Strauss, Richard.

the full orchestral score of part of Scene 9 (the dramatic presentation for the Countess's birthday), elegantly notated in black ink, on up to thirty-two staves per page, the system extended into the right-hand margin on hand-written staves on the first page, paginated in ink, the rehearsal numbers added in blue crayon (164-166), the characters named as Gräfin (soprano), Clarion (alto), Graf (baritone), Flamand (tenor), Olivier (baritone), and Direktor (bass), 4 pages, folio (c.35 x 26.5cms), paginated 121-124, 32-stave paper (blind-stamped "Lard Esnault"), [c.1941], light browning towards the margins, together with an autograph letter and two autograph cards signed by Alice Strauss, to a former owner, enclosing with one of these the present manuscript

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 is an elegant, even calligraphic, manuscript of part of Strauss's final and most refined stage work.  The section contained here comes from the middle of the opera, with parts for all the main protagonists.

The opera centres round an extended consideration of the central problem in opera: the competing roles of music and poetry.   This dichotomy is personified in the roles of the composer Flamand and the poet Olivier, who compete for the favours of the Countess Madeleine.  In the present scene they give their reactions to the theatre director's project of a grand classical allegory to mark the Countess's birthday "Die Geburt der Pallas Athene".  The protagonists give vent to various expressions of incredulity and amazement, as they listen to the details of the project, the action leading to a "laughing ensemble" and octet.