Item Info

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

[central text]
Haus=Segen.
In den drei allerhöchsten Namen, \ Vater, Sohn und Heil’ger Geist, \ Die das Chor der Engel preißt, \ Gesundheit, Ruh’ und Segen, amen.

Gott des Vaters Schöpfers Hand \ Segne dieses Haus und Land, \ Daß das Futter und die Saaten \ Immer mögen wohlgerathen; \ Daß der Viehstand wohl gedeyhe, \ Und sich seines Segens freye. \ Daß seine väterliche Güte \ Haus und Hof und Stall und Scheuer \ Für Unglück und besonders Feuer \ Immer gnädiglich behüte.

Auch geb’ er, daß auf jeder Wange \ Die edele Gesundheit prange \ Und zur Vollendung uns’rer Werke \ Geb’ er den Gliedern Kraft und Stärke. \ Er wende von uns in Gnaden \ Hagel= und Gewitter=Schaden. \ Auch wolle er die zarten Blüthen \ Für Später Kält’ und Frost behüten.

Mögen des Erlösers Werke \ Ihre Kraft und ihre Stärke \ Stets an diesem Haus beweisen; \ jedes darinn nach Tugend strebe \ Und friedlich mit dem andern lebe \ Und guten Wandels sich befleiße; \ Daß Schand’ und Laster insgeheim \ Entfernt von diesem Hauße sein.

Der heil’ge Geist kehr hier auch ein \ Und laß’ es seine Wohnung seyn, \ Heil’ge unser Thun und Laßen, \ Aus= und Eingang gleichermaßen; Heil’ge uns zum sel’gen Sterben \ Und mach’ uns zu Himmels-Erben.

Reading: gedruckt und zu haben bey Johann Ritter und Comp.

in upper left]
Mein Gott und Vater segne mich; \ Der Sohn erhalte gnädiglich \ Was er mir hat gegeben, \ Der Geist erleuchte Tag und Nacht \ Sein Antliz über mich mit Macht \ und schüze mir mein Leben. \ Nur dieses wünsch’ ich für und für, \ Der Segen Gottes sey mit mir.

[in upper right]
Laß Herr dein’n Segen auf mir ruhn, \ Mich deine Wege wallen \ Und lehre du mich selber thun \ Nach deinem Wohlgefallen. \ Nimm meines Lebens gnädig wahr; \ Auf dich hofft meine Seele; \ Sei mir ein Retter in Gefahr \ Ein Vater wann ich fehle.

Translation:

[central text]
House Blessing
In the three highest names, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, that the choir of the angels praises, health, peace and blessing. Amen.

God, the Father’s Creator’s hand, bless this house and land, so that the feed and the seeds will always turn out well; so that the cattle will thrive and take pleasure in your blessing. That your fatherly goodness may always graciously protect house and farm and stable and barn from misfortune and especially fire.

And may he also give, that every cheek glows with precious healthfulness, and for the completion of our works, he may give our limbs strength and power. With mercy he may avert from us any damage by hail and thunderstorms. And he will also protect the tender blossoms from late cold and frost.

May the Savior’s works always demonstrate their strength and power in this house; everybody inside may strive for virtue and live peacefully with the others. And practice good habits, so that secret shame and vices will stay away from this house.

May the Holy Ghost enter here and let it be his home. Bless our doings and actions, comings and goings alike; hallow us with a blessed death and make us into heirs of Heaven. –Amen.

Reading: printed and to be had from Johann Ritter and Comp.

[in upper left]
My God and Father bless me; the Son may mercifully received what he has given me. May the Spirit illuminate above me his countenance with power day and night, and protect my life. I only wish this one thing for and for, that God’s grace be with me.

[in upper right]
Lord, let your blessing rest upon me, let me walk your ways, and teach me to do according to your pleasure. Acknowledge my life with mercy, my soul is hoping in you; be my Savior in danger, a Father when I am amiss.

Category: House Blessing (Haussegen)
Media Type: Letterpress Prints
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-colored; printed form. The central text within a rectangular frame is in the middle of the document. Two verses within frames are in the upper corners. The main text is flanked by two winged cherubs, one holding a staff with banner displaying a cross, and the other with a laurel wreath and palm branch. On each side below them is a bird on a leafy branch. The one on the left holds fruit in his beak. In the lower center is an assortment of fruits and grain, including grapes and corn. In the top center is an angel in a cloud, with two trumpets.
Ritter began printing house blessings as early as 1816 and continued producing them into the 1820s at least. Several variations of this version are known.

Associated Names: Ritter, Johann
Bibliography:

Don Yoder, The Pennsylvania German Broadside: A History and Guide (University Park, Pa.: The Pennsylvania State Univ. Press for The Library Company of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania German Society, 2005), pp. 204-205.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, pp. 164-218.

Russell and Corinne Earnest, Flying Leaves and One-Sheets: Pennsylvania German Broadsides, Fraktur, and Their Printers (New Castle, Del.: Oak Knoll Books, 2005), pp. 150-151.

Russell D. Earnest, Corinne P. Earnest, and Patricia Earnest Suter, God Bless This House: The Printed House Blessings (Haus-Segen) of the Pennsylvania Germans 1780-1921 (Clayton, Del.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 2015), p. 82. 

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of printshop
Region/County:Berks
City/Town/Township:Reading
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1830
Image Dimensions Width: 41.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 153
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Johann Ritter (1779-1851) - Printer/Publisher