PAGANINI, NICOLÒ. EXTRAORDINARY AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TWICE TO THE PUBLISHER AND MUSICIAN ANTONIO PACINI

about his plans to publish twelve piano arrangements in London, Paris and Leipzig, asking advice about the cost of printing and what he might expect financially, giving news of his son Achille, expressing his joy at seeing his young son at Pacini’s family home in Paris, promising to give them all a hug when he sees them again in December once his tour of England is over, wondering what his son feels for him; he describes his work on tour, ask him to reply to him in Edinburgh, requesting him to greet Bennati and all his friends in Paris including Cavaliere Rossini …Fattemi la Consolazione di vedere i vostri Caratteri & di raguagliarmi L’ottimo stato vostro, e del mio Achille a cui dovete per me un bacio alla tedesca, e gli domanderete se pensa al sua Papà e se amerebbe di rivederlo!...Avendo l’intenzione di Publicare 12 dei più scelti pezzi di mia composizione eseguito in Europa arrangiati da me per il Pianoforte, e fargli stampare a vendere a Londra, à Parigi,, in Germania, ed in Italia… He expresses surprise that the newspapers have stated he has been confined to his home, reveals that he will inspect the fleet at the invitation of Admiral Codrington; reveals his activities when in London and his relationship with the publisher Cianchettini and other friends and announces the purchase of clothes in London; describes his performances and forthcoming travels in Ireland …Il Sigre Mo Cianchettini stà bene—La virtuosa Sigra Pietralta pure—Paradi egualmente…Fui pure fortunato nell’acquisto di una bella vettura a Londra. Questa sera darò il questo Concerto a questo Teatro. Domani partiremo per Limerick, e darò il Concerto lunedi e mercoledi—Venerdi mattina darò il Concerto di Congedo nella Rotonda a Dublino –Sabato, Concerto a Belfast… In a long postscript, Paganini expressly wishes his love to be sent to Rossini and recommending the singer Madame Pietralia to him as a possible performer in Paris (…P.S. Presentandomi dal Sigr Mo Rossini non vi dimenticate del mio amore per lui , e nel medo tempo rac[c]ommandategli la Sigra Pietralia…per la prossima stagione…) 3 pages, 4to, integral address-panel in another hand, postmarked, with full red seal with Paganini’s monogram, Cork, 1 October 1831

Letters of such biographical importance by Paganini are seldom offered for sale. Especially poignant are the references to his son (by Antonia Bianchi). Forever on tour, contact with his six-year old child was sporadic. Achille later accompanied his father on his travels and was the executor of his estate when the violinist died in 1840.