A very interesting collection of signed photographs and autographs from French musicians of the early twentieth century, from the collection of violinist Marcel Chailley, his wife, pianist Céliny Chailley-Richez, and their son Jacques Chailley. Marcel and Céliny Chailley were known for the summer masterclasses they gave at their home in Seignelay and were associated with many prominent Parisian musicians; their son Jacques became an important musicologist and composer. The collection includes 5 signed photographs, 6 further original photographs with separate autograph inscriptions, and 6 other autograph items. Highlights include a fine original Manuel Freres photograph of Georges Enesco, a frequent duo partner of Céliny Chailley, with an autograph inscription, and autographs from Jules Massenet, Yehudi Menuhin, Jules Boucherit, and others. Complete contents listed below. In overall very good to fine condition.

Collection contains autographs from: French cellist Louis Ruyssen (signed photograph to Céliny and Marcel Chailley); harpsichordist Jeanne Chailley-Bert (autograph to Jacques Chailley, together with an original 1957 concert program); Claire Honegger, wife of musicologist Marc Honneger (autograph note on Marc Honneger's death announcement); violinist Jules Boucherit (2 original photographs, with a signed inscription to Marcel Chailley dated October 1929); composer and violinist Georges Enesco (original photograph, with a signed inscription to Marcel Chailley, dated 1927); pianist A. Certy [?] (two original photographs, one inscribed to Marcel Chailley and the other with a separate inscription to Céliny Chailley); Hungarian composer Laszlo Lajtha (original photograph with Zoltan Kodaly, Jacques Chailley and others, also with a traced signature from Kodaly and one further signature; and a signed postcard photograph to Jacques Chailley, dated September 21, 1959); pianist Georges de Lausnay (signed postcard photograph to Marcel and Céliny Chailley, dated March 8, 1926); composer Jules Massenet (autograph note on a visiting card to Marcel Chailley with original envelope, dated January 8, 1902); violinist Yehudi Menuhin (autograph signature to Jacques Chailley in memory of Marcel Chailley, mounted with a halftone portrait); composer and pianist Raoul Pugno (autograph signature to Céliny Chailley, together with a postcard portrait, and a reproduction of two drawings, labeled in the hand of Céliny Chailley); and two others (2 TLS on letterhead of Alphonse Leduc publications and the Université de Strasbourg).

The French violinist Marcel Chailley (1881–1936) studied at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he was a contemporary of Thibaud. In 1908 Chailley married the pianist Céliny Richez (1884–1973), with whom he frequently performed. Together, the couple led summer music courses at their home in Seignelay, where students included Ivry Gitlis, Lola Bobesco and Denise Soriano. They were associated with many important French musicians of the early twentieth century. Their son, Jacques Chailley (1910–1999), grew up surrounded by his parents' circle of important performers and composers, including Enescu, Thibaud, Cortot, and Ysaÿe. He served as the director of the Sorbonne's Institute for Musicology and of the Schola Cantorum of Paris. A prolific composer, his output included chamber and orchestral music as well as an opera and a ballet. His musicological works included studies of medieval music and the Passions of J. S. Bach. Chailley was also among the members of the Front National des Musiciens, a resistance organization for music professionals formed around the Communist Party and established in May 1941.