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Celebrated soprano (1820-1887), known as the 'Swedish Nightingale,' who, under the management of P. T. Barnum, became the most renowned and highly paid singer of her day. Three ALSs in German from Jenny Lind, each signed "Jenny L. Goldschmidt," 11 total pages, dated between 1880 and 1885, all addressed to Edward Speyer. The earliest handwritten letter, September 29, 1880, in part (translated): “We are here on the 3rd. My husband is going to London on a trip. I’m going to block some time here - and will meet you on Sunday, October 12th, from 2 p.m. at the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, or Sunday at 3 p.m. in our office, No. 1 Moreton Gardens / South Kensington…close to Drayton Arms Tavern / passing Dresser Place…My husband…doesn’t live in London very well…I hope you have a plan and the rain stops there.”
The second letter, December 4, 1880, in part: “The letter is addressed to you directly, and I’m putting my seal on it…I can write beautifully with it. I don’t want to avoid meeting you at the last minute. We will stay. My husband is on the way to your house, and you will also find a way marker…and hope to be at your house around 3:30 or 4.00 p.m. at the latest.”
The third letter, March 30, 1885: “I send you my best congratulations on your future marriage! We are very pleased that you have been able to build such a beautiful home—it’s such a beautiful place for a home…I suspect it is the single, gracious Miss Antonia who I met a few years ago. If that is the case, then I can congratulate you twice as much – as you also have a very special one…Mrs. Pufferath will be a wonderful support and a dear partner to you and your wife. I send you the very best wishes for the selection of all the brides and grooms and I am delighted to make my acquaintance with your young Mrs. Speyer.” In overall fine condition. Accompanied by two original mailing envelopes and a scarce 1850 softcover copy of ‘Life of Jenny Lind’ by C. G. Foster, Esq., published by Dewitt & Davenport of New York.
The recipient of these letters, Edward Speyer (1839-1939), was a German-born banker and patron of music who settled in London. His friends included composers Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. His second wife, Antonia Kufferath (1857-1939) (referenced in one of the letters) was a gifted soprano and the daughter of composer Hubert F. Kufferath. Speyer’s engagement to Antonia took place in Schumann’s home.
