Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Elisabetha ist geboren von \ Christlich Ehrlich Evangeli= \ schen Lutherisch Eltern Ihm \ Jahr 1799 den 2ten November \ ihre Eltern sind der Ehrsame \ Georg Adam Zettelmayer u. \ seine Ehefrau Christina und \ getauft vom alten Lut: prdiger \ Friederich Miller prediger der Libano Kirche cc
Wendsor Taunschip=Bercks Caunty: Pen

[in upper frame]
Dein Sohn o gott hat mich sehr theuer erkauft und du hast mich o gott \ da ich getauft zu deinem kinde angenommen und von sünden abgewo [text breaks off]

[in heart]
seine Taufe \ ist die thür die \ dich zu himm \ el führe

[along sides and top]
Schreib meinen Namen aufs beste in daß buch des lebens ein und bind mein seel fein vester ins [text breaks off]
 

Translation:

Elisabetha was born to Christian honest protestant Lutheran parents in the year 1799, on the 2nd of November. Her parents are the honorable Georg Adam Zettelmayer and his wife Christina, and was baptized by the old Lutheran preacher Friederich Miller, preacher in the Lebanon church. Windsor Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

[in upper frame]
The son, o God, has purchased me dearly and you, o god, because I am baptized have taken me on as your child and [rid] me of all sin.

[in heart]
His baptism is the door that leads you to Heaven.

[along sides and top]
Write my name to your best ability in the book of life and bind my lovely soul more tightly [text breaks off]
 

Category: Birth and Baptismal Certificate (Geburts und Taufschein)
Media Type: Manuscripts
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The main text in Fraktur within a rectangular frame is in the center of the document. A verse within a heart in cluster of circular and leafy shapes is in the lower center. Another verse is written along the upper sides and top edge of the document. A third verse within a rectangular frame that is topped by various geometrical shapes is in the upper center. Next to it are two stars. On each side of the document is a woman wearing a long dress, necklace and hat. The entire document is framed by a decorative border.

Friederick Miller was formerly known as the Smoke Church Artist.  For another example of his work, see FLP 345.

 

Associated Names: Zettelmayer, Georg Adam
Bibliography:

"Smoke Church Artist"  in Russell D. and Corinne P. Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes: Guide to the Fraktur Artists and Scriveners (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997), 2^nd ed., vol. 2, pp. 708-709.

Antique Collecting (April 1978): p. 28.

Maine Antiques Digest (May 1978): p. 20-B.

Russell and Corinne Earnest, “FRAKTUR-FEST II: A Tribute to Richard S. Machmer,” in Der Reggboge 41, no. 2 (2007): 8-11.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on artist's location and location of birth
Region/County:Berks
City/Town/Township:Windsor Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1800
Image Dimensions Width: 20.8 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1210
Creator Name: [Friederick Miller (c. 1749-1827)] - Decorator
[Friederick Miller (c. 1749-1827)] - Scrivener