" Quatuors de J Haydn pour deux Violona, Alto et Basse Mise en Collection. Prix: 120 fr. A Paris chez Sieber pere et Md. de Musique; rue Coquilliere No. 22. prese celle J.J.Rousseau (ci-devant rue St Honore, Hotel d'Aligre.)  On trouve a l'addresse ci-dessus par Oevres separes, tous les Quaruors qui composent cette Collection."A complete set of parts of the complete Haydn String Quartets, each instrument (Violin 1, Violin 2, Alto [viola]. and Basse [cello]) bound separately in half-leather bindings, with original marbled covers.A most attractive and scarce set, in remarkably good condition.Jean-Georges Sieber (1738 - 1822) was a distinguished music publisher, whose catalogue included works by JC Bach, Boccherini, Stamitz, and, more importantly, several Mozart first editions, and over 50 Haydn Symphonies with sets of parts.This set carries no dates. Haydn wrote his last quartet (unfinished) in 1803. It is listed here as "dernier quatuor" which may indicate that the set was published after his death in 1809. Glasgow University has a score of the quartets published by Sieber which they date to 1814, but I believe the publisher was offering complete sets as early as 1806. The publishing house was known as 'Sieber Pere et Fils' between 1795 - 1799, and  in 1824 Sieber Jr. took over the business. 1799 - 1824 it was known as 'Sieber Pere', as is found here.Each part has a contents list - see photos. It is not quite catalogued as it would be now, but I believe it is a complete set, including the Seven Last Words op 51. The 1st Violin part has a portrait of Haydn - see photo. Also Sieber's signature in ink on the Title page..To complete this remarkable set, there is a letter written in ink which is stuck into the viola part. It is from a John KJ Masters, to Mr Ryves, giving him the set, from which he hopes he will "derive pleasure from playing them." He lists their provenance as belonging "to my grandfather Samuel Kenning, MD, Royal Artillery, Inspector of Hospitals. He had the rank of a Colonel and died about 1846. I quite remember him."Size: each volume measures 33.5cms x 25.5cms. Pagination: each opus set is paginated separately, but each volume also carries page numbers in brackets for this complete edition:Violin 1: 323 pages, complete.Violin 2: 265 pages, complete.Viola: 231 pages, complete.Cello: 225 pages, complete. All pages have clear platemarks.Condition: All four volumes are a little bumped at the corners and edges, with wear to the spine hinges and a little loss to the leather here and there. Inside, two pages slightly loose in the 1st violin part, tiny worm holes at the front of the cello part, a few neat pencil markings in the first violin part, but otherwise all clean, tight and holding very well. Only a little browning and foxing to the text, but mostly remarkably clean. A lovely set.I cannot find another such set online. Very scarce, particularly in such good condition.Free postage within the UK using a courier service, for which I will need the purchaser's phone number. I will post abroad, also using a courier service. £18.00 to Europe, £45.00 to USA etc. This is a heavy item - some 9kgs.I have other antique music, maps, prints, books etc. in my ebay shop. Please see my other items.