Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 44
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Ich Wünsche Euch Alle Ein \ Glückseliges Neues Jahr, Friede Und Ey= \ nigkeit, Gesuntheit, Langes Leben, und zuletzt Die Ewige Glückseligkeit., \ Die Zeit ist nun gekommen, wir sehn das neue jahr, wir sehn das heil der frommen, der heilant stelt sich dar, \ Glaubt recht und lebet wohl, und lernt an diesem Tage, die antwort auf die frage, was mann euch wünschen \ soll. Ein jedem hauß und was darin, dem wünsch ich einen rechten sinn, zu Gottes Preiß und ehr all= \ zeit, der hauß und Hof allzeit verleit. Daß Ehleut leben friedenreich, tragen lieb und leid zugleich, \ sie sein ein fleisch, ein hertz und geist, die gnad o Gott an ihnen leist. Die jungen gesellen ins gemein, die \ Töchter auch Erhalt gott rein, und geb ihren guten sinn und muth, zu überwünden fleisch und bludt. Das \ wünsch ich euch von hertzen all, zu sein ein Volck daß gott gefall, Ein gutes Volck ein heilig Stadt, \ die seh auf Gott gantz striß und satt.

Geschrieben von dem C. M. als Schulmeister, in Läncester Caunty, in Mondschey Taunschip, Ao 1796

[penciled on reverse]
Peter Risser

Translation:

I wish all of you a blessed new year, peace and harmony, health, long life and finally the eternal happiness. The time has now come, we see the new year, we see the salvation of the pious, the savior presents himself. Believe rightly and live well, and learn on this day the answer to the question as to what one should wish for you. To each house and whatever is inside I wish a right sense of God’s praise and honor at all times. [May God] grant [you] house and farm at all times. That married people live in abundant peace, bear love and suffering together; they may be one flesh, one heart and one spirit; accomplish grace, o God, on them. The young men [journeymen] altogether, the daughters also God keep pure and give them sense and courage to overcome flesh and blood. This I wish for you with all my heart, to be a people that pleases God, a good people, a holy city, that looks upon God completely happy (?) and content.
Written by C. M. as schoolmaster in Lancaster County, in Mount Joy Township, Anno 1796. 

[penciled on reverse]
Peter Risser

Category: New Year’s Wish (Neujahrswunsch)
Media Type: Manuscripts
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. The text extends across the entire document. It is framed by a decorative border of solid and wavy lines. The first letter is prominent and richly decorated. The first three lines are in Fraktur; the remainder of the text is in German script.
 

Associated Names: Risser, Peter
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Christian Mertel” 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. 2, pp. 544-546.

Frederick S. Weiser, “Christian Mertel, the CM Artist,” in Der Reggeboge 21, no. 2 (1987): 75-85.

Henry S. Borneman, Pennsylvania German Illuminated Manuscripts (Norristown, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1937), published as plate 18.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on inscription on document
Region/County:Lancaster
City/Town/Township:Mount Joy Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1796
Image Dimensions Width: 19.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 170
Creator Name: Christian Mertel (1739-1802) - Decorator
Christian Mertel (1739-1802) - Scrivener