reporting the completion of the three operas of Il trittico, reporting that the Great War and the lack of available singers has prevented their production in Rome and South America, and that progress is paralysed, explaining that the operas will be given first in New York, and later in Rome, but not until the end of the year, that the orchestra leader and the producer will visit him from America to arrange things and that Tito Ricordi is there preparing the mise en scène for both New York and Rome, expressing his longing to travel and lamenting that he will not be able to hear the New York premiere himself, repeatedly expressing his horror at the effects of the war, reporting that his son Tonio is at the front and asking if her son Vincent is still at Salonica, and sharing his doubts that it will soon end ("...Ho finite i 3 lavori che si dovevano dare a Roma adesso e poi sud america, non è stato possibile combinare qui per mancanza di artisti. Io non sono scontento perchè non era un buon momento ora con tutto lo scatento orrendo della guerra...Le dovrei dare per la I^a volta in novembre a New York--devono venire da me il direttore d’orch: e il regisseur. Ora sono a New York--faranno il viaggio per intendersi con me…")

3 pages, 8vo, closely written in red and black ink, on lettercards, autograph address panels and stamps, one with a postscript by Puccini's step-daughter Fosca, Viareggio and Torre del Lago, 12 April, 8 June & 18 June 1918

Vincent Seligman, Puccini among Friends, (1938), pp.276-278.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Il trittico comprises three one-act operas, Il tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. These letters explain how, due to war conditions, the operas came to be premiered in New York at the end of 1918. For a contemporary score of Gianni Schicchi see Lot 55.