Tartini, Giuseppe.

a letter of introduction for two gentlemen from Nuremberg, who have recently visited him in Padua, explaining that, on discovering that they intended travelling to Paris, he would take the opportunity of getting them to call on him, the most gifted of his former pupils, en route ("...il principale di quelli che ho avuto la sorte d'istruire nel Violino..."), and asks him to do what he can for them while he is in the service of the Crown Prince [Joseph in Vienna], 1 page, 4to (c.24 x 17cms), integral blank, some foxing at head and a stain at foot, trimmed at foot, Padua, 14 December 1760 



Autograph letters by Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), one of the most important eighteenth-century Italian violin composers, are rare at auction.

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."

"...avendo saputo da medesimi [i due Signori di Norimberga], che il loro viaggio li portarà in Parigi a suo tempo, non ho voluto perder la occasione di confermarle con questa mia la continuazione di quell'amicizia che mi tiene sempre più legato verso la di lei degn^ma Persona, e di mostrarmi grato all'onore ricevuto da cotesti due Signori co'l fargli conoscere in lei uno, anzi il principale di quelli che ho avuto la sorte d'istruire nel Violino, sì per il merito della Professione: sì per tante adorabili qualità, delle quali ella è pieno..."

The recipient, Pietro Nardini (1722-1793), was "the most eminent of Tartini's pupils" (TNG); in 1760 he visited Vienna to play at the wedding of the Crown Prince Joseph to Isabella of Bourbon.  This letter of introduction to him in Vienna was written for C.G von Murr and J G Holzbogen; one Tartini wrote for von Murr, recording the visit, is now in the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and may have once been included with this letter (see P. Petrobelli, Giuseppe Tartini, le fonte biografiche 1968, pp.78-79).