L. VAN BEETHOVEN. FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, OF THE STRING QUARTET IN E-FLAT MAJOR OP.127 [SCORE], MAINZ 1826

FIRST EDITION OF THE SCORE, 8vo (25.8 x 16cm), 48 pages + title, lithographed throughout, plate no. 2426 (not on pages 2 and 7), no price on title, without the later headline above the first page of music, traces of the original printed blue wrappers, later cloth-backed brown boards, owner's numbering to flyleaf and paper wrappers ("87"), a fine crisp impression, foxing on title and occasional light spotting thereafter

Adela Maddison (1862-1929), composer, by descent.

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 RARE AND IMPORTANT EDITION. This was the first Beethoven chamber work to be published as a "study score" (in addition to the playing parts), a distinction not previously accorded Haydn's and Mozart's quartets, nor his own.  This innovation, in the first editions of the "Late Quartets" (Opp. 127, 130/133, 131, 132 & 135), reflects their musical profundity, a feature immediately recognized by Beethoven's contemporaries: they justified study, not just performance.  Indeed many still consider that "the five late string quartets contain Beethoven's greatest music" (TNG 2001, iii, 106).  We have traced no record of selling this, the first issue of the score, in which the printed price does not appear on the title.