Chopin, Frédéric.

Initially a letter of condolence on the death of Franchomme's father, Chopin provides a detailed description of his travels in England and Scotland, he reveals that he has been unable to compose for a while and offers the hope that he will soon begin to write music again, he describes, in witty and amusing way his feelings of helplessness in being unable to write, describes his room with is Broadwood piano and the concerts and musical gathering he has attended and the successes he has had, he gives news of his forthcoming travels in England and his meeting with Neukomm, he announces that he will not be returning to France in the winter and that his other friends are acquainted with these plans, he gives news of Jane Stirling, his current companion and also of other pupils and acquaintances and gives a glowing account of Calder House and its beautiful gardens and suggests that Franchomme can correct his French if he wishes



2 pages, folio, with autograph envelope, closely-written, postmarked and endorsed, Edinburgh, 6 August 1848, Calder House, 11 August 1848, framed between two sheets of perspex

Correspondance de Frédéric Chopin, edited by Bronislas Édouard Sydow, ('Édition définitive'), 3 volumes, (Paris: La Revue Musicale, 1981), no.730

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

" ...Le parc est très beau ici. le châtelein [sic] très excellent—et je me porte aussi bien qu'il m'est permis—Pas une idée musicale propre—je suis hors de mon ornière. Je suis comme p. ex un âne au bal masqué—une chantrelle de violins sur une contrebasse—étonné, ahuri, assoupi comme si j'entendais un trait de Bodiot (avant 24 Janvier), ou un coup d'archet de M.Cap (après les journées de juin)...J'ai un piano de M.Broadwood dans ma chambre, le Pleyel de Miss St. au Salon—je ne manque pas de papier ni de plumes..."

This autograph letter has never been offered for sale before. It has come by descent through the Franchomme family. It is one of the finest and most important letters ever to have been offered for sale. And it is one of the longest and most attractive, with its delightful vignette of Edinburgh. Most of Chopin's letters are brief. This is a tremendous outpouring to an open and trusted friend. Chopin often seems to struggle to find le mot juste and the text is littered with deletions and alterations.

Chopin followed Jane Stirling and her sister to Scotland, because he was by now unable to cope alone in London out of season.  He was led on a gruelling schedule visiting Jane's relatives all over the central lowlands, also fitting in a flying visit to Manchester where he performed in front of 1,200 people on 28 August. Chopin also visited Strachur House (four hours away on the coast), Gargunnock House (near Stirling), Keir House (near Dunblane, home of William Stirling-Maxwell), Hamilton Palace and Wishaw House.  He was in Scotland until the end of October, eventually returning to London, then Paris.  However, the composer was already in poor health, and exhaustion certainly contributed to his decline and death in 1849.

This letter is inaccurately published by Sydow, who silently corrects Chopin's grammatical mistakes and changes certain words.