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.
