Lot 1596
FRANK SINATRA'S PERSONAL STAGE PERFORMANCE BAR STOOL
One of the greatest Frank Sinatra personality items one could obtain, the iconic four-legged black stool which he used at every concert at which he performed world-wide from 1985, until his last performance in Palm Springs on February 25, 1995. The custom-made stool bears several coats of flat-black paint and stands 31" tall overall and 14" x 14" at the base. It bears a 12" diameter cushion with round black bead trim, the cushion affixed to a circular piece of painted chipboard with a ball-bearing swivel fitted out of view so that the cushion can easily turn. The cushion bears a 4" x 2" repair made with black tape to the top surface. Fans of Sinatra (and film evidence) document the presence of the chair everywhere Sinatra publicly sang. As a matter of fact, Sinatra performed with only two items onstage: this stool and a microphone. The stool was usually used in his more melancholy, barroom ballads, or later, as Sinatra tired toward the end of a show. This relic, comparable to Michael Jackson's bejeweled glove, comes with sterling provenance. Three original letters of provenance accompany the lot. The first is signed by Carmel Malin, a professional concert violinist who performed with Sinatra for over 35 years. She recalls the chair: "...always being present, on stage, when Mr. Sinatra performed. He considered it part of his act...". The second letter is from Paul Malignaggi who is now Production Manager and Music Contractor for Frank Sinatra, Jr. and was Assistant Production Manager for Frank Sinatra since 1985 until his retirement. Malignaggi was with Sinatra on every one of his tours, domestic and international, and states that the stool "was used by him at every show and concert...he would undertake for the rest of his life." He concludes: "I was present at Mr. Sinatra's final concert performance (six songs) at Palm Springs in February, 1995, and the stool was present at that event as well. The stool bears a repair made to the seat with black 'gaffer's' tape - I made the repair myself in the late 1980s...". The third letter, the most significant, is from Henry Cattaneo, Sinatra's production manager who also produced Sinatra's last three albums. His letter of provenance reads, in part: "...[the stool] was made for Mr. Sinatra in the mid-1980s after he complained that his jacket would hang up on his old stool, and he could not easily turn to face the orchestra or the audience. This stool traveled with Mr. Sinatra to every show where he performed. It was also with him, and used by him, at his last commercial performance. Interestingly, Mr. Sinatra would always pick up and reposition this stool before every show, even if he moved it only an inch!...". Both Mr. Malignaggi and Mr. Cattaneo's signed letters bear photographs of the stool. Also present are two still photos from recent Youtube videos of 1989 and 1993 Sinatra concerts clearly showing the stool. Finally, there is a CD cassette case and descriptive insert from Sinatra's 2009 album Frank Sinatra Live at the Meadowlands", the cover showing Sinatra seated on this very stool. The insert is signed by the album's producer, Mr. Henry Cattaneo, who wrote the letter of provenance above. All three letters of provenance were dictated and signed before a representative of Alexander Autographs, Inc. at our offices and at the residence of Mr. Cattaneo. A great souvenir of "Ol' Blue Eyes"!
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