Wolf Ehrenfried von Reizenstein. Der Vollkommene Pferde-Kenner [“[A Guide for] the Complete Horse-Expert.”]
Auction 92 |
Thursday, February 18th,
2021 at 1:00pm
Fine Judaica: Rare Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters & Graphic Arts
Lot 238
(YIDDISH).
Wolf Ehrenfried von Reizenstein. Der Vollkommene Pferde-Kenner [“[A Guide for] the Complete Horse-Expert.”]
Uffenheim: Joh. Simon Meyer 1764
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
PRICE REALIZED $1,400
<<A most unusual text.>>
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.
<<Further details available upon request.>>