NEVEU, GINETTE. (1919-1949). French violinist. SP. (“Ginette Neveu”). 1p. Large 4to. (image approximately 9” x 11”, mat approximately 12” x 14”). N.p., 1948. A lovely black-and-white image of Neveu holding her 1730 Omobono Stradivari violin, signed and dated across the lighter portion of the image, the year before her tragic death.

Born into a musical family, Neveu made her solo debut at the age of 7 at Paris’ Salle Gaveau. After studying at the Paris Conservatoire with George Enescu and Natalia Boulanger, she earned international renown by beating out David Oistrakh in the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition at the age of 15, after which she toured internationally. Her career was cut short at the age of 30 when she died in a plane crash with her piano accompanist brother. She is buried in Paris’ Père Lachaise Cemetery near the tomb of Frédéric Chopin.

A crack runs along the right edge down to the lower right corner. Of the greatest rarity, especially in signed photographs.