Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 79
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: PU
Transcription:

Christlicher geburt und Tauff schein, \
Pillib Jacob Kohr ist geboren \ den 21 November im Jahr Christi \ 1783 in der wage \ 1783

[in lower left]
Lud \ wig \ Kohr ist \ geboren \ Im Jar \ 1780 \ den 27 Abbril

[in lower right]
Im wasser \ man

Translation:

Christian Birth and Baptismal Certificate.
Pillib Jacob Kohr was born the 21 November in the year of Christ 1783, in the [sign of] Libra. 1783.

[in lower left]
Ludwig Kohr was born in the year 1780, the 27 April.

[in lower right]
In the [sign of] Aquarius.

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

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The title in Fraktur runs along the upper edge of the item. The remainder of the text, written in German script by an anonymous scrivener, is in the center as well as the lower corners. The center text is flanked by two birds with their necks extended upward. Next to them are two inward facing parrots. In the upper center is a floral motif flanked by two rampant horses or unicorns. In the lower center is a cluster of flowers. The entire document is framed by a decorative border.
See FLP 1051 for a certificate with similar designs also attributed to Conrad Gilbert. Gilbert has also been referred to as the Berks County Artist, Bern Township Artist, and Reading-Berks Artist.

Associated Names: Kohr, Phillip Jacob
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Johann Conrad Gilbert” 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, pp. 309-311.

Frederick S. Weiser, “His Deeds Followed Him: The Fraktur of John Conrad Gilbert,” in Der Reggeboge 16, no. 2 (1982): 33-45; published as fig. 13.

Creation Place County: Creation Place Note:Based on artist’s location
Region/County:[Berks]
State/Province:[Pennsylvania]

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1800
Image Dimensions Width: 21.3 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 400
Creator Name: [Gilbert, Johann Conrad (1734-1812)] - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener