Birth & baptismal certificate, with printed 3-heart form with text in all three hearts. Blank spaces infilled by hand in thin red ink by Speyer. Fraktur done for Peter Scholl, son of Peter Andreas and his wife Elizabeth Margretha, nee Illick. Son Peter was born September 7, 1772, in Heidelberg Township, Lancaster Co. (Now Berks Co., likely in Stouchsburg area of Marion Twp.)
Infill & decoration Berks Co. (formerly Lancaster Co.) by Georg Friederich Speyer (active c. 1774-1801) and printers Barton & Jungman, Reading.
Densely paint-decorated by Speyer with cross-legged angels in the top corners and bottom center, mermen and winged heads of angels in lower corners, parrots along the sides, a crown at top center, and birds holding flowers in their beaks at the top of the main text block. Dominant colors are red, green, yellow, and blue.
Certificate printed on laid paper with an "FS" watermark, indicating papermaker Frederick Schutz(Scheetz) of Lower Merion Twp. in Montgomery Co. (See American Watermarks). Mounted with window mat in a brown frame
Provenance
Fraktur was given to the Lancaster County Historical Society by donors with the understanding that it would become part of the Heritage Center collection when that institution was established.
Significant horizontal crease across the middle, and three vertical creases. Smaller creases and crinkles appear overall. The paper has browned, and there are stains in the lower half.
A treatment proposal was offered by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in 1986, followed by treatment in 1988-89 -- consolidated pigment, dry and wet cleaned, mended and reinforced, filled losses, flattened, and matted. More details available in the object file.
Object ID
G.77.50.12
Notes
Earnests note that "neatness was of little concern to Speyer, but he did seem concerned about filling white space." He normally infilled with words done in a thin red ink which does not stand up well over time. He worked mostly in northern Lancaster Co.and in southern Berks and Dauphin Counties. Speyer used the 3-heart print more frequently from about 1790 on.
On-line Nissen family genealogy (internet, 2010) states Peter Scholl married Eva Elizabeth Rieth on Apr. 28, 1800 in Reeds Church, Stouchsburg, Berks, Co. He died Feb. 25, 1839. His parents were also married in Stouchsburg.
References:
Klaus Stopp, Printed B&BC of the Pa Germans, Vol. IV, pp.. 81 & 89.
Earnests, "Papers for Birth Dayes", pp 722 ff.
Gravell, Miller & Walsh, American Watermarks, 1690-1835, 2002, pp. 79 & 305.
Slide # 27-1-4 in Archives West
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
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
Birth record on small piece of laid paper. Mounted in off-white window mat with 2 paper hinges at top. Outside border is 0.375" wide with dotted line zig-zags and small comma like motifs decorating remaining space. Some of lower border was cut off. Appears to be a partial page, cut from the same source as the pair of full-page Tschantz family record (2017.999.29) recording 4 births. It is certainly the same handwork & almost certainly pages removed from a Bible.
This entry for Abraham Tschantz consists of 7 lines of German text, fraktur style lettering, randomly alternating from red to black ink. Reads: "Anno 1750 auf Faustinus Tag, / d 15ten Febr. ist Abraham Tschantz, / gebohren im Zeichen des Schorpian. / Gedenck im allen, was du thust, dass / du nur Gott gefallen must, dies sey dein / gantzes Werck auf Erden, wen du wilst / Gottes Burger werden." (In the year 1750 on Faustinus Day, 15, Feb., Abraham Tschantz was born in the sign of Scorpio. Ponder in everything you do that you must only please God. Let this be your whole work on earth if you wish to be God's citizen.)
10th "Series" of Penna. Archives, Vol. 156, p. 423.
See related pages (2017.999.29) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded Tschantz births.
Height (cm)
13.0175
Height (ft)
0.4270833333
Height (in)
5.125
Width (cm)
18.415
Width (ft)
0.6041666667
Width (in)
7.25
Dimension Details
Matboard is H: 7" W: 9"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
0017-08-24
Condition Notes
Light darkened and embrittled/fragile. Edges are very ragged with losses and folded back paper. A 3 1/2 " long curved tear/break from bottom left to the word "Febr.". Bottom of page with border has been cut off.
Object ID
2017.999.20
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #24 during this event.
See pair of related pages for birth entries of (2017.999.29) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded birth of Abraham.
Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822. Abraham died 26 May 1838.
Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificate infilled in German script for Elizabeth Meyle, born 12 Feb 1788 to parents Martin and Barbara (nee Bar(in) ) Meyle in Lampeter Twp. Even though the certificate is printed with a space to record the baptism, there was no child baptism because of being Mennonite.
Three heart form has one large heart created with a foliate line. Flanking the tip are two small slanted hearts. A fancy urn is in each bottom corner with flowering vine running around sides and top. Large heart has text block arranged in two sections; small hearts have religious verse. Decorated with some dark watercolors; red, blue-gray and yellowish tan are used. This 3-heart form was the first edition printed by Lepper alone, c. 1799.
On back at top in cursive is "Elizabeth Miller(?) / died March 10/67"
Printed by Wilhelm Lepper. Infill and decoration by unknown artist.
Infill & decoration likely done in Lampeter Twp.; Printed in Hanover, York Co.
Fragile certificate is pasted onto a brown paper backing, with some taped mends at some breaks. There are multiple breaks at fold lines and many irregularly shaped holes. Dark with soil and stains. Abrasions/loss of definition in some places, as in upper right corner.
Object ID
1980.01.2
Notes
In Fraktur Collection appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, Sept. 1988. Numbered #30.
Copy of the original typed accession card found in Fraktur Box #537. It records both 80.1.1 and 80.1.2, framed. Donor is Mr. Norman B. McCulloch of Durham, NC, dated Dec. 30, 1979.
See Klaus Stopp, The Printed B & BCs of the German Americans, Vol. 2, pp. 226-227. This B & BC is listed on page 226. Form was printed c. 1799.
Mounted Family Record on 2 pages of laid paper, almost certainly from a Bible, with entries for children of Abraham Tschantz (See his record by the same artist/scrivener as 2017.999.20). Page edges have a border decorated with dotted line zig zag motif with squiggles. In fraktur hand in German, the birth entries are listed under a heading "Verzeichnis" (record/list) on first page that translates "Register of my children when they were born." Lettering is done in either black or red ink.
Two births listed on first page are Jacob born 31 Dec 174(?) on St. Silvester's Day in the Sign of Aquarius. Next is Johannes born 29 Feb 1748 on St. Nestor's Day in the Sign of the Lion. Horizontal border under heading and also between birth entries. Each has a few religious lines exhorting them to follow Jesus.
Second page lists Barbara born 28 Jan 1754 on St. Charles Day in the Sign of the Ram, immediately followed by "In the year 1767 on Sept 4th the Lord took her from this world into eternity. Next entry is David born 17 Sept 1759 on St. Lambert's Day in the Sign of the Lion, but in the year 1767 on Aug 25 the Lord took him into eternity. Both children died within about 10 days of each other.
See related half page birth entry for father Abraham Tschantz (2017.999.20) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded births of Tschantz children.
Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822. Abraham died 26 May 1838.
Height (cm)
30.48
Height (ft)
1
Height (in)
12
Width (cm)
17.78
Width (ft)
0.5833333333
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Mount is 16" x 20"
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2017-10-02
Condition Notes
Mounted together in double window. Pages are brown with age and have some small stains. All edges are battered with small tears, small-to-medium losses, and folds. Significant number of red letters have bled. Most edges of each page have cellophane type tape on back to stabilize.
Conservation needed.
Object ID
2017.999.29
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser 2 Sept 1988 as # 25. Valued at $800.
Abraham "Shannts", born 1750, is listed in Ten "Series" of "Pennsylvania Archives", Vol. 156, p. 423.
A Lancaster Menno. Hist. Society record states he is listed in the Hannes Eby Burial Record: death ca.26 May 1838 in Leacock, PA.
In 1810 Census, an Abraham Tschantz is listed with 9 household members in Warwick Twp.
LHO library's Family File for JOHNS family notes Abraham is buried near Mechanicsburg, Upper Leacock Twp., apparently along with his brothers Jacob (b. 1746) and Johannes (b. 1748). Reference is made to the Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections which records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822.
Transcription & translation Oct 2017 by Elsbeth Steffensen.
Fraktur is a Vorschrift made for Eva Kauffman & attributed to schoolmaster Christian Alsdorff. Horizontal design is hand drawn, lettered and colored on wove paper. Alsdorff uses black iron gall ink with red and black watercolors. Very busy design has lettering surrounded by multiple flowers and leaves.
First 3 lines of text are oversize, esp. the first. Appears to be "Ihr Kinder Send / Bedenck Deinen Schopfer in deiner Ill / Gehorsam Luren Eltern Dann das ist hillis Ehre Vatter." Nine lines of German script follow, and finally a last line of numbers. An area in the bottom right corner is boxed off by a red line border. Several lines written there are "Diese Vorschrifft Gehoret / Eva Kauffman in / ??????? Schullerin 2 Merz 1793."
This design is similar to that of the Vorschift belonging to Clarke Hess pictured in Papers for Birth Dayes, p. 51.
Formerly known as the "Earl Township Artist", Alsdorff was a schoolmaster at the Hempfield School and the Earl School in Lancaster County. Kauffman families did live in the area between Marietta Pike and Rt. 283. The 1869 Directory of Lancaster Co. has 18 Kauffmans listed in East Hempfield Twp and 15 in West Hempfield Twp. None were listed in the Earl townships. On the same day (March 2nd) Eva Kauffman received hers, Alsdorff presented a similar Vorschrift to Jacob Brubacher, noting he was a student at the Hempfield School. Eva most certainly was too.
Mounted in a dark wood frame with beveled face, white window mat. Significant pieces of the fraktur are hidden behind the matboard.
Hempfield School (in area of the Hempfield Townships), Lancaster County
Christian Alsdorf (c. 1760-1838, active c.1789-1821), attributed by Weiser.
Breaking and broken at fold lines; the vertical center line appears to be completely separated. It has two 1.5" long pieces of cellophane tape at top and bottom. Large ragged hole centered on fold line. Lots of brown stains cover much of surface. Iron gall ink has bled outward from motifs have strong concentrations of the ink. Watercolors are alligatored and individual pieces are cupping and lifting. In need of conservation.
Object ID
2002.160
Notes
Pastor Fred Weiser inventoried the fraktur collection in 1988; see forms in file. Weiser refers to the article on Alsdorff by David Johnson in Der Reggeboge (copy in object file).
See pages 51-53 in Russ and Corinne Earnest's "Papers for Birth Dayes" for article on Christian Alsdorff. He was prolific in creating his fraktur; over 50 are known.
Family record by Christian Strenge (1757-1828), done on laid paper for Isaac Kauffman family. Within a yellow border are 17 lines of German text, penned in red with lines of curlicues separating each line. Text fills most of page, giving birth dates & Zodiac signs for Kauffman, his wife and 6 children. To right of text is a large stylized, round flower rising from a yellow heart and having side branches with tulips & other flowers. Serpentine flowering vine fills margin along left side. Reverse has some old, faint pencil inscriptions on right side: "Landis" (?) written twice and a nearby sum (17+4=21).
East Petersburg area
Has 19th c. frame with walnut veneer and flat profile. See NOTES on Kauffman family.
Provenance
Assumed to have descended to donor within Kauffman family.
Soil, foxing and staining overall. Two fold lines intersecting at center are breaking with some holes/losses. Repaired on reverse with various papers & tapes at different times. Holes and losses around perimeter. Pronounced damp stains at center fold line. Significant paint loss in leaves, stems and branches.
Frame is chipped and worn, missing some delaminated veneers. Repairs to veneers. Old acidic back boards of cardboard replaced in 2001 by curator w/ acid free foam board.
Object ID
G.96.37.8
Notes
According to fraktur scholar David Johnson, Isaac Kauffman was a farmer who lived on the south side of Leabrook Road from his parents. His parents, Jacob and Eve Kauffman, built the original nearby mill in 1755 (what is now Flory's Mill) and was operated by the Kauffman family until the late 19th century.
See: David R. Johnson, "Christian Strenge's Fraktur", 1995 and Fred Weiser, "Fraktur: Pa. German Folk Art, Science Press, X-mas 1973, pp. 10-12.
This family record is published in Earnest, Russel and Corinne, "To the Latest Prosperity: Pa-Ger. Family Registers in the Fraktur Tradition", 2004.
Fraktur is a broadside of a spiritual labyrinth or maze, hand drawn and lettered on laid paper with brown ink, in German. Within a double-line border is a title at top, with a paragraph underneath. Entitled "Geistlicher Irrgarten, / mit vier kandenbrunen", translated Spiritual Labyrinth (or error garden) / with four wells of grace." The remaining 3/4 of the page is a maze with text within the pathway. At the center of each quadrant of the labyrinth is positioned a rectangle (or well) listing several Bible references. Framed in wood frame painted with diamonds.
Drawing is riddled with pin-prick holes. These are apparently a result of the maker's method of plotting out the labyrinth, using an instrument that left a hole at each right-angle turn.
A watermark is positioned sideways in the upper half of the paper. It is a circle surmounted by a crown, a bell below the circle and a rampant lion within the circle. No exact match with any watermark found in American Watermarks 1690-1835, though some are similar, e.g. # 887 & 889. Framed in
Place of origin is unknown.
Provenance
Note: Borneman states the spiritual labyrinth appears in German as early as 1630. In Pennsylvania, broadsides of this title were popular. The reader must keep turning the paper to follow the text, necessitating over 100 turnings. The text eventually leads the reader back to the beginning. Borneman explains the 4 wells of grace (p. 25, Pa. German Illustrated Manuscripts).
Damage at all fold lines; either broken completely or partially. Center fold line mended with tape on reverse. Moderate to heavy stains scattered over surface, especially at middle of right edge and along center horizontal line. Dark heavy stains/accretions (mold?) along horizontal center line. Corners dog-eared with minor losses. Pin-prick holes throughout. Conserved in 2003 by Maria Pukownik; see photos & documentation.
Object ID
G.02.35.1
Credit
Gift of Greg K. Kramer & Co., Heritage Center Collection
Hand-drawn, lettered and colored fraktur is a Birth and Baptismal Certificate made for Johannes Muller b. 13 Apr 1771 in what was then Lebanon Twp. Lancaster Co. (Lebanon created 1813). Center text block has biographical information and 3 lines of scripture below mentioning the cedars of Lebanon (final 3 words). Double-line blue border surrounds top and sides of text. Along top of border are 28 green trees (likely cedars of Lebanon) and a winged cherub's head over all. A pair of identical redcoat soldiers are at each side of text block, one above the other. Each has a tall black hat with "tail", a long cane, a sword, moustaches and a long pigtail tied with a bow. Top two soldiers have a leafy twig extending from mouths, and all four stand on small green trees, similar to the above. At bottom is an arched branch of stylized leaves, a center 8-point flower and two downturned tulip-like flowers at sides. Colors used are green, yellow and red with blue line border.
Parents were Johannes(?) Muller and wife Susanna, born an Alomer(?). REb. Buchry(?) baptised him at unknown date. Witnesses were Johanes Schweigert and wife Lehnore.
Pencil calculation done under first text block is "Died Sept. 13, 1860. Aged Eighty nine years & five months."
Lebanon Twp., Lancaster Co. (now Lebanon Co., formed in 1813)
Perhaps made by Christian Mertel or similar artist (per F. Weiser).
Structurally intact but color still good. Some breaking at fold lines and some raised and folded fold lines. Brown moisture stains over most of surface with dark, heavy tide lines. Two pieces of cellophane tape along left side where soldiers' hat "tails" have iron gall ink losses. Paper edges worn, torn, with losses, creases and folds. Various losses (holes), mostly where iron gall ink was used. Frame not likely original to fraktur. High profile beaded moldings on a walnut frame; finish aged with craquelure.
Object ID
2017.999.2
Notes
Appraisal conducted by Pastor Fred Weiser, Sept. 2, 1988. He says it was reproduced in Landis Valley catalog.
The Fraktur was included in a Landis Valley publication called "Pennsylvania German Fraktur and Color Drawings, Exhibited at Pennsylvania Farm Museum of Landis Valley, Lancaster, Pennsylvania," 1969. Plate #71. In LancasterHistory library (740 P415)
Birth and baptismal certificate imprinted 1788 at Ephrata Cloister printshop; infill and fanciful hand-decorated borders by Arnold Hoevelmann. Watercolor decoration includes various fantastical flowers on arching vines emanating from huge pumpkin-like flower at the top, with vines arching down to each side ending in large tulips. Additional flowers below. Hunter is in colonial dress with large black hat, firing his rifle at a stag on the far left side. Strongly colored with mostly red, blue, purple, and yellow. Hoevelmann consistently used a flower motif decorated with what some believe to be a capital letter "H" (his monogram). This fraktur is a rare example of human figures being depicted.
Ephrata Cloister 1788 imprint; artwork by Arnold Hoevelmann (1749-1804)
Certificate done for Jacob Stuart, born December 29, 1784. son of Jacob Stuart and wife Maria Catharina (no maiden name). It appears he was born in "Mauntschey" (Mt. Joy) Twp. Pastor Wilhelm Hendel baptized the child but no date is included. Hoevelmann wrote "Witnesses" at the end, but no names. Later ink inscription added at lower right appears to be subject's age (69) at time of death, 2nd Jan. 1854." Pencil calculation of age at top, to left of large orange flower.
Provenance
Ex-Unger collection, Pottsville.
In 1974, Richard F. and Joane Smith entrusted this BBC to the Lancaster County Historical Society with the understanding that it would become part of the Heritage Center collection when established.
Fragile, with overall buckling and pronounced wringling across surface. Areas of foxing.
Conserved by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts 1988-89: cleaned, removed paper backing, mended and matted for original frame (report in file). Remounted and framed by Carlisle conservator Brian Howard in 1996.
Object ID
G.77.50.9
Notes
Family tradition says Hoevelmann was born in Prussia in 1749, came to America along with LaFayette and served as a surgeon during the American Revolution. It is likely he and his wife Eva Susanna lived in Lancaster Co. since two sons were baptized at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (1780 and 1793). He worked in many PA counties, including Washington Co. in MD, and is believed to be buried at Frieden's Church near Shiremanstown, Cumberland Co. Based on the many known B&BC's by Hoevelmann, it appears he used printed forms early in his career and completely hand-done certificates later in life.
Allthough born in Lancaster Co., Jacob Stuart appears to have lived in Lebanon County during much of his adult life. He and his family attended Trinity Tulpehocken Reformed Church, Jackson Twp., Lebanon Co. was where he was married, 31 Dec 1805 and appears to have had at least 7 children according to church records of 1800-1856. Jacob "Stewart", his wife Elizabeth and two daughters (Henrietta & Clementine) are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Myerstown, Lebanon Co. The 1850 Census shows Jacob "Stewert", Elizabeth and Clementine living in Marion Twp, Berks Co. (Marion Twp. borders Jackson Twp., Lebanon Co.)
See:
1. Shelley, Donald A., The Fraktur-Writings or Illuminated Manuscripts of the Pa Germans, Pa. German Folklore Society, 1961, plate #84.
2. Earnest Associates, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp. 399-401.
3. Kline and Weiser, "A Fraktur Fest" in Der Regebogge, Sept-Dec., 1970, Vol. 4, pp. 3-5.
4. Stopp, Klaus, The Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans, Vol. II, pp. 150-151. (This example is numbered 246.3 by Stopp)
5. Photo on p. 120 of Corinne & Russell Earnests' Fraktur: Folk Art & Family, 1999.
Heritage Center slide collection #27-2-5 (now in Photo Collection)
Place of Origin
Ephrata
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
