Hi,

The danger of putting alerting current ebay items on here is that posters end up bidding against each other. Maybe so, but occasionally I see very interesting items that I won't bid for but I'm thinking someone on here might have an interest.

I'm not talking about autographs of Rossini or Verdi or Caruso (Stanley Gibons do have these for a few grand) but I'm talking about lesser known musicians and composers. Items do come up and are never bid on.

For example at first glance some photos and autographs of violinist/composer August Wilhelmj (1845-1908) might seem of little interest, and they are not going to be particularly expensive. The items include letters framed so the signature is visible - I wonder what the letters contain (they are in English, he worked in London for about 14 years).

In the item descriptions the seller misses an important aspect of Herr Wilhemj's career. He occupied the first desk in the orchestra at the opening performance at Bayreuth in 1876.

So, all you Wagnerites, get bidding 

There are several items, here is one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/August-Wilhelmj-Photograph-With-Signed-Letter_W0QQitemZ230098004147QQihZ013QQcategoryZ50QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or look for item no 230098004147

also 230098002414, 230098006122, 230098011944

John W

Hi t-p,

I believe the only known recordings by August Wilhelmj are on cylinders and a sample can be heard at the British Library website:

http://www.bl.uk/collections/sound-archive/wam.html

The sound quality is lousy, and the actual playing style for the piece 'Witches' Dance' is very strange 

There are curious items there. I listen to Tolstoy's waltz, but could not understand what Tolstoy they are talking about. There were few Tolstoys writers. I didnot know Tolstoy could even play. I heard his wife could play.
The piece is sentimental. It gives some insight into composer phyche and his tastes.
There are Poulenc songs. May be people did not notice the post as many collect things like busts etc.

For fans of Boris Blacher