Lot 283

Exceedingly Rare Isaac Nathan 1833 Signed Poem

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Exceedingly Rare Isaac Nathan 1833 Signed Poem

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Starting Bid: $700

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Issac Nathan
n.p., September 22, 1833
Exceedingly Rare Isaac Nathan 1833 Signed Poem
Signed Other

Isaac Nathan (1792-1864). Incredibly rare three-line verse by the "father of Australian music" composer Isaac Nathan as "I Nathan" with decorative paraph and a short autobiography below initialed "IN". 1p, 8.5" x 7.25", no place, September 22, 1833. Deckled edges along left and bottom, some toning, erased pencil notation along right side. Otherwise, a rare, unpublished verse boldly signed.

The verse reads:

"I really cannot write
I've nearly lost my sight
My muse has taken flight

Sept = 22nd = 1833 I Nathan"

Below in the same hand is a short, initialed autobiography, which could be clipped from the other signed verse to create two separate pieces. The biography reads:

"Composer of the Hebrew Melodies and author of "The History & Theory of Music" ? born in the City of Canterbury in the year 1792. IN"

Isaac Nathan was a Jewish composer born in the English city of Canterbury. He found success in the 1820s and early 1830s with Hebrew Melodies (1815-1840) in London, and was highly regarded as a singing teacher and as a composer of opera in the Royal Theatres (1823-1833). He also wrote actively as a music journalist and music historian. In 1840 he immigrated to Australia where he wrote the young country's first operas and Australia's first contemporary song cycle, which adapted fragments of Aboriginal song lines to European musical traditions. He was the first to research and transcribe Aboriginal Australian music. He became known as the "father of Australian music" for assisting the careers of numerous colonial musicians during his 20-year residence in the country.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 7.25"
  • Medium: Signed Other

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