December 7, 2015 - 16:15 AMT
Rare Ludwig van Beethoven signature to star in RR Auction sale

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)