Stephen Sondheim Handwritten Musical Manuscripts and Rare Books Available in Upcoming Bonhams Skinner Event

This May, Bonhams Skinner will showcase handwritten musical manuscripts and scores by composer and lyricist Stephen Joshua Sondheim. One of the most influential figures in American musical theater, Sondheim (1930 – 2021) produced 19 musical productions between 1954 and 2008. He also penned lyrics and composed music for his shows. The upcoming auction highlights manuscript scores (music and lyrics) in pencil for songs from two early unproduced projects, Mary Poppins and High Tor. Also included in this collection of musical manuscripts are photo-reproduced handwritten and rehearsal scores for songs from Sondheim’s unproduced shows. 

The sale also offers one of the two volumes of Kitab Alf Layla wa-Layla (Book of a Thousand and One Nights). This rare Bulaq edition printed in Arabic was published between 1834 and 1835. The red leather-bound book has 356 numbered laid paper pages with pencil illustrations of sailing ships. Among the paper items in the auction are several letters by admirers and constituents addressed to George C. Wallace during his tenure as Governor of Alabama. Other noteworthy lots include a signed 1817 letter by Napoleon Bonaparte to his son, 36 gold-plated tie clips commanded by John F. Kennedy, World War II posters, and more. Visit Bonhams Skinner to view the complete catalog and browse the Fine Books & Rare Manuscripts auction.