Wagner, Richard

Fine autograph letter signed (“Richard Wagner”), to a court official, written in the year of the premiere of Tristan und Isolde, Wagner discusses the presentation of the manuscript of Das Rheingold to the King of Bavaria, Ludwig II, on the occasion of his birthday, his efforts to provide a fine binding for it, which have been fruitless, and he offers the volume in its present state as a curiosity; he remarks that the number “1” on the title refers to Das Rheingold, the first of the tetralogy, 3 pages, large 8vo, 21x13.5cms, Munich, 22 August 1865, some light browning and splitting at folds

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."

………Ich wünschte zuvor, unserem geliebten Herrn Sein Eigenthum, die Originalpartitur des “Rheingoldes” zu Ihnen persönlich zuzustellen:  da mir diess nun nicht möglich ist, übergebe ich, mit dem beiliegenden Briefe, dieses Buch in Ihre Freundes Hände, und ersuche Sie Beides am Festtagen Seines Majestät in meinem Namen gütigst überreichen zu wollen…

Die Partitur befindet sich noch in dem sehr unscheinbaren, schlichten Hauseinbande, in welchem ich sie mir einst für den Gebrauch herstellen liess.

This letter was to set in motion a chain of events for a manuscript which ended its existence in the quasi-Götterdämmerung circumstances of Hitler’s bunker in 1945. Wagner is here presenting the fair copy of the full score of Das Rheingold to its dedicatee, Ludwig II on his birthday, 25 August 1865. It bore the title: “Das Rheingold./Eigenthum/Seiner Majestät des Königs/Ludwig II von Bayern./RW”. From 1939 to 1945, the manuscript was in the possession of Adolf Hitler, and it is believed to have perished with him.