Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924). Signed Letter in English - "I have received the pianola". An intriguing letter penned in a secretarial hand in English (which Puccini neither wrote nor spoke!), signed at the conclusion by the composer himself "Giacomo Puccini / con tanti saluti / 18.V.07," on his Milano letterhead. One page, to Joseph Muetter [Aeolian Company], in full:"I have received the pianola and a letter from Mr. Good announcing of having sent me a box of music rolls. I will write to you as soon I will have the opportunity of trying the instrument. I am sure it will be of great satisfaction. Thanking you ever so much for your extreme kindness, believe me sincerely yours..." Scattered foxing, else fine, nicely matted and framed to 19.25 x 16.5 inches overall.
Founded in 1897, The Aeolian Company was a musical-instrument making firm whose products included player organs, pianos, sheet music, records and phonographs. In 1900 they obtained the patent for the pianola, a pneumatic player piano, and at the time of the present letter, this was their most popular product. Eventually, it was supplanted by the newer Aeolian's "Duo Art" reproducing piano (1913), which could reproduce the sound of a famous artist playing without manual intervention, and the Aeolian, Weber Piano & Pianola Co. became the world's leading manufacturer of such roll-operated instruments.
Joseph Muetter worked in the art department of the Aeolian Company and in that capacity developed relationships and carried on correspondences with a number of prominent musicians and artists.
Puccini, Giacomo. (1858–1924). Signed Letter in English - "I have received the pianola". An intriguing letter penned in a secretarial hand in English (which Puccini neither wrote nor spoke!), signed at the conclusion by the composer himself "Giacomo Puccini / con tanti saluti / 18.V.07," on his Milano letterhead. One page, to Joseph Muetter [Aeolian Company], in full:"I have received the pianola and a letter from Mr. Good announcing of having sent me a box of music rolls. I will write to you as soon I will have the opportunity of trying the instrument. I am sure it will be of great satisfaction. Thanking you ever so much for your extreme kindness, believe me sincerely yours..." Scattered foxing, else fine, nicely matted and framed to 19.25 x 16.5 inches overall.
Founded in 1897, The Aeolian Company was a musical-instrument making firm whose products included player organs, pianos, sheet music, records and phonographs. In 1900 they obtained the patent for the pianola, a pneumatic player piano, and at the time of the present letter, this was their most popular product. Eventually, it was supplanted by the newer Aeolian's "Duo Art" reproducing piano (1913), which could reproduce the sound of a famous artist playing without manual intervention, and the Aeolian, Weber Piano & Pianola Co. became the world's leading manufacturer of such roll-operated instruments.
Joseph Muetter worked in the art department of the Aeolian Company and in that capacity developed relationships and carried on correspondences with a number of prominent musicians and artists.