Medtner, Nikolai

1) the manuscript Stichvorlage for the Four Songs op.45, notated by Nikolai and Anna Medtner in black and blue ink over pencil, on four systems per page of three staves each, with a few bars deleted and remaining in pencil (ie not inked over), some markings also remaining in pencil, with alterations and corrections, marked by and for the printer in ink and pencil, including the plate no. Z.11200, 17 pages, folio, 12-stave paper, 2 songs paginated separately (7 & 4pp), with a later title-wrapper, inscribed probably by Anna Medtner, violet stamps of the publishers Zimmermann [c.1926], some browning, creasing and dust-marking from use by the printer,

2) Collection of corrected proofs and printed green negative sheets for Medtner's songs opp. 45, 36 & 37, including: a) engraved proofs of the Four Songs op.45 (1926), extensively corrected by Medtner in pencil, retraced in ink, probably by Anna Medtner, 27 pages, plate Z.11200--b) engraved proofs of the Six Pushkin Songs op.36 (1923), 26 pages, extensively corrected in pencil and crayon, possibly by Medtner--c) engraved proofs and printed green negatives of the Five Songs op.37 (1923-1926), the green negatives extensively corrected in pencil, apparently by Medtner  the engraved proofs of op.37 with Röder's date-stamp of 12 July 1926, the printed green negatives of op.37 dated in pencil (16/11 1923),



3) Russian first and early editions of Medtner's Four Songs op.36 (1919), Five Songs op.37 (1920), Quatre Morceaux (1904?), Two Fairy Tales op.20 (1910), Idyll op.7 (1931), Four Tales op.34 (1924) and others

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 important collection of manuscripts and proofs, of great interest in exploring the unusual working methods of Nikolai Medtner (1880-1951), born in Russia, but for most of his life living as an émigré in Berlin, Paris and, finally, London.  The Four Songs, to texts by Pushkin and Tyutchev, were composed in 1924 and published by Zimmermann of Frankfurt in 1926.   Robert Rimm, writes that, almost right from the start of his relationship with Anna Bratenskaya (1877-1965), whom he married in 1918, Anna began systematically to "recopy his pencil notes in ink, beginning a lifetime habit".  However, Medtner seems to have corrected proofs himself.