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.
Printed 3-heart form B&BC in German, on laid paper, is infilled with red ink for Anna Bofenmeyer/Bosenmeyer, born 29 May 1805 in Warwick Twp. and baptized by Emanuel Schultz. Sponsors were Peter and Anna Miller. Parents were David Bofenmeyer/Bosenmeyer and wife Magdalena nee Conrad. This main text within large central heart has title "Tauf = Schein". Below main text is added: "Ich bin confermiert und das erste was zum Abendmahl gegangen." (I was confirmed and went to Holy Communion for the first time 26 May 1821). Below this text is a tailpiece of birds with spreading wings and below this is the imprint "EPHRATA: Gedruckt bey / Samuel Baumann." Two small hearts flank tip of large heart, with religious verse. Borders printed with 3 large sprays of flowers at top. Center of sides is rose blossom at left and 2 billing birds at right. At lower corners are birds perching on branch growing out of the small hearts. Running stagsat very bottom corners and two large leaves at bottom center. Strong, dark-printed border line at bottom supports stags and 2 leaves.
Klaus Stopp writes in B&BCs of the German Americans, on p. 216 of Vol. 2, that this paper carries a watermark of "B & JB" and a flying bird indicating Benjamin and Joseph B, sons of papermaker Christian Baumann (1755-1815). Clarence Spohn has evidence that these 2 sons rented the Ephrara papermill from 1816-1819. Since Samuel Baumann sold his business in 1816, this printed edition had to have been made in this year. Stopp numbers this B&BC edition #276 (p. 216) and lists among the examples, this Bofenmeyer fraktur.
Infill in Warwick Twp., unknown; Printed in Ephrata by Samuel Baumann.
Large, heavy liquid stains over most of surface. Fold lines are breaking or broken with holes and tears in numerous places, esp. the left half. Very ragged and folded over edges. Paper has high rag content and is very pliable.
Object ID
2004.742
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser, 2 Sept 1988. This fraktur designated #42.
This B&BC is related to 2004.738 and 2004.739 due to common surname.
