- 92
Mattheson, Johann
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Mattheson, Johann
- Autograph document in English, signed and inscribed ("Ad mandatum John Mattheson"), also signed by James Cope MP
- paper
in which Cope, as ambassador in Hamburg ("His Majesty's Minister to the Hans-Towns in the Circle of Lower-Saxony"), certifies that Peter Caturanon, who has arrived in Hamburg on the "good Ship John and Elisabeth", has now been furnished with papers enabling him to continue his journey on to his native Slavonia (in the Austrian Empire), in accordance with the order that the Justices of the Peace gave at Exeter on 14 October to the Shipmaster, Bernhard Paul, all written in Mattheson's late hand
1 page, folio (c.30 x 18.5cm), integral blank, "Pro Patria" watermark, red seal bearing the Cope family arms and motto ("Aequo adeste animo"), docketed on panel on verso, "Hamburgh", 20 November 1749
1 page, folio (c.30 x 18.5cm), integral blank, "Pro Patria" watermark, red seal bearing the Cope family arms and motto ("Aequo adeste animo"), docketed on panel on verso, "Hamburgh", 20 November 1749
Literature
Folkert Fiebig, 'Johann Mattheson als Diplomat in Hamburg' in New Mattheson Studies, edited by G.J. Buelow and H.-J. Marx (1983), pp.45-74.
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
RARE: we have no record of any autograph letter or music by Mattheson being sold at auction. Besides being a composer, Johann Mattheson (1681-1764) was the most important contemporary writer on German music, who outlined the "Doctrine of Affections" as the primary means of musical expression in Der vollkommene Capellmeister (1739). An exceptionally well-educated man and married to an Englishwoman, Mattheson was the secretary to successive English ambassadors in Hamburg from 1704, including finally James Cope MP from 1741 to 1756. Much of his diplomatic correspondence is in the Public Record Office in Kew; BL Add MS 22216 also contains several such letters from 1713-1714, including one also in English (f.449v). The present item served a different purpose from his reports and was evidently handed to the Shipmaster. See Fiebig (1983) below for a letter from 1723 and MGG I, volume 8 (1960), plate 97 for one from 1735.