Autograph Letter to Felix Hecht - "The wine and I both arrived here yesterday"

Autograph letter in German, signed “J. Brahms,” one page, 5 September, 1889 [Vienna]. Addressed to his friend, Felix Hecht in Mannheim, humorously thanking him for a gift of wine, announcing a trip to Hamburg which will keep him away from said gift, and sending his "energized" greetings.  Karten-Brief format, in fine condition, addressed and postmarked on the verso, measuring 5 x 6 inches [128 x 155 mm] when open. Verso reinforced with archival tape along the crease, else fine. Sold separated from but together with the original Charles Hamilton Autographs mat presentation with a reproduction colorized portrait surrounded by green velvet. Briefwechsel, Volume 7, p. 226. 

Translated from the German in full: "Honored friend. Allow me to thank you very much only with a very fleeting word. The wine and I both arrived here yesterday.  He's fine and staying here, but I've got to go to Hamburg today!  But after that I have it well, and he is annoyed, you should be remembered with joy, and I will only very much wish to be your leader [in wine] again quite soon! With cordial greetings to you and also to your wife / your most energized J. Brahms"

Brahms probably made the aquaintance of the Mannheim banker Felix Hecht (1847 - 1909) through Ernst Frank during his visits to Mannheim in the summer of 1875, around which time Hecht and Frank shared accommodations.  Later that year Hecht married Helene Bamberger (1854 - 1940), and thereafter Brahms used to stay with them whenever he came to Mannheim. They corresponded mostly betweeen 1884-97 and twenty of Brahms's letters to them, including the present one, were published in 1910.   (18552)

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Autograph Letter

Classical Music

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