The stoneware mug's body is predominantly white surmounted with a wide green band that is outlined with narrow gilt bands. The handle is also white and outlined with similar gilt bands.
J.W. Pankhurst & Company, Charles St. & Old Hall St
Fraktur, hand-made Geburts und Taufschein (B&BC), watercolor over pencil, on ruled wove paper, signed on back in pencil: "Henry Lapp / 1872"
Dominating the page is a large rounded heart, outlined in dark green and red, with an exterior conforming border of green vines (edged in black pen) and pink flowers. Written in Ink within the heart is a Christian exhortation: "Selig sind, die Gottes Wort / horen, bewahren und befolgen! / Christus bleibt Dein treuer Dort / Er wird fur Dich dan(?) sorgen". Crowning the heart at top is a ribbon-like banner in blue w/black highlighted edges with "Geburts // und Tauf // Schein." printed within it. A yellow flower peeks out from behind the banner.
Below the heart, is a horizontal rectangle outlined in blue and red, are 2 lines, poorly executed, written in black ink: "Befolge stets die Schrift, sie sei Dein Gluck auf Erden / Sie Fuhrt Dich auf den Weg das Himelreichzuerben." (It begins, "Always obey Scripture...").
According to the inscription & date on the reverse of this B&BC, Henry Lapp would only have been executed by Lapp at age 10. See a nearly identical B&BC -- P.97.41.2.
Provenance
Purchase at Lloyd C. and Miriam H. Hinden sale at Horst Auction, Nov. 15, 1997
