Within a twisted foliate border is a central block depicting Adam & Eve flanking a tree with a serpent wound around the trunk offering Eve an apple. This is an engraving executed by Gabriel Miesse of Reading; his name appears at lower right followed by "sc" for "sculpsit", indicating the engraver. Two columns of verse flank the central block, telling the story of "the Fall" in conversational form. At top of broadside is the title in German: "Adam und Eva im Paradies." A subtitle reads: "Mel. Herzlich thut mich Verlangen, etc."
At bottom is: "Gedruckt in der Druckerey des Adlers von H.W. Villee, Lancaster, Pa. allwo alle Sorten Bilder, Bucher,/ Schriebmaterialien und Arzneyen zu haben find." This indicates the broadside was printed in the Lancaster Eagle's printshop (a newspaper started by Villee and Jacob Baab on Oct. 26, 1826). Villee was also selling pictures, books, stationery and even medicines out of his shop on N. Queen St.
See biographical info about Villee from Klaus Stopp's book in this file. He was born in France, served as a captain under Napolean, had to leave France in 1815 and ended up in America in 1820. Villee entered the printing business by working at "the Eagle," a newspaper in Reading. Villee was not successful as a printer in Lancaster, and he left sometime in 1832 or soon after, going to places like Lewisburg, Sunbury and Milton. After moving to Northumberland Co. and becoming a teacher, he finally died in 1842.
The Earnests note that Adam & Eve were popular fraktur subjects, especially among German-language printers of SE PA. They note that there are only about a half dozen Adam & Eve broadsides by Villee known.
Exhibited in Fraktur Exhibit in Masonic Lodge circa 2004 through 2007 (removed spring 2008).
See also P.01.60.1 and P04.48 for examples of a Heaven & Hell broadside by Villee.
North Queen St., Lancaster (printer); Reading, PA (engraver). Villee, Herman W., printer; Gabriel Miesse, engraver; unknown colorist
Paper darkened and soiled overall, wrinkled with fold lines and rough-edged with minor tears and folds. Stains scattered over surface with darkest stains within right text above center. Small hole at center of top foliate border.
Frame is homemade of stained and varnished tiger maple. Acidic cardboard backboard replaced with acid free matboard.
Object ID
P.04.48.1
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of Irene N. Walsh, Heritage Center Collection
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
Broadside: Notice of Public Sale - 1 story brick dwelling, estate of Thomas M'Caslin. December 26, 1829, at 3 p.m. at public house of Bernard M'Gonigle.
Includes a 6-county area (Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks,York, Lancaster & Chester) with small black squares marking locations of banks. Around periphery are 6 drawings, one from each county: State capitol bldg., Cornwall Furnace, Boone Homestead, Valley Forge Arch, Rock Ford Plantation and Gold Plough Tavern & General Gates House.
