Mendelssohn writes to an unidentified recipient about the return of two Bach scores: Pray send me by bearer the two books of Bach's Organ-music which I brought over for you & sent to you at the beginning of my stay here. A wonderful letter, handsomely triple-matted in an antique frame with a cabinet portrait after the painting by Eduard Magnus done from life in 1846, essentially the same time as this letter.

With a departure date of July 10, one suspects Mendelssohn dispatched this letter the week prior to ensure he would return home with his scores in tow.

Mendelssohn was devoted to Bach and it was through his efforts that the recognition of Bach’s genius was revived in the 19th century and through him that Bach’s works once more became known to a wider public. It is rare however, to find a Mendelssohn letter nowadays with a reference to Bach. This is the only time we remember having one.

(Previously in the collection of American songwriter, impresario, and dealer Anna Sosenko).