- 235
Chopin, Frédéric.
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description
- Autograph letter signed ("Ch"), to his beloved friend the cellist Auguste Franchomme, ("Chérissime"),
- ink on paper
informing him that he is installed in Dover St, London, that his health has improved and that he has been coughing less, though in the previous days he has been laid low, he sends his regards to Madame Franchomme and his love to him
3 pages, 8vo, with autograph envelope, postmarked, London, 1 May [18]48, some splitting at folds
...Me voilà seulement installé. J'ai enfin une chambre—belle et grande—où je pourrai respirer et jouer—et le soleil vient me voir aujourd'hui pour la première fois. J'étouffe moins ce matin mais toute la semaine passée j'étais bon à rien....
3 pages, 8vo, with autograph envelope, postmarked, London, 1 May [18]48, some splitting at folds
...Me voilà seulement installé. J'ai enfin une chambre—belle et grande—où je pourrai respirer et jouer—et le soleil vient me voir aujourd'hui pour la première fois. J'étouffe moins ce matin mais toute la semaine passée j'étais bon à rien....
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This autograph letter has never been offered for sale before. It has come by descent through the Franchomme family. This letter is inaccurately published in Sydow [no.714], who silently corrects Chopin's grammatical mistakes and changes certain words. This letter was written in the year before he died, when he was suffering from the tuberculosis that was to kill him eventually. In two places in this letter Chopin deletes some words: when he describes his coughing and when he asks, rather oddly, if Franchomme is becoming more calm. Certain sentences here clearly had a deeper meaning for Chopin than they might seem.