I
intend to sell the following six new works to a firm of publishers
in France, to one in England and to one in Vienna simultaneously,
but on condition that they shall not appear until after a day
to be fixed. I consider that in this way I shall combine the advantage
to be derived from the speedy publication of my works with the
benefits to myself and to the various publishing firms in respect
of the price.
The
works are:
1)
a symphony [Opus 60] 4)
three quartets [Opus 59]
2)
an overture composed 5)
a pianoforte concerto [Opus 58]
for
the tragedy 'Coriolan'
by
Herr Collin [Opus 62] 6) the violin concerto
[see
letter #163] arrangé
for the pianoforte avec
des
notes additionelles
3) a violin concerto
[Opus 61]
I
offer you the right to publish these works in Paris; and in order
to avoid protracting the business by bargaining in writing, I
am quoting at once the very low price of 1200 gulden in Augsburg
currency; after receiving the six works you would have this sum
paid to me in good Augsburg bills of exchange at your agent's
or banker's in Vienna.
Furthermore,
your business agent would then have to see to the dispatch of
the works. As I have no doubt that this offer will suit you, I
request you to let me have an early reply, so that these works,
all of which are ready to be sent off, may be delivered to your
agent in Vienna without delay -- As to the day of publication,
I think I can appoint September 1st for the three works in the
first column and October 1st for those in the second.
Ludwig
van Beethoven