Memorabilia collection - 75 opera librettos and theatrical texts - Ricordi, Sonzogno

Extraordinary complete collection of 75 opera librettos and theatrical texts tracing over half a century of Italian and European music publishing history, from 1890 to the 1970s. The collection is divided into a historically exceptional antiquarian core (43 pieces) and a study/endeavor block (32 pieces).

The heart of the collection (43 antique pieces) comprises editions sought-after from the most prestigious publishing houses of the early century, rich in typographic variants, international fiscal stamps, war-time date marks, and precious handwritten inserts:

HIGHLIGHTS ANTIQUARIAN AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS OF REMARKABLE IMPORTANCE:
- R. Leoncavallo, Pagliacci (Sonzogno, 1933): Extraordinary edition with ownership inscription dated "28.8.1937-XV" signed by Elsa Levi. Inside preserves intact the original synopsis and listening guide of the era, entirely handwritten in antique handwriting. A unique piece of theatrical and musical history lived.
- R. Wagner, Lohengrin (Ricordi, 1890): Splendid nineteenth-century piece with Gothic type.
- G. Verdi, Il Trovatore & La Traviata (Ricordi, circa 1895-1905): Two early-century rarities with original price of only 25 cents and indication of the historic Leipzig branch.
- G. Verdi, Rigoletto (Ricordi): Period variant with red cover and 25-cent price.
- G. Puccini, Madama Butterfly (Ricordi, 1938): 2 copies characterized by the iconic cover with stylized dragons signed Montalti (1903), with post-war 12% increase stamps.
- E. Humperdinck, Hänsel e Gretel (Ricordi/Sam Lucas Elberfeld, 1940/41): Rare edition with Italian-German international rights, complete with revenue stamps and war-time increase stamps (5% and 20%) for paper rationing.
- G. Verdi, Un ballo in maschera (Ricordi, 1942): Rare edition printed during the Second World War (MCMXLII-XX) with fiscal stamps and wartime increases.
- G. Bizet, Carmen (Sonzogno, 1934): Enriched by the rare red ink blind stamp of the Parisian publisher "Choudens" for international rights management.
- A. Ponchielli, La Gioconda (Ricordi, 1937): With original blind stamp "12 37", 12% increase stamp, and typographic note on the era’s theatrical cut ("La preghiera a pag. 28 non si eseguisce").
- G. Rossini, Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Ricordi): Magnificent blue Liberty cover at 1 Lira with stamp of the historic shop "Paolo Maffei - Via Carlo Alberto, Milano".

RARE INDEPENDENT AND SMALL-ISSUE PUBLISHERS (1910s-1940s):
- Edizioni .E.R.T.A. (1932): Bellini’s "La Sonnambula", rare radioedition from the era (EIAR), with an internal portrait plate of the composer outside the text.
- Casa Editrice A. Cervieri (circa 1910-20): Verdi’s "Aida", unusual pocket edition by this Milanese independent publisher.
- Edizioni Floreal Liberty (circa 1912): G. Giacosa’s "Una partita a scacchi", rare early-century theatrical text in Art Nouveau style.
- Edizioni A. Barion (Sesto San Giovanni, 1932-1937): Important core of 15 libretti (Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini) characterized by the typical woodcut covers and variants in typesetting.
- Edizioni Sonzogno (1934-1942): Includes "Pagliacci" (1935) with fascist era dating (1935-XIII), "Zazà" (1940), "Andrea Chénier" (1942) and two graphic variants of "Cavalleria Rusticana" (1934/1937).

To complete the lot there are 32 librettos from a later era (1960s/70s), mainly Fratelli Fabbri Editori and Ricordi editions, ideal for study or reading.
Conditions: Various and mixed as shown in the photos.