Ludwig van Beethoven, Skizzenblatt zur Sinfonie Nr. 7 op. 92, 2. Satz, Autograph

Stitch holes provide proof

A further leaf which originally belonged to the so-called Petter Sketchbook. Like the other leaves which once belonged to the sketchbook and which were removed (and either sold or given away) by the previous owner Gustav Adolf Petter, this leaf can be identified on account of certain characteristics. Firstly the type of paper and the contents: the leaf contains sketches for the Seventh Symphony op. 92 - in the Petter Sketchbook Beethoven predominantly made sketches for the Seventh and Eighth Symphonies, which were composed one after the other in 1812. Secondly there are two large holes in the left margin, stitch holes in the book which Beethoven probably assembled himself. All of the leaves from the Petter Sketchbook bear these holes, which date back to the original binding. Their measurements and the distance between them enable single leaves to be identified without a shadow of doubt. (J.R.)