Chopin, Frédéric

"Etudes pour le Piano forte dediées à M^me la C^sse d'Agoult par FChopin...pour etre publie le 15 Octobre [deleted: 1^er Octobre Novembre] Oeuvre [ ]...", the opus number, the plate number (and possibly the references to the contemporary London edition) added in another hand, presumably by or for the publisher, Maurice Schlesinger

1 page, oblong 4to (c.20.5 x 25.9cm), 14-stave laid paper, without watermark, [Paris, 1837], tear to left-hand margin, some staining, edges trimmed

K. Kobylańska, Frédéric Chopin: thematisch-bibliographisches Werkverzeichnis (1979), pp.49-50.  M. Brown, Chopin, an Index of his works (1972), no.78 (p.84).  

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."

RARE. Only a few parts of Chopin's autograph manuscript of the Twelve Études op.25 survive.  This is an unrecorded autograph, being the title-page for the edition published in October 1837 by Maurice Schlesinger of Paris  (a German edition by Breitkopf & Härtel appeared at the same time).  The Stichvorlage for Schlesinger's edition is otherwise completely lost, save for Étude no.4 ('Agitato' in A minor), in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris.  Chopin also wrote an autograph title-page for Breitkopf & Härtel, now in the National Library in Warsaw - the wording and script being practically identical to the present leaf, including the alterations to the date.  The Breitkopf Stichvorlage is complete, but only two études are autograph (nos 1 and 8), the others being copyist manuscripts corrected by Chopin.  The plate number inscribed at the foot of the present title-page accords with the engraved music in Schlesinger's edition, but it does not in fact appear on the engraved title itself. Wessel's edition is mentioned here, but not Breitkopf's.    Sotheby's is happy to acknowledge the advice and assistance of Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger and Roy Howat, the editor of the forthcoming scholarly edition of Chopin's Études, in the description of this lot.