GEORGE GERSHWIN | Signed and inscribed photo with musical quotation to Maxie Rosenzweig, who first inspired him to become a musician

Property from the Collection of Elsie and Philip Sang

GEORGE GERSHWIN

SIGNED AND INSCRIBED PHOTO WITH MUSICAL QUOTATION TO MAXIE ROSENZWEIG, WHO FIRST INSPIRED HIM TO BECOME A MUSICIAN

Photographic portrait by E. White Studio, (10 x 7 7/8 in.; 253 x 200 mm), New York, [ca. 1924]; somewhat tanned, some light soiling, 2 1-in. tears repaired on verso, pinholes in margins.

Inscribed and signed to Maxie Rosenzweig, "To Maxie The 'Prophet' from George Gershwin, 'Georgie'." Also with an autograph musical quotation captioned "I was so young." On the verso, Rosenzweig (later known as Max Rosen) has inscribed and signed, "June 1924. Accepted & approved, Max."

The story of George Gershwin and Maxie Rosenzweig is well knows to scholars and admirers of the composer. Gershwin was standing in the schoolyard at P.S. 25 in Manhattan when he heard Dvorak's Humoresque through an open window. The violinist was eight-year-old prodigy Maxie Rosenzweig. The two boys were to meet shortly after this and, according to Gershwin, "Maxie opened the word of music to me." Ironically, Maxie told Gershwin he did not have what it take to be a musician. As an adult, Maxie was known as Max Rosen and had a brilliant career as a concert violinist.