[Rarebooks] FS: Stravinsky's 1941 arrangement of "The Star-Spangled Banner" inscribed to Merle Armitage

[Kenneth Karmiole]

Stravinsky, Igor. THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. Words by Francis Scott Key. Music by John Stafford Smith. Harmonized and Set for Chorus by Igor Stravinsky. New York: Mercury Music Corp. (1941). Folio. (6)pp. The sheet music with words for this new rendition. Orig. wrappers printed in blue & red. Inscribed in black ink on the title leaf, "As you see, it is true that I made an arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. No records for the moment. Many thanks for your kind letter and all my warmest regards, yours Igor Stravinsky Feb. 9, 1942." Bound in at back is the original envelope with Stravinsky's ink name and address at top left, and the ink address; "Mr. Merle Armitage, Major, Air Corps, Assistant Production Engineering Officer, 8525 W. Warren Ave., Detroit, Michigan." Bound in blue cloth, "Star Spangled Banner" and "Stravinsky" stamped in gold on front cover.                      $2,000.00 (trade discount allowed)
Armitage and Stravinsky were close friends from the 1930s until the composer's death in 1971. They collaborated on numerous projects. Armitage edited the first book about Stravinsky in 1936.

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc.
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