Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Watermark: A K [Abraham Keller]
Transcription:

Geburts= und Tauf=Schein.
Diese beyden Ehegatten, als Jacob Walter und seiner ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Catharina eine gebohrne Stahlen ist eine Tochter zur \ Welt gebohren, Namens Elisabeta im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1805 \ den 24 ten Tag September im 1 Uhr Morgens im Zeichen der Wage \ Diese Elisabeta ist Gebohren und Getauft in America, im Staat Pennsylvanien, \ in Northumberland Caunty, in Turbut Taunschip \ Obgemelde Elisabeta ist Getauft worden den 17ten November 1805 \ von Herrn Ingold Tauf=Zeugen waren Ihr Vater und Mutter

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, allzu reif \ zur Todtenbahre; Und wer weiß in welcher Stunde, uns die letzte 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 S. u. R.
Gedruckt, \ im Jahr \ 1803.

[in lower left]
Ich bin getauft, ich steh’ im Bunde, \ Durch meine Tauf mit meinem Gott! \ So sprech’ ich stets mit frohem Munde, \ in Kreuz, in Trübsal, Angst und Noth. \ Ich bin getauft, des freu ich mich, \ Die Freude bleibt mir ewiglich.

[in lower 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 Walter and his lawful wife Catharina, a born Stahlen, a daughter was born into the world, named Elisabeta, in the year of our Lord Jesus 1805, the 24th day of September at 1 o’clock in the morning, in the sign of Libra. This Elisabeta was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in Northumberland County, in Turbot Township. Above mentioned Elisabeta was baptized on the 17th of November 1805 by Mister Ingold. Sponsors were her father and mother.

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.
Prepared by S. and R.
Printed in the year 1803.

[in lower left]
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 lower 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-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 in the lower corners. In the upper center is a star, and in the lower center is a flower within a circle. In the lower corners are two leafy plants. The hearts are flanked by leafy stems of tulips.

The "S.u.R." may be a reference to Schneider & Ritter, or could also be the scrivener/decorator.  Another example of this edition with similar decoration is in the Stopp collection.

Associated Names: Walter, Jacob
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, p. 140-141.

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

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): 1803
Image Dimensions Width: 33.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1166
Creator Name: Johann Ritter (1779-1851) - Printer/Publisher
Jacob Schneider (active 1796-1804) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener