Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix

thanking him for the money he has collected for the Frankfurt singer, stating that if he would like to publish the psalm he mentioned, he could send it to him the following week, noting too that he could probably send him something else soon if, after more consideration, he decided that that sort of church music was suitable just then; in the second half of the letter Mendelssohn refers to the proofs of the Sonata for Piano and Cello, Op.45, which he is enclosing with the letter [not included here], noting that he would like the title in German, not in French as he had originally written, for he cannot bear that language, and asking for one final proof so that he might play through the sonata once more with accompaniment, something he has not recently had the chance to do ("...Die Correktur der Sonate erfolgt hiebei. Den Titel hatte ich französisch draufgeschrieben, kann die Sprache aber nicht leiden...")

3 pages, apparently cut down from a larger leaf, c.11 x 9.5cm, integral autograph address-panel, a few later pencil annotations, with a typed translation, red wax seal with Mendelssohn's monogram ("FMB"), Leipzig, 22 December 1838, the two halves of the leaf detached

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."

UNPUBLISHED. The letter is recorded in the Sämtliche Briefe, vi, no.2173, but only three lines are hitherto known, from an auction catalogue: Alfred Cohn, Berlin, 20-25 March 1893 and 1895, lot 1095; see also MWV, p. 262. Mendelssohn's Cello sonata Op. 45, was written for the composer's brother Paul, and published by Kistner the following year, 1839.