A rare complete signature in pencil by Ludwig van Beethoven is being auctioned by RR Auction with an estimated price of between $30,000 and $40,000 (U.S.), Gramophone reports.
The signature comes at the foot of a note written by Beethoven's attorney Johann Baptist von Bach, which when translated reads: 'You can keep the bow for the coming half year. Otherwise, one might raise some objections. From 1st October 1818 until 1st April 1819.” The note was written just a few months after Beethoven had finished composing the Hammerklavier Sonata. The signature is framed with a portrait of Beethoven and is offered alongside a number of interesting musical lots, including:
Richard Wagner autographed manuscript of Wotan’s Farewell (estimate: $12,000 - $15,000)
Claude Debussy letter on the disputed casting of Pelléas et Mélisande (estimate: $6,000 - $8,000)
Richard Wagner letter that grants creative license 'to produce the scenes from Der Ring des Nibelungen' (estimate: $4,000 - $5,000)