Pheasantry!

Edict Ludwig Rudolf’s, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg (1671-1735, youngest son of Anton Ulrich and father-in-law of emperor Charles VI, accession to the throne 1731) concerning the pheasantry in the Lecheln Wood before Wolfenbüttel. Given Wolfenbüttel March 20, 1734. 33.7 x 41.4 cm. 1 page. With large woodcut initial. Ducal signature printed together with L(oco) S(igilli) stamp and that of the minister  Hieronymus  of  Münchhausen.

disclosing the quite personal ducal interest – reflected also by the degree of the penalty – , but also still free of the often inescapable character of repetitions :

“ (Since We made the gracious decree / that by the pheasantry set up in the Lecheln Wood attracting and taming of this winged game shall be furthered by all means / and … set into the open; So it will be especially necessary / that this preserve installed for Our pleasure will be treated gently by any means / and nobody shall dare to shoot / to capture pheasants at whatever places … these might be met / or be after them otherwise / and to disturb them … to lay hands on their eggs and young brood … with rifle / nets and yarn / or by other means …) ”

Threatening with 100 dollars “for every piece / that is shot or captured” , alternatively prison or other punishment. 10 $ though for the informer. And “for that no one might excuse himself for ignorance / to publish (the one here) by open print / also to post it up at usual places / ordered most graciously”. – On Ludwig Rudolf + Münchhausen see Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie XIX, 541 ff. + XXII, 728 f. – Two really small fold strengthenings in the white margin, otherwise impeccable.

Of  specially  effective  typography  +  uncut  broad  margins .

Offer no. 12,549 / EUR  478. / Export price EUR  454. (c. US$ 718.) + shipping

“ I am pleased to inform you that I received the book in good order and it is very beautiful, I have looked at it now many times and it is very useful for my studies. ”

(Mevr. E. E., June 29, 2002)

The  Cream  of  the  Day