The German pianist autographs a postcard photograph, Naples, March 1941 and adds a four bar musical quotation from the opening of the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata #13 in E flat major op. 27, #1.

Backhaus (1884-1969) was one of the non-Jewish pianists who gained professionally from his relationship with the Nazi’s at the highest level including Hitler.  He was introduced to Hitler on a flight in 1933 and was made the head of the  Kameradschaft der Deutschen Künstler, the Fellowship of German Artists.  Hitler made him a Professor and a personal guest at the Nuremburg Rally.  Eventually, when the fire became to hot, Backhaus moved to Switzerland and declared he was against the Nazi’s, but the damage was done.  That said, his moving to Switzerland where he had obtained citizenship in 1930 was smart, as his activities in Germany were dusted under the rug and his career continued unabated.

This photograph was obviously signed when Backhaus was traveling on tour unabated during World War II.  We were unable to unearth any specifics from the trip to Naples, that said, his adding the musical quotation to the photograph is the first one we have seen in over 20 years in the music antiquities business.  We have sold photographs and musical quotations separately, but not the two combined in one entity.

A small bit of silvering at the edges and two very slight creases as seen in the scan, but overall in excellent condition.

  Harmonie Autographs and Music, Inc.