Quantz letter 1767

Quantz’ letter to Friedrich Nicolai (dated Febraury 7, 1767)

Quantz letter with his signature

In this letter, dated February 7, 1767, Quantz is thanking the publisher Friedrich Nicolai (1733 – 1811), Berlin, for the publication of an engraved portrait of the composer as the frontispiece to the fourth volume (1767) of the “Allgemeine Deutsche Bibliothek” and for sending the volume to him. Quantz writes he likes the portrait very much and adds that all people, who know him, say that it really looks like him and he thinks also, that the artist has made a very good job.

The engraving is by Johann David Schleuen (1711 – 1774) or by his son Johann Friedrich Schleuen (1739-1784). Charles Walthall assumes in his article in Early Music XIV (1986) that the engraving is made by Johann Friedrich Schleuen.

German text of the letter (with thanks to the Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung Preußischer Kulturbesitz ):

“Hochedelgebohrener insonders hochzuehrender Herr, für das Stück der allgemeinen deutschen Bibliothek, nebst den Bildnißen und für die Ehre, welche Ew. [Euer] Hochedelgeb.[orener] mir darunter verwießen haben, statte [ich] meinen gehorsamen Dank ab. Die Meinigen, welche mich am beßten kennen, finden, daß das Bildnis, mir ähnlich sey; und ich finde, daß dem Künstler seiner Arbeit Ehre macht.

Ich habe die Ehre, mit besonderer Hochachtung zu seyn,

Ew[Euer] Hochedelgeb.[orener]

Ergebenster Diener Quantz

Potsdam am 07.Feb.1767”

“Johann Joachim Quantz” (1765)

by Johann David Schleuen or his son Johann Friedrich Schleuen