Mengelberg-Kaplan manuscript of Second Symphony to be sold

[Prospero]

The Mengelberg-Kaplan manuscript of the Second Symphony is being sold by Sotheby's tomorrow in London. This is the original of the Kaplan facsimile that most will know of. According to a Sotheby's spokesman today on BBC Radio 3 said the last Mahler symphony manuscript was sold in 1959 and is at Yale. Pre-sale estimates are ₤2,500,000 to ₤3,500,000 (approximately $3,125,000 to $3,375,00). Alma gave it to Mengelberg and Kaplan bought it from the Mengelberg Foundation in, I believe, 1978.

Of course, Mahler made further changes, but the manuscript even in facsimile is very impressive.

Tom in Vermont

[Prospero]

Correction. In the facsimile Kaplan says he bought the manuscript in 1984.

[Prospero]

And the high estimate in dollars should be $4,375,000.

[waderice]

Reportedly, the final price at the time the auction gavel came down was £4.5 million ($5.6 million).  The buyer wanted to remain anonymous.  It's speculated that the buyer is a private individual, not a museum, archive, or institution of higher learning.  Perhaps more details will become available.

Wade