Item Info

Scripts/Text: Fraktur; German script
Language: German
Weiser Number: 55
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Laid paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

Geburts= und Tauf=Schein.
Diesen beyden Ehegatten, als David Walp und seine frau Susana und seiner ehelichen \ Haus=Frau Susana eine gebohrner Olweinen ist ein Sohn zur \ Welt gebohren, namens den Johens geb[or]en 1812 im jahr unsers HErrn JEsu 1812 \ den 14 Tag Januwarus um 5 Uhr abends im Zeichen de Steinbock \ Dieser Johanes ist Gebohren und Getauft in America, im Staat Pennsylvanien, \ in [blank] Caunty, in Box Richlind Taunschip, [blank] \ Obgemelde [blank] ist Getauft worden den 12 tag Aprill 1812 \ von Herrn para Reller Tauf=Zeugen waren Johanes Shmith \ und seine frau Catarina

Wann wir kaum gebohren werden, ist vom ersten Lebenstritt bis ins kühle Grab der Erden, Nur ein kuz gemessner Schritt. \ Ach mit jedem Augenblick! Gehet unsre Kraft zurück. Und wir sind mit jedem Jahre, allzu reiff \ 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 F. Krebs.

[in left heart]
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 \ bleibt mir ewig= \ lich.

[in right heart]
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.

Translation:

Birth and Baptismal Certificate
To these two married people, namely David Walp and his lawful wife Susana, a born Olweinen, a son was born into the world, namely the Johens, born 1812 in the year of our Lord Jesus 1812, the 14 day January at 5 o’clock in the evening in the sign of Capricorn. This Johanes was born and baptized in America, in the state of Pennsylvania, in [blank] County, in Bucks, Richland Township [blank]. Above mentioned [blank] was baptized the 12th day April 1812, from Mister pastor Reller. Sponsors were Johanes Shmith and his wife Catarina. 

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 F. Krebs.

[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 with blanks infilled by hand in German script within a heart is in the center of the document. Two verses in fraktur within hearts are in the lower corners. The large heart is flanked by two parrots with a flower in their beak. In the top center is a sun with a face. In the lower corners are stars with human faces in the center. In the bottom center is a pot from which leafy stems of flowers are protruding.

Associated Names: Ritter, Johann
Provenance: Henry S. Borneman

Bibliography:

“Johann Jacob Friederich Krebs” 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. 460-467.

Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth and Baptismal Certificates of the German Americans (East Berlin, Pa.: Russell D. Earnest Associates, 1998) vol. 4, p. 158-159.

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

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): ca. 1808
Image Dimensions Width: 31.5 cm
ShelfMark: FLP 262
Creator Name: Friedrich Krebs (1749-1815) - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener
[Johann Ritter (1779-1851)] - Printer/Publisher