Description:

Jenny Lind ALS to Leading British Female Art Historian, Handsomely Presented

A 2pp autograph letter signed by Swedish soprano Jenny Lind Goldschmidt (1820-1887), as "Jenny Lind-Goldschmidt" at the center of the second page. January 14, [n.y.], but sometime after 1874, the year the Goldschmidts moved to their residence at 1 Moreton Gardens (today 189 Old Brompton Road) in South Kensington, London, England. On pale blue flocked stationery. The second page of Lind's letter is displayed at the left of a teal-colored mat, with Lind's portrait at center, and a high-quality photo reproduction of the first page of Lind's letter at right. The handsome display is complete with an engraved name plaque at center bottom. The second page shows expected wear such as flattened paper folds and has some minor paper remnants visible near the bottom. Not examined out of the mat. The sight size of the letter is 4.125" x 6.75." The overall size of the mat is 18.25" x 10" x .25."

Jenny Lind Goldschmidt wrote this letter to Elizabeth Rigby, Lady Eastlake (1809-1893), the English writer, literary critic, art historian, and translator.

She wrote in full, with original usage:

"1 Moreton Gardens
Jany 14th

Dear Lady Eastlake,

It is very kind of you to ask us for dinner - and we shall be very happy to avail ourselves of your kind invitation for Thursday the 26th at 7.30.

Believe me, dear Lady Eastlake

Yours very sincerely,

Jenny Lind-Goldschmidt."

Jenny Lind had first charmed audiences of the Royal Swedish Opera in 1838. The phenomenal teenaged soprano toured Denmark, Germany, and Austria before embarking on a two-season tour of London from 1847-1849, to the unabashed enchantment of Queen Victoria. Lind married German composer and pianist Otto Goldschmidt (1829-1907) while touring the United States in 1852. The couple settled permanently in England in 1858 and lived at 1 Moreton Gardens from 1874 until their respective deaths. It was here that Lind, after becoming the first Professor of Singing at the Royal College of Music in 1883, convened singing classes for her pupils.

Jenny Lind and Lady Eastlake had known each other for decades. Initially, around the time of Lind's London debut, Lady Eastlake had been more impressed by the singing ability of Elisabeth Félix (1821-1858), the classically trained stage actress of Swiss Jewish heritage more widely known by her stage name Mademoiselle Rachel. In an October 1847 letter to a friend, Lady Eastlake had concluded: "…Jenny Lind… [is] a deserving hardworking person, with many tricks, but no really great singer. As Mrs. Gartshore says, 'an industrious Bulfinch but not a Nightingale…'" Perhaps Lady Eastlake's opinion of Jenny Lind changed over time!

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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