Joseph HAYDN (1732-1809). Gott, erhalte den Kaiser! Verfasset von Lorenz Leopold Haschka. In Musik gesetzet von Joseph Haydn. Zum ersten Mahle abgesungen den 12. Februar, 1797. Oblong bifeuillet in-4 (18.5 x 25 cm) mounted on tab. Modern green morocco binding, gilt border and title on upper cover. First edition of the national anthem of the Holy Roman Empire, created and published for the birthday of Emperor Franz (Franz II) on February 12, 1797, with lyrics by Lorenz Leopold Haschka. The melody of this "Kaiserlied" (Hob. XXVIa:43), which Haydn used for the varied theme of the second movement of his Quartet in C major op. 76 no. 3, known as "The Emperor", became, with new lyrics, that of the German national anthem. Printed on an uncoded Italian-style bifeuillet: [1] title; [2] music on 3 systems of 2 staves with text: "Gott! erhalte Franz der Kaiser"...; [3] text of the 4 verses; [4 blank].