My Dear V[arena]!
Being unwell and very busy I found it impossible until yesterday to make the necessary enquiries –– Here are my results. You can have from Schanz as good a piano as he is able to supply for the price of 400 gulden V.C., including packing. This piano has six octaves – Seiffert asks 460 gulden, but would probably let you have one for 400 – There are, however, other excellent makers, I hear, from whom you could purchase a sound and durable instrument for a good deal less than 400 gulden – But one cannot look for and find one of this type very quickly – I mean, a good one – such as you must have by right – Hence I should require more time – Well, let me have an early reply informing me whether you agree to these prices and then in a few weeks you will have a sound and durable piano –– As for the payment, well, the Viennese instrument makers insist on being paid here at once in loco before dispatching their instruments; for they declare that delay in obtaining payment as frequently caused them inconvenience –– That is all I can tell you for the moment, my dear V[arena] –– As soon as you let me have your views on the subject, I will take steps to serve as best I can ––
Your sincere and most devoted friend and servant
Beethoven
My best regards to your daughter and to the other members of your family.