Mozart autographed manuscripts total $568,000 at Sotheby's

Two manuscripts autographed by Mozart led the Sotheby's sale in London today

Two autographed manuscripts from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart starred as top lots in Sotheby's sale of Music, Continental Books & Manuscripts today (May 29).

Mozart's letter to his 'brother'

The first item was a letter from the composer to his friend and fellow freemason, Michael Puchberg. It is the first in a famed series of begging letters to Puchberg requesting financial help to fund his music career.

The series, which consists of 21 letters, has been widely studied and displays an increasingly desperate Mozart. He begins his correspondence with a simple, slightly urgent loan request and ends with begging for "the smallest sum".

In this first example, Mozart appeals to Puchberg as his "brother" to loan him "one or two thousand gulden" with the promise to pay him back at a reasonable rate of interest. It was a promise Mozart could not keep, with his debts eventually paid off by his wife after his death.

The frank and revealing letter, in which Mozart reveals his future career moves and details of his new residence, sold for £241,250 ($378,340).

The second Mozart lot in the sale was a handwritten three-part fugue, signed by both Mozart and English composer, Thomas Attwood. The fugue served as an exercise in Attwood's renowned studies, which were conducted with Mozart's assistance during the 1780s. The majority of these studies are now housed in the British Museum, with the exception of a few errant leaves.

The manuscript presented a rare opportunity for collectors, featuring a complete composition from Mozart at the height of his career. Featuring handwritten revisions, it sold just above estimate at £121,250 ($190,186).

Paul Fraser Collectibles is pleased to offer this autographed composition from one of the 20th century's greatest musicians, John Coltrane. See more of our fantastic handwritten manuscripts here.

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Images: Sotheby's