Item Info

Language: German
Weiser Number: 871
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Johannes Schopf \ Ist gebohren im Jahre unsers Herrn und Heilandes \ Jesu Christi, Anno 1783 ten 22 September. \ Im Zeichen des Löwens. \ gott allein die \ Ehre.

Translation:

Johannes Schopf was born in the year of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ, anno 1783, the 22 of September. In the sign of Leo. To God alone the glory.

Category: Birth Certificate (Geburtsschein)
Media Type: Manuscripts
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The text in Fraktur within a heart-shaped vase is in the center of the document. It is surrounded by a rectangular frame. In the upper center is a crown. In the upper corners are two inward looking birds. In the lower corners are two urns with leafy, flowering vines. In the lower center is an ornament with a face. The text and frames are surrounded by a profusion of leafy flowering vines. The entire document is enclosed by a decorative border. The Johannes Schopf who owned this birth certificate was likely the same as the Johannes Schopp for whom a Vorschrift was made in 1797 (FLP 562). Although the signature “Johannes Schopp” on the Vorschrift has been interpreted as that of the artist, it is questionable whether or not Schopf made any of the pieces himself. Several other fraktur by the same hand are known, most with Lancaster County locations. For related examples, see FLP 562, 615, 618.

Associated Names: Schopp, Johannes
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Johannes Schopp 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. 675-676.

Creation Place County: Creation Place Note:Based on design characteristics and artist’s location
Region/County:[Lancaster]
State/Province:[Pennsylvania]

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1785
Image Dimensions Width: 19.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 383
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener