Wir Karl Theodor…entbiethen allen…

Munich, 1786

4 full sheets  |  1225 x 427 mm

A Bavarian tax proclamation dated 12 April 1786, which at least in part relies on earlier legislation, though Charles Theodore (Karl Theodor), Elector of Bavaria, cites in the opening paragraph an urgent need on account of “persistent and damaging weather, heavy snowfall (schneedruck), extraordinary downpours and flooding, followed by strong showers falling in many places and ruinous cattle plagues.” The full scope of the taxes is laid out in sixteen sections printed on a broadside of truly epic proportions. Affixed to the bottom is the Elector’s paper seal, the document then signed by one Renneberg.  ¶  We wonder if the state’s financial need was to some degree due to lingering effects of the disastrous winter of 1783-1784. A volcanic eruption in Iceland contributed to one of Europe’s little ice ages. Exceptional snowfall that winter was followed by rapid warming and heavy rainfall, resulting in devastating floods across much of the continent. Coincidentally, in 1780, Charles Theodore had established an international coalition of meteorologists. At its height, this network stretched from the Ural Mountains in Russia to North America. “The Palatine Society achieved a control of its members and a standardization of their readings unparalleled until the advent of state weather bureaus over half a century later” (Cassidy). Still, we expect the Elector’s meteorological advances provided little comfort to those who received tax bills on account of severe weather.  ¶  We find a copy only at the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.

CONDITION:  Printed landscape orientation on the rectos of four sheets of paper, the top edge of the lower sheets affixed to the bottom edge of their predecessors. Untrimmed, preserving deckle edges. With a large eleven-line opening initial and Karl Theodor’s name at top in a decorative display type.  ¶  Several horizontal creases, with a single vertical crease running the length; a bit dusty at the edges. A well preserved document of arresting dimensions.

REFERENCES:  David C. Cassidy, “Meteorology in Mannheim: The Palatine Meteorological Society, 1780-1795,” Sudhoff’s Archiv 69.1 (1985), p. 8; Rudolf Brázdil, et al., “European floods during the winter 1783/1784: scenarios of an extreme event during the ‘Little Ice Age,’” Theoretical and Applied Climatology (March 2009)

Item #301