Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor born on the 3 February 1809. His works were prominent in the early Romantic period and one of his most renown works was the “wedding march”, which is still one of the most played wedding marches today. The song was actually part of his suite, “The Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Below are some examples and price guides to antiques relating to Felix Mendelssohn including a plaster bust and an autographed letter.
A PLASTER BUST OF FELIX MENDELSSOHN
19th century
Together with another of George Frederick Handel, Mendelssohn – 57.2 cm. high; Handel – 59.6 cm. high
Sold for £ 637 (US$ 750) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021
MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, Felix (1809-1847)
Autograph music manuscript signed and initialled for the duet ‘Sonntagsmorgen’, Op. 77 no 1, Leipzig, 7 May 1840.
3 pages, 300 x 236mm, bifolium, ruled with 16 staves per page, scored for voice and piano, five systems of four staves, autograph title page (‘Duett für 2 Sopran FMB, d.7ten März 1840’), signed, dated and inscribed to Constanze Schleinitz in autograph at the end of the manuscript (‘An Mme. Constanze Schleinitz zu freundlicher Erinnerung Leipzig 7 März 1840 Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’), (two adhesive marks at top right and left margins not affecting the music). Provenance: Sotheby’s, 20 May 2005, lot 101.
Sold for GBP 18,750 at Christie’s in 2021
Mendelssohn Concert Op. 40. , Steingraber
Sold for CHF 60 at LA Fine Art in 2022
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Autograph Letter Signed. One page of a bifolium, 5″ x 8.25″, Leipzig; November 1, 1840. Addressed to Elise List, a soprano, in German. Mendelssohn writes to ask List which aria she would like to sing during his upcoming concert. The letter is accompanied by a typed transcription in both English and German. Mendelssohn writes, in full [English translation]: “The Finale by Beethoven will not be performed in the next concert. On the other hand I want the duo from Semiramis to form the conclusion of the whole program. So I ask you to inform me, if possible through this messenger, about the aria you want to sing in the first part. Please send the piano excerpt of this latter on behalf of the words.” Signed, “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy.”
Sold for US$1,650 at Heritage Auctions in 2022
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Autograph letter signed (“Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy”), to an unnamed correspondent, UNPUBLISHED
informing him that he has recently been approached by a music teacher by the name of Carl Hachs, who has asked for his support on account of the difficult situation in which he finds himself, noting that he mentioned his correspondent as someone able to provide information concerning him, asking him to tell him whether he is worthy of his help, since he does not know him at all, and requesting him to let him know before 10 o’clock the next day.
Sold for 2,016 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2022
