Notices in a local newspaper advertised the presence of the rhinoceros in the Gasthaus zum Pfau of Frankfurt am Main, in seven consecutive issues from 12 September during the Autumn Fair, (source 3601). This is corraborated in an archival sentence on a broadsheet issued later (source 3602). The broadsheet made by J.M. Eben, who lived in Frankfurt, must date after 1758 according to the text (source 3603).
* Gasthaus zum Pfau / zum goldnen Pfau, Vilbelergasse or Vilbelerstrasse 26, Frankfurt
* Friedburger Thor, probably Friedberger Thor, on the north-east side of Frankfurt
Literature:
- Rookmaaker 1998: 64
- Hufnagel, E. 1873. Rhinoceros in Europa ausgestellt. Zoologische Garten A.F. 14 (5): 197-198.
- Emmerig, H. 1978. Das Rhinozeros in Europa 1741-1758. On p. 21 states arrival between 5 and 12 September 1747, departure around 30 September 1747
Source 3601. Franckfurter Frag- und Anzeigungsnachrichten
Emmerig 1978: 21 quotes Franckfurter Frag- und Anzeigungsnachrichten
Advertisement in following issues: nr. 73 of 12 September / nr. 74 of 14 September / nr. 75 of 16 September / nr. 76 of 19 September / no.77 of 21 September / no. 78 of 22 September and no.80 of 29 September.
Text of the Nachrichten:
Es wird hiermit allen und jeden respective Herren Liebhaber kund und zu wissen gethan, dass allhier in Franckfurt, im Gast-Hauss zum Pfau onhweit dem Friedburger Thor, diese Messe über zu sehen ist, ein lebendiger Rhenocerus, oder das sogenannte Nasen-Horn, und zwar Morgens von. 8 biss 12. Uhr und Nachmittags von 2. biss 7 Uhr.
Translation
It is hereby made known to all enthusiasts that here in Frankfurt, in the Pfau guesthouse near the Friedburg Gate, a live Rhenocerus can be seen during this fair, in the morning from 8 to 12 o’clock and in the afternoon from 2 to 7 o’clock.
Source 3602. Note on Broadsheet by J.M. Eben – copy Historisches Museum
Broadsheet signed by Johann Michael Eben (1716-1761). See source 3603 below.
Historisches Museum, Frankfurt am Main, C 1722 – detail
Faust 2003: 158, no. 734 – states that on example in Historisches Museum von Frankfurt a.M. (no. C 1722) there is added in manuscript:
war in der Franckfürter Herbst-Messe 1747 zü sehen.
Translation:
was seen at the Autumn Fair in Frankfurt in 1747.
NB. Note that this addition must have been added after 1758 because the print could not have been engraved earlier with the addition of death in 1758. The addition appears to be written on the sheet outside the borders of the print, the print was probably glued to the page. It is possible that this is a later addition by museum staff or others.
Source 3603. Broadsheet by Johann Michael Eben
“Dieses ist das wahre Original von dem welt bekanten Rhenoceros oder Naßhorn.”
Refer main entry in London, 1758 – source 8002
Johann Michael Eben (1716-1761), artist, engraver in Frankfurt a.M.
It is likely that Eben engraved this in Frankfurt a.M. but only after 1758, or copied from elsewhere.
Text on broadsheet similar (except punctuation) to broadsheet by Bodenehr, Dresden 1747 – source 3307
Historisches Museum, Frankfurt am Main, C 1722
Text on broadsheet:
Dieser Rinoceros oder Naßhorn ist im Königreich Asem ins Groß Mogols Gebieth gefangen worden, der König machte ein Praesent an den damahligen Holländischen Directeur in Bengalen Herrn Sichtermann allda er 3. Iahr zahm erzogen; wegen verursachten großen Schaden verschenckete er Ihn an den Ostindischen Schiff-Capitain H. David Mout van der Meer, der Ihn 1741. in Holland brachte, zum Täglichen unterhalt bekam er 60 Lb. Heu, 25 Lb. Brod und 14 Eimer Wasser. Dieser ist der Behemoth, wie Hiob meldet C. 40 v.10. Er ist alt worden 21 Iahr in London Crepirt 1758 den 14 Aprill.
[medaillon] Dieses ist das wahre Original von dem welt bekanten Rhenoceros oder Naßhorn.
[Signature below medaillon] Ioh.Mich. Eben, sc: Francofurti.
[left, German text, 5 ½ lines]
Translation
This rhinoceroswas captured in the kingdom of Asem in the Great Mogol region. The king made a present to the then Dutch director in Bengal, Mr. Sichtermann, where he had been tamed for three years. Because of the great damage he had caused, he gave him away to the East Indian ship captain H. David Mout van der Meer, who brought him to Holland in 1741. For his daily maintenance, he received 60 pounds of hay, 25 pounds of bread, and 14 buckets of water. This is the Behemoth, as Job reports in chapter 40 verse 10. He lived to the age of 21 and died in London on 14 April 1758.
