Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 348
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburts= und Tauf=Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als Conrad Hornberger und seiner ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Elisabeth eine gebohrne Mosterin ist ein Kind zur \ Welt gebohren, Namens Maria Mosterin Hornberger, im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1800. \ den 27ten Tag April um [blank] Uhr [blank] im Zeichen de [blank] \ Diese Maria Hornberger ist Gebohren und Getauft in America, im Staat Pennsylvanien, \ in Berks Caunty, in Pregneck Taunschip \ Obgemelde Maria Hornberger ist Getauft worden den [blank]\ von Herrn Pfarer Peter Bentz Tauf=Zeugen waren Margretha Hornberger. 

Wann wir kaum gebohren werden, ist vom ersten Lebenstritt bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, Nur ein kurz gemessner Schritt. \ Ach mit jedem Augenblick! Gehet unsre Kraft zurück. Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, allzureif zur Todtenbahre; Und wer weiß in welcher Stunde, uns die lezte Stimme weckt: \ Dann GOtt hat’s mit seinem Munde, keinem Menschen noch entdeckt. \ Wer sein Haus nun wohl bestellt geht mit Freuden aus der Welt. \ Da die Sicherheit hingegen; Ewigs Sterben kan erregen.

Verfertigt von F. B.
Gedruckt, \ im Jahr \ 1802.

[in left heart]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh im Bunde, \ Durch meine Tauf mit meinem GOtt \ So sprech’ ich stets mit frohem Munde; \ in Creutz, in Trübsal, Angst und Noth, \ Ich bin getauft, deß’ freu \ ich mich, Die Freude \ bleibet ewig= \ lich.

[in right heart]
Ich bin getauf, 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, das Feu= \ erkleid.
 

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people namely Conrad Hornberger and his lawful wife Elisabeth, a born Mostin, a child was born into the world, named Maria Hornberger, in the year of our Lord Jesus 1800, on the 27th day of April at [blank] o’clock, in the sign of [blank]. This Maria Hornberger was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Berks County, in Brecknock Township. Above mentioned Maria Hornberger was baptized on the [blank] by Mister Pastor Peter Bentz. Sponsors was Margretha Hornberger. 

Scarcely born into the world, it is only a short measured pace from the first step to the cool grave in the earth. O with every moment! Our strength diminishes, and with every year we grow more ripe for the bier. And who knows in what hour the final voice will awaken us, because God has not revealed this to anybody yet. Who tends to his house will depart from the world with joy. Because surety, in contrast, can provoke eternal death.

Made by F. B.
Printed in the year 1802.

[in left heart]
I am baptized, I stand united with my God through my baptism. I therefore always speak joyfully in hardship, sadness, fear and need. I am baptized, that’s a joy for me. The joy lasts eternally.

[in right heart]
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-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The main text in Fraktur within a heart is in the center of the document. The two verses in Fraktur within hearts are beneath it. From their tops protrude branches with leaves and small berries. Two birds are sitting on them. In the upper center is a mermaid holding a hand mirror, and in the upper corners are bunches of flowers. In the lower center are two leafy branches with two birds. See FLP 100 and 1123 for related examples decorated by the same artist. 

Associated Names: Schneider, Jacob
Bibliography:

"F.T. Ebbecke"  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. 215-216.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, pp. 136-137.

Russell and Corinne Earnest, “FRAKTUR-FEST II: A Tribute to Richard S. Machmer,” in Der Reggboge 41, no. 2 (2007): 11-12.

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

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): 1802
Image Dimensions Width: 33 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1077
Creator Name: [Jacob Schneider (active 1796-1804)] - Printer/Publisher
[Johann Ritter (1779-1851)] - Printer/Publisher
[Frederick Christopher Bischoff (1771-1834)] - Scrivener
[Frederick Christopher Bischoff (1771-1834)] - Decorator