Broadside commercially printed on wove paper in Pa. German script. Geometric border surrounds text block of 4 long paragraphs. Modern frame.
Title is "Kraftiges Gebet, / Wodurch man sich vor Kugel und Degen, vor sichtbarlichen und un- / sichtbarlichen Feinden, so wie vor allem moglichen / Uebel beschutzen und bewahren konne."
Place of origin is unknown.
Seller's translation: "A Powerful Prayer whereby one can protect himself from shot and sword, of a visible or invisible enemy, just as from all other possible wounds that one need protect against."
Rows of letters at bottom with more text with a title "Vor die fallende Sucht, oder Gicht," which seems to mean "For those who've come down with an ailment (addiction?), or gout."
Button-hole cutter, creaser or marking tool is silver plated ferrous metal.
In form of a miniature spoon with a blade instead of a bowl. Blade is eye-shaped with raised midline extending from tip to tip. Edges of blade are fairly sharp. Handle end has the bust of a crowned femal monarch with long flowing hair and necklace above a decorative base of scrolls surrounding a cabochon. Shaft of tool is similar to an architectural column. Entire handle is made of two identical halves, cast and joined with side seams visible.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Some tarnish overall. Large dent in one cabochon and small dent in the other.
Object ID
G.05.15.19
Notes
See another example of this ring found on internet in this file. Iguala is a town near the renowned silvermaking town of Taxco (near the west coast of Mexico) where William Spratling, in the 1930s, famously reinstituted the silver industry and craftsmanship that had died centuries before.
Credit
Gift of Susan Garofola in memory of Lillian Kiker (mother), 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 & 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 certificate done in German for "Anna Schenkin" (Schenk), born in "Connostoge Taunschip Langster County", November 20, 1783. Hand drawn, colored and lettered on laid paper with iron gall ink. No baptism indicates a Mennonite family.
The text is enclosed within a heart, surrounded by various vining flowers and four birds, two above and two below. The design conforms with artist's normal pattern of having the vines emanate from a hole at the top center of the heart. This artist made fraktur for mostly Lancaster County Mennonite families. He was almost certainly a schoolmaster. There are about 15 of his fraktur that are documented.
"Johannes Schopf/Schopp Artist" (active c. 1774-1800)
Note written on frame's dust cover by Smith states this fraktur was exhibited in two shows: Allentown Folk Art Show (Nov. 1974) and William Penn Memorial Museum, F/A Show (Jan. 1975).
Slide #27-2-4 in Archives West.
Provenance
Purchased by Richard Flanders Smith at a public sale along Route 222, north of Willow Street. Given to the Lancaster County Historical Society with the understanding that it would become part of the Heritage Center collection with the establishment of that institution.
Foxing or brown spotting over much of surface. Some tears along the edges. Moisture or adhesive stain at bottom center.
A condition report and treatment proposal was done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in 1986. Matted and framed by conservator Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996.
Object ID
G.77.50.11
Place of Origin
Conestoga Twp.
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
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.
Three leaves of family record pages of the Long family Bible have penwork by Francis Blum, David C. Hoke and Thomas J.Stevens.
P.94.15.02 A: Printed on the front side only, this page is dominated by a huge gold wedding ring and other symbols of marriage. Entries made in ink script state that William Long and Ella E. Shimp were married in East Petersburg, on March 4, 1900, by A.S. Hottenstein.
P94.15.02 B: Framed page shows both sides. Front side repeats marriage info of William and Ella (E. Shimp) Long, done in pen work of Francis Blum whose name is written at the bottom of the page. Elaborately decorated "W" initial letter of William Long. This oversize letter dominates the page. Blum uses various styles of lettering for remaining entries. Decoration is done in red and black ink as well as watercolor.
The reverse side lists the births of William and Ella Long and their five children (Norman S., Mary Edna, Raymond S., William S., and C. Earl Long). The first 3 names are by Blum, but the last two children's entries are done in different hands; William is done by David C. Hoke and Earl is done by Thomas J. Stevens. Signed at the bottom "David C. Hoke, Lititz, Pa., June 21, 1910".
P94.15.02 C: Front side has heading "DEATHS", reverse has "MEMORANDUM". No entries on either side.
Pages have ragged edges where torn from Bible; overall acid burn with some dark stains and soiling; reverse side of page C has residue and paper loss at bottom left corner and top right corner.
Page B was mounted and framed by Brian Howard in 1996. It shows both sides of page.
Object ID
P.94.15.02a-c
Notes
P.94.15.01 A-B records have for more work by Blum and Hoke.
The Long and Walborn families were related due to intermarriage by two children (Alverta Walborn and Raymond Long).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Two leaves from the Isaac and Annie (W. Shearer) Walborn family Bible, with pen work by Francis Blum and David C. Hoke
P94.15.01 A: This leaf is the record of marriage. Front side has printed scene of marriage ceremony with entries made with ink in cursive handwriting. Isaac Walborn of Mount Hope and Annie W. Shearer of Mastersonville were married at Manheim, PA, July 14, 1900, by M.E. Bachman, "Minister of the Gospel".
Reverse side has the heading "MARRIAGES" over a scene depicting a flower-festooned gondola with bride and groom under canopy. The single entry of Isaac & Annie Walborn's marriage is made by Francis Blum, whose signature appears at bottom right. Penwork is done in red, green, and blue.
P94.15.02 B: This has the record of "BIRTHS" on the front side and "DEATHS" on the reverse. Under the headings are appropriate images: an infant emerging from a large clam shell under "BIRTHS", and an angel kneeling by a grave under "DEATHS". Birth names of the parents and four children (Viola S., Joseph S., Leona May, and Alverta S. Walborn) as well as the heading "Children" are done in calligraphy by David C. Hoke, in colors of red and blue. Entry at the bottom of the page states "David C. Hoke Lititz Pa. Dec. 10 1912"
The reverse side, on "DEATHS" page, exhibits two more names done by the same hand as the front. Hoke has written the names Viola S. Walborn and Joseph S. Walborn in the same calligraphic style as the front. However, the death entries of Annie and Isaac are entered in cursive at a much later date (after 1945).
Note: In Francis Blum exhibit at Muddy Creek Farm Library 2003-2004. "Guest curator" John Parmer's genealogy research is included in this file.
Both leaves have torn edges where removed from the Bible; acid burn & soiling, especially along edges. Page A has food (or other) stains smeared in several places & tape-repaired 1 1/2" tear at bottom. Page B has four small tears along the edges.
Both leaves were mounted and framed side by side by Brian Howard in 1996.
Object ID
P.94.15.01
Notes
P.94.15.02 A-C records have for more work by Blum and Hoke.
The Long and Walborn families were related due to intermarriage by two children (Alverta Walborn and Raymond Long).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
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
Tatting hook of bone handle shaft of iron hook set into smaller end.
Tool has handle of elongated teardrop shape, somewhat flattened in cross-section. Wire-like shaft with rounded hook on tip is set into handle. Shaft is thicker than hooked end.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
