Kaspar Karl van Beethoven, Brief an Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig, Wien, 22. Januar 1803, Autograph

On behalf of his brother Ludwig, whose business affairs he manages, Karl van Beethoven offers the publishing house Breitkopf & Härtel in Leipzig several works: the Second Symphony op. 36 and the Third Piano Concerto op. 37 for a total sum of 600 florins and to be published at the end of May (1803). In addition the overture as well as the numbers 8, 10 and 16 from the ballet "Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus" ("The Creations of Prometheus") op. 43. For all four numbers, which the publishing house can also publish singly, Karl only asks for 60 ducats. He explains that the cheap price is compensation for the problems with op. 29.

Furthermore Karl asks whether Breitkopf & Härtel would be prepared to take over the plates for three sonatas, for which he soon wants to invite subscribers (nothing came of the project as there is no evidence of an advertisement). Karl also offers them different works by the composer Anton Reicha.

Finally Karl writes how well the Breitkopf & Härtel edition of the String Quintet op. 29 has been received in Vienna and draws their attention to the advertisement for op. 29 in the "Wiener Diarium".