Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Tauf=Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als Valentin Kaufmann und seiner Ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Magdalena eine gebohrne Albrecht ist eine Tochter zur Welt \ gebohren, Namens Esther im Jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1808 den 1 ten \ Tag Februar um 5 Uhr Morgens im Zeichen des Widders
Diese Tochter ist Gebohren und Getauft in Amerika, im Staat Pennsilvanien Caunty, Berks \ Taunschip, Bern Obgemelde Tochter ist Getauft worden, den sogleich \ von Herrn Maier
Tauf=Zeugen \ Cassper Allbrecht.

Wann wir kaum gebohren werden, ist vom ersten Lebenstritt, bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, Nur ein kurz gemssner 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 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.

Ephrata: bey S. Baumann.

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

[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, das Fey= \ erkleid.

[penciled in lower left]
Starb den 23ten April 1871.
 

Translation:

Baptismal Certificate.
To these two married people, namely Valentin Kaufmann and his lawful wife Magdalena, a born Albrecht, a daughter was born into the world, named Esther, in the year of our Lord 1808 on the 1st day of February at 5 o’clock in the morning, in the sign of Aries.
This daughter was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, Berks County, Bern Township. Above mentioned daughter was baptized right away by Mr. Maier. Sponsors: Cassper Allbrecht.

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.

Ephrata: at S. Baumann.

[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.

[penciled in lower left]
Died on the 29th April 1871
 

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, one verse and the imprint in Fraktur are within a heart in the center of the document. Above the imprint is a pair of birds perched on flowers in a vase. Two additional verses in Fraktur are within small hearts in the lower corners. From each of them protrudes a leafy branch with a bird. In the upper corners and center are several leafy stems of flowers, including tulips. On the sides are two stars. In the lower corners are two springing deer, and in the lower center are two flowers.

Associated Names: Maier
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1997) vol. 2, p. 209.

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

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1810
Image Dimensions Width: 32.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 1179
Creator Name: Samuel Baumann (1788-1820) - Printer/Publisher
Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener