Wagner, Richard--Handbills.

together with many other rare and early items, including Rienzi (the first productions, 1842, and 1843), Der fliegende Holländer (the premiere 1843), Gluck's Armide (Wagner conducting, 1843), Tannhäuser (the premiere, 1845, and 1865), Lohengrin (1859), Der Ring des Nibelungen (the first production, 1876), Parsifal (the first production, 1882), Der Ring (London, 1882, Neumann's company), Wagner's memorial concert (1883), featuring his overture "Rule Britannia"), at Karlsruhe (1863), Hamburg (1873), Symphonie in C (premiere, 1887), and by Liszt (1850s) and a notice for Wagner's funeral; together with fine art-posters and a collection of handbills for performances at Bayreuth given by Toscanini (rare), Furtwängler and others, many providing complete cast lists, 84 items, various sizes, c. 31 x 18.5 cms. to 47 x 31 cms., some in card folders (not mounted), a few with contemporary annotations, one item professionally repaired, occasional light dust-marking, and browning, a small number with splits to margins, Riga, Leipzig, Dresden, Bayreuth and elsewhere, 1838-1930

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."

Many of these famous posters appear in E.W. Engel, Richard Wagners Leben aund Werke im Bilde, 2 volumes, (Vienna & Leipzig, 1913). They are remarkable for the detailed information they provide about singers, dates and other facets of the performances.  Such information is generally lacking in the printed librettos for Wagner's operas, making these posters essential documentary sources.