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). Another undated broadsheet which identifies an artist H. Oster might be related to the visit to Frankfurt as stated by faust (source 3604).
* 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.
Source 3604. Broadsheet – Large size – dated 1747 – 723.1
Text in four languages: Latin and French (left) and Dutch and English (right). Vignet of captain. Rhino facing right
Size 402 x 535 mm
Example:
- London, British Museum, Department of Prints, Foreign History, 1914,0520.664 (coll. Joseph Banks)
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0520-664
Literature:
- Rookmaaker and Monson 2000, nr. 13, fig. 8
- Faust 2003, nr. 723.1 – states that this broadsheet dates from visit to Frankfurt, where 1741 is mistake for 1747. The measurements date from May 1747.
- Dryander, J. 1796. Catalogus bibliothecae historico-naturalis Josephi Banks, vol. 2, Zoologi. Londini, – vol. 2: 65-66 – example in library of Joseph Banks, London. He describes it (relating to Rhinoceros unicornis): – Waare afbeelding van een leevendighe Renoceros of Naashooren, die int Jaar 1741 als het drie jaar oud is geweest door den Capteyn Douwemout van der meer uyt Bengalen in Holland is overgebragt. Gestocken door H. Oster Poet Ext. 25 May, 1741. * Tab. aenea, long. 16 unc. lat. 22 unc.
Text below rhinoceros, probably handwritten:
[Left of medaillon]
Vera Efigigies [sic] Rhinoceri, qui in Asia, et quidem in terris Magni Mogulis, in regione Assem captus est et Anno 1741 cum tres annos vixerit, a Capitan Douwemout van der meer ex Bengal: in Belgia translatus est
Le veritable Portrait d’un Rhinocerot vivant lequel dans l’année 1741 quand il avoit trois ans a été pris en Asie dans l’Empire du Grand Mogol a la province d’Asem, et a eté ammene de Bengala en Holland par le Capitaine Douwemout van der meer.
[Right of medaillon]
Waare Afbeelding van een leevendighe Renoceros of Naashooren, die int jaar 1741 als het drie jaar oud is geweest door den Capteyn Douwemout van der Meer uyt Bengalen in Holland is overgebragt en is in Asia gevangen int gebiet van den Groote Mogul in landschapp Assem.
A true delineation or Pourtraicture of a living Rhinoceros (by some colleg Unicorn) which, in the third year of its age, was brought out of Bengala int[o] Holland by Capitaine Douwemout Anno 1741. It is cath’d within the Gross Moguls territories in the province of Asem.
[Text underneath, from left to right]
[left of vignette]
Dat boven genoemde dier is geweest in de maant May 1747 5 voet
[right of vignette]
en 7 duym hoog en 12 voet lang en 12 voet dick. En 8 ½ jaar oud.
[Lower right side]
gestocken door H. Oster: Poet Ext: den 25 may A. 1741
Vignette with picture of Douwemout:
Douwemout van der Meer, gebooren den 12 April 1705.
a
