Mozart, Constanze née Weber, widow of Wolfgang Amadeus.

stating that it is not for her, as Mozart's spouse, to refuse the request of such a genuine admirer of Mozart's name, noting that if he knew how few manuscripts of her late husband she still possessed, he would be surprised if she gave any away, offering him a few lines in Mozart's handwriting and hers [i.e. Wolfgang and Constanze's letter of 24 July 1782, congratulating Nannerl on her nameday], and enclosing also a few bars of music in Mozart's hand [not included in this lot]; Constanze thanks him for sending her [a copy of the first edition of ] the opera Zaide, which he has taken such trouble over ("...wobei Sie so unendlich vielle Mühe hatten...") and, in a postscript on the verso, asks her correspondent to send her a few words to confirm the safe arrival of her letter, 1 page, small folio (28.6 x 19.1cm), address panel on verso in another hand, traces of seal, Salzburg, 8 July 1839, edges trimmed, light spotting, small seal tear at foot

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."

Mozart's unfinished opera from 1779-1780 known as Zaide, was first published in full score and vocal score in 1838 by André. The opera's missing interconnecting text had been supplied by Constanze's correspondent, the composer and writer on music Carl Gollmick (1796-1866). On any estimation, Constanze Mozart (1763-1842) must rank as one of the most underestimated figures in musical history for, although not creative herself, she was beloved of music's greatest natural genius, whose priceless corpus of autograph music manuscripts would be entirely lost to us today but for her careful stewardship (gifts such as the one described in the letter notwithstanding). See Briefe, iv (1963) 1468, pp.517-8. For a copy of the first edition of Zaide, containing Gollmick's preface and libretto, see Lot 99. This letter was formerly in the celebrated collection of Louis Koch.