Beschreibung des Kaiserl. Gnaden-und Frey-Schiessen, welches...

1739. SHOOTING FESTIVAL. Beschreibung des Kaiserl. Gnaden-und Frey-Schiessen, welches von ihro Kaiser-und Koenigliche Catholischen Majestaet Carolo Sexto der Wienerischen Burgerschaft durch vierzehn Tag gegeben worden. In der Jahr 1739. 68 pp. text and 10 engraved plates, including double-sheet frontispiece and 4 full-sheet and folding, woodcut armorial headpiece. Small folio, 320 x 205 mm, bound in contemporary sheep. In a half-morocco folding box. Vienna: Johann Peter von Ghelen, [1739]. First Edition, a particularly handsome example of this rare genre. Shooting festivals originated in Germany and date back to the Middle Ages. The present commemoration of a 14-day rifle contest held for the citizens in Vienna in 1739 by Charles VI lists the participants and winners and illustrates the proceedings in engraved plates by Elias Schaffhauser after Franz Tobias Kollman, and by Andreas & Joseph Schmuzer. The large fold-out frontispiece shows the entire shooting field with participants on horseback, the Emperor in his chariot, a clown, a building filled with spectators, and Vienna in the background, with a wide sky dominating the scene. The three double-page plates depict the exhibition of the prizes; the emperor, accompanied by processions of officials, being greeted by the Mayor of Vienna, in an open gallery with the shooting field in the background; and the awarding of the prizes. The remaining plates reproduce seven emblematic targets, accompanied by explanatory text. Rare: Worldcat locates only three copies located in American institutions (National Gallery, Getty and NYPL, the latter apparently lacking the large folding frontispiece). ABPC finds no copies at auction. Lipperheide 3002.