Strauss, Richard.

and dedicated by the composer to his aunt Johanna Pschorr ("Seiner lieben Tante Johanna gewidmet zum Geburtstage."), on the autograph title page, notated in black ink on four two-stave systems per page, with deletions (scratching out) and alterations, comprising four movements with autograph titles ("Al[l]egro molto", "Adagio cantabile", "Tempo di Menuetto", and "Presto assai"), 6 pages, oblong 4to, (c.24 x 34.5cms), including autograph title, annotated in pencil ("A Pschorr"), 8-stave paper, green morocco presentation folder, [Munich, 1874], light overall browning, spotting on title, traces of guard, [Trenner no.24; Müller von Asow, WoO 19]

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."

This is the earliest manuscript by Richard Strauss to have appeared at auction, written when he was barely ten years of age. The handwriting is juvenile, but the music testifies to Strauss's precocious accomplishment.  This piece is hitherto known from a collected volume of sonatinas held in the Richard Strauss Archives in Garmisch.  The title and tempo markings to the first and last movements there, as recorded by Trenner and von Asow, are are different from those found here.   For other examples of Strauss's early hand, see Richard Strauss. Autographen. Porträts. Bühnenbilder. Ausstellung zum 50. Todestag, (Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, 1999), e.g. no. 515, showing Sonatine no.5 (Trenner no.26), also from 1874.