Specialists in the Field: The Magic of Handwriting Marco Tomaschett at the Morgan Library For our first Specialists in the Field segment of 2018, Autographs Specialist Marco Tomaschett discusses his recent visit to The Morgan Library’s newest exhibition, The Magic of Handwriting: The Pedro Corrêa do Lago Collection, featuring nearly 150 examples of letters, sketches and manuscripts spanning more than 800 years. Here’s what he had to say: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, concluding portion of an Autograph Letter Signed, to his father, Leopold Mozart, [Mannheim], 7 February 1778. Collection of Pedro Corrêa do Lago. Courtesy of The Morgan. The pieces that were selected for the exhibition from Corrêa do Lago‘s vast and mesmerizing collection include letters, music, drawings, signatures and handprints by some of the most culturally significant figures of Western civilization. With a background in philosophy, I was especially enraptured by the group of items by philosophers, including a letter from one of my heroes, Ludwig Wittgenstein. Each item in the exhibition is presented with the same degree of attention and respect, but some of the pieces are of staggering value to the autographs market: for instance, the manuscript of mathematical calculations by Albert Einstein, or the autographs by the three greatest composers of Europe: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Given the influence of the figures represented in the exhibition, surely anyone can find something that touches one’s life in some way. Opening night at the Morgan! Future Queen Victoria, Autograph letter signed, at age 7, to her uncle Prince Frederick, the Duke of York and Albany, Tunbridge Wells, 16 August 1826.Collection of Pedro Corrêa do Lago. Courtesy of The Morgan. Sigmund Freud, Autograph invoice signed, to Roy Grinker, on a personal correspondence card, Vienna, 30 June 1934.Collection of Pedro Corrêa do Lago. Courtesy of The Morgan. Share Facebook Twitter July 16, 2018Author: Marco TomaschettCategory: Autographs Tags: Albert Einstein autographs Corrêa do Lago Johann Sebastian Bach Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig Wittgenstein Marco Tomaschett Morgan Library Queen Victoria Sigmund Freud Specialists in the Field Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Previous The Hot Bid Interviews Nicho on Cassandre’s “Best Way” Next Specialists in the Field: Rockaway! 2018 Recommended Posts Part II: For Love of the King: the Wild Story of a Forged Wilde Story Autographs July 2, 2021 Fine Books & Autographs: February 2021 Auction Highlights Books & Manuscripts February 3, 2021 Collecting Aviation History Books & Manuscripts June 18, 2024