The court registers from Rudolf's time were not written in middle German, but (in this particular case) in 1600.
Also, in my opinion, it makes a lot more sense for a summary note to describe a small group of books as being unusual, rather than describing this group as being rare.
Here are a few more entries using the word "selzam".
September 1588:
February 1603:
August 1603:
In the third case, which seems to concern a horse, the double meaning of unusual and rare
is evident, as a horse with an unusual colour would necessarily be rare. In the other
cases, the primary meaning appears to me to be "unusual".
Also, in my opinion, it makes a lot more sense for a summary note to describe a small group of books as being unusual, rather than describing this group as being rare.
Here are a few more entries using the word "selzam".
September 1588:
Quote:Severino Leorino, so aufm schloß auf ainem roß im rennen selzame khünst gebraucht,
seint 100 taller angeschafft worden.
February 1603:
Quote:Die Doboischen erben werden ersucht, daß sie auf Volckhardten Widtmairß ersuchen, die
bei der verlassenschafft befundene selzame sachen von königlichen antiquitet
herkommendt undter einem inventario alher vertrauen und bei einem eigenen diener zum
ersehen alher überschickhen sollen.
August 1603:
Quote:Hr. bischoff zue Waraßdin solle zue ierer mt. notturfften sex ausserlesener gutschyroß
einer groß und selzamer farben zuwege bringen und den negsten alher überschickhen.
In the third case, which seems to concern a horse, the double meaning of unusual and rare
is evident, as a horse with an unusual colour would necessarily be rare. In the other
cases, the primary meaning appears to me to be "unusual".
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