Beethoven, Ludwig van.

first edition, early issue, of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony,  complete parts for 2 violins, viola, Violoncello & basso, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horms, 2 trumpets and timpani, engraved throughout, plate number 2561, unpriced on title, dedication leaf to Violin I (without the "Musik Anzeige"), original stitching, uncut

Kinsky/Halm, p.259; Fuld, p.561 (with the sharp sign on p.5 of the Cello part); cf. Hirsch, IV 347 (apparently the sole copy in Britain) and Hoboken 395.    

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: we have no record of the first edition of the parts of the Seventh being offered for sale at auction.  

Composed in 1812, and performed along with "Wellingtons Sieg" Op.91 and the Eighth Symphony, Op.93 on 8 December 1813,  The Seventh Symphony was one of Beethoven's most successful works. Wagner called the symphony "The Apotheosis of the Dance".

While the full score and contemporary arrangements of the Seventh are sometimes found, separate orchestral playing parts such as these were in all probability dispersed and lost through repeated concert use.  Complete sets are almost never found today, unless they remained bound together with their original stitching, as here.

The present copy is evidently an early issue with the engraved plates in fine and clear condition.  The only difference between this copy and the first issue is that the page preceding the music in the first violin part is blank; in the first issue this unpaginated page bears an advertisement ("Musik-Anzeige") which is not printed here.  Copies of either version seem to be scarce, even in institutional libraries, and opportuntities to acquire them scarcer still.