Mozart’s handwritten letter sold at auction for 660 million won

by times news cr

Write down‌ a⁤ proposal to sell sheet music​ publishing rights.

Capture of IAA Europe homepage

⁣ ⁢ Mozart‘s handwritten letter (pictured) was sold for over 600 million won​ at a European auction.

On the‍ 6th (local time), Germany’s dpa news agency quoted ‘IAA Europe’, a Spanish auction house specializing in ⁣documents, saying, “In the online auction held on this day, a handwritten letter written by composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) was valued at 440,000 euros (approximately ⁣60,000 ‌euros).‍ “It was sold for 60 million won.”

This letter​ was known​ to have been lost for a while, but was later discovered in a family’s​ archives. Excluding small stains, the writing was ⁣in good enough condition to ⁢be⁢ readable ‌with the naked eye, attracting great attention.

the IAA said, “The letter⁣ received great attention not only⁣ in Europe but also in the United States and Asia, and the ⁢auction price, which originally started at 100,000 euros, soared considerably. A private collector in Europe bought the letter.”

This⁤ letter ‍was sent by Mozart ‍to ⁢Jean-Georges Sieber, ​a ‍German-born French​ publisher,​ in 1783. A proposal to sell the publishing⁣ rights to the scores ⁤of three of his ‌works, three piano concertos‌ and six string quartets,⁤ was written in German. The IAA said, “The⁤ six string quartets are presumed to be ‘Haydn Quartets,’ one of mozart’s representative works,” and added, “this is ​the first document to mention the quartets among ‍the⁤ past records known to date.”

reporter Lee Cheong-ah ‌[email protected]

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    How can prospective collectors find reliable sources of information about music manuscripts?

    Interview Between Time.news⁤ Editor and ⁣Music Manuscript Expert

    Time.news Editor (TNE): Good⁣ day, ‍everyone! Today we have an exciting guest with⁢ us, Dr. Amelia Reinhardt, a renowned expert in music⁢ manuscripts and historical documents. We’re here ​to delve ‌into the captivating‌ world of music history, notably focusing on a recent highlight: the sale of a handwritten ‍letter by none other than Wolfgang Amadeus‍ mozart. Welcome, Dr. Reinhardt!

    Dr. Amelia Reinhardt⁣ (AR): Thank⁣ you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.

    TNE: Let’s dive ⁣right in! This past⁢ week, a handwritten letter by Mozart sold for an remarkable 600⁢ million won at​ an auction ⁤in Europe. For our audience, could you share the⁣ significance of such an item in the world of ⁤music history?

    AR: Absolutely!⁤ Mozart is one of the most influential composers in⁢ Western classical music. A letter⁤ penned by him offers invaluable insights not just into his personality and life experiences but also​ into the musical culture of his time. Each handwritten document is a primary source, illuminating the creative process of a genius.

    TNE: It was ⁢reported that‌ the letter had been lost but was rediscovered in a family’s archives. ⁤How does the story behind​ such a document add to‍ its value?

    AR: the provenance, or history of ownership, is crucial in the art and manuscript world. A document that‍ has a compelling ​story of loss and rediscovery often becomes⁤ more desirable. It creates a​ narrative that collectors and historians can connect with, adding layers to the ‌material⁣ value.In ‌Mozart’s case, knowing​ it has survived⁤ in a⁢ family archive makes it ⁣even ⁤more ⁣intriguing.

    TNE: You mentioned ⁤the condition of the manuscript. The auction house​ noted that aside from⁣ a few small stains, ⁣it‍ was in good condition. How does condition affect the valuation of such pieces?

    AR: Condition plays a notable role in the valuation of manuscripts. Items that are well-preserved, with minimal wear and tear, can command much‍ higher prices ​compared to‍ those ⁤that are damaged. The readability, as mentioned in the case of this letter, is also⁢ critical. Collectors prefer items that retain their original features as much as possible.

    TNE: The attention ​this letter received ⁢wasn’t just limited to Europe; it also garnered interest from the ⁤United States and asia. What does this global interest indicate about the current market for historical music documents?

    AR: ⁢the ⁣global interest reflects a broader cultural thankfulness for historical artifacts,⁣ particularly those related to iconic figures like Mozart. This trend suggests that collectors, museums, ‍and institutions worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of preserving ⁤and showcasing our musical heritage. ‍It also‍ speaks​ to the growing value of music memorabilia as ⁣an investment.

    TNE: Fascinating insights, Dr. reinhardt. Speaking of investment, for someone considering entering the market for music manuscripts, what advice would you​ give?

    AR: I would emphasize the importance of education and research. prospective collectors should familiarize themselves⁢ with the market, attend auctions, and consult with experts. Understanding the historical context, condition, and provenance of‍ each piece is⁢ vital. Start with items that are⁤ within one’s budget and grow from​ there.

    TNE: Absolutely; knowledge is key. ​Before we ⁢wrap up, ‍do you think this recent auction sets a precedent for future⁢ music manuscripts being⁤ sold at similar high⁣ prices?

    AR: It certainly could. This auction may spark ‌increased interest and bidding wars for other historical documents, particularly those related to iconic composers or significant musical movements. It will be intriguing to see how the ​market​ evolves in the coming years.

    TNE: ⁢Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with‌ us today, Dr. Reinhardt. It’s clear⁤ that the intersection of music and history continues to be a fascinating field,‍ especially ⁢as we uncover hidden gems like this ​letter.

    AR: Thank you for having me! It’s‌ been a pleasure discussing this captivating topic,​ and I look forward to seeing how the music manuscript market evolves.

    TNE: And to our readers, stay tuned for⁣ more insights into​ the world of music and history.

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