Sotheby’s London announce its sale of Continental Books and Musical Manuscripts will include rare and important manuscripts by Robert Schumann, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Benjamin Britten.
Comprised of 181 lots, the sale on Wednesday 30th November 2011 is estimated to fetch in excess of £2 million. The auction will be headlined by Robert Schumann’s Autograph Composing Manuscript of Szenen Aus Goethes “Faust” (est. £600,000-800,000, illustrated above). Also featured is Benjamin Britten’s Autograph Working Manuscript of the Music to the Film “Instruments of the Orchestra” [“The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra” Op. 34], undoubtedly the most important Britten manuscript ever to be offered at auction.
Dr Simon Maguire, Director, Senior Specialist, Sotheby’s Musical Manuscripts said: “This is an exciting sale containing important manuscripts by some of the world’s leading composers. It is distinguished by the large number of first editions and some wonderful visual sources.”
* Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
