Framed fraktur birth & baptismal certificate (taufschein/B&BC) for Elisabetha Elser, drawn, lettered and colored by hand on laid paper. Symmetrical, horizontal design is attributed to the "Ehre Vater" artist. Fraktur is mounted on thick paperboard with beveled edges, and is float-mounted on a buff-colored matboard within a modern black frame.
At center is a large circle painted red and green. Inside the circle, set onto yellow ground, is a heart with blue border and pinkish interior. Interior text states Elisabetha Elser was born in Warwick Twp, Lancaster Co. on 19th Nov 1803. Her parents were Peter Elser and wife Elisabetha, born a Wachter. Baptism was held by Pastor Schulz and the sponsors were Georg Wachter and his wife Margaretha (believed to be a sister of Peter Elser). Below circle are two lines of religious verse, translated by Weiser as "A heart that loves Jesus knows no worries -- much cross, need and pain are his days of joy."
At lower right and lower left are two large compass-drawn spheres colored with green, yellow, red, blue and pink. Out of each sphere is a flowering plant on which large parrot-like birds perch, similarly colored.
Attributed to the "Ehre Vater Artist" (active c. 1782-1828).
Some surface soil. Good color retention. Needs to be removed from backing board and conserved.
Object ID
2017.999.1
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. He attributes fraktur to the Ehre Vater artist, a prolific artist who travelled far and wide producing fraktur for many years. This fraktur likely related to Johannes Schnierer B&BC, 2004.718, due to Johannes Schnierer (b. 1786) later marrying an Elser (Catharine).
Papers for Birth Dayes notes on page 227 that this fraktur was exhibited as #38 in the , Allentown Art Museum show in Allentown, PA, "Pennsylvania Folk Art," October 20-Dec. 1, 1974.
The Elser, Weidman/Weydmann, and Wachter families were intermarried.
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)
Fraktur is a birth & baptismal certificate (taufschein) for Johann Kupper, drawn, lettered and colored by hand on laid paper. Text block written with iron gall ink is centered in bottom half of the horizontal sheet of paper. Border on top and sides composed of fantastical flowers in yellow, red, black and green. Identical flowering plants fill each side of text, rising from a basket-like containers. Top has tulips and other flowers rising from wide and shallow baskets(?).
Text begins with "Johannes Kupper" in large fraktur-type letters followed by nine lines of German script regarding his birth in ?? Township, Dauphin County, 30 June 1797. Father was Johann Adam(?) Kupper and mother was Christina ?? Baptised 1 October 1797. The baptismal witnesses were Johannes Matter and his wife Elisabetha.
Mounted in a modern brown natural wood frame with white window mat. Kraft paper dust paper on back. Several puncture tears at left. In pencil at bottom right corner is "#9".
Size of certificate is approximate according to what is visible through the window mat. Size of frame is H: 11.25" W: 16.75"
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2017-06-12
Condition Notes
Colors are still vibrant. Foxing and other brown stains, especially along center vertical fold line (tape residue?). This fold line is almost entirely broken. Approximately 16 large holes are found on flowers where iron gall ink was concentrated. Some edges of holes are folded over. Additional breaks along some fold lines and elsewhere. A long tear extends downward about 1.25" from top edge near right corner.
In need of conservation.
Object ID
2003.076
Notes
Appraisal conducted by Pastor Fred. Weiser, 2 Sept 1988.
Johann Kupper (John Cooper) was born 1797 and died November 1883. He married Mary Miller (1798-1882) and both are buried in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Rife, Dauphin County.
Johann was the son of John Adam Kupper (Cooper) and Christina Margaretta Schott Kupper. He was a farmer, living in Washington Twp. in northern Dauphin County, vicinity of Lykens and Elizabethville.
Confirmation of John Cooper is found in the Price Rominger Family Tree, Ancestry.com.
This is related to other Kupper family fraktur in this collection:
Nearly square printed fraktur mounted in a window mat and a modern flat black frame. This three-heart design made by Friedrich Krebs has his name "F. Krebs" printed at the bottom of the large central heart. Likely custom-printed in Reading at Adler's. Text within large heart is "Geburts- und TaufSchein." Standard main text has blanks infilled by Krebs. A daughter Elisabetha Miller was born 21 Feb 1809 in Cocalico Twp. to parents Peter Miller and wife Anna, born a M-caale(?). Daughter Elisabetha was baptised 14 May 1809 by Rev. Nuszky(?) and the sponsors were Peter Ellser and his wife Elisabetha. Smaller hearts below have religious verse.
Folksy decorations include coloring the heart border lines and adding many pasted-on cutouts, six of which are imprints of well dressed medieval people, two are pattern embossed paper urns/vases at bottom and two are small birds at top (right one missing). Extensive use of ink and watercolor to portray flowers, 4 suns/moons with faces and an unusual butterfly/moth drawing at top center. Borders of hearts are embellished with watercolors.
Printed in Reading, likely by Adler's Print Shop. Infilled and decorated in Cocalico Twp by Friederick Krebs (c. 1749 - c. 1815).
Fred Weiser, "The Mad, Lovable World of Friedrich Krebs," Der Reggeboge, 1988.Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 49-88.
Alfred Shoemaker, "Notes on Frederich Krebs, The Noted Fractur Artist," The Pennsylvania Dutchman, Nov. 1, 1951, Vol. 3, No. 11.
Klaus Stopp, The Printed B&BC of the German Americans, Vol. 1, 1997, pp. 77-78 and pp. 140-144.
Height (cm)
31.75
Height (ft)
1.0416666667
Height (in)
12.5
Width (cm)
39.37
Width (ft)
1.2916666667
Width (in)
15.5
Dimension Details
Measurements are estimated based on what is visible in window mat.
Dimensions of frame are H: 15.375" W: 20.25"
Condition
Fair to Poor
Condition Date
2017-06-20
Condition Notes
Overall age yellowing with slight foxing. Multiple fold lines and other wrinkles. Large areas in right and left corners have heavy losses (holes), folded over edges and mending with cellophane tape adhered to back and staining the paper. Many pasted-on paper cutouts are detaching with folded-over edges. At least one cutout of bird is missing at top and perhaps additional missing cutouts where holes exist at upper corners. Abrasions on lower left cutout as well as some painted motifs.
Object ID
2017.999.8
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser in Sept. 1888. It was numbered # . See another B&BC by Krebs, 2017.999.28.
Johann Jacob Friederich Krebs was probably born April 3, 1749 and probably died in July 1815, according to Russ & Corinne Earnest's Papers for Birthdayes, pp. 460-467, He was active circa 1784-1812 in most counties of southeast PA and even New Jersey. He is considered the most prolific of all fraktur artists. He lived between Hummelstown and Harrisburg, Dauphin Co. and was a Schoolmaster in Swatara Twp.
He went through phases of decoration such as pasted-on cutout paper, stamped-on birds, his own freehand sketches, etc. He purchased large sheets of colored Augsburg brocade paper having Baroque decoration with pictures of Saints, animals and flowers. He cut out these figures to paste on fraktur as well as cut out his own shapes.
He used Adler's printshop in Reading for most of his printed B&BCs, often supplying the paper himself. He preferred 3-heart prints having no decoration, since he provided his own decoration.
A Peter Miller was a West Cocalico Twp. Supervisor in 1850 (Ellis & Evans, p. 722). The 1860 Atlas shows two "Pr. Miller" properties in East Cocalico Twp. just south of Knops Ridge. The 1869 Co. Directory lists 14 Millers in E. Cocalico, including a Peter Sr., a Peter Jr. and a Peter K. Miller, all in Reamstown or Swartzville.
Liebesbriefe (love letter) papercut or scherenschnitte on laid paper, mounted on green paperboard within a black wooden frame. Intricately cut circular design has narrow sawtooth border and cutout hearts, urns and flowers (tulips and carnations) in a repeated design. Center has a large flower-like, scalloped edged shape outlined in blue and lines of text written in red ink around periphery. It reads: "Lieben und nicht haben ist harter dann stein graben, und nicht bey sammen seyn(?) / ist fur wahr die groste pein." Appears to read: To love and not have (have love requited) is harder than stone (graben?) and not by ? ? ? is in truth the greatest pain.
16 inverted hearts dominate outer area, arranged in a staggered fashion around periphery. Each heart is alternately edged in blue or red and each is numbered and infilled with an expression of love written in red ink. Eight 2-handled urns radiate outward from center filled with tulip plants that connect with the hearts. Vasiform paper shapes alternate with urns and are decorated with drawings of tulips and blue flowers. Watercolor decoration is typical color palette of red, yellow, blue and what originally was green foliage. On back of acidic paperboard is written "This is probably Christian Strange (sic) Cut-Out." Old paper label taped to back is printed "An Old Pennsylvania / German Valentine."
See David R. Johnson, Christian Strenge's Fraktur, East Petersburg Historical Society, 1995, for two other examples.
Diameter (cm)
33.3375
Diameter (ft)
1.09375
Diameter (in)
13.125
Dimension Details
Diameter of frame is 19.5"
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2017-06-26
Condition Notes
Delicate cutout has heavy losses, especially sawtooth border, parts of flowers & leaves as well as 3 missing vasiform (resembling a tube/duct) shapes with the floral drawings. Fold lines are broken and breaking. Paper generally age-darkened with some scattered light brown stains. Multiple repairs detached elements and pieces of paper pasted onto back for support. Black painted frame has abrasions. Glass has some light molding on inside surface.
Object ID
2017.999.9
Notes
Appraisal conducted by Pastor Fred Weiser, Sept. 2, 1988. He notes that the condition restrains the value. There is a large B & W transparency in the file.
See other examples in David R. Johnson's "Christian Strenge's Fraktur", 1995. (Copies in file, including translation of German).
Haus segen (House Blessing) printed by John Bauman and mounted in an old walnut veneered frame with flat face and projecting edge. Three heart design has very large heart dominating design, its outline printed with a "snowflake" type motif. Within, at top, in large letters is the title "Haus-Segen." followed by a short line break composed of "S * T"s in alternating pattern. Then 7 lines of text begin "IR GOTTES Namen geh ich aus, Ach HERR! regier du heut das haus: / Die Hausfrau und die kinder mein, Lasz dir, O GOTT! besohlen seyn." Text block followed by a short row of circular motifs. At very bottom of heart is "EPHRATA: / gedruckt, und zu ha- / ben bey JOHN BAUMAN. / 1801" Woodcut designs printed in red ink fill space outside of heart. At top is a tulip & carnation plant, parrots at both upper corners perched on flowering branches, and along very bottom are two hearts flanked with birds; flowering plant rising from top of hearts. Inside hearts is religious text printed in black. Tiny donor inscription in blue ink at edge of bottom center is "Presented to the Lancaster County Historical Society / by Albert K. Hostetter, -- February 2 - 1906." This info repeated at top of frame back in inked hand.
Pasted onto very acidic paperboard. (Fred Weiser notes "Should be removed from board even if it costs what the piece is worth as it will only fox and deteriorate more). Darkened from acid burn and small scattered brown stains & foxing. Ink has faded. Liquid stains along right side as well as paper losses due to insect damage. Tape apparently used along edge of right side. Significant tears especially along top and left edge. Finish on frame is good but dark, with some cracking of veneer at bottom left. Abrasions.
Object ID
1906.01.1
Notes
Klaus Stopp, The Printed B & BCs of the German Americans, Vol. II, p. 98 ff. Pages 194 and 197 depict two imprints of B&BCs similar to this Haus Segen, except of course for the text. This 1801 imprint of a Haus Segen is one of Bauman's earliest products. Stopp states He started printing "relatively late, at the age of 35 years, in his business as a printer, after he worked with his father as a papermaker in the Ephrata paper mill. He printed from 1800 to 1809, the year of his death."
Lee Stoltzfus of "Black Arts" website states: "John and his wife were married Cloister members. John purchased the Ephrata Cloister printing press in 1800, and moved it to his nearby Ephrata home. He previously had worked as a papermaker with his father Benjamin."
On accession record in file, curator Randall Snyder noted in May 1989: "Recorded in the minutes of the Lancaster County Historical Society, February 2nd, 1906, Vol. 10 No. 2, page 56. Also recorded in the "Catalog" kept by Librarian, S.M. Sener from 1896-1908, #1863.
See Fraktur Worksheet #31" for 1988 appraisal by Pastor Fred Weiser.
Fraktur is a heart form B&BC on horizontal wove paper recording birth of Johann Adam Kupper in German script. Large central heart has a scallop and sawtooth outer edge and text within. At top is "Johann Adam Kupper" followed by his birth 1 July 1759 and baptism by Pastor Lothar Stoewer, 5 Aug 1759. Godparents were Georg Ulrich and his sister. Parents were Georg Kupper and his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Michael Zimmerman.with later dates of 1777 and 1783. Johann was confirmed by Pastor Koebrecht 29 July 1783. A very unusual addition is the final sentence that records his marriage to Christina Margareta Schotten by Pastor Samuel Dubbener. Thus, this B&BC was done after the marriage.
Mounted in a white hinged window mat, secured at corners. Foamboard backing.
Outside of heart is a profusion of multicolored stylized flowers; flowers at sides grow out of a basket.
Good due to great color, but structurally the paper is fragile. There are 5 vertical breaks that appear to be mended w/ cellophane tape. Some tape stains visible. Various size holes in center of 5 flowers. All edges tattered, but especially bottom edge that has losses and folded edges. Surface appears to be soiled with light scattered stains.
Object ID
2017.999.11
Notes
Appraised 2 Oct 1988 by Rev. Fred Weiser and designated #7. It is related to the following Kupper family fraktur in this collection:
2003.076 Johannes
2004.749 Sara
2004.752 Allen
2017.999.11 Johann Adam Kupper 1788
This fraktur translated Oct. 2017 by Elsbeth Steffensen (friend of Mary Alice Wheeler & Andre Dominguez). See object file.
Fraktur is apparently a religious text with multiple flourishes along top and a wide margin at left filled with a large stylized tulip on a thin stem with other flowers and leaves densely filling space. Penwork is black iron gall ink on laid paper. The paper seems to be small pages from a book, pasted together to created a larger sheet. Reverse has strips of paper pasted onto seams (some replaced with later cellophane tape) from a book.
Top line of text is large fraktur lettering "Mein Gott ich Klopff(?) an(?)", with initial "M" enlarged and decorated. Seven lines of script follow, with a line of upper and lower case letters below. Across bottom is "My Child y wil you learned a Was of the bast you must butt (put) your trust of God at last" Final line is tiny script and in the center of this line is written in red ink "Hinerich Sleo(?)". With the alphabet, this piece is like a Vorschrift.
Appears to be 4 small pages pieced together to create a large one. Paper strips pasted on back at seams and some cellophane tape. Multiple problems. Paper overall is age darkened with multiple small brown stains, some large blotches. Holes in iron gall ink, esp. the large tulip. Some paper seams are breaking with with one hole just above center. Edges ragged, torn and folded back. 1' x 2" loss of top left corner; 1" x 3/4" loss of top right corner, and similar loss at bottom left corner. Paper hinged onto matboard with ivory window mat.
Family record in German on very small page of laid paper. Straight borders on all sides except bottom, which appears to have been cut off & perhaps removed from a book, per Fred Weiser. Written in faded black ink except for large, green initial letters. At top is Abraham Stibgen, born 18 Jan 1755. Later notation added in right margin has 50, his age at death. Next is Anna Kauffman born 13 Apr 1762, with added "65" for death age, at right. They were married 14 Dec 1783. Below is Susanna born 1784 and Christian born 1786. Mounted in off-white window mat w/ two paper hinges at top.
Overall has some age darkening. Soil and stains; large light brown stain at center left with moisture damage along left margin causing bleeding of the green letters. Soil or stain at lower right corner. Center fold is breaking, esp. at each end. Corners worn and dog-earred. Ragged edges except for bottom where cut off.
Mounted on matboard with two paper hinges at top.
Object ID
2017.999.16
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #12 during this event.
Watercolored drawing on wove paper. Symmetrical design has a heart at bottom center with religious text. It reads: "Gottes brune/lein hat wasser / die Fulle Amen." (God's little well has an abundance of water). Growing out of the heart is a tall flowered stem extending to top of page. Top flower is a large tulip of yellow, red and blue. Large, confronting birds perch on small side branches terminating with small tulips. Birds have yellow bodies, blue wings and head, with red beaks and neck ring. Red and yellow carnations on side branching stems below. Heart is flanked at bottom by two birds with blue bodies, yellow wings and red heads. Mounted in an off-white window mat with two paper hinges at top. This is drawn by the same artist as 2017.999.18 and executed at the same time. Colors are the same.
Overall light brown age darkening. Several small brown stains; worst one is under top left bird. Very light creases/buckling across surface. Right edge is wavy. Upper left corner has crease where folded back.
Object ID
2017.999.17
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #28 during this event.
Watercolored drawing on wove paper. Symmetrical design has a heart just below center with religious text written in red. It reads: "Das blut Jesu Christ des sohnes Gottes macht und rein von allen sunden Amen." (The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, purifies us from all sins. Amen). Growing out of the heart are three stems: the center one has a small flower but the side ones terminate with tulips and have birds perching just below. Tulips are red and blue; birds have red bodies, blue wings and yellow heads. In each bottom corner is a prancing blue horse.
Mounted in an off-white window mat with two paper hinges at top. This is drawn by the same artist and at the same time as 2017.999.17. Identical colors used.
Overall light brown age darkening. Several small brown stains appear similar to foxing. Wavy horizontal wrinkle across page near top. Three light creases in bottom half. Bottom left corner has crease where folded. A 1/2" tear at bottom, one inch from right corner.
Object ID
2017.999.18
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #16 during this event.
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.
Printed angel form B & BC in German for daughter Maria Miller born 16 Sept1798 in Lebanon Twp., Dauphin County. Infill is in German script. Father is Johann Miller and mother is Sara, nee Williams. Baptism on 26 Oct 1798 by Rev. Lochman. Sponsors are Johann Dutweiler and wife.
A variant of the standing angel form has angels flanking center text block titled "Geburts- und Taufschein". At top is Putti on a cloud Angels flank a long text block; perching birds at bottom corners. Small box at bottom reads: "Reading: / Gedruckt und zu haben / bey / Carl A. Bruckman." Colored with red, yellow and blue. A "B" is written at top left.
Infill Dauphin Co.; printed Reading by Karl Augustus Bruckman
Soil, heavy foxing and fly specks. Ragged edges with tears; 4"-long tear at bottom edge has cellophane tape mend, an adjacent short tear with tape residue, and a 2"-long tear at top center with tape residue.
Object ID
2004.750
Notes
Found in the list of the Fraktur Collection appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, Sept. 1988. Listed as #50. It is related to #7,9 and 49.
This imprint by Carl A. Bruckmann of Reading is a variant of the angel form numbered 764 in Klaus Stopp's "The Printed BBCs of the German Americans", vol. IV, page 289.
This B&BC for Maria Miller is related to the several Kupper family fraktur. Maria Miller married Johannes Kupper and was the mother of Sara (2004.749) and Johannes (2004.7
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Reading imprint is an early 3-heart design on wove paper in German. Mounted in white matboard window frame. Large central heart outline composed of tulips; text block within; never used (no infill). Just above the tip of heart is "READING: / Gedruckt von / Jungmann und Gruber, / Im Jarh / 1794." Two smaller hearts in lower corner composed of filled ovals with German religious verse within.
Reading, Berks County and Swatara Twp, Dauphin County
Large, bold decoration around borders. Stamped four times is a woodcut design of a single red & green goose-like bird, head pointing up, perched on flowering branch. Two "geese" appear in upper corners and 2 are below at tip of large heart. Other hand-drawn floral motifs fill in borders: a large red & green tulip at top center is flanked by 2 red and yellow elongated "daisies". Smaller flowers at sides and lower border.
Krebs was the most prolific of all fraktur artists. Coming to America as a Hessian soldier, he became a schoolmaster in Swatara Twp, Dauphin Co. He was active throughout S.E. PA & New Jersey. Between 1801 and 1813, he bought nearly 7,000 taufscheins printed by Adlers in Reading. He preferred 3-heart prints. After his death c. 1815, numerous blank printed B&BCs were found in his estate; many were later scattered & sold by others.
The document was printed in Reading by Jungmann & Gruber; the decoration was created by artist Friedrich Krebs (c.1749-c.1815), Swatara Twp., Dauphin County, who was active from c.1784-1812. The certificate was not used.
Significant losses, especially at upper corners; smaller losses along bottom edge.Large holes in several flowers near lower left corner as well as bird at upper right corner; smaller holes in other flowers. Age-darkened paper has two worn and wrinkled fold lines. Long tear extends downward from top center edge; tape mends here as well as bottom center have stained paper dark brown. Scattered brown stains. Mounted in matboard window frame.
Object ID
2017.999.28
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. He states "Should be restored." This fraktur is #32. (Another Weiser worksheet with #20 lists the same Taufschein, Never used. Has less info than #32.
Johann Jacob Friederich Krebs was probably born April 3, 1749 and probably died in July 1815, according to Russ & Corinne Earnest's Papers for Birthdayes, pp. 460-467, He was active circa 1784-1812 in most counties of southeast PA and even New Jersey. He is considered the most prolific of all fraktur artists. He lived between Hummelstown and Harrisburg, Dauphin Co. and was a Schoolmaster in Swatara Twp.
He went through phases of decoration such as pasted-on cutout paper, stamped-on birds, his own freehand sketches, etc. He purchased large sheets of colored Augsburg brocade paper having Baroque decoration with pictures of Saints, animals and flowers. He cut out these figures to paste on fraktur as well as cut out his own shapes.
He used Adler's printshop in Reading for most of his printed B&BCs, often supplying the paper himself. He preferred 3-heart prints having no decoration, since he provided his own decoration.
See Vol. 4 of K. Stopp's The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans, p. 106. He notes that most copies of the #626 edition "were used by Friedrich Krebs."
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.
Printed B&BC on laid paper, in German, decorated and infilled by artist & scrivener Georg Friedrich Speyer. Johannes Schnierer was born 17 May 1786 in Cocalico Twp., sign of Capricorn. He was the son of Johannes Schnierer and wife Catharina, nee Meynsser(in). Baptism was done 7 July 1786 by Rev. Immanuel Schultz in the Lutheran Church; sponsors were Michael and Elizabeth Pilz. This church was the Warwick Lutheran congregation, now called the Brickerville United Lutheran Church.
Fraktur has been pasted onto heavy, acidic paperboard, then fraktur-on-board was heavily trimmed on all four sides, removing portions of Speyer's decoration. Printed heart design has faded red ink infill in text. Strongly decorated with Speyer's colored drawings. A carnation at center of top has flanking parrots in horizontal position hovering over heart. At upper sides are cross-legged putti at lower sides are two tall, elegantly dressed ladies. Confronting mermaids at bottom center. See Notes.
Infill & decoration in Brickerville area; printed in unknown.
Some light soil and age yellowing with minor foxing. Edges have attractive "torn" look. A 3/4" tear at bottom center has cellophane tape mend creating some staining. Small tear at bottom, near right corner. Small L-shaped tear at center left. small 1/8" hole near top edge 3.75" from right corner. Small inked "D" at top near left corner. Very small hole near bottom, 4" from right corner.
Object ID
2004.718
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser 2 Sept 1988. Assigned #18. A large 5.75" x 6.75" B&W negative is in file. This fraktur likely related to Elizabeth Elser B&BC, 2017.999.1, due to Johannes Schnierer (b. 1786) later marrying an Elser (Catharine).
Georg Friedrich Speyer was a schoolmaster, among other places, the Warwick Lutheran Church ( or Emanuel Church -- today known as Brickerville United Lutheran Church). He became schoolmaster at Warwick in August 1780. Speyer preferred 3-heart printed B&BCs, like Friedrick Krebs, and infilled them with German script, rarely using the fraktur alphabet. He had very poor handwriting, commonly using red ink that has faded over time.
His decoration consisted of motifs borrowed from other artists (Otto, Krebs, the Cross-Legged Angel Artist, etc.). He decorated the fraktur with in a loose and very folksy manner with little sense of proportion or neatness. He fitted them into the space available around the 3 central hearts, leaving little empty space. Parrots, cross-legged angels, and mermaids are some of his favorite motifs. Speyer worked mostly in northern Lancaster Co. and southern Berks and Dauphin Co.
See file for church record listing the son Johannes and his wife Catharine (nee Elser) and the births of their 6 children. Also see "Find A Grave" listing for Johannes "Schnuerer" b. 1786 and d. 1829, buried in Brickerville United Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Birth records of the Heuchler children written in German onto three small pages of laid paper, likely the end pages of a small book. Written with acidic black iron gall ink, now faded to brown; its acid has made holes in many places.
First page begins with "Lancaster Caunty (sic)", followed by 5 lines recording birth of daughter Elizabeth Heuchler(in), born 9 Oct 1785 in Lampeter Twp. under the sign of the Archer. Five more lines record birth of Christian Heuchler, born in April of 178?. "Christian" has been written in pencil at left side.
Second page records birth of Anna, 22 Apr 1790. Underneath is a later hand in German script, possibly noting her death.
Paper has soil and numerous stains including liquid stains. Large, dark stain at center of 1st and 3rd pages. Some lighter staining at center of 2nd page and large liquid stain in lower right half of page. These stains have resulted in some ink losses and very faded ink. The acidic iron gall ink, now mostly faded to brown, has "eaten" the paper in many places, resulting in significant losses, esp. 1st & 3rd pages. Edges of paper are ragged with multiple losses.
Object ID
2017.999.31
Notes
The Heuchler name appears to have changed to Heichler according to the obit. of Elizabeth Heichler Whittle of Towson, MD, born 1785 and died 1877. Handwritten name above the photocopied obit. is "Elizabeth Heichlerin Whittle. Handwritten note in pencil alongside is "This is the Obituary Written when My Mothers Death was Published in the Baltimore Co. News Papers I had them copyed as the one that I cliped out of First Paper is Worn out I Send it to you". It is signed "S.E. Barbour", certainly her daughter Susannah who was living in her mother's Maryland County home along with 2 daughters according to the 1850 Census.
The Heuchler family lived in Maytown, Donegal Twp., according to Elizabeth H. Whittle. A handwritten note explains why it is written she was born in Lampeter Twp. ("while passing on the way to Donegal, Elizabeth was born in Lampeter Twp.).
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.
