Wolf Ehrenfried von Reizenstein. Der Vollkommenen Pferde-Kenners [“The Complete Horse-Guide”]

(GERMANY)

Joh. Simon Meyer

Uffenheim

1764

German with smattering of Hebrew. One engraved plate

The first part of the text (not present) is typically generic, however it is the second part of this veterinary work that is so unique. The Anhang of 36 pages contains a Hebrew /Yiddish dictionary - indeed entire phrases - transliterated into Gothic letters and with German translation. This is followed by five business- oriented dialogues between Jewish horsetraders in their distinct Hebraeo-German jargon. The inclusion of such an unusual appendix was likely in order to enable German horse-dealers to prevent a commercial disadvanatge, and instead obtain a linguistic insight into the discussions conducted between their Jewish competitors.