Frankfurt am Main, "Moritz Diesterweg", (after) 1886. 8vo-sized. (17.0 x 12.8 x 3.5 cm). Full black calf; spine with elaborate gilt bands, vignettes and short title; boards with gilt-patterned panel; embossed oval cartouche with gilt title, floral embossing, bevelled edges. All "page" edges gilt.

A working music box, with its original key, cleverly disguised as a hymnal. The title on the front board translates as "A mighty fortress is Our Lord". A real hymnal, published by the Frankfurt firm of Moritz Diesterweg, is used for its exterior, and for the text inside. The printed work was first published in 1886, and its transformation into a music box may have occurred shortly afterwards. Music boxes such as this one were invented in 1796 by Antoine Favre, in Geneva, Switzerland. A hymn, possibly number 70 of the real hymnal, written by Paul Gerhardt (1606-1676) (printed leaf mounted on the front pastedown) may be associated with the music box tune. Some light shelf wear, otherwise very good. A unique item.