Rectangular piece of brown wove paper has the manuscript name "Susie B Fisher" in upper half of page. The inked letters are water-colored with red, orange, and blue stripes, and the three upper case letters are decorated with a vining filigree of roses. A small bird hovers in flight above the first "S". Still visible are two horizontal lines penciled in by the artist to guide the size of his lower case lettering. Centered below the name, at mid-page, are two drooping red tulips.
Attributed to Elizabeth K. Beiler or John Doell who also penned the 1901 family register of Noah and Catharine (Katie) Fisher (P89.07.4). Their style is extremely similar and they were working in approx. the same period.
Also in this collection is a needlework family register (P89.07.3) done by Susie Fisher (assumed to be the subject of this fraktur).
John Doell was "English" and appears to have worked exclusively among eastern Lancaster Co. Amish families, penning book plates, family records, etc. He likely traveled throughout the communities offering his services. Mennonite historian/collector, Amos Hoover, owner of Muddy Creek Farm Libray, notes that Doell came to America in 1857 and died in Zion's Home in 1908.
Doell's work is similar to Amish artist Elizabeth K. Beiler (see McCauleys' Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125.)
2009-2011 Amish exhibit, City Hall, 2nd floor.
Provenance
Provenance: Vendor Trish Herr purchased at the Mary H. Fisher sale held at the Paradise Fire Hall, April 19, 1989.
John G. Doell or Elizabeth K. Beiler (see notes in file)
Darkened overall from acid burn and/or light. Smaller brown stains of varying size sprinkled over much of surface as well as lighter spots and blotches esp. at left side. Several tiny edge tears including one at right edge, about 7/8" up from bottom corner. 1/4" tear in right edge above center. 1/4" tear in bottom edge, 7/8" from left corner. Faint horizontal fold lines.
Object ID
P.89.07.5
Notes
See P 89.07.3 and .4 for family registers of Susie's family.
Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp.54 and 195-196. The fraktur hand of Elizabeth K. Beiler and John G. Doell are so similar that it can be difficult to attribute.
McCauley, Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Report of the committee having in charge the marking of the site of the Postlethwaite Tavern where the first Courts of Justice in Lancaster County were held
The slavery question during the terms of office of John Whitehill and Robert Jenkins, Congressmen from Lancaster County from 1803 to 1807 and 1807 to 1811 respectively
