Cabinet Card Photograph Signed by Anton Rubinstein by Rubinstein, Anton - n.d.

Rubinstein, Anton, Cabinet Card Photograph Signed, no date, no place. Sepia-toned albumen print, 16.5 cm x 11 cm (mount) 14 cm x 10.5 cm (image), of Anton Rubinstein (1829 – 1894) circa 1860, seated, full-face and torso photograph. Taken by J. Ganz, Bruxelles, 38, rue de l'Ecouyer. Signed as, "Ant. Rubinstein." Minor wear to corners of the mount, a tiny chip to the upper right-hand corner of the image, some irregularities in the application of the emulsion evident, and the glass negative had a small crack below the face on the great pianist's coat. Browning to the verso of the mount. Considered by his contemporaries to be the greatest pianist in the world after Franz Liszt, who retired from concertizing in early middle age, as Anton Rubinstein continued to play in public throught his life, making a highly successful tour of America 1872 - 73. This earlier image predates that success. A prolific composer of 20 operas, 5 piano concertos, 6 symphonies, many chamber works, solo piano works and songs. Signed photographs of Anton Rubinstein are scarce.