Printed birth & baptismal certificate with infill & decoration by Francis D. Levan, made for the Werts family. Johanes Merts was born 17 Feb 1832 in Cocalico Twp. in Lancaster County and baptized 8 April 1833. He was the son of Jacob and Catharina Schweigart Werts.
Central text is in German with fraktur infill lettering. There is a border surrounding the text. On the top of the page is a cherub flanked by two boxes of text. Flanking the main text are two large angels. Below them on either side of the text are two branches, each with birds. Within the border, but below the main text is an open bible. Below this motif is an emblem with a lute and trumpet superimposed over music. The artist's signature follows, written as, "Francis D. Levane."
Moderate staining overall. Creases, especially at top and left side. Tear at bottom near center. Small loss on left side near top. Small tears and small area of soiling on lower left side. Paper is darkened at lower corners. Framed in archival materials in 2/2000 by Lancaster Galleries.
Object ID
P.00.9.1
Notes
According to Klaus Stopp, this printed form by Ritter was done c. 1843-44. Stopp uses the number 695 for this variant of the form. Papers for Birth Dayes give Levan's working dates as c. 1826-50.
Silk ribbon printed as a memorial to General Lafayette. Framed.
Ribbon is printed in black ink. There is a strong horizontal line about one inch from the top as well as one inch from the bottom. Centered between these lines are two images with text. At the top is "LAFAYETTE' over an image of Lafayette in profile within a laurel wreath. Underneath his image is the phrase "THE FRIEND AND COMPANION OF WASHINGTON." Below this is a mourning scene of a cloaked woman mourning at a tomb surmounted with an urn, all underneath a willow tree. The inscription reads, "Born 1757, Died at Paris, May, 1834." A final line of text states, "THE NATION MOURNS A HERO GONE."
Provenance
Was installed in the Slaymaker's home museum. The ribbon was likely acquired and descended through the family because of the fact that according to family tradition, Lafayette stopped at Amos Slaymaker's hostelry, "The Pennsylvania Arms."
A favorite of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette fought in the American Revolution, commanding American troops in several battles. In 1824, he returned to the United States for a grand tour where he was greeted with cheers and received many honors. His death ten years later in Paris was marked by a sincere outpouring of grief in the United States as well as in France. This particular mourning scene includes a cloaked woman grieving at a tomb topped with an urn underneath a weeping willow tree.
The urn on top of the tombstone symbolizes death since urns were often used in Greece and Rome to store cremated remains. The weeping willow, so named because of the way raindrops run down its long leaves causing some to think it looks like the tree is crying, serves to reinforce the emotions of grief and mourning.
Overall deterioration, fragile and fraying. Top 1/2 inch of ribbon is nearly separated where hinge is still attached. Overall soiling with damp stains.
Object ID
G.98.30.2
Notes
See paper object file for:
-excerpt "Two Canes: On Family's Story" detailing Slaymaker family and history of this mourning ribbon
Framed silhouette of gentleman in profile, facing viewer's right. He is perhaps early-to-middle-age years, dressed in high collar and coat. Below is the name "Amos Ellmaker" handwritten in cursive in faded black ink.
Image is cut out of a rectangle of white wove paper, superimposed on a matching piece of black silk and secured with stitches at periphery. There is a window mat of faded marbelized paper, frame is molded walnut.
Same marbelized paper also covers back of frame. Clipping from printed biographical article is pasted to back.
Moderate wear and aging overall. Wove paper is darkened with fold lines and pin holes. Frame is worn with loose joints. Frame backing paper shows wear at corners and was cut to remove artwork, replaced and secured with cellophane tape, now removed except for bottom strip, leaving adhesive residue.
Object ID
P.03.11.01
Notes
According to the Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Amos Ellmaker (b. 2-2-1787 and d. 11-28-1851) was a man of intellect and attainment. He was grandson of immigrant Leonard Ellmaker (Germany to Earl Twp in 1726) and son of Nathaniel Ellmaker. He attended Princeton College, then law school in Litchfield, Conn. He began practice in Hbg., served as an officer in the War of 1812, later was appointed prosecuting attorney for Dauphin Co., elected to the State House of Representatives, appointed Presiding Judge for the district composed of Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, was later appointed Attorney General of Pa., but resigned in 1821 to move back to Lancaster. Judge Ellmaker was in 1832 a candidate of the anti-Masonic party for Vice-President of the U.S. In 1816, he had married Mary Rachel Elder of Harrisburg. They had six children.
A map in brown and blue ink with an orate directional indicator in the upper right corner. The
Conestoga Creek flows across the map. Property lines with buildings (distillery, houses and stable) are drawn along the eastern bank of the creek with corners of property marked by posts, a stone and a birch tree. "Other land of the City of Lancaster" is written above the property line.
"The above draught represents 5 acres ? by 18 perches...situate in Lancaster Township, Lancaster County, being the part of the plantation which the city of Lancaster purchased from the Executor of John ? ? which is intended to be preserved to the village for the ? of said City. Surveyed on the 28th September 1836. By Henry Carpenter
Brown fold lines. Some of the writing has faded and is difficult to read. There is a tear mid-left near the left edge of the map. Some blotches of black spots may be the result of mildew.
Pictorial needlework, silk embroidery on linen depicting two females at the right, one in blue, the other in yellow. On the left is a tree on a hillock with some flowers at the base of the trunk. To the left of the tree is the following poem: "margaret m Grosh is my name/ marietta is my station/ heaven is my dwelling Place/ and christ is my salvation/ when i am dead and in my/ grave and all my bones ar/ rotton when this you see/ remember me or I shal/ be forgotton"
Another inscription at the bottom reads "MarGaret Grosh Sampler made in Marietta in the year of our lord/ 1830"
The piece has a rose-beige ribbon border, and is in a period mahogany veneered frame.
The sampler has dark marks over all, brown marks, especially in the upper left are and between the two female figures.
There are losses in the upper left, lower left and upper right corners of the frame and the frame has also split in the upper left and lower right corners.
Printed Birth & Baptismal Record, Christian Schelly
Description
Printed birth and baptismal certificate, pictorial fame with central text block. Infill and hand coloring attributed to Heinrich Keyser, a school mast working in Warwick Twp.
The pictorial frame consists of eight different plates around a perimeter. The four corners each have a Gospel reference withing a floral oval (two from St. Matthew and two from St. John). The other four prints depict scenes of Christ: is baptism, crucifixion, ascension and his welcoming the children to come to him. Prints are hand-colored.
The central text block is printed in German, in traditional form, under the title: "Geburts und TaufSchein." Infill is executed in black ink in both fraktur-style lettering and script.
Certificate was done for the birth and baptism of Christian Schelly, son of Johannes and Catarina Kericher Schelly, born Dec. 18, 1823 (?) in Rapho Twp. and baptized 1833. At bottom of text is written that Christian was born under the sign of Pisces, under which a tiny pen and ink drawing is executed of two fish. (Written by Wendell Zercher.)
(more info on Schoolmaster Keyser in file)
Provenance
From Strasburg Antique Marker, Strasburg, PA for $245.00. Received on Aug. 11, 2000.
Generally acid-burned overall; extreme burn at edges of top and left side. Two liquid stains in lower text block which bleached the paper. Heavy fold lines have resulted in tears. with a triangular loss at terminus of right fold line. Additional tears at end of left fold line as well as two inches above this; also tear along bottom edge, one inch from right corner. Entire piece is pasted to acidic cardboard backing.
Birth record in German for Barbara Eschlemann made on laid paper by Johannes Schopp/Schopf Artist. Paper has Ephrata watermark (CIB in tulip design). Framed in old frame of softwood with dark, crazed finish and applied blocks at corners.
Execution is typical of this artist's design with horizontal orientation, outer and inner double-line borders with central heart having an open ring at top from which emanate vining flowers. Space between inner and outer borders is especially full with typical flowers of muted colors as well as a crown at top and shells at top and a large one at bottom center.
(By Wendell Zercher)
Within the hearts is the text including Barbara Eschlemann's birthdate: 8 January 1777.
Provenance
Purchased by Irene Walsh from Russell D. Earnest Associates for $1,750.00. Received on 7 Dec. 2004.
Breaking at fold line; two corners missing and two corners with small holes. 3-inch tear extends from left bottom corner to right side. Tear at bottom, 2" from right corner, extends upward 1/2 inch. Additional tears with losses at bottom, esp. at center. Two extensive tape repairs made on reverse. Several moisture stains along bottom.
Fraktur presentation piece for Susanna Netzlin (Nissley?) Pressure-mounted on tan matboard and framed in small frame.
Watercolor and ink on rectangular, laid paper, done in dark brown red and yellow. Three bars of color at perimeter in red, yellow and dark green create outside border. Filling top half of inner space is the name of "Susanna Netzlin" written in large red letters, incorporating leafy vines with three different flowers.
Bottom half of page is filled with seven lines of German religious verse. Another leafy vine fills the bottom space adorned with four different flowers.
(Written by Wendell Zercher)
Provenance
Donor, Mr. Clarke E. Hess of Lititz, PA, describes this page as a presentation piece done for Susanna Nissley (?) probably in Warwick Twp. Hess cites another example of this unknown artist's work in the book Pennsylvania German Fraktur and Color Drawings by Landis Valley Associates, 1969, plate #48 (a vorschrift done in 1769).
The $975.00 cost was reimbursed by Irene. N. Walsh.
Paper embrittled and very weak. Multiple breaks, holes and tears. Large holes at center of dark brown border on right side and bottom. Multiple areas of paint loss. White fibers attached to red border at left side and bottom. Soiled and stained overall. Paper edges are uneven with minor losses, especially corners at top and bottom left. Horizontal fold across center.
Presentation fraktur attributed to David Frey is a watercolored drawing of a bird on a tulip. Executed on a rectangular piece of tan wove paper, the watercolor is done in yellow, green, red, pink, blue, black and brown. The nicely detailed bird faces the viewer's right, perched on the bent stem of a tulip with one yellow bloom at tip: plant is growing out of the ground. Frame is softwood with a dark mahogany veneer on beveled face.
Inscribed in ink on reverse side in elegant script is "Catharina Frey. 1832." Seller believes this may be a daughter of David's son, Jacob Frey (b. 1785) and wife Elizabeth of Rapho Twp. Hess says Catharina is likely the younger sister of Anna (Nancy), recipient of drawing P.04.49.2.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Sold by Mr. Clarke E. Hess of Lititz, PA, for $1.100. Mr. Hess purchased the drawing in Bucks County. (2004)
Very significant insect damage with tears at left edge extending inwards one inch toward wing tips; also two smaller holes below legs and on stem. Original damage appears to have occurred over liquid stain. Old repair on reverse using additional backing paper is now adhered only at bottom. The reverse side carries the residue of pigment missing from P.04.49.2, indicating that the two pieces of paper had been stored together for a long time. Minor flaking/losses of pigment. Minor soiling of paper. Replaced wood back with acid-free matboard.
Manuscript birth record for John Dunlap Skiles, scrivened, signed and date by William Knox. In handmade walnut frame with old glass and dust cover on reverse.
Done on thin white paper in horizontal format. Executed in black ink in a neat, flowing script is "John Dunlap Skiles,/ Born April 29th, 1829." Eight lines of religious verse follow in a smaller script. Below a double line at bottom is "Done by Wm Knox. April 8th, 1830." No ornamentation or color.
A Wm. Knox is found in Ellis & Evans (p. 79), listed as serving in Capt. Adam Diller's Co. in 1814-15. Note that various Knox families were living in Leacock Twp. at the time John D. Skiles was born and raised there.
(More notes in file.)
Written by Wendell Zercher.
Provenance
Provenance unknown: Per museum instructions, Kinsey Baker of The Book Haven purchased this item for us at Horst Auction Center, Sept. 3-4, 2004.
Slight foxing and staining with overall soiling; area of ragged paper loss at bottom right corner. Center vertical fold line appears to be broken along most of its length. Small tears around surface.
Birth certificate, polychrome on paper, done for the birth of John Bachman of Lampeter Twp. by Eli Haverstick.
Text is enclosed in a central arched arbor with flame finials. Text reads:
"John Bachman A son of Jacob Bachman and wife Barbara A daughter of Christian Kindig was born on the 10th Day of June in the year of our Lord 1832 In the Township of Lampeter in the County of Lancaster in the State of Pennsylvania in North AMERICA.'
Supporting the arbor is a large double-compartmented rectangular base containing eight lines of religious verse.
At page bottom is an unusual temple-like structure, of Moorish or Middle Eastern appearance, flanked by blue trees and large multi-colored pinwheel flowers.
The borders of the page have colorful floral motifs aligned in a similar configuration as the central arbor. Hearts and stars fill the top corners. Above the central arbor is a stylized star/flower sprouting two flowers. Flanking the star are two trees growing horizontally toward the star.
Inscription on reverse, in tiny yellow script, is "Eli Haverstick."
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Donated by Mrs. Lucy Bell Newlin Sellers of Phila., PA; and her brother, Wm. V.P. Newlin of Washington, D.C. in memory of their parents, Elizabeth and Mortimer Newlin. May 28, 1996, valued at $20,000.00.
Acid burn, soiling, including liquid stains, some crackled paint with minor losses (in black paint of arch of the central 'arbor' and in red motif at bottom right corner.
Conserved and reframed by Marilyn Kemp Weidner, Feb. 1997.
Object ID
G.96.09.01
Notes
Pictured on p. 64 of Corinne & Russell Earnests' book, Fraktur: Folk Art & Family.
Hanging balance scales with two brass dishes. Attached tag: "Miss Emma H. Ranck". Listed in original accession notes as "Assayers Scales" used specifically for weighing metals.
Lathe-turned wooden tar bucket with fitted lid and remnants of leather straps. Cylindrical vessel has slight taper inward toward middle. Decorated with two double score marks below center. Above center are shoulders jutting outward with vertical holes through which straps of leather handle pass. Handle also passes through lid of conforming shape, although one strap broken off at shoulder while the other is broken off 3 inches above shoulder.Center hole in lid apparently accepted a now-missing stick used to apply tar to wheels. Broken-off 5-inch length of leather strap rests inside. Tar residue in bucket.
Lancaster County or region.
Provenance
Donor believes bucket descended from family members to his parents who displayed it on their mantle. Donor inherited it from parents.
