OFFENBACH, JACQUES. German-born, French composer of The Tales of Hoffman and other masterpieces. ALS. (“Jacques Offenbach”). 4pp. 12mo. New York, June 9, 1876. On a single sheet of Offenbach’s folded stationery engraved with initials in his script. To his infant granddaughter, Herminie (1875-1936).

“If I am writing to you, it is because your naughty mother does not spoil me with letters from her – so when you grow up you will do as she does, you will forget that you have a mother. It will be a just punishment down on earth –

So you've been sick again, my poor darling, that’s what happens to those who go out too often – dining to the right, dining to the left… at your nanny’s breasts and never satisfied… you drink until the white liquor comes out of your pretty little mouth – you are wrong to stuff yourself so much, it gives you ugly little pimples – on the leg; it does not matter too much – despite the fact that I wouldn’t advise you to show your legs to young men if you still have a little scar and when you’ll turn 18 – it could be bad for your marriage –

Tell your father he is naughty for not writing to me – if he gets close to you hit his handsome face with a puff of milk – serves him right –

I do hope, my dear little girl, to see you soon in Étretat – you have no idea how much pleasure I will have to kiss you – I also hope you will have finished the pair of stockings you have started knitting me in Paris – only please do not get too tired – you have plenty of time to work – give yourself to well-being while you are young, old age will come soon enough – if Madame, your mother, grumbles tell her – if your father is angry, tell him s[hit?] –

Tell your brothers they are naughty for not having given me a sign of life – really it runs in the family – a pretty family I have given you – do not give this letter to your Parents – it might make them angry – hide it carefully in your little diapers – goodbye my dearest little darling – try to decipher me – be fond of me because I think a lot about you and I kiss you on your pretty little face and even, if you allow me to, on your pretty little bottom – dedicated to Aunt Georgina – your grandpa…”

Offenbach was the seventh of ten children born to Prussian Jews. His father cultivated his and his siblings’ musical abilities, but Jacob proved himself to be a true prodigy on the cello. His father obtained his admission into the Paris Conservatoire and subsequently Offenbach changed his name to Jacques and began assimilating into French society. In 1844, following his conversion to Catholicism and a successful to tour to England designed to prove his financial viability as a husband, Offenbach married Hérminie d’Alcain, the daughter of a Spanish general. Upon his return to Paris, he turned to composition and pioneered the operetta form. His nearly 100 works include such famous compositions as Orpheus in the Underworld, La vie parisienne and La belle Hélène.

Our unusually playful letter is likely written to his eight-month-old granddaughter, Marie Geneviève Herminie Berges (known as “Herminie”), born on October 3, 1875, to Offenbach’s daughter Sophie Offenbach and her husband Achille Tournal. Offenbach jokingly scolds the infant Herminie’s parents for not writing more often while he was away on a tour of the United States in conjunction with the country’s centennial celebrations and through which Offenbach attempted to get out of debt. During the tour, Offenbach played more than 40 concerts in New York and Philadelphia, returning to France in July. Our letter mentions the French coastal town of Étretat, near Le Havre, the location of Offenbach’s Villa d’Orphée, named for his operetta Orpheus in the Underworld.

Some minor staining and wear including faint evidence of prior mounting along the left edge of the first page. In very fine condition.