Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Weiser Number: 467
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: M&L
Transcription:

Geburt und Taufschein. \ Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als: \ Jacob Hersch und seiner \ ehelichen Hausfrau Magdalena geborne \ Freundin ist eine Tochter zur welt \ geboren den 5ten Tag April im Jahr \ unsers HErrn, 1812 Diese Tochter ist \ geboren in W Bethlehem T in Waschinton \ Caunty, im Staat Pensilvania in Nord=Amerika; \ und ist getauft worden von Hrn. Pf. H. Weygand \ und erhielt den Namen Anna \ den 17 Tag September im Jahr unsers Hrn. \ 1812 Die Tauf=Zeugen waren \ die Eltern . 

Grünsburg, gedruckt und zu haben bey Johannes Armbrust.

[on the left]
Ich bin getauft, und eingeschrieben, \ Mich schleußt das Buch des Lebens ein \ Mein Vater wird mich ewig lieben \ Und seinem Kinde gnädig seyn; \ Es ist sein Name Gott bekannt \ Mein name steht in seiner Hand.

[on the right]
Ich bin getauft! ob ich gleich sterbe, \ Was schadet mir das kühle Grab? \ Ich weiß mein Vaterland und Erbe, \ Das ich bey Gott im Himmel hab: \ Nach meinem Tod ist mir bereit, \ Des Himmels Freud und Feier=Kleid. 
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate.
To these two married people namely Jacob Hersch and his lawful wife Magdalena, born Freundin, a daughter was born into the world on the 5th day of April in the year of our Lord 1812. This daughter was born in West Bethlehem Township, in Washington County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, and was baptized by Mr. Pastor H. Weygand, and received the name Anna on the 17th day of September in the year of our Lord 1812. The sponsors were the parents.

Greensburg, printed and to be had from Johannes Armbrust.

[on the left]
I am baptized and recorded; the book of life encloses me. My father will always love me and have mercy with his child. His name is well known to God; my name is written in his hand.

[on the right]
I am baptized, and when I die, how can the cool grave hurt me? I know my fatherland and legacy that I will have with God in Heaven. After death, Heaven’s garment of joy and celebration is prepared for me.
 

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

Hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The main text in Fraktur within a rectangular frame is in the center of the document. The two verses in Fraktur are to its lower sides. Above them are two images of men carrying crosses. In the left corner is an image of several men in front of a house. One of the men is sitting and appears to be holding bags. The other two are standing next to him. All wear tailcoats and hats. In the upper right corner is an image of two women and one man in front of a house. Next to them are chickens and a tree. In the lower left corner are two birds on a branch. In the lower right corner is a rectangular image with a figure in the clouds that appears to be blowing the wind, or shining a ray of light, toward the earth. In the lower center are two cherubs surrounded by plants and other trees. The entire document is framed by a border of flowers and ornaments.

This is the only known printed taufschein edition known by Armbrust.  Four copies are extant, one in a private collection is for Johannes Hersch, a sibling of Anna Hersch.

Associated Names: Weygand, H.
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997) vol. 2, p. 218; published on p. 219.

Secondary Place Town/Township: Geographic Coverage State/Province:Pennsylvania
Geographic Coverage City/Town/Township:West Bethlehem Township
Geographic Coverage Note:Based on location of birth
Geographic Coverage Region/County:Washington

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

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1820
Image Dimensions Width: 31 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1015
Creator Name: Anonymous - Scrivener
Anonymous - Decorator
Johannes Armbrust (?-?) - Printer/Publisher