About this Item
An unusual fabric catalogue latching onto an opera theme, not really so germane to the product itself, as a marketing tool. One might assume that the owner of Martin Fabrics was an opera buff, but also, we would note that the company's offices were basically just around the block from the Metropolitan Opera House, then located on Broadway and 39th Street. Of course there are many opera costumes that would have been made of velvet back then, when costumes conformed with the original conception of the work. as opposed to quirky re-imaginings that reject such costumes. The catalogue, on its back cover, asserts that it was prepared with the cooperation of Fred. Rullman, Inc. the publishers of the Met's libretti. Its debt relates to the cover illustration, lifted from the stardard Met libretti then. N.d., circa 1950, when opera enthusiasm was surging in the United States, with the Metropolitan Opera finally loosening its prejudice against American-born singers, and stars such as Tebaldi, London, Tucker, Stevens galvanizing a new audience. Measuring 28.5 by 21.5 cm. With six leaves of card, including front and rear cover, which are ever so slightly larger than the four other leaves and also slightly thicker. 25 fabric swatches on the four other leaves -- 9,13, 2, and 1 on the four leaves, with all content on the rectos. Versos blank. Each leaf with a title, an allusion to opera. Titles are "Traviata", "La Tosca", and "Leonora". The last refers to three opera heroines as far as we know -- the two great Verdi spinto roles in "Il Trovatore" and "Il Forza del Destino", and arguably, the heroine of Beethoven's "Fidelio", although the character's name is, strictly speaking, "Leonore'. Only one title, "Nylovel", has nothing to do with opera, at least to our knowledge, but refers to the fabric itself. The catalogue is scarce. We could find no other copies -- not on OCLC First Search, nor in commerce on the date of this description. Some age toning and light soiling to the cover leaves. Larger swatches were not pasted in all four corners, so they can have some creases. Some pencil notes and pen marks. Vestigial evidence of a rusty clip. All business card attached to top front. The catalogue was clearly used. Still Very Good in our view. Stab binding, card stock covers, chrome metal clasps, string attached to hang the catalogue onto a wall.
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