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 & Baptismal Certificate (B & BC) attributed to teacher K. F. Seybold (arctive c. 1813-1846) for Catharina Laugomar, born 16 Mar 1828 in the kingdom of Wurtenburg, now Germany. She was baptized by Magister Frass & witnessed by Johan Georg Abele and wife Anna Catharina, nee Bay(in).
Executed on wove paper with ink & unusual coloring. Yellow, blue and red are used. Page is pasted onto paperboard. Within a line border is an off-center heart in upper 3/4 of design. Heart has a bible verse in upper section and short prayer below, followed by 1847. Heart decorated with flowers along top & sides with color-striped curtains (?) draping off upper sides of heart. Bottom tip of heart has long, radiating, colored leaves, also decorated with colored "pearls". is a text block in German noting the birth and baptism of Anna Catharina Laugomar, born 1828 in Wurtzburg (now in Germany). Master Frass baptized Anna Catharina and Joh. Georg Abele and wife Ana Catharina nee Bay(in) were witnesses. At bottom of design, outside of border has swags edged in more colored "pearls". Reverse side has typed translation (not pencil corrections by Fred Weiser) by Rev. Harvey Swanson, 538 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster.
Pasted onto paperboard. Darkening from acid burn; blotchy staining overall but darker at top center and left as well from heart bottom to bottom of text. Vertical tears at top center; tape stain visible underneath. Bottom left corner torn off. Needs to be removed from acidic board.
Object ID
2017.999.22
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #21 during this event.
Artist Karl Friedrich Seybold immigrated from Germany to America in 1806. By 1813 he was a schoolmaster in Northampton Co. and later in Lancaster Co.
Presentation piece is a square sheet of wove paper with hand-printed, multicolored lettering. It reads: "To / Miss Catharine Harnish / of West Lampeter Township, / Lancaster County, Pa."
In small, cursive handwriting in blue ink is "From your friend -- When this you sing remember me, / Though many miles we distant be,". Unsigned. Done by the same maker as the 1843 acrostic for Catharine Harnish, 2017.999.24, and probably the same time.
Acrostic for Catharine Harnish on vertically orientated page of wove paper, done by the same maker as the Presentation Piece, 2017.999.23.
Large cursive lettering in both red and blue at top, left and bottom. Top has "An Acrostic.", left side has "West Lampeter" and bottom has "Township, Lancaster / County, / Pa", followed in tiny lettering by "Feb. 26, 1843." Body of text is blue cursive except for ornate, red initial letters. Red letters, read vertically are "CATHARINE HARNISH" and lines compose a clever, original, rhyming poem of religious verse. Additional small writing along left side of poem has "When this you see, remember me, Though many miles, we distant be."
Light soil, smudges, with significant staining, esp. at edges. Dark stain on fifth line. Edges have some nicks. Bottom edge very rough with losses and two 1 1/2" long tears extending upward. A 2" ragged tear at top edge 2 3/4" from left corner; a 1/2" tear 2 1/2" from left corner. Puncture above "love" in first line.
Object ID
2017.999.24
Notes
One of the Fraktur Collection appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, Sept. 1988. Numbered #41.
Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificate for Lidia Rothrock, born 9 Jan 1842 to parents Jacob Rothrock and wife Elizabeth nee Epler(in) in Londonderry Twp., Dauphin Co. Baptised 31 Aug 1842 by Pastor Gerhard; parents were sponsors.
Conventional angel form has tall text block between confronting angels; one holds a wreath, the other a bird. Eagle at top center and large perching birds at bottom corners. Imprint at very bottom is "Gedruckt und zu haben bey G.S. Peters, -- Harrisburg, Pa." This color-printed form was printed between 1840 and 1842. See K. Stopp, The B & BCs of the Pa. Germans, Vol. 3, pp. 70-74
Printed in Harrisburg, PA by G. S. Peters; Infill & decoration likely Londonderry Twp., Dauphin Co.
Provenance
Unknown. Donor Kathryn Feagley (1895-1986) and husband Joseph C. Feagley (1895-1971) were Lancaster City residents.
Some brown stains, hazy stains from bottom center to page center and Southeast of the eagle. Some foxing at side edges. A 2 1/4" tear at left center and 1" tear above right center. Small adhesive paper stick on back.
Object ID
1975.031
Notes
One of the fraktur collection appraised by Pastor Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. Numbered #33.
This color imprint was produced by Gustav S. Peters between 1840 and 1842 according to Klaus Stopp, The B & BCs of the Pa. Germans, Vol. 3, pp. 70-74.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Color printed Fraktur is a Birth & Baptismal Certificate for Emma Matilda Ried. Angel type print in German has standing angels flanking the text block and four perching birds in lower corners. An eagle is at top center and baskets of flowers & flower sprays below text block.
Text block infilled in red in a very accomplished, controlled hand. Emma was born 3 Oct 1838 in Lancaster City and baptized 22 Jan 1839 by Samuel Trumbauer. Parents are Peter Ried and his wife Margaretha, daughter of Johannes & Catharina Bard.
Printed in Harrisburg; infilled likely in Lancaster City. Printer: G.S. Peters; Infill unknown
Overall very brittle and age darkened. Broken broken at fold lines, creating 5 separate pieces. Cellophane tape at both the top and bottom of the vertical break, taped on the front! Tape is staining paper. Very large loss 1.75" x .50" at left edge near top. Small tears and losses around edges.
Hand-done B&BC on wove paper is torn and pieces attached to a larger, light brown paper with 5 straight pins. Tall columns with molded caps on top, in turn with round balls on top. Table-saw-like motif at top center is a circle divided in quarters of red and yellow, with a fringe of small slanting leaves.At bottom is a flowering plant. This decoration resembles that of Samuel Bentz.
Text block filling center is hand-printed German in black ink, copying the form of a printed B&BC with spaces for someone to infill later. Title at top is in red: "Geburts und Tauf Schein." and next line is in blue: "Diesen beyden Ehegatten als." Curlicues trail off the tops of the "ascenders" of letters in the first several lines. Blanks of this form infilled with very faded red scrawled script. A daughter was born 22 Dec? 1823. Names and places uncertain.
Paper onto which fraktur is mounted is H: 13 W: 11
Condition
Poor
Condition Date
2017-10-03
Condition Notes
Paper is pliable but soiled with blotches of brown staining, some very large. Colors faded. Much of fraktur is missing, esp. upper left and lower left. Large section of upper right corner torn off and pinned in place next to main section. Both fraktur and esp. paper onto which it is mounted are irregularly cut with many wrinkles, folds and tears.
Printed B&BC, standing angel type, done for William --- Hammer, born 11 Jan 1827 in Orwiksburg(sic), Schukllyr(sic) Co. Pa., son of Joseph Hammer and wife Phillipina, nee Huntzinger. Baptized by Thomas Bock in 1827; sponsors were Jacob & Susanna Huntzinger.
Multicolor fraktur pasted onto heavy brown paper w/ edges folded around to front and pasted onto fraktur edges.
Printed in Reading; Likely infilled in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County. Printer: Heinrich B. Sage; Infill: unknown
Heavy stains, broken vertical center fold line, pasted onto heavy brown paper with edges brought around to front and pasted onto edges of fraktur. Heavy paste along vertical fold line.
Printed angel-type B&BC infilled for Allen Kupper, born 29 March 1834 in Mifflin Twp., Dauphin Co. Parents were Johannes Kupper and wife Maria, daughter of Johannes Miller. Allen was bapatized 14 Dec 1834 by Rev. J. Gerhart and parents were sponsors.
Fraktur has outside border of medallions w/ scrolls. Standing angels flank central text block with infill; eagle at top center; flowers and baskets of flowers bottom center, flanked by two perching birds at each side. Angels are painted a dense red, birds are both red and blue. Flowers are red, blue and yellow. Medallions in outside border alternate between red and yellow.
Imprint at bottom center is "Harrisburg, Pa.--- Gedruckt und zu haben bey G.S. Peters". Signed in ink above this is "J. Wert", scrivener and decorator.
Printed Harrisburg, Infilled likely in Dauphin County. Printer: G.S. Peters Infill: J. Wert
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
2004.752
Notes
Apopraised by Rev. Fred Weiser 2 Sept 1988. Assigned #52.
Related to other Kupper family fraktur in this collection:
Printed B&BC on wove paper infilled for Elizabeth Martin, born 9 July 1842 in Lykens Twp., Dauphin Co. Parents were Samuel P. Martin and wife Mary, nee Dubindorf. Elizabeth was baptized 15 Aug 1842 by Rev. John Peter Schindel. The parents were the sponsors.
This is the first English edition printed by Werner in Pottsville, c. 1840 (see Notes). Title at top is "Birth and Christening / Certificate" Central text block with infill is flanked by two of the 3 virtues done with woodcuts. The third, usually above the text block is replaced by the tailpiece of a lady playing a piano. A tailpiece of 2 flowers separates the text block from 2 smaller blocks with religious verse, at bottom. Printed in blue, red and yellow. A perching bird is in each corner of bottom. At bottom center is the imprint: "Printed and sold by J.T. Werner, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa." An "H" is written in top left corner.
Fair condition largely due to the large chunk out of the edge at top center, obliterating half of the title. Tape stains indicate it had been mended with tape before being lost. Two other places where tape is bleeding through is at left near top (3/4" tear) and at right near bottom corner (1" tear). Several large nicks or losses, esp. at left near mend.
Pronounced brown spot stains along right edge and 2 round liquid stains on left edge adjacent to tape mend. Lighter stains elsewhere. A 1/8" hole near the "Pa." of imprint at bottom. Color printed in yellow, red and blue.
Object ID
2004.748
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser 2 Sept 1988. Assigned #48.
Printer J.T. Werner was born in Lebanon Co. in 1814. He printed in various places, finally in Pottsville from 1837 on. He died there in 1882.
In The B&BCs of the German American, Vol. 4, Klaus Stopp lists this fraktur for Elizabeth on page 14, numbered #562. This is the first English edition by Werner in Pottsville. Instead of one of the virtues (Love) above text block a lady playing a piano is shown. This little tailpiece is also known since it was used with BBCs in his printshop in Orwigsburg, PA.
Printed angel form B&BC in German is infilled for Elisabeth Bosemeyer born 14 Aug 1798 in Elizabethtown, under the sign of Capricorn, and baptized 8 Sept 1798 by Emanual Schultz. Sponsors were Willhelm Schreimer & wife Elizabeth. Parents were David Bosemeyer and wife Magdalena nee Conrad.
Text block at center has infill in strong German script. A tailpiece of an upside down lyre & horn separates infilled text block with 4 lower stanzas. Another tailpiece of wheat and cornucopia is in the middle of the 4 lower stanzas. Design of fraktur has the conventional placement of flanking angels, putto at top center and 2 perching birds in each bottom corner. At very bottom of text block space is imprint: "Reading, / Gedruckt und zu haben bey / Johann Ritter und Comp." Ritter printed this edition c. 1821 (see Notes).
Infill by unknown scrivener, likely in Elizabeth Twp.; Printed in Reading.
Some light stains/soil at top half of right side and some at lower left corner. Dark brown residue from tape at each corner and along both top and bottom edges. Ragged edges w/ small tear & fold at upper left corner, 3/4" tear at right side near angel wing. A small thin/narrow hole near left edge at angel wing. Overall wrinkled with some buckling around edges.
Object ID
2004.738
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. Assigned #38. This B&BC is related to both 2004.739 and 2004.242, having the same surname.
See The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans by Klaus Stopp, Vol. 4, p. 182 (#668.1). This Bosemeyer fraktur is listed here is #668.1.. Stopp notes this is the 1st edition w/ a new frame of the imprint and the vertical sides narrow down at their lower ends. This edition also has a tailpiece picturing an upside down lyre. Also, the adjacent stanzas have curving lines of type.
Search for this family surname in later years indicates only variations of the Bofenmeyer name, not Bosenmeyer.
Printed angel form B&BC in German is infilled and decorated for Susannah Miller, born 15 April 1835 in Dauphin County and baptized 15 June 1836 by William Findley. Parents were Peter Miller and wife Elizabeth nee Boffenmeyer. Baptism sponsor was "The Mother." Infill is in both German and English!
Main text block has two tailpieces and 4 lower stanzas. Imprint at bottom is "Reading, / Gedruckt und zu haben bey / Johann Ritter und Comp." (Printed circa 1828-1835). Angels, putto, birds and tailpieces all crudely paint decorated with a dense, dark red, areas of which are now crackled and raised above surface. Some minor use of a yellowish color.
Infill by unknown artist, likely in Dauphin County; Printed in Reading.
Two paper mends pasted to back at center of top and bottom; both are tears about 2.5" long. These areas are both buckled or wrinkled, particularly at top. Red paint is crackling and raised. Edges ragged, esp. right side. Moderate foxing. Heavy brown stains at upper corners, middle of sides and all along bottom where pasted.
Object ID
2004.739
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. Assigned #39. This B&BC is related to both 2004.738 and 2004.242, having the same surname of Bofemeyer/Bosemeyer.
Possible provenance info: Two pieces of mending paper pasted to back have printing. Lower one is letterhead printed with "John Hancock Mutual" and typescript below is" R. Norris / Box 154 / Sea Isle City, NJ". Upper paper has "
Unable to identify this edition in Klaus Stopp, B&BCs of the German Americans, Vol. 4. Upper tailpiece below main text was rarely used (see p. 164).
Color lithographed Memento Mori on heavy tan paper depicts a scene in a church graveyard. A grieving couple, likely the parents, dressed in early 19th c. black mourning clothes, stand by a church with a large urn-topped tombstone underneath a green weeping willow tree. Gentleman gestures toward the stone with the side printed at top "IN / MEMORY / OF", followed by 2 sets of 4 lines in ink. First is "Henry Augustus was / born Sept, 10th 1829, / Departed this life / August 27th 1833,". Next is "Nathaniel was born / January the 24th 1835 / Died January 25th / Anno Domini 1835". These 2 sons both died an early death. No surname is given.
Printed underneath the border of this scene is "LITH. & PUB. BY N. CURRIER" at left and "2 SPRUCE ST. N. Y." at right. The number "280" is at center. Printed in New York City.
Printer: Nathaniel Currier, Infill by unknown
Provenance
Memento Mori - Remember that you have to die. Printed by Nathaniel Currier, circa 1830s
Artwork designed to remind the viewer of their mortality and of the unpredictable nature and fragility of life. This scene depicts a church graveyard and a grieving couple all in black mourning clothes. The urn on top of the tombstone symbolizes death since urns were often used in Greece and Rome to store cremated remains. The weeping willow, so named because of the way raindrops run down its long leaves causing some to think it looks like the tree is crying, serves to reinforce the emotions of grief and mourning.
The remembrance is particularly somber since it mentions the name of two children - Henry Augustus (1829-1833) and Nathaniel (1833).
Considerable foxing with gray soil darkening the paper at upper corner area but smaller areas extending along both right edge and top edge. Some soil at upper left side. All edges have been hand-cut. Reverse has heavy foxing with streaks of dark brown soil and acid burn from backing. Some ink spots. Stamped "PROPERTY OF / LANCASTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY".
Object ID
2004.744
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. This certificate designated #44.
Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning 'remember you must die'. It is the medieval Latin Christian theory and practice of reflection on mortality, especially as a means of considering the vanity of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits.
Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) in 1840 began to move away from job printing and into independent print publishing. He printed this and other versions of this scene in the 1840s.
Amish fraktur done on off-white, wove, square paper by Elisabeth Beiler for Sahra Esch. Central text is framed by leafy branches; two encircling the bottom half of page and two more rising from middle at sides and completing a circle at top. Each of the four main branches has two flowers: one is a tulip and the other like a daisy. Leaves are colored blue and the flowers have yellow, blue and red.
Text written in German, with black in, fills central space. There is a "ghosting" on the letters of the title and many other upper case letters, and elsewhere. Several periods seem to be added to text in pencil, perhaps at a later time.
Title at top reads, "Ein Denk Zeichen" (a remembrance)...A rough translations is: "Sarah Esch, her picture written/drawn March 19, 1848. This gift, a remembrance of me, is done by my hand, made by Elisabeth Beiler." The remainder is a religious exhortation.
(Written by Wendell Zercher)
Provenance
Given by Clarke E. Hess in memory of Irene Walsh. Price/value: $1,450.00.
Many condition problems: major losses tears and soiling. Large losses along right edge along lower 13 as well as top corner. Smaller losses at left side at middle at top corner. Torn at middle of both sides, extending inward about one inch. Pinholes at corners. Paper is darkened and soiled overall with strong areas of stain, e.g., several near center of text. Moisture stains at middle of both sides at or near edges, also middle of bottom. Colors have bled at flowers and leaves at bottom right corner. Colors are deteriorated and crackled, especially on flowers and leaves.
Printed Birth & Baptismal Record, Christian Schelly
Description
Printed birth and baptismal certificate, pictorial fame with central text block. Infill and hand coloring attributed to Heinrich Keyser, a school mast working in Warwick Twp.
The pictorial frame consists of eight different plates around a perimeter. The four corners each have a Gospel reference withing a floral oval (two from St. Matthew and two from St. John). The other four prints depict scenes of Christ: is baptism, crucifixion, ascension and his welcoming the children to come to him. Prints are hand-colored.
The central text block is printed in German, in traditional form, under the title: "Geburts und TaufSchein." Infill is executed in black ink in both fraktur-style lettering and script.
Certificate was done for the birth and baptism of Christian Schelly, son of Johannes and Catarina Kericher Schelly, born Dec. 18, 1823 (?) in Rapho Twp. and baptized 1833. At bottom of text is written that Christian was born under the sign of Pisces, under which a tiny pen and ink drawing is executed of two fish. (Written by Wendell Zercher.)
(more info on Schoolmaster Keyser in file)
Provenance
From Strasburg Antique Marker, Strasburg, PA for $245.00. Received on Aug. 11, 2000.
Generally acid-burned overall; extreme burn at edges of top and left side. Two liquid stains in lower text block which bleached the paper. Heavy fold lines have resulted in tears. with a triangular loss at terminus of right fold line. Additional tears at end of left fold line as well as two inches above this; also tear along bottom edge, one inch from right corner. Entire piece is pasted to acidic cardboard backing.
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 certificate is hand done by artist using design elements from printed fraktur. Multicolor text is enclosed in a central arched arbor w/ flame finials. Text names Christian, a son of Jacob and Barbara (KIndig) Bachman, born 1827 in Lampeter Twp. Two confronting angels flank arbor and 2 additional text blocks of religious verse support arbor. A pavilion at bottom is flanked by blue trees & large colorful pinwheel flowers.
Border at sides and top have colorful, repeating floral/foliate motifs; top is arched. Hearts and flowers fill top corners. Above arbor is a large 4-point stylized star flanked by reclining trees.
Artist uses red, blue, light blue, black, yellow, white, green, orange and brown.
Inscribed on reverse in black ink is "No 4 made by Eli Haverstick 1834."
Provenance
Descent in Bachman family to donor. Two nearly identical birth certificates are known, for older sister Anne, b. 1823 (private owner-Barbara Ann Mable) and younger brother John, b. 1832 (G.96.9.1). Similarity suggests all were made at the same time in 1834.
Bachman family genealogy in file. See info on Christian Bachman in Mennonite Arts, 2002, pp. 56-57.
Conserved by Susan Duhl in 2001. Generally worn and discolored. Repair to edge tears & corner loss. Abrasions & paper fill in top right corner were in-painted with watercolor. Tape at back of top edge is now removed w/ remaining stain. See report in file.
Object ID
G.00.23.1
Notes
Haverstick is believed to be a teacher due to being absent on tax rolls for Conestoga Twp.
Christian Bachman (1827-1901) became a prominent cabinetmaker in eastern Lancaster County, just like his father Jacob Bachman (1798-1867). He married Barbara Buckwalter in 1855. After marriage, he moved to Strasburg where he set up his own shop.
Place of Origin
Conestoga Twp.
Role
Artist
Credit
In memory of Charles Bachman, grandson of Christian Bachman, by his son Charles Bachman, Jr. and family.
Family register for Metzger family, hand-drawn, lettered and watercolored, horizontal orientation on wove paper, attributed to Karl Seybold (arctive c. 1813-1846). Format is the English style of register rather than Pa. German. Framed in molded softwood frame with very dark brown finish.
Within an inked double-line border is a grouping at top of rectangles with text re: parents. Father George Metzger born in Conestoga Twp.(1799-1845) and mother Maria Huber Metzger born in Boro of Strasburg (1804-1890), married 1821. Polychrome flowers surround text blocks. Father was Lutheran, mother (daughter of Abraham and Maria Longenecker Huber), apparently Mennonite (unbaptized as a child).
Below text blocks are 8 circles bordered w/ polychrome stylized flowers. Each circle records birth of a child. Birthplaces indicate pattern of residence:1st child born Lancaster Boro (1824), 2nd & 3rd Lancaster Twp (1827-1829), 4th & 5th in Manheim Twp (1831-1833) and last three in Warwick Twp (1836-1841).
Karl F. T. Seybold came to America in 1806, becoming a school teacher in Northampton Co. by 1813. His desire to join the Harmony Society in Ambridge, Pa. was unfulfilled, so he moved with his wife to Lancaster Co. in the 1830s, reportedly at the urging of his mother-in-law. He taught school and apparently lived in a Menno. community, doing mostly birth records and family registers for them (names like Funk, Hostetter, Herr, Kauffman, Huber, Miller, etc.).
Provenance
Unknown provenance before acquisition from sellers. Earnests do list the source of this fraktur as "Der Kurier" 9/93 p. 4. This is the newsletter of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society, published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. It is indexed in the Periodical Source Index by the Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana and the Genealogical Periodical Annual Index by Heritage Books Inc, Bowie, Maryland
Old cardboard back has mailing label from L.E. Waterman Co. in New York City to W.H. Corey, Jr. of Owego, N.Y. A 12-cent stamp affixed to corner dates from early 20th century.
Paper soiling, foxing and scattered stains overall; significant moisture stains along bottom right border and smaller ones near center as well as along paper edges. Paper has significant spidery, stained cracks extending inwards from both right and left edges, clustered at center. Each side is repaired on reverse with a 2.5" - 3"-wide vertical band of paper tape, causing the dark staining seen at cracks on front. Vertical paper cracks at fold lines extend in from top and bottom. Frame has been recut to current size and has nicks and moderate wear. Corrugated cardboard backing replaced with acid-free board, Dec. 2004..
Watercolor of bird, fraktur-type, done for an Amish female, attributed to Amish artist.
Bird perched in stylized tree, done on plain off-white wove paper. The tree has one main trunk with five small, arching branches terminating in a globular yellow fruit. Uppermost branch ends in a tulip. Three gray-blue leaves attach to trunk. Bird has yellow body decorated with inked texture marks, brown head and wings and gray-blue beak.
Inscriptions: At bottom right in inked German script is "May 1848." At upper left, written sideways in the same hand is "Fannie Hochstetler/ 1848/ Nannie H. Beiler/ 1896.
Mounted in brown paper window mat and frame (likely by sellers for sale). Frame is flat softwood with half-lap, mitered joints and paint-decorated with a dark glaze over a medium-brown ground. Hanging ring at top. (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Provenance
According to sellers' research this may have been a gift to Fannie Hochstetler in 1848, after which she may have married and become "Nannie H. Beiler." Gingerich and Krieder record a Veronica/Fannie/Franey Hostetler (HS5362) (1840-1914) of Mifflin County who married John K. Byler (BY3566) (1831-1904) also of Mifflin Co. Thus, the Earnests are suggesting the sideways description may have been added later than the original 1848 inscription at bottom.
Bought from Russell Earnest & Associates, Nov. 2, 2001, for $1300.00.
Paper has bee trimmed, probably on all four sides. Multiple fold lines with a cluster at upper left corner, a horizontal one at 2 and 2/1 inches from bottom and a vertical one at 1 7/8 inches from right edge. Moderate to heavy soiling, especially above May 1848 date. Upper left cover has minor loss all corners have paste and remnants of paper where previously attached.
Drawing has slid askew since earlier photo. It would be easy to fix. (MAW)
