Introduction

Well structured work materials

Erika Sinauer's handwritten index of research literature and notes sorted according to subjects

Some of Dr Erika Sinauer’s work materials are preserved today in the MGH archive.. The yearly project reports from 1929 to 1933 emphasise her good organisational skills and her clearly structured approach.

„Herr Prof. Dr Freiherr von Schwerin and Fräulein Sinauer, who are working together on the Sachsenspiegel and the gloss of Johann von Buch, have consulted the materials left behind by Steffenhagen, which were kindly made available by the Vienna academy, and immediately established that the Amsterdam manuscript suggested by Steffenshagen is unsuitable as the reference manuscript for an edition. This will be the subject of a detailed study that is to appear next year.“ (Report by Paul Kehr, 1929, p. VII)

„The manuscript evidence has been closely examined and a new, well-founded transmission scheme has been proposed. Important results are to be awaited.“ (Report by Paul Kehr, 1930, p. VIII)

„Fräulein Sinauer has succeeded in making important progress in understanding the relationship between the manuscripts. (...) She hopes to soon be able to present her studies on the development of the gloss.“ (Report by Paul Kehr, 1931, p. VI)

„Herr Prof. Freiherr von Schwerin and Fräulein Dr Sinauer have worked avidly on the large gloss-edition of the Sachsenspiegel. A comprehensive presentation of their results is being prepared. (...) In the coming year of work, they will be able to begin with the edition text.“ (Report by Paul Kehr, 1932, p. VI)

„Under the supervision of Herr Prof. Freiherr von Schwerin, Fräulein Dr Sinauer has continued to work on the large glossed edition of the Sachsenspiegel with great commitment. She has written a seminal study, the first half of which she has already submitted. (...) This makes a structured edition possible.“ (Report by Paul Kehr, 1933, p. V)

The seminal study mentioned above was published in 1935. There, Erika Sinauer identifies the so-called Codex Hecht as the potential reference manuscript for an edition. This fruit of her scholarly labour contributed importantly to the edition published by Frank-Michael Kaufmann in 2002.