FischBiechlein. Unterschidliche nuzliche Khinst und Recept aller erkantnus der Fisch Kheder, Fisch, Khrebs zu fangen. Durch Herrn Hainrich Graffen zu Khernberg probiert.
4to (166 x 207 mm). (4), 52 pp., 4 blank leaves. German manuscript, ink on paper. Block-stitched in original vellum wrapper (using a document issued by Ferdinand I) with cover title "Fisch Biechl" and ink illustration of the arms of the barons of Enzenberg; fore-edge flap fastened with a modern hook and eye.
€ 6,500.00
A pretty early 18th century German manuscript, written in an uneven hand, all about methods to catch fish and crabs. The author describes fishing techniques throughout the year and in various seasons, with rods, weirs, and bare hands, also discussing baits, feathered wobblers, and other lures. Captions include: "Wie man fischen solle", "Huechen auf Ruperti Tag", "Im Hörbst die Grillen", "Von Federscheier", "Khunst zu fischen auf das ganze Jahr", "Wie die Fisch mit Henden sollen gefangen werden", "Krebs Kheder", "Kharpfen Kheder"; "Kheder in die Reischen", "Kheder um Angl", "Wie man aus ein tieffen See, oder Wasser alle Monathe in Jahr mit den Hennden fischen soll", "Hie nach volgt was gestalt und mit was farben ieder feder gefaßt werden soll", "Volgt ein Undterschidt der Khedern, auch wie man sie suchen, und gebrauchen soll", "Ein Hoch beriembte Khunst mit Reischen zu fachen das ganze Jahr", "Zu grundt zu fischen", "Hörzog Friderich bewerte Khunst Visch mit Henden zu fangen", etc.
This latter-named authority very probably denotes Frederick IV, Duke of Austria and one of the best-known Tyrolean rulers of the Middle Ages. A Tyrolean origin is also suggested by the manuscript's ownership: a prettily illustrated cartouche at the foot of the title-page indicates, "Sum inter libros Joannis Georgii Richardi ab Enzenberg in Freyen, et Jöchlsthurn". Based on the paleographical evidence, this scion of an old Tyrolean noble family would appear also to have been the manuscript's scribe. The titular compiler or principal witness for the fishing techniques assembled here, however, remains unidentified: a Ducal family of Khernberg (in its various spellings) is unknown in the 18th century.
Some leaves stained; insignificant dampstaining to lower edges of the final leaves. Wrapper rubbed; armorial illustration rather faded. The waste vellum used for the wrapper is taken from a document issued by King Ferdinand I, probably in 1557, for the Tyrolean nobleman Carl von Winckelhofen, whose loan of 3000 guilders is confirmed.
