J. Haydn. Visiting card of the composer, early C19th

Joseph Haydn

Engraved visiting card of the composer

bearing Haydn's name and four bars of music set to the words "Hin ist alle meine Kraft alt und schwach bin ich''

1 page, 5.5 x 9.2cm, manuscript note to reverse ("Carte donnée par Jos. Haydn aux personnes qui venaient s'informer de sa santé, dans les derniers moments de sa vie (1808)..."), old tie, no date [before 1809], browned, outer lower corner creased 

Haydn had this visiting card engraved in the last years of his life when suffering from the infirmities of old age. The words set to the music on the card mean "Fled for ever is my strength, old and weak am I", and Haydn would send the card to those who inquired about his health. The words and melody are the opening of his vocal quartet Der Greis, composed in 1796 (Hob. XXVc no.5); he later placed them at the end of his unfinished last string quartet, op.103.