Extremely rare partly-printed DS, signed twice, “Fred. Chopin,” one page, 10 x 16, September 20, 1846. Assignment of copyright for three of his works, in part: "I have this day sold to Messrs. Christian Rudolph Wessel and Co., Importers and Publishers of Foreign Music…at the price or sum of Thirty Pounds…all my Copyright and Interest, present and future…for the Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of and in the following Musical Works, entitled: Op. 60 Barcarollle pour le Piano…Op. 61 Polonaise Fantaisie…Op. 62 Deux Nocturnes." Next to each title is a brief musical quote from the beginning of the piece, penned by an amanuensis. Signed twice at the conclusion by Chopin. Beautifully archivally mounted, double-matted, and framed with a portrait to an overall size of 22 x 22.5. In very good condition, with tears and paper loss to the right edge, partially archivally repaired and reinforced; both Chopin signatures are strong and completely unaffected.
Wessel & Co. had the exclusive rights to publish Chopin's works in England, and the company was taken over by Edwin Ashdown and Henry Parry upon Wessel's retirement. This document originates from the collection of the Ashdown family. The works listed here were among Chopin's last—he published a total of 65 works during his lifetime. Of these pieces, Chopin dedicated Op. 60 to Madame la Baronne de Stockhausen, Op. 61 to Madame A. Veyret, and Op. 62 to Mdlle. R. de Konneritz. Chopin is among the most desirable autographs of all composers and exceedingly rare in this twice-signed format.
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