Broadside printed on white wove paper (now darkened) has bold title at top: "Haus-Segen." The smaller subtitle of two lines reads: "Das mogen meine Kinder lesen,/ Wenn ich in der Erde thu' verwesen." (Apparently "These words are something my children should desire to read when I am moldering in the grave".)
Within a variant of the Greek key border is the printed text, done in old German type. Underneath the two titles there are two columns of text, each with 28 lines. Text is a religious theme done in rhyming couplets. The name "David L. Beiler" is printed at bottom right. Beiler is most likely an Old Order Amish printer.
Broadside had been folded back along all four sides to make it fit a wooden frame (not original, since other screw holes indicate a previous use). Old acidic cardboard backing was originally used as a backing for an early 20th century photo of a group of firefighters dressed in full uniform with musical instruments, titled "Junior Fire Company -- Reading, PA." Photocopy of fire company in object file.
Provenance
Seller purchased broadside at Horst Auction, April 16, 2003, a sale of household goods consigned by Ruth E. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Morris A. Stoltzfus). There were a number of Amish items for sale that seller believes the family obviously had in storage for many years. Morris and Ruth Stoltzfus were far removed from Morris' Amish roots and would not have valued or displayed them. Mrs. Stoltzfus has since died (6-25-03). See obit. in object file.
Clarke Hess says David Luthy (Canada) would know who this David L. Beiler was. The 3 candidates in the Fisher book appear to all be too recent.
Darkened, some "bleached" damp-stained corners & edges, minor foxing. Embrittled and fragile; all edges folded over with resulting tears including nearly detached section at center left and upper left. Involved tear extends upward from bottom, 2" from bottom right corner. Another is 1" to left of upper right corner. Several interior tears at "Haus" and as well as several holes (near lower left corner and throughout lower right quadrant. Paper strip 1 1/4" wide pasted along upper edge at fold line. Acidic cardboard backing removed. Later conserved by Maria Pukownik (returned Feb.2004 - CD w/ photos in file). Then framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Object ID
P.03.20.2
Notes
David Luthy is an Old Order Amish writer and editor for Pathway Publishers. (Their address: 10380 Carter Road, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R3). Clarke E. Hess suggests contacting him to learn the identity of David L. Beiler.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Three watch papers, 2 of Moyer and one of Beiler, printed with advertisement on small paper discs, used between pocket watch works and case to protect works:
A. Thin paper disc w/ small cuts around periphery, printed within double-line outside border is "ABRAHAM S. BEILER, / Watchmaker, / LEACOCK, LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa."
No inscription. Dia: 2".
B.Thin paper disc, small cuts around periphery, printed with "B.D. MOYER, / WATCHMAKER / AND / JEWELER / BIRD IN HAND". Pen inscription on reverse: "July / 8756 / Cleaning & / Repairing / J. Hoover". Dia: 1.375". See Notes.
C.Paper disc, small cuts around periphery, printed with double-line outside border has "B. D. MOYER / Enterprise, Lancaster Co." and within center is "WATCHMAKER / AND / JEWELLER." Pen inscription on reverse: " 4455 / To(?) Cleaning / & / Repairing / Jacob Hoover / ,75c", indicating cost for service. Dia: 1.875". See Notes.
Provenance
FIC
Abraham S. Beiler (1851-1909)
Benjamin D. Moyer (1825-1890) married to Elizabeth
A. Light overall soil with minor losses/folding at periphery.
B. Overall heavy soil and dark blotches of stain; some paper losses at periphery and folding.
C. Overall heavy soil and dark blotches of stain; much of periphery paper is missing & remainder is tattered & folded.
Object ID
2016.999.2
Notes
Benjamin Moyer listed as watchmaker, age 43, in1870 Census for E. Lampeter.
Abraham S. Beiler, born 1851 died 1909 in Upper Leacock.
Watch papers were originally used as a packing between the inner and outer case of a watch to protect its works. The watch papers which have become the most popular with today’s collectors are those engraved papers used as an advertising medium by watchmakers or as labels are often usually attractive. Many well-known American artists engraved them so that they may have real esthetic value.
By the beginning of the 19th century, watchmakers realized they could use small, round papers in the back of a watch as an advertising medium. It soon became the custom, when they cleaned and repaired a watch, for watchmakers to insert their own papers, perhaps showing an engraved scene with their name and the location of their shops. On the reverse of the paper the watchmaker might note the price and date of repairs.
Watch papers were both printed and engraved on white, cream, buff, orange, blue, green, yellow or rose paper. They vary in size from 1 1/2 inches to 21/2 inches in diameter, but the common size seems to be about 2 inches in diameter. Though watch papers also varied in thickness, the earliest ones are on thicker and higher-grade paper. - See more at:
Birth & baptismal certificate on laid paper. Printed form with central textblock in German within a multiple line border. Infilled and decorated around textblock by Speyer; cross-legged angel at top, pelicans feeding young at sides and flowers at sides and bottom. Watercolors are red, blue, yellow, green and brown.
Infilled for Johannes, son of Valiendein (Valentine) and Eliesabetha (Elisabetha) Bohmer of Brecknock Township in Lancaster Co., born Dec. 13, 1788.
Georg Friederich Speyer (active 1774-1801) used this printed form produced c. 1789 by Barton & Johnson of Reading. See Notes.
General wear with numerous creases and wrinkles; one pronounced vertical centerline crease. Repaired tears, esp at left edge. All edges are ragged and uneven, esp. at right.
Conserved by CCAHA in 1989 (see report in file). Hinged into window mat & back mat. Relaced in its original frame using UF-3 Plexiglas and acid-free cardboard on reverse with a taped mylar dust shield.
Object ID
G.77.50.1
Notes
Printed form by Reading printers Thomas Barton and Benjamin Johnson, circa 1789 (see Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificates of the Pa. Germans, v. 4, p. 84). Speyer used this printed form for Johannes Bohmer who was born the previous year in1788.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Flat tin 6-pointed star pattern or template with1/2" diameter hole at center. Used for creating raised, sculpted plushwork (see Amish Arts by Patricia Herr, pp. 44-55).
"Hi Jim, Killing a half hour at the station. Meant fo write to you during very short stay at Mt. Gretna but didn't know when I was leaving for half hour here at the station. You have no phone - I'm delaying my hello's to you - I hope things have turned out as you expected - your "Y" friend - Art Koulias
