931) best known for his ‘Symphony on a French Mountain Air.’ Untranslated ALS in French, one page, lightly-lined, 5
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Alfred Cortot711 - Alfred Cortot
RR Auction
Franco-Swiss pianist and conductor (1877–1962). He is one of the most renowned 20th-century classical musicians, known for his Romantic period piano w
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pablo de Sarasate712 - Pablo de Sarasate
RR Auction
Spanish violinist and composer of the Romantic period (1844–1908). Great 4 x 5.75 cabinet portrait of Sarasate posing with his violin and bow, signed
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Estimate : 400.00 - 600.00
 
 
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Leo Delibes713 - Leo Delibes
RR Auction
ALS in French, one page, 4 x 6.5, no date. Untranslated letter to a friend. In fine condition, with a bit of scattered trivial soiling and a couple pe
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Gaetano Donizetti714 - Gaetano Donizetti
RR Auction
Composer (1797–1848), born in Bergamo, Italy. AMQS on a 12.5 x 8.5 off-white musically-lined sheet. Donizetti pens 21 bars of music from an unidentifi
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Estimate : 2,000.00 - 2,500.00
 
 
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Mischa Elman715 - Mischa Elman
RR Auction
Russian violinist (1891–1967), who began his virtuosic career as a child and played Carnegie Hall at age 17. His recording career spanned six decades,
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Georges Enesco716 - Georges Enesco
RR Auction
ALS in French, one page both sides, 5.5 x 8.5, Mount Royal Hotel letterhead, January 6, 1933. Untranslated to Louis Persinger. In fine condition. Acco
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Gabriel Faure717 - Gabriel Faure
RR Auction
Influential French composer (1845–1924). ALS in French, one page, 4.5 x 7, no date. Untranslated letter to an unidentified gentleman. In fine conditio
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Edvard Grieg718 - Edvard Grieg
RR Auction
Important Norwegian composer and pianist (1843–1907) whose works, often with a strong nationalistic flavor, include such repertory staples as the ‘Pia
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Estimate : 800.00 - 1,200.00
 
 
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Percy Grainger719 - Percy Grainger
RR Auction
Well-regarded Australian-born pianist, conductor, and composer (1882–1961) best known for his folk settings and colorful experimental works. Matte-fin
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Emil Gilels720 - Emil Gilels
RR Auction
Highly acclaimed Soviet pianist (1916–1985). Beethoven Piano Concert No. 3 in C Minor Op. 37 album signed and inscribed on the front cover in Cyrillic
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Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Charles Gounod721 - Charles Gounod
RR Auction
French composer (1818–1893) known for his opera, Faust, and for his composition of ‘Ave Maria.’ Untranslated ALS in French, signed “Ch. Gounod,” one p
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Edvard Grieg722 - Edvard Grieg
RR Auction
Ink signature, “Edvard Grieg, Amsterdam 5/5/06,” on an off-white album page. Matted with a portrait of Grieg to an overall size of 9.75 x 11.75. In fi
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Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Reynaldo Hahn723 - Reynaldo Hahn
RR Auction
Venezuelan composer, conductor, music critic, and theatre director (1874–1947). ALS in French, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 7, Grand Hotel
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Alfred Hertz724 - Alfred Hertz
RR Auction
German conductor (1872–1942) best known as the director of the San Francisco Symphony. DS, four pages, 8.5 x 14, July 31, 1917. Contract for Louis Per
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Jeno Hubay725 - Jeno Hubay
RR Auction
Hungarian violinist, composer, and music teacher (1858–1937). Scarce 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Hubay posing with his violin and bow, nicely signed i
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Joseph Joachim726 - Joseph Joachim
RR Auction
Hungarian violinist and composer (1831–1907) ranked second only to Paganini among 19th-century virtuosi. He was a close associate of Johannes Brahms,
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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William Kapell727 - William Kapell
RR Auction
American pianist (1922–1953) who was killed in a plane crash at the age of 31. Rare matte-finish 8 x 10 head-and-shoulders photo, signed in blue ink,
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Maria Malibran728 - Maria Malibran
RR Auction
Legendary mezzo-soprano (1808–1836) who was one of the most famous opera singers of the 19th century. She passed away at age 28 from injuries sustaine
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Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Giovanni Martinelli729 - Giovanni Martinelli
RR Auction
Italian operatic tenor associated with the lyric-dramatic repertory (1885–1969). Matte-finish 5.75 x 4.5 photo of Martinelli with his arms crossed, si
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Pietro Mascagni730 - Pietro Mascagni
RR Auction
Lengthy AMQS on an 11 x 6 off-white musically-lined sheet. Mascagni pens an incredible 14 bars of music and lyrics from his opera ‘Cavalleria Rustican
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Estimate : 600.00 - 800.00
 
 
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Jules Massenet731 - Jules Massenet
RR Auction
French composer (1842–1912) best known for such operas as ‘Manon,’ ‘Werther,’ and ‘Thais.’ ALS in French, signed “J. Massenet,” one page, 4 x 6, no da
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Arthur Nikisch732 - Arthur Nikisch
RR Auction
ALS, one page both sides, 4.5 x 7, March 31, 1904. Letter to a lady. In part: “Let me thank you heartily for that excellent medallion of Richard Wagne
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Arthur Nikisch733 - Arthur Nikisch
RR Auction
Internationally renowned Hungarian conductor (1855–1922). Matte-finish 3.25 x 5.25 real photo postcard of Nikisch in a handsome suit, signed and inscr
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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David Oistrakh734 - David Oistrakh
RR Auction
Glossy 3.5 x 5.5 postcard photo of the virtuoso with his violin, signed and inscribed in Russian in the lower border in fountain pen, and dated Decemb
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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David Oistrakh735 - David Oistrakh
RR Auction
ALS in English, one page both sides, 8 x 11.25, May 26, 1960. Letter to Louis Persinger. In part: “I received your second letter with invtation to par
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Giacomo Puccini736 - Giacomo Puccini
RR Auction
Superlative matte-finish 3.25 x 5.25 postcard photo of Puccini in formal attire, boldly signed in black ink along the right side. In fine condition. A
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Estimate : 1,000.00 - 1,500.00
 
 
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Giacomo Puccini737 - Giacomo Puccini
RR Auction
Italian composer (1858–1924) who earned a central place in the operatic pantheon with such repertoire staples as ‘La boheme,’ ‘Madama Butterfly,’ and
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Estimate : 1,500.00 - 2,000.00
 
 
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Sergei Rachmaninoff738 - Sergei Rachmaninoff
RR Auction
Crisp fountain pen signature, “Sergei Rachmaninoff,” on an off-white 5 x 2 slip. In fine condition.
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Carl Reinecke739 - Carl Reinecke
RR Auction
German composer, conductor, and pianist (1824–1910). Uncommon 4.25 x 6.5 cabinet photo of Reinecke sporting vicious sideburns, boldly signed at the bo
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Estimate : 200.00 - 400.00
 
 
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Maurice Ravel740 - Maurice Ravel
RR Auction
Choice AMQS on an off-white 5.75 x 3.5 card, crisply signed and inscribed in black ink, “A Madame Luch Haupt, Maurice Ravel.” Ravel pens the opening t
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Estimate : 5,000.00 - 6,000.00
 
 
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Sviatoslav Richter741 - Sviatoslav Richter
RR Auction
Soviet piano virtuoso (1915–1997) who was widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. Russian release of an album containing
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Estimate : 800.00 - 1,000.00
 
 
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