GERSHWIN, George (1898-1937) and Ira GERSHWIN (1896-1983). Someone to Watch Over Me and They all Laughed. New York: New World Music / Chappell, 1968 and 1937.

Two printed piano-vocal scores, each signed and inscribed in black ink on the title page ‘With all Best – From Ira Gershwin’, and each with George Gershwin’s clipped signature affixed beneath titles, the largest 305 x 229 mm, together with a typewritten letter from Ira Gershwin to composer Gerald Marks, dated 9 September 1969, explaining ‘I enclose two songs which I’ve autographed. More important: next to my own, I’ve pasted my brother’s actual signatures (cut from two of his cancelled checks). Why two songs when you asked for one? Simply this: I picked “Someone To Watch Over Me” and then realized that this edition was, unhappily, from the film Star… Hence “They All Laughed” which isn’t “Someone To … etc.” but at least it’s a first edition…’, signed in black ink ‘Ira’, one page on Gershwin’s personalised stationery, 279 x 216 mm. The recipient Gerald Marks was the composer of All Of Me, Is It True What They Say About Dixie, and many other standards.

[With:] SELDES, Gilbert (1893-1970). The Seven Lively Arts. New York & London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1924. First edition, number 25 of 300 copies signed. Ira Gershwin’s ownership inscription in pencil to front free endpaper. Bound in Javanese batik.

[And:] “I Got Rhythm” Variations. New York: New World Music, 1934. Printed piano score for two pianos.