Ludwig van Beethoven, Brief an Andreas Streicher, Wien, Mitte November 1810, Autograph

Beethoven complains to the piano maker Streicher that the instrument he has been promised has not yet been delivered. He is not prepared to play on his bad French grand piano any longer, but is still a hesitant to sell this generous gift from Erard. (He did actually keep the instrument, giving it to his brother Johann around 1825.) As he has hurt his foot he is not able to walk far, but threatens to come by personally "with a terrifying modulation" if a piano is not delivered soon.

If the instrument is damaged in any way either in his home or when being transported, Beethoven is naturally prepared to pay for a replacement.