Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script; Roman script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 29
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Benedict \ Gerber der Sohn der Ch= \ ristlichen Ehe=gatten Jacob \ Gerber und Elisabeth Gerberin \ ist gebohren den 22 December Anno \ Domini 1796
Taufzeugen Benedict Gerber \ und seine Frau Dorothea. \ Ich habe Jesum angezogen Schon \ längst in meiner Heiligen Tauf \ er ist mir auch daher gewogen \ hat mich Zum kind genommen\ auf Soly Deo Gloria

[on left]
New Providence \ Township

[on right]
Montgomery \ County

Translation:

Benedict Gerber, the son of the Christian married couple Jacob Gerber and Elisabeth Gerberin, was born the 22 December, anno domino 1796.
Sponsors Benedict Gerber and his wife Dorothea. I put on Jesus a long time ago in my Holy baptism. He is therefore kind to me and took me on as a child. Soli Deo Gloria [Glory to God alone].

[on left]
New Providence \ Township \

[on right]
Montgomery \ County \

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 and German script is in the center of the document. The first word is written in particularly prominent and decorative calligraphy. Additional text in German script within a frame of leaves is in the lower center. The place of birth in Roman script is in two wreaths on the sides. In the lower corners are two flower pots with various leafy stems of flowers, including two large tulips. Between the text frames are additional leafy stems of flowers and vines. The entire document is enclosed by a decorative frame. This is one of only about four known fraktur by the Soly Deo Gloria Artist, so called because of his use of that phrase on his fraktur. However, other artists also used the same phrase.

Associated Names: Gerber, Jacob
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Soly Deo Gloria 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. 1, p. 713.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of birth
Region/County:Montgomery
City/Town/Township:New Providence Township [now Upper Providence Township]
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1810
Image Dimensions Width: 19.9 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 364
Creator Name: [Soly Deo Gloria Artist (active c. 1776-1796)] - Decorator
[Soly Deo Gloria Artist (active c. 1776-1796)] - Scrivener