Wagner, Richard.

together with a set of contemporary photographs showing the characters and costmes; he provides a detailed listing of the characters and performers, with a detailed description of the costumes, colours and fabric, fleshing out, as it were, the photographs; the photographs depicting Materna, Betz, Unger, Marie and Lilli Lehmann, Gura and many others, 16 pages of text, 8vo, signed and dated at the end "Berlin, 24 Nov[ember 18]76; with 43 cabinet-sized photographs, by Josef Albert of Munich, dated "1876" some stamped "1890"

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."

This document and the accompanying contemporary photographs contain important information on the first complete production of "The Ring" at Bayreuth.

In 1874 Carl Emil Döpler had been asked to provide costume designs for Wagner's Ring cycle. The designs did not please Wagner and were rejected. Here Döpler provides a detailed account of the costumes that were eventually used, clearly making use of the original black and white photographs, but adding information and details from his personal knowledge. Thus, he describes the fabrics and supplies quite detailed descriptions of the colours and costume accessories worn by all the main characters and also supplies the names of original singers.

Freia Fln Haupt

. . .Weisses ärmelloses Uebergewand von Wolle wie bei der vorigen Figur. . .blauer Gürtel mit solchen an den Enden. Weissleinenes gefälteltes Hemd von grober Leinwand.

Licht blauer Mantel mit doppelten weissen Streifen als Besatz und weisses Futter.

Fibula Halsring Spirula am Oberarm wie die übrigen Armbänder und Kopfschmuch von Silber.

Blumen lichter Art im Haar und auf den Gewändern.

Schuhe von braunem Leder mit kleinen Silber-Nägeln besatzt.

Dar Haar lichtblond. . .