Rare 1857 Protestant Hymnbook – Písně Duchovní, Pešť Offered for sale is an original 19th-century Slovak/Czech Evangelical Protestant hymnbook (cancional / zpevnik) in good condition for its age. Details: Title: Písně Duchovní (Spiritual Songs / Sacred Hymns) Year of Publication: 1857 Place of Printing: Pešť (today part of Budapest, Hungary) Printer: Trattner-Károlyi (well-known and respected publishing house) Editor / Connection: Karel Braxatoris – based on the tradition of Jiří Třanovský (Georgius Tranoscius), the most important Slovak Lutheran hymn writer This is the First Part (“První Díl”) and contains liturgical hymns for the entire church year: Antiphons for Sundays and feast days Advent songs Christmas carols New Year hymns Songs about the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and more Includes classic hymns such as Veni Sancte Spiritus, translated into Czech/Slovak and attributed to Tranoscius. Special Features: Original black leather binding with brass/bronze corner pieces and a central diamond-shaped metal plate (with old keyhole/lock hole) Authentic handwritten family records on the first pages (in old Slovak/Czech): “Aloysia was born 19 February 1891” “Emilie was born 8 February 1893” Old bookseller’s label: Antonín Wrabel, Friedek (today Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic) Condition: Naturally aged leather with some wear and tear typical of its age, but the binding is solid and most inner pages are intact and readable. Gothic (Fraktur) typeface. This is a genuine family hymnbook from the Austro-Hungarian period, used for both home devotion and church services in an Evangelical (Lutheran/Reformed) community. Collectible Value: Books of this type with original leather and metal binding, family inscriptions, and clear connection to the Tranoscius tradition are sought after by collectors of religious books, Slavic cultural history, and 19th-century hymnals. The book is sold as is, with all its historical signs of use. Perfect for collectors of antique religious books, historians of Protestantism in Central Europe, or as a beautiful decorative piece.