# - Beethoven, Ludwig van.

about domestic matters, music and schindler, written in pencil in beethoven's wayward late hand, containing a mixture of shopping-list and comment, mentioning the carpenter, wigmaker, doctor, Beethoven's friend and biographer Anton Felix Schindler and, apparently, Clementi's Clavierschule, the verso containing annotations in the hand of his friend Carl Holz, evidently recording a conversation with Beethoven concerning a social gathering attended by Beethoven's friend Castelli and his publisher Tobias Haslinger



[in Beethoven's hand:]...Clavierschule
+ Tischler + perücken=
macher. ---
+ Arzt 50fl
+ Haarschneid
+ Schindler
Bettstatt --- +Körbschen
(flach) für die überbleibs. des Tisches zusammen




1 page, 8vo, irregularly cut,  (c.19.3 x 12.5cm), on a guard, modern quarter calf, no place or date [Vienna, ?December 1826], creasing, traces of mount to verso

Anderson, Letters, iii 1543, p.1323

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."

rare. Leaves from Beethoven's conversation books rarely appear at auction: the last occurence we have traced was the sale in these rooms on 21 May 1998 (lot 134).

After Beethoven's deafness became profound, the composer adopted the practice of using notes to communicate with his friends and acquaintances. They would write down their side of the conversation, he would mostly reply verbally. The present manuscript includes the conversation of Beethoven's friend Carl Holz (1798-1858), together with a list of jobs or errands to be done by Beethoven. The entry 'Clavierschule' is apparently a reference to Mollo's German edition of Clementi's Introduction to the Art of Playing on the Piano forte of 1801. It is mentioned by Beethoven in a number of letters from the autumn and winter of 1826. Anton Felix Schindler had distanced himself from Beethoven from the summer of 1825, and his place in the daily life of the composer had been replaced by Carl Holz. In December 1826, Schindler was reconciled to Beethoven and remained in close contact with the composer during the remaining three months of his life.