An interesting autograph letter from the great Russian pianist and composer to the composer Carl Reinecke, thanking him for sending him a copy of his overture "Zenobia," and confessing that he wants to give up composing himself.  Rubinstein writes, "I wish I could return the favor, but... I want to give up composing -- I have written a great deal and my compositions actually only please me, and that is, after all, not a good enough reason to write more." 

Writing in 1887 at the age of 58, Rubinstein was slowing down, but was in fact quite far from the end of his prolific compositional output: before his death in 1894, he would still publish a significant number of stage and orchestral works, piano pieces and songs.

Dated St. Petersburg, April 14/26, 1887. 1 p. of a bifolium; one slight crease, overall in very fine condition with a beautiful and bold signature. 4.25 x 7 inches (11 x 17.5 cm).

Text and translation below:

Dear Reinecke,

Many thanks for the touching inscription and kind delivery of your overture "Zenobia" -- I wish I could return the favor, but ...because I want to give up composing -- I have written a great deal and my compositions actually only please me, and that is, after all, not a good enough reason to write more. -- So many thanks again and best wishes to you and your wife.

herzlichen Dank für die ehrende Widmung und freundliche Zusendung Ihrer Ouvertüre "Zenobia" --

wohl möchte ich mich revangieren, aber ...werden, 

da ich das Komponieren aufgeben will -- Ich habe sehr viel geschrieben und meine Kompositionen gefallen eigentlich nur mir allein, und dass ist dann doch schließlich kein genug trifftiger Grund um noch mehr zu schreiben. --

ganz Ihr...

Ant. Rubinstein

This is an important and uncommon letter from the composer who in his autobiography wrote that "my future biographer will not even enjoy the pleasure of collecting my correspondence, since it has absolutely no existence.  I am not a friend to the pen, and especially do I dislike letter-writing."