Description:

Johann Strauss
Bad Ischl, Austria, August 10, [n.y.]
Johann Strauss II Signed Beautiful Presentation Cabinet Card From Ischl, The Summer Spa Town Which Inspired One of His Waltzes
SP

A cabinet card photograph of Austrian composer Johann Strauss II (1825-1899), boldly inscribed in German and signed by him as "Johann Strauss" towards the top. August 10, [n.y.] but ca. 1890s. At "Ischl," referring to Bad Ischl, a salt-spring spa town in Upper Austria where Strauss frequently summered. The sepia-colored albumen photograph from the studio of Carl Pietzner depicts Strauss with ferocious mustachios in white-tie concert attire. The inscription has not been translated, but appears to be dedicated to a young unmarried woman named Paula Königswald. The bottom margin recto is printed with Carl Pietzner's name, and there is a lovely pictorial backstamp verso. Expected surface wear including isolated scuffs and edge darkening recto, with uneven toning, water stains, mounting traces, and minor surface loss verso. Else very good to near fine, and a wonderful musical collectible. 4.25" x 6.5."

Johann Strauss first visited Bad Ischl in the mid-1850s, and was a frequent visitor. He purchased the Villa Strauss (formerly Erdödy Villa) on Kaltenbachstrasse in Bad Ischl in 1897, just two years before his death. In Ischl, Strauss composed music and socialized with friend and fellow musician Johannes Brahms. One of Strauss's posthumous waltzes, "The Ischl Waltz In A" ["Ischler Walzer"], also known as Posthumous Waltz No. 2, was inspired by time spent at the mountainous retreat.

Photographer Carl Pietzner (1853-1927) was granted an Austrian and Hungarian imperial and royal warrant, as indicated by the abbreviation found on the cabinet card: "K.u.k. Hof.u Kammer-Photograph." This was short for "kaiserlicher und königlicher Hoflieferant Kammer-Photograph," or, "Imperial and Royal Court Purveyor Chamber Photographer." Carl Pietzner had studios scattered throughout present day Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. In addition to royalty, he also photographed the nobility, military figures, and celebrities.

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: 4.25" x 6.5"
  • Medium: SP

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