Lot 55
  • 55

Puccini, Giacomo

Estimate
2,000 - 2,500 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • Puccini, Giacomo
  • Three autograph letters and one autograph postcard signed (“vostro Giacomo” and “vostro G.P.”), to Sybil Seligman, about his final illness
  • paper
Confessing that he has left Turandot unfinished, promising to complete it, but railing against “this bloody Turandot”, his ill-health, his old-age and his enemies among the artistic community, and explaining that, since his throat ailment is not getting any better, he and Elvira are going to the spa town of Salsomaggiore for a cure, for ten or twelve days only; he later thanks her for the "Abdulla" cigarettes, which he is enjoying greatly, and for the news of the success of his "old carcasses" at Covent Garden, discusses London journalists and, in a final unpublished postcard, informing her that they will stay there another week

...Io non ho lavorato più niente. Turandot è lì senza averla finita.  La finirò, ma per ora non ne ho nessun volontà di lavorare. Passo una vita non bella--mi annojo--ho molti nemici nel campo dell’arte. Il mondo è cattivo. Il peggio è che invecchio, e questo mi fa schifo!...Credo che io non potrò venire a Londra come desideravo a causa di quella P[orco] di Turandot che devo ancora terminare...



9 pages, 8vo and oblong 8vo (on card), one on printed stationery of the "Grand Hotel des Thermes Salsomaggiore", one postscript by Elvira Puccini, a few discreet markings by the editor in red crayon and pencil, Viareggio and Salsomaggiore 27 May & 1 June 1924; the postcard showing a view of Salsomaggiore [postmarked:] Florence, 5 June 1924

Literature

See Seligman, pp.355-356.

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."

Catalogue Note

Vincent Seligman, Sybil’s son, redacted these letters and did not publish the final one at all, omitting some of Puccini’s bitterest comments which create an effect of great poignancy.  The final item from Florence dates from Puccini’s visit to a throat specialist there, who still did not diagnose his ailments correctly.  It was in fact Sybil herself who first suspected cancer, before it was revealed in August.  Today's sale falls on the ninety-second anniversary of his death in Brussels.