[Schumann, Clara.] Schumann, Elise.

describing the beginning of the end, how her mother had suffered a small stroke in her carriage while on her way to visit her, brought on by two hours' of piano teaching and her chronic winter ailments, relating how her condition fluctuated in the following weeks and how she suffered as a result of her inactivity, noting that she had once said that she did not want to live if she was no longer able to work, reporting how she had recovered sufficiently a fortnight before her death for her to be able to go down in to the garden, describing her last hours and her final stroke, how speech became very difficult and how her heart grew ever weaker; in the remaining part of the letter she gives vent to her own feelings of grief and those of her husband, reflects on her mother's character ("Alles an ihr war einfach, groß und liebevoll"), and provides details of the funeral and her moving reaction to it, 12 pages, 8vo, black borders, Baden, 13 June 1896, splitting slightly along central folds

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."

A remarkable account of the last hours and death (on 20 May 1896) of Clara Schumann by her daughter Elise Schumann (1843-1928). Elise, the second born of the Schumanns' children, taught the piano in Frankfurt before marrying  the business man Louis Sommerhoff in 1877. After a number of years in America, she returned to Frankfurt where her mother also taught and lived.