Wolf Ehrenfried von Reizenstein. Der Vollkommene Pferde-Kenner [“[A Guide for] the Complete Horse-Expert.”]
AUCTION 83 |
Thursday, June 20th,
2019 at 1:00pm
Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Holy Land Maps, Ceremonial Objects, Fine & Graphic Art
Lot 59
(GERMANY).
Wolf Ehrenfried von Reizenstein. Der Vollkommene Pferde-Kenner [“[A Guide for] the Complete Horse-Expert.”]
Uffenheim: Joh. Simon Meyer 1764
Est: $3,000 - $5,000
A comprehensive equestrian and veterinary manual with a most interesting 36-page supplement that comprises a dictionary with some 1,500 Yiddish and Hebrew terms - indeed entire phrases - transliterated into Gothic letters and with German translation. This is followed by five lengthy sample dialogues intended to aid Gentiles in understanding the dialect used by Jewish horse-traders speaking in their distinct Hebreo-German dialect.
The inclusion of such an unusual appendix was likely in order to enable Germans avoid being at a commercial disadvantage, and instead, obtain a linguistic insight into the discussions conducted between their Jewish competitors - for the trade in livestock in Central Europe was a predominantly Jewish one. (A lengthier description available upon request).