Partially printed DS, signed “Fr’d. Chopin,” one page, 9 x 5.5, March 1840. A “memorandum” assigning the British copyright for two major works: Grande valse brilliante, Op. 42 and Quatre mazurkas, Op. 41. In part: “Received of Messrs. Wessel & Co. No. 6, Frith Street, Soho Square, London, the sum of Sixteen Pounds … for the absolute Sale of all my Copyright and Interest, present and future, vested and contingent or otherwise, for all the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland of and in the following works.” A secretary has filled in the title and a brief description of each work, including a musical staff showing the meter, key, and notes of the respective opening measures. Chopin’s mazurkas, based on a traditional Polish dance, take a place among his most characteristic short works for keyboard. The set of four in question, published as Op. 41, were written between 1838–1840—a relatively sunny time in the composer’s life, when he was recovering from a tubercular infection and enjoying the companionship of his famous lover, the novelist George Sand. Grande valse brillante, written in 1840, is one of composer’s finest efforts in this form. Its aristocratic tone led Chopin’s friend and fellow composer, Robert Schumann, to comment that when the work was actually used to accompany dance, “Half the ladies should be countesses at least.” In very good condition, with trimmed top edge, professional restoration to paper loss along left edge (not affecting any text), scattered light toning and soiling (heavier along left edge), mild show-though from notation on reverse, and intersecting folds. Chopin is uncommon in any form, and documents with a musical association of this significance are quite elusive. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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