This frog doorstop serves as an iconic symbol of James Buchanan's attachment to his favorite spring at his Wheatland farm, and was donated because it was an appropriate piece.
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
Multicolored Vorschrift done by schoolmaster/fraktur artist Christian Strenge on rectangular laid paper. Bordered in a yellow band with red corners. German script text has an elaborately embellished large upper case letter "K" at upper left and multicolored floral design filling entire right side, surmounted by a distinctive yellow crested bird. Colors are red, yellow, blue and green. Modern frame.
Hand-printed in black ink above the letter "K" is the name of recipient, David Neff. Signed at the bottom by Strenge in German script: "Written in Hempfield Township in the year 1801 by Christian Strenge." Inscribed on reverse in script is "David Neff" in black ink.
The text begins with Psalm 95:1-4, "Kommt lasset(?) uns dem...," followed by two alphabets, the first in upper case and the second in lower case, and finally the numerals 1 - 14. (See translation on copy of nearly identical fraktur in file).
Provenance
Provenance: This Vorschrift was recently found in a book in the library of Sarah Stauffer on Lime Spring farm along the Marietta Pike. Consigned to sale at Conestoga Auction Co. and purchased 29 June 1998 with funds from V. Ronald Smith ($9,725) and the Donegal Chapter of the D.A.R. ($125).
John J. Snyder, Jr. researched Stauffer genealogy to discover a relationship to David Neff. See letters & charts in this file which explain the likelihood that the fraktur may have passed from Neff (probably when he went to Ohio, perhaps unknowingly hidden in a book, even as it was found recently) to his cousins, such as Anna Bear Lehman who is in the direct line of Stauffer descent. David Neff (1791-1866) was the son of Henry & Anna Oberholzer Neff. He would have been about 10 yrs. old when fraktur was made.
Generally good condition, although two folds show some breaking with tangential tears. Other minor tears and one small hole at right center. Some soiling, foxing and minor stains overall. Edges lifting in frame.
Conserved 1998 by Marilyn Kemp Weidner of Phila. Surfaced cleaned and losses repaired. Hinge-mounted on acid free mat and sealed in a package for framing. Mounted in modern black frame by Lancaster Galleries circa 2004.
Object ID
P.98.25.1
Notes
Christian Strenge was a Hessian soldier turned school teacher.
Place of Origin
East Petersburg, East Hempfield Twp.
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith and the Donegal Chapter of the D.A.R., Heritage Center Collection
Fraktur, religious text in German by Adam Siegel (died 1809, active c. 1790-1804), done on wove paper in pen & ink for Martin Bar, framed in old dark brown varnished poplar frame (not original to fraktur).
The name "Martin Bar" fills the upper half in large fraktur-style lettering, illuminated with scrolling filigree. Included in the scrolling are two cartoonish heart-shaped faces with stubbled hair and shaded beards. Underneath name are six lines of religious text in German script, ending with the last line: "Geschrieben von mir ADS d(en) 28ten Mertz 1802."
Double-line border at top and left side only. Last word of fourth line of text appears to have been trimmed. Fraktur thus appears to have been trimmed at right and bottom. Reverse has pencil scribbles and one in ink.
Appears to have been trimmed at right side and bottom. Scattered dark stains, pinholes along fold lines, slightly larger holes at "i" in "Martin" and within the "B" of "Bar." Liquid stain of 1/2" size at center and one at right side at text. A tear 3/4"-long at right edge above center.
Replaced heavy paper backing used by vendors with acid-free matboard, 11/05.
Object ID
P.05.04.6
Notes
Papers for Birth Dayes notes that Siegel immigrated to America in 1774 and was a schoolmaster in Lancaster Co, perhaps in the Strasburg area. Although he made fraktur for Mennonites, he was not Mennonite. His work is usually not watercolored.
Paper included with purchase has the text rewritten in German script with an English translation below (see file). This person translates the recipient's name as Martin Biehr, although it is normally seen elsewhere as "Bare" or "Bear". Ellis & Evans gives numerous references to the name Martin Bare, usually found in the townships of Conestoga, East Lampeter and Upper Leacock.
Possible Bar/Bare family connections: See also a birth record for Andreas Bar (Andrew Bear) P.80.136 by an unknown scrivener. This Andreas/Andrew was the youngest son of Andrew Bear and wife Christina Heighley. A desk-and-bookcase P.77.34 has inscription of Adam Bare on its drawer. His father John Bear an older brother of Andreas. Relation of these Bears/Bares to Martin is unknown. Jane Evans Best (see her letter re: Bear family in file P80.136) would be a good source of help.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Irene N. Walsh, 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
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
Birth and baptismal certificate in German, printed on laid paper by John Bauman of the Ephrata Press; no imprint (name of printer). Infilled w/ German script in red ink and decorated by unknown scrivener for Stephan Weibel, born in Adams County, November 14, 1798.
The text is enclosed in a large heart with a yellow, black and red border. Seven Christian crosses below text, within the heart. Two smaller hearts with text appear in the lower left and right corners. Each of these smaller hearts is flanked by two small birds. Two parrots appear in the upper corners and various flowers and vines fill the rest of the space. All decorated with red, yellow, and blue.
Stephan was the oldest of 6 children born to parents Stephan (1775-1815) and Anna Maria (Troxel) Weibel. He was baptized by Pastor Schroder; witnesses were Andereas Weibel (father's older brother) and his wife. Informant Joe Wible says parents were farmers in Straban Twp. as was son Stephen Wible in later life. Son Stephen married Julian Bender. They had no natural children but adopted a boy, Martin Shealer, whom they raised as a son. Most of the entire Weible clan relocated to western PA.
John Bauman printed from 1800-1809, the year of his death. He began only at age 35 after having worked with his father Christian Bauman in the Ephrata paper mill. Klaus Stopp notes this design with parrots & birds was used 1803-1807, but this imprint with 7 hearts, only c. 1807. (See NOTES)
Printer is John Bauman (1765-1809); Scrivener/decorator unknown. Printed in Ephrata; infilled and decorated possibly in Adams County.
Provenance
Provenance: This piece was given by donors to the Lancaster County Historical Society with the understanding that it would become part of the Heritage Center collection upon the establishment of that institution.
Paper is creased, wrinkled and puckered overall. Paint has flaked off in many places. Treatment proposal presented 1986 by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Phila. Treatment done 1988-89: Areas of flaking paint were consolidated with adhesive; the support was surface cleaned; paper was washed; tears mended; humidified and flattened; matted and reframed. (See file.)
Object ID
G.77.50.10
Notes
See Klaus Stopp, The Printed B & B Certificates of the German Americans, Vol II, pp. 98, 189 and 202 for info on John Bauman.
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
