GEORGE GERSHWIN | A signed presentation copy George Gershwin's masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue.

Property from the Collection of Elsie and Philip Sang

GEORGE GERSHWIN

RHAPSODY IN BLUE, FOR JAZZ BAND AND PIANO ….PIANO SOLO AND SECOND PIANO. NEW YORK: HARMS, [CA. 1927]

Printed musical score, 4to (11 x 9 in.; 279 x 228 mm). 42 pp. with self-wrappers; inked stamp of Chappell & Son Studio in lower right corner of title-page, some soiling to title-page and upper right corners of first few leaves, small chip at upper right corner of title, first two leaves with some separation at joint.

Presentation copy of one of the earlisest appearances of a piano solo arrangement for Rhapsody in Blue, Gershwin's undisputed masterpiece. Inscribed on the title, "For Ford Tarpley — who is just as thoughtful & generous in Paris as he was in Ashville [sic] N. C. with Best Wishes, George Gershwin"

Biographical information on Ford Tarpley, recipient of this score, is sketchy. He appears to have written a stage play, Suicide (a comedy, no less), and written and produced a film, Vida the Vampire, both in 1916.