This Was Toscanini -- [Inscribed Association Copy] [1963 Music Photography]

A stunning photographic tribute to Arturo Toscanini, capturing the intensity of the legendary conductor in rehearsal and performance. This First Edition copy is inscribed by the photographer, Robert Hupka, to fellow publisher Ben Raeburn (Horizon Press). Key Features: +++ Association: Inscribed in ink on the front free endpaper: 'To dear Ben Raeburn — / Most cordially, / Robert Hupka / March 25, 1969'. +++ Visuals: Features 84 magnificent sheet-fed gravure photographs by Robert Hupka. Hupka famously took these candid shots surreptitiously during NBC Symphony broadcasts, capturing facial expressions and gestures rarely seen by the public. +++ Content: The text by Samuel Antek, a violinist who played under Toscanini for 17 years, offers an insider's view of the Maestro's technique and temperament. Condition: Near Fine in Good Dust Jacket. The book itself is in exceptional condition; tight, square, and clean with no flaws. The dust jacket is price-intact ($17.50) but has significant flaws, including a large closed tear and creasing on the rear panel, along with general edge wear. Historical Significance: This volume remains one of the most important visual records of Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957). Robert Hupka's photographs are technically masterful, taken under difficult low-light conditions without flash, yet they reveal the 'terrifying intensity' of Toscanini's conducting style better than any film. The inscription to Ben Raeburn connects this work to the broader context of mid-century New York intellectual life. Keywords: Arturo Toscanini, Classical Music, Conducting, Robert Hupka, NBC Symphony Orchestra, Music Photography, Ben Raeburn, Association Copy, Samuel Antek, Gravure Printing.