J. BRAHMS. ENGRAVED VISITING CARD INSCRIBED BY BRAHMS WITH AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE ABOUT CARL GOLDMARK, [1890-1891]

to an unidentified lady ("Verehrteste"), referring to Goldmark only as "G", and giving her his address at Alserstrasse no.8, even though he is not absolutely certain that it is still valid ("...Hoffentlich wohnt G. auch diesmal wieder Alserstrasse 8.  Leider ist dessen nicht ganz sicher. Ihr allerergebenster ./.") 5.5 x 8.7cm, written on the reverse of the card, with Brahms's name and address engraved on the recto ("Johannes Brahms IV. Karlsgasse 4."), Vienna, no date [1890-1891], horizontal crease, a few small stains

C. Goldmark, Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben entstanden ab 1910, (1922), p.45, and ibid, edited by K.M. Guth (2015), p.31; cf Wien-Geschichte-Wiki (online resource), entry on Goldmark.

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."

The Hungarian composer Carl Goldmark (1830-1915) was one of Brahms's leading contemporaries in Vienna, through his opera Die Königin von Saba (1875) and his First Violin Concerto (1877).  There is some poignancy in Brahms's remarks: the two composers were close friends in the 1860s and 1870s (Goldmark was still "a most delightful person" in 1877), but they gradually became somewhat distant, as this note betrays.  Here Brahms is no longer certain that Goldmark is still living at Alserstrasse no.8 (in the ninth Bezirk), his address when Sibelius came to study with him in 1890-1891.  The unidentified recipient is possibly Elisabeth von Herzogenberg.