Fraktur is a hand written New Year's wish from Johann Peter Hornberger to his sister. On laid paper -- now pasted onto acidic paperboard -- is a compass-drawn circle with a 7/8" wide outer border and scrolling penwork within, creating the appearance of a wreath. In interior, apart from the decorative scrolling penned at left center, the interior space is filled with German language script. Only the title is in fraktur script, reading "Neu Jahrs Wunsch an mer(?)." (A New Year's Wish ...). The second line reverts to German script, and includes the words "liebe Schwester" (Dear Sister). The body of the text is 13 lines expressing good wishes. At the bottom is "... / ....Johann Peter / Hornberger. / im Jahr 1725."
Paper has foxing and light brown acid burn stains over all. Three vertical and 3 horizontal fold lines darkened from acid; also large and small holes at most intersections of lines. Largest hole is at center left at the decorative scrolling penwork. It is about 1/4" in size with an irregular shape. Very dark small "burn" about 2.5" from upper right corner. Fraktur was removed from frame, old glass cleaned and thin wood backing discarded. Acidic imprint of wood still visible on back of paperboard.
Object ID
2017.999.5
Notes
The early date of 1725 precedes the founding of Lancaster Co. Appraisal conducted by Pastor Fred Weiser, Sept. 2, 1988. He believes this is European.
