Item Info

Creation Date: 8/18/1839
Scripts/Text: Fraktur
Language: German
Weiser Number: 177
Physical Description: Leaf
Material: Wove paper; watercolor; ink
Transcription:

[left page]
Dieses \ Testament ist \ Das Eigenthum von \ Aaron Landes.
Sohn, von Johannes und Susanna \ Landes. Und ist Ihm gekauft worden \ von seinem Vater! Ihm zur Lehr \ Weil Er darin kann erfahren daß \ Mann der Heiligen dreyei= \ nigen Gottheit allein soll \ geben Lob! Preis \ Dank und Ehr.*

[in left heart]
* Zu jeder \ Stund, aus Her= \ zens grund, nicht \ aus Falschem \ Mund, hir in! \ macht Gott \ uns \ kund.

[in right heart]
Ein treues \ Herze will Gott \ haben, und wer es \ trägt den thut \ Er laben und \ segnen mit \ seinen \ gaben

[right page]
Geschrie= \ ben den 18ten August \ Anno 1839, Für Aaron \ Landes

Diesen beyden Ehegatten Alls Johan \ =nes Landes und seiner ehelichen Haus \ Frau Susanna eine Geborne Detwei- \ ler’n ist ein Sohn zur Welt geboren d. \ 18ten August im Jahr unsers Herrn \ 1829. Dieser Sohn ist geboren in Hä= \ cack Taunschip Bocks Caunty im \ Staat Pennsylvanien in Nord A= \ merica, und erhielt durch seine Eltern \ den Namen \ Aaron Landes.
Wann wir kaum geboren werden, Ist \ vom ersten Lebenstritt, Bis zum kühlen \ Grab der Eerden. Nur ein kurz u. s. w.
 

Translation:

[left page]
This Testament is the property of Aaron Landes, son of Johannes and Susanna Landes, and was bought for him by his father for his instruction because he can learn in it that one shall give praise only to the holy triune God-head! Praise, thanks and honor *

[in left heart]
* in every hour, from the bottom of the heart and not from false mouth. Therein God makes us known.

[in right heart]
God wants to have a faithful heart, and whoever bears it, he nourishes and blesses with his gifts.

[right page]
Written the 18th of August Anno 1839, for Aaron Landes.

To these two married people namely Johannes Landes and his lawful wife Susanna, a born Detweiler, a son was born into the world the 18th of August in the year of our Lord 1829. This son was born in Haycock Township, Bucks County, in the state of Pennsylvania in North America, and received from his parents the name Aaron Landes.
Scarcely born into the world, it is only a short measured pace from the first step to the cool grave in the earth, etc.
 

Category: Bookplate (Bücherzeichen) and Birth Record (Geburtsschein)
Media Type: Manuscripts
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes:

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. This bookplate covers two facing pages. On the left page is text in Fraktur within a circle made of two stems of flowers. In the lower corners is additional text in Fraktur within two hearts that are topped with two heads. On the right page is text in Fraktur that is framed by a border in the shape of a pedestal. In the upper corners are two flowers. Both pages are framed by decorative borders. This bookplate is in Das Neue Testament (Philadelphia: Georg W. Mentz, 1839).   (PA GER Philadelphia 1839 B471). 

Several examples by this hand are attributed to the school of Jacob Brecht, a schoolmaster in Bucks and Northampton Counties; others refer to this small group as the work of the Haycock Township Artist.  One piece dated 1813 is signed by Brecht; the related works are both dated 1839 and include a combination bookplate and birth record made for Anna Baringer (see Amsler, p. 291), and one made for Johannes Baringer (see FLP B-79). 

Associated Names: Landes, Susanna
Bibliography:

"Haycock Township Artist"  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, p. 365.

Cory M. Amsler, ed., Bucks County Fraktur (Kutztown, Pa.: Pennsylvania German Society, 1999), pp. 288-291; published as fig. 260.

Don Yoder, “Fraktur in Mennonite Culture,” Mennonite Quarterly Review 48, no. 3 (July 1974): 305-342; published as fig. 12.

Ellen Shaffer, “Fraktur: the colorful art of the Pennsylvania Germans,” The Magazine Antiques 95, no. 4 (April 1969): 550-555; published as fig. 10, p. 554.

Creation Place Town/Township: Creation Place Note:Based on location of birth
Region/County:Bucks
City/Town/Township:Haycock Township
State/Province:Pennsylvania

Image Dimensions Width: 17.4 cm
ShelfMark: FLP B-163
Creator Name: Anonymous - Decorator
Anonymous - Scrivener