PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian Composer. Vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10.5 printed photogr...

PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian Composer. Vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10.5 printed photograph, being the detached frontispiece from one of the composer´s scores, the image depicting Puccini in a head and shoulders pose. Signed and inscribed by Puccini in bold black fountain pen ink, largely to the white borders, to Tina Poli Randaccio, a soprano who held the Minnie main role in several cities premiere´s of Puccini´s opera La Fanciulla del West, stating (`To Mrs Tina Poli Randaccio who with so much soul and art has valorously performed ''Minnie'', offering you my recognition Giacomo Puccini´) and dated Naples, December 1911 in his hand. With a facsimile signature at the base. Extensive overall age wear (light creasing, small tears to the edges) and a few tape stains, slightly affecting a few words of the inscription, but not the signature. FR. £400-600

Ernestina Poli Randaccio (1879-1956) Italian Soprano who performed at the premiere of La Fanciulla del West (1910) in Naples, Milan, and several other Italian cities.