Scherenschnitte, freehand cutwork on light cream-colored wove paper folded horizontally, vertically, and diagonally, then cut out. Rectangular form is centered with an 8-lobed flower made of four hearts enclosing smaller hearts & a medallion with inscription Surrounded by figures of boys and girls as well as birds and hearts. Colored w/ red and blue paint/gouache and some details in blue ink.
Scotland area, Greene Twp., Franklin Co.
Handwritten in blue at center is: "Margarert [sic] Elizabeth / Farner / A present / By John Farner / March 11th 1854" Made for sister Margaret when John was age 11. Similar one is owned by Jim Gergat, done by Farner in 1854 for Isaac Shetter in Green Twp. in Franklin County. Jim has a photo of recipient Shetter. He owns an additional cutout w/ no written presentation. Gergat states Farner was a Civil War veteran and is buried in Centerville, Cumberland Co. (at intersection of Rt. 174/Walnut Bottom Rd. and Rt. 233 & associated w/ Centerville Lutheran Church, Carlisle).
Provenance
Given by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith to the Lancaster County Historical Society with the understanding that it would become part of the collections of The Heritage Center Museum with the establishment of that institution.
Small brown spots overall, especially in top half. Larger brown stains in top left area and central design; possibly faded brown coloring.
Matted and framed by conservator Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996
Object ID
G.77.50.3
Notes
Earnest, Fraktur: Folk Art & Family, 1999, p. 118.
Informed 1-9-12 by Jim Gergat, former York Co. H. S. curator, of identity of John Farner. See photocopies of his two Farner cutouts in file. Gergat's phone # is (610) 473-0137.
Slide #27-2-10 and Transparency file under "Fraktur" #18.
Removed from Masonic Lodge Fraktur exhibit early 2008.
Exhibited Landis Valley Museum, scherenschnitte exhibit curated by Irwin Richman, May-Dec. 2008.
Place of Origin
Greene Twp., Franklin County, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
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).
Spiral labyrinth, watercolor and ink on wove paper, signed by John A. Landis (15 Sep 1777 - 8 Mar 1862) of Lancaster City. Within a line border is a compass-drawn large circle filled with interwoven near-circles (paths of labyrinth) emanating from another center circle that is in turn filled with compass-drawn floral decoration. The near-circle pathways have text written within, beginning at the top with the words, "What is a gentleman?" Leafy vines with flowers fill the corners outside of the large circular labyrinth. Two distelfink-type birds are perched on lower vines. At bottom center is a heart in which vines are anchored. Within heart are 4 lines of neatly printed English: "Made By/ John A. Landis in the/ Year of our Lord 1852/ in the Seventy Fifth/ Year of his/ Age."
Reverse side of frame has two stickers; the top one reads: "MSC/ #135" and the lower one reads: "T76.10.37/ (MSC - 135)."
Unusual -- believed to be the only hand-done Lancaster City fraktur known. Samuel Baumann is the design source for Landis's birds, flowers and hearts. Baumann produced printed fraktur in Ephrata in the early 19th century. See NOTES
Provenance
Provenance: Dealer Hattie Brunner to Dr. & Mrs. Donald A. Shelley. Shelley collection sold at auction (Pook & Pook), Oct. 2004 to Heritage Center.
Paper is darkened overall; watercolored words of labyrinth are blurry and often illegible.
Object ID
P.04.45.1
Notes
According to Landis family genealogy & other sources, Landis operated a museum in Lancaster City at several successive locations. Article in Lancaster Gazette, 1825, lists detailed changes & additions Landis made to the museum.
Landis married twice, leaving no children and is buried in Shreiner's cemetery (tall monument along Mulberry St. side). The 1850 Census records him living, at age 72, with his wife Sarah in a hotel kept by Henry Nauman. He is also listed in the 1860 Census but of course gone by 1870.
Labyrinths have been made in various forms for centuries, traditionally of a spiritual nature. According to Michael Bird, "The labyrinth had pre-Christian roots in the worlds of Crete, Greece and Rome..." Landis's labyrinth is unusual in that it is not rooted in a spiritual or Biblical theme, but instead focuses on moral character. This compass-drawn design is not traditional Pa. German; it is likely Anglo-inspired.
This labyrinth was illustrated in Donald Shelley's "The Fraktur-Writings of Illuminated Manuscripts of the Pa. Germans", figure #223. See Klaus Stopp's The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans, Vol. II, pp. 208-217, for fraktur printed by the Baumanns of Ephrata. These show the source of motifs used in this labyrinth.
British Royal Coat of Arms, 1786, attrib. to the "Early Ephrata Artist," (active c. 1780-1786). Manuscript watercolor version of this design is modified to depict the Germanic sentiments of the artist following our overthrow of English rule. As before, the rampant lion (England) is on the left and the rampant unicorn (Scotland) on the right. However, the lion is now chained and uncrowned. Replacing the central shield is a large flowering plant with a typical Pa-German large parrot perched on the lower branch and a crown above. Large flowers are prominently added to this image.
Lettering at bottom center reads: "Phil(i)p[sic] Horning/ hat In ge-macht/ 1786" Recipient Philip Horning's name is followed by the artist's phrase: "Made in 1786." This should not be read that Horning "made this in 1786."
Pa. Germans saw a kinship between the Royal Coat of Arms and the German Hanoverian kings who ruled the United Kingdom throught the 18th century.
Klaus Stopp, Printed B&BC of the Pa. Germans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113
Height (cm)
34.925
Height (ft)
1.1458333333
Height (in)
13.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Frame is H: 22.25 W: 25.25"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2017-03-23
Condition Notes
Multiple vertical and horizontal creases overall. Some paint loss, especially on lion's head and face, and flower in upper right corner. Brown stains overall.
A treatment proposal made by Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, May 1986, and the following treatment was done in 1988-89: consolidated ink and paint, old backing removed, tears mended, cleaned, losses in paper filled, flattened, and matted. Details in file.
Matted and framed by Brian Howard of Carlisle in 1996
Object ID
P.77.51
Notes
This unusual watercolor gives a Germanic spin on the heraldic design. While the lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland, replacing the central shield is a large parrot perched on a flowering plant. Large flowers are also prominently introduced into the composition. Painted after the war of independence, the lion is now portrayed uncrowned, with a chain at his neck. This is a strong statement of the artist's Germanic sentiments.
This is one of the last known pieces done by the Early Ephrata Artist." He was given this name since he decorated early Ephrata prints having no bird-panel printed borders. The Earnests note he used heavy color and his motifs were primitive, despite the ambitious decoration and design he attempted such as this fraktur watercolor. He ranks among the earliest fraktur artists to decorated printed forms, along with Otto, Hoevelmann and Speyer.
See:
- Earnests' "Papers for Birth Dayes", pp. 213-214 for info on the Early Ephrata Artist.
- Klaus Stopp, The Printed B&BCs of the German Americans, Vol. II, pp. 108-113.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Reward of merit, elaborately cut out of laid paper, watercolored and inscribed at bottom with the name "Margaretha Lindenmuthin." It is one of four found in a family Bible. Bestowed upon a deserving student by a school teacher, this artwork portrays a variety of stylized flowers, done in the unique style of Jacob Botz.
This symmetrical papercut was created with one vertical center fold. Overall design is a large lacy flower with a stem having additional flowers growing off to the side. The flower rests on an oblong base with the name of the student written with black iron gall ink. Scherenschnitte is decorated with water-based, polychome paints.
The Lindemuth family first settled in the Mount Joy-Maytown area. According to Clarke Hess & Jim Nissley, Margaretha (Margaret) Linde(n)muth was born June 26, 1790 and died Dec. 31, 1875. She was the daughter of George Lindenmuth (1752-1818) and granddaughter of Ludwig Lindenmuth (1716-ca.1777) who immigrated from Germany in 1750.
Provenance: The Earnests served as brokers for these four frakturs. The original owner wished to remain anonymous, but desired that all four remain intact as a group. They were found in the family Bible of this owner and the Bible was given to another party. The Earnests reported that the owner's family has roots in Manor Twp., but it is unknown if the fraktur descended in this family.
Later contact with owner/seller, Jim Nissley of Mount Joy (653-4798) who discovered Lindemuths in his family tree. Margaretha's niece (daughter of her brother Jacob), Sarah Lindemuth (1833-1908) married Daniel B. Nissley (1829-1919). They are Jim's great great grandparents. (See Biog. Annals entry on D.B. Nissley & other records of Jim Nissley in this file.)
Mount Joy area
Provenance
Fraktur was found in a Family Bible of the Lindemuth family. The items were put up for private sale, brokered by Russ & Corinne Earnest, and purchased by the Heritage Center.
Original condition: Elements broken off and missing, especially the large flower extending out from center, but also some elements of lacy perimeter at top. Many tears; the most significant is the nearly-detached daisy & tulip at bottom left. Three old repairs on reverse side using strips of pasted paper. Discoloration around large flower's perimeter as well as at bottom.
Conserved & mounted in a 4-window mat package by Susan Duhl, Sept. 2001. Then framed by Lancaster Galleries in black frame H: 13 1/8" W: 23".
Object ID
P.01.18.1
Notes
Research in: Papers for Birth Dayes (Russ & Corinne Earnest) and The Pa. German Fraktur of the free Library of Phila., Weiser & Heaney, 1976, #221.
Family genealogy provided by Jim Nissley of Mt. Joy, 1/14/05. Research on Jacob Botz by Irene Walsh.
The Lindemuth family first settled in the Mount Joy-Maytown area. According to Clarke Hess & Jim Nissley, Margaretha (Margaret) Linde(n)muth was born June 26, 1790 and died Dec. 31, 1875, a daughter of George Lindenmuth (1752-1818) and granddaughter of Ludwig Lindenmuth (1716-ca.1777) who immigrated from Germany in 1750.
Later contact with owner/seller, Jim Nissley of Mt.Joy (653-4798), who discovered Lindemuths in his family tree. Margaretha's niece (daughter of her brother Jacob), Sarah Lindemuth (1833-1908) married Daniel B. Nissley (1829-1919). They are Jim's great great grandparents. (See Biog. Annals entry on D.B. Nissley & other records of Jim Nissley in this file.)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Reward of merit, elaborately cut out of laid paper, watercolored. It is one of four found in a family Bible. Bestowed upon a deserving student by a school teacher, this piece portrays a variety of stylized flowers, done in the unique style of Jacob Botz.
This symmetrical papercut was created with one vertical center fold. Overall design is six main flowers; top pair of flowers have human faces. Scherenschnitte is decorated with polychome watercolors.
See NOTES.
Manor Twp. or Mount Joy area
Provenance
This is one of four small Frakturs found in a Family Bible (the Bible was ultimately given to another party). Russ and Corinne Earnest served as brokers for these four frakturs. The owner wished to remain anonymous, but desired that all four remain intact as a group. Total purchase price was $19,800, but reimbursed by Irene N. Walsh.
The Earnests reported that the owner's family has roots in Manor Twp., but it is unknown if the fraktur descended in this family.
Original condition: Small piece broken off stem at right center. Blue-painted petals at center are flaking. Multiple stains around perimeter.
Conserved & mounted in a 4-window mat package by Susan Duhl, Sept. 2001. Then framed by Lancaster Galleries in black frame H: 13 1/8" W: 23".
Object ID
P.01.18.2
Notes
Research in: Papers for Birth Dayes (Russ & Corinne Earnest) and The Pa. German Fraktur of the free Library of Phila., Weiser & Heaney, 1976, #221.
Family genealogy provided by Jim Nissley of Mt. Joy, 1/14/05. Research on Jacob Botz by Irene Walsh.
The Lindemuth family first settled in the Mount Joy-Maytown area. According to Clarke Hess & Jim Nissley, Margaretha (Margaret) Linde(n)muth was born June 26, 1790 and died Dec. 31, 1875, a daughter of George Lindenmuth (1752-1818) and granddaughter of Ludwig Lindenmuth (1716-ca.1777) who immigrated from Germany in 1750.
Later contact with owner/seller, Jim Nissley of Mt.Joy (653-4798), who discovered Lindemuths in his family tree. Margaretha's niece (daughter of her brother Jacob), Sarah Lindemuth (1833-1908) married Daniel B. Nissley (1829-1919). They are Jim's great great grandparents. (See Biog. Annals entry on D.B. Nissley & other records of Jim Nissley in this file.)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This is a reward of merit, a fraktur given to a deserving student by a school teacher. This cut-out piece is done on a rectangular piece of laid paper, has a large sunflower-like flower with a face drawn in its center. Extending from the stem is a pair of daisies and a pair of tulips. Has a yellow border edged in red and at bottom is the name of "Margaretha Lindenmuthin" inscribed in the same red. Yellow dominates, followed by red, then lesser use of blue and green. See NOTES.
Manor Twp. or Mount Joy area
Provenance
This is one of four small Frakturs found in a Family Bible (the Bible was ultimately given to another party). Russ and Corinne Earnest served as brokers for these four frakturs. The owner wished to remain anonymous, but desired that all four remain intact as a group. Total purchase price was $19,800, but reimbursed by Irene N. Walsh.
The Earnests reported that the owner's family has roots in Manor Twp., but it is unknown if the fraktur descended in this family.
Original condition: Small broken element still attached, at right of center (stem of tulip). Multiple dark stains around perimeter. Blue-painted petals at center are dessicated with significant losses due to flaking.
Conserved & mounted in a 4-window mat package by Susan Duhl, Sept. 2001. Then framed by Lancaster Galleries in black frame H: 13 1/8" W: 23".
Object ID
P.01.18.4
Notes
Research in: Papers for Birth Dayes (Russ & Corinne Earnest) and The Pa. German Fraktur of the free Library of Phila., Weiser & Heaney, 1976, #221.
Family genealogy provided by Jim Nissley of Mt. Joy, 1/14/05. Research on Jacob Botz by Irene Walsh.
The Lindemuth family first settled in the Mount Joy-Maytown area. According to Clarke Hess & Jim Nissley, Margaretha (Margaret) Linde(n)muth was born June 26, 1790 and died Dec. 31, 1875, a daughter of George Lindenmuth (1752-1818) and granddaughter of Ludwig Lindenmuth (1716-ca.1777) who immigrated from Germany in 1750.
Later contact with owner/seller, Jim Nissley of Mt.Joy (653-4798), who discovered Lindemuths in his family tree. Margaretha's niece (daughter of her brother Jacob), Sarah Lindemuth (1833-1908) married Daniel B. Nissley (1829-1919). They are Jim's great great grandparents. (See Biog. Annals entry on D.B. Nissley & other records of Jim Nissley in this file.)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This is a reward of merit, a fraktur given to a deserving student by a school teacher. This piece done on rectangular laid paper, is a watercolored drawing of a large stemmed flower with bird perching on stem. Large red and yellow bloom at top, single beehive-like "berry" at center of stem at bird's beak. Floating striped leaf at center left. Inscribed at bottom is "Margaretha Lindenmuthin", the deserving student. See NOTES.
Manor Twp. or Mount Joy area
Provenance
This is one of four small Frakturs found in a Family Bible (the Bible was ultimately given to another party). Russ and Corinne Earnest served as brokers for these four frakturs. The owner wished to remain anonymous, but desired that all four remain intact as a group. Total purchase price was $19,800, but reimbursed by Irene N. Walsh.
The Earnests reported that the owner's family has roots in Manor Twp., but it is unknown if the fraktur descended in this family.
Original condition: Paper does not lie flat. Multiple dark stains/discolorations, esp. around perimeter. Heavy stain at floating leaf at center. Some paint bleeding.
Conserved & mounted in a 4-window mat package by Susan Duhl, Sept. 2001. Then framed by Lancaster Galleries in black frame H: 13 1/8" W: 23".
Object ID
P.01.18.3
Notes
Research in: Papers for Birth Dayes (Russ & Corinne Earnest) and The Pa. German Fraktur of the free Library of Phila., Weiser & Heaney, 1976, #221.
Family genealogy provided by Jim Nissley of Mt. Joy, 1/14/05. Research on Jacob Botz by Irene Walsh.
The Lindemuth family first settled in the Mount Joy-Maytown area. According to Clarke Hess & Jim Nissley, Margaretha (Margaret) Linde(n)muth was born June 26, 1790 and died Dec. 31, 1875, a daughter of George Lindenmuth (1752-1818) and granddaughter of Ludwig Lindenmuth (1716-ca.1777) who immigrated from Germany in 1750.
Later contact with owner/seller, Jim Nissley of Mt.Joy (653-4798), who discovered Lindemuths in his family tree. Margaretha's niece (daughter of her brother Jacob), Sarah Lindemuth (1833-1908) married Daniel B. Nissley (1829-1919). They are Jim's great great grandparents. (See Biog. Annals entry on D.B. Nissley & other records of Jim Nissley in this file.)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Bookplate done in German for Anna Herr by the Manor Township Artist (active 1782-1804) on a page detached from a "Leider Buch" (song book).
Fraktur is hand-drawn, lettered and colored with red and brown on laid paper. It is in the style of this artist who had a "small, neat fraktur hand," triangular flowers composed of six dots, and birds with spread tails. At top is a large heart surmounted by a crown, flanked by crowned cherubs/angels with head and wings only. Flowering vine below heart has triangular dot flowers with two birds sucking nectar from flowers. Other vines serve as horizontal borders to separate text below. Flanking the name "Anna Herrin" at center are leafless apple trees with serpents ascending. German text under name is "Geschrieben den 19ten Novem:/ Anno 1788." Branching out of a large inverted tulip at bottom center are two vines with triangular dot flowers. Religious text is interspersed within vining borders.
Attribution to Manor Twp. Artist who was most likely a schoolmaster working among Mennonites in northern Lancaster County, according to Fred Weiser. The Earnests list five known pieces by this artist, from 1768-1788.
Considerable loss around edges, esp. top right and bottom 1/3 of left edge. Ragged where detached from book. Darkened overall. Liquid stains over much of surface, esp. along bottom, top and left edge as well as under date. Paper "eaten through" by iron gall ink at various places, e.g. outline of heart and letters of "Herrin."
Object ID
P.04.51.4
Notes
Earnests, Papers for Birth Dayes, p. 534.
Weiser and Heaney, FLP, #277.
Dr. Donald Herr says he owns four fraktur by this artist (May 14, 2015).
Bookplate is done on wove paper that is adhered to the detached front cover of a leatherbound New Testament and framed in a modern red and black frame. Unusual borders, motifs and strong primary colors of red, blue and yellow. Borders are bands of red and blue-painted rectangles at sides and red hears on a band of yellow at top and bottom. Additional red hearts flank side borders at top. Top 1/3 of bookplate has a compass-drawn motif of overlapping circles. The middle 1/3 of page is the text in German "Dieses Neue Testament/ Gerhort/ Henrich Scherch/ Ihm zur Lehr and Gott zur/ Ehr, Geshrieben im Yahr, 1823." Bottom of page has a large design of red and yellow fruit hanging from blue leaves dotted with red. (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Paper is generally good; colors have been smeared. lifted and muddled, esp. along top edge and bottom 1/3 of bookplate, probably due to moisture damage. Tear of 1 1/2" extends from left edged ( 1 1/2" up from bottom) into center of page. BP is adhered to detached front cover of NT that is deteriorated brown leather with metal hooks for clasps still intact; residue to glue at four corners.
Bookplate done on page removed from a book (and also attached to a blank succeeding page). Vertically-oriented design fills page, done in the style of Joseph H. McGlaughlin with his 'ribbon candy' border. Top and bottom have this band of ribbon candy border done in pink, red and blue. Remnant of side border is apparent only at right edge.
Lettering fills the central space. It reads, from top: "Property of/ John B. Zook/ Talmage/ Lanc. Co./ Pa." Zook's name is written on a banner/ribbon. At bottom, above the lower border is written: "Mar. 4, 1899." Within the lower border is the name of the scrivener: "E.B.Zook Leola, Pa." (Written by Wendell Zercher)
Generally good, but age darkened with minor soiling/staning, especially along right side. Edges of pate are torn and folded under. One inch-long vertical tear at bottom right. Breaking paper along right edge.
Bookplate on white paper reads: "Dieses Buch/ gehoret Mir/ John B Stolzfus/ geschrieben April 19/ 1910". Lettering is one in blue ink, except for name which is in pink. Above and below text, in the style of Josephy McGlaughlin, is a band of 'ribbon candy' decoration done in light blue, blue and pink and gold stripes. (Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Paper has some darkening especially around edges. Some acid burn overall. Small tears on top and right edges and loss on bottom right corner. Left edge is moderately worn. Small worn area with paint loss in center of lower border.
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)
Late 19th century framed bookplate for Cyrus Singer. Water color on ruled paper.
In center of page "Cyrus Singer" is written in thin red fraktur lettering with gold highlights. There are groups of four red flowers above and below the name. They have green, brown, and gold leaves and pink stems that radiate from center points. (Written by Nicole Bangert.)
Provenance
Purchased from the New Oxford Antique Center, New Oxford, PA, for $350.00. Received on 10 December 2000.
Moderate foxing and soiling overall. Slight buckling. Small water stain to left of bottom right flower. Some darkening especially around edges. Diagonal crease across lower left side of page. Tear on right side near center and small tear further down on right side. Losses at corners. Small stains and acid burns around edges.
Presentation fraktur attributed to David Frey is watercolor drawing of a bird on a branch. Executed on a rectangular piece of tan wove paper, the watercolor is done in yellow, green, red and brown. The nicely detailed bird faces viewer's left, perched on a leaf of a tendril-like branch growing out of the ground. Framed in a molded walnut frame that was cut down from a larger one.
Inscribed in ink on reverse side in elegant script is "Nancy Frey./ 1830." Seller believes this may be a daughter of David's son, Jacob Frey (b. 1785) and wife Elizabeth of Rapho Twp. Hess says Anna (Nancy) was born c. 1825 and is likely a sister of Catharina Frey, recipient of drawing P.04.49.3.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Drawing, sold by Mr. Clarke E. Hess of Lititz, PA for $1,100.00. (He purchased the drawing recently--2004--from a dealer in Bucks County.)
Attributed to David Frey (12-14-1759 to 3/14/1841). Inscribed on back: "Nancy Frey-1830." (Apparently a grandchild..)
Very significant paper loss in lower wind area. The actual pigment is missing, but is found adhered to reverse of Frey's other bird drawing, P.04.49.3. The tow pieces obviously had been stored together for a long time, allowing this adhesion. Minor soiling of paper.
Presentation fraktur attributed to David Frey is a watercolored drawing of a bird on a tulip. Executed on a rectangular piece of tan wove paper, the watercolor is done in yellow, green, red, pink, blue, black and brown. The nicely detailed bird faces the viewer's right, perched on the bent stem of a tulip with one yellow bloom at tip: plant is growing out of the ground. Frame is softwood with a dark mahogany veneer on beveled face.
Inscribed in ink on reverse side in elegant script is "Catharina Frey. 1832." Seller believes this may be a daughter of David's son, Jacob Frey (b. 1785) and wife Elizabeth of Rapho Twp. Hess says Catharina is likely the younger sister of Anna (Nancy), recipient of drawing P.04.49.2.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Sold by Mr. Clarke E. Hess of Lititz, PA, for $1.100. Mr. Hess purchased the drawing in Bucks County. (2004)
Very significant insect damage with tears at left edge extending inwards one inch toward wing tips; also two smaller holes below legs and on stem. Original damage appears to have occurred over liquid stain. Old repair on reverse using additional backing paper is now adhered only at bottom. The reverse side carries the residue of pigment missing from P.04.49.2, indicating that the two pieces of paper had been stored together for a long time. Minor flaking/losses of pigment. Minor soiling of paper. Replaced wood back with acid-free matboard.
Presentation fraktur or bookmark on wove paper and watercolor floral design made for Esther Weber and attributed to David Frey. Polychrome flowering plant rises from the bottom edge and is adorned with six red flowers. Reverse side has "Ester Weberin" above the date "1815" written in black ink in German script.
Fraktur is pressure-mounted on a light brown matboard within a small frame with walnut-veneered face. Reverse side of matboard has a window cutout covered with Mylar revealing the inscription for Esther Weber.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Information on David Frey is as of yet unpublished. Seller (Mr. Clarke E. Hess) writes: "He produced a considerable number of small bird and floral drawing (I have three) for his student in Penn, Rapho and Warwick Twps. I identified his work a few years ago. I had earlier dubbed him the "Eby Schoolhouse Artist" because of drawings that were executed for the Hans Eby family of Warwick Twp. Frey was from a Moravian family, but most certainly joined either the Mennonites or Dunkards. He died in 1841, and his will is in the Lancaster Court House."
Heavily stained in spots overall; paint losses at fold lines within top 3/4 inches of piece. Significant paper losses at top edge and minor losses at bottom edge. Spilled or errant ink marks at four point within the lower 1 3/4".
Small print, hand-colored, of a stag, attributed to David Bixler.
Outline of deer was printed on wove paper and then hand-colored and embellished with details. Stag has feathered antlers and is colored ochre. He is striding across landscape between two dark green upright bushes. Minimal color of blue sky, red and green ground and a double-line border of brown around the paper's edge.
Print is mounted onto acid-free matboard with one hinge at top and framed in a simply molded wooden frame painted green.
P.01.59.1 is another print by David Bixler.
Provenance
Purchased from Mr. Ronald Trauger of Quakertown, PA for $3,158.00.
Artist David Bixler (b. 5 Jan 1808) was active 1828-1864. This stag drawing dates in the 1850s near Fivepointville, Brecknock Twp.
Watercolor painting of strawberries with no background/context, on irregularly cut plain white piece of paper. Berry stems are painted black, berries are red with green and blue sepals, and of the green leaves only one is fully veined, in black. Watercolor was overvarnished, giving a glossy finish.
Mounted on matboard with glue and placed in modern natural-finished frame with sealed back. New article on H. Lapp taped to back, numerous inscriptions on back including "H. Lapp $325 1979" at top. "Elizabeth A. Gilbert" and "56" on a circular sticker at bottom.
(Written by Wendell Zercher.)
Provenance
Bequeathed from the estate of Mary R. Gilbert. Apparently purchased in 1979 for $325.00.
Paining is of plums attached to branch with one leaf; no background, done on small plain white paper. Plums are deep purple, leaf is green and branch is brown. Pencilled sketch lines can be seen, including the veining of the one leaf. All watercolored areas have been overpainted with a glossy laquer or varnish.
Pasted onto matboard and mounted in modern lightly-stained frame with sealed back.
Note: This painting had previously been viewed using the right side (with pin holes) as the top edge. There appear to be remnants of hinges along this edge and others.
