Item Info

Scripts/Text: Roman print; Roman script
Language: English
Weiser Number: 458
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Certificate of Birth and Christening.
To these two parents as Jacob Smith and \ his Wife Elizabeth a born Humbright was born a Son \ in the year of Our Lord 1818. the 11^th Day of May. This \ Child was baptized by the Revd. William Hiester and received \ the Name of William Henry. Witness present to the holy \ act of Baptism the above named Parents Jacob Smith & Elisabeth his Wife \ in the State of Pennsylvania, County of Lebanon Township of Lebanon, \ in the Year of our Lord 1819, the 16^th Day of January.

An inward Baptism of pure fire, \ Wherewith to be baptized I have: \ Tis all my longing soul’s desire, \ This, only this my soul can save

Strait’ned I am, till this be done, \ Kindle in me the living flame, \ Father in me reveal thy son \ Baptize me into Jesus Name.

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

Hand-colored; hand-lettered; printed form. The text in Roman font, with blanks infilled in Roman script, is in the center of the document. It is flanked by two inward-facing, kneeling children, with hands folded in prayer. Beneath the text are two flowers. In the upper corners are two butterflies. A figure, possibly an angel or Jesus, from whom extends rays of light, is at the top center. In the lower left corner is a rectangular framed image of a putto rowing a raft with a billowing sail. In the right lower corner is a rectangular frame with the image of a child outstretched on a rock and an open book before him. In the lower center is a collection of various flowers.
This is the only known copy of this edition.
 

Associated Names: Smith, William Henry
Bibliography:

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 3, p. 159 (published).

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on birthplace and location of printshop
Region/County:[Lebanon]
City/Town/Township:[Lebanon]
State/Province:[Pennsylvania]

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): ca. 1815
Image Dimensions Width: 33 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 245
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
[Jacob Schnee (1784-1838)] - Printer/Publisher