Porter, Cole

Archive of manuscripts and rehearsal and performance material of songs and numbers from his shows, several hundred items, 1930s to 1970, many annotated by his pianist and friend Lew Kesler, some reproductions of manuscripts, in a variety of hands, with many alterations, corrections, deletions and changes by members of Porter's circle, some possibly by Porter himself, in envelopes with typed descriptions by Porter's secretary Madeline Smith, from Mexican Hayride (3 items), Around the World in Eighty Days, comprising 18 items, including two songs cut from the score: "Missus Aouda" and "Snagtooth Gertie", Something for the Boys (1) Jubilee (3), including "The Beguine", with many alterations), Panama Hattie (6 items, including number of working drafts in the hand of Kesler and others, and Dubarry was a Lady (10 items, including Incidental music, some in the hand of Kesler), annotated lists of songs for a posthumous production of Red, Hot and Blue (1966), typescripts of lyrics of over one hundred songs by Porter, many annotated with performance instructions, some initialed by Kesler, from Panama Hattie, photocopies of the autograph manuscript of Porter's first composition "Song of the Birds", also including rehearsal material for music by Irving Berlin and Styne and Sondheim's Gypsy.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This is a major Porter archive, apparently unseen and unrecorded, containing versions of some of his most important material.