Birth and Baptismal Certificate for Maria Heimbach, 1784

Summary

Early German immigrants created decorative keepsakes to commemorate important family events. These documents, known as Fraktur, usually incorporated intricate lettering, elaborate borders and colorful drawings of birds, flowers, hearts or other stylized figures. Inside the heart-shaped center of this Fraktur is information about the birth and baptism of Maria Heimbach. The artist decorated the remaining areas with colorful, hand-painted flowers and other foliage.

Early German immigrants created decorative keepsakes to commemorate important family events. These documents, known as Fraktur, usually incorporated intricate lettering, elaborate borders and colorful drawings of birds, flowers, hearts or other stylized figures. Inside the heart-shaped center of this Fraktur is information about the birth and baptism of Maria Heimbach. The artist decorated the remaining areas with colorful, hand-painted flowers and other foliage.

Artifact

Fraktur (Document)

Date Made

1784

Subject Date

12 August 1784

Creators

Unknown

Place of Creation

United States, Pennsylvania, Berks county 

Creator Notes

Probably made in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

55.86.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Watercolor (Paint)

Technique

Watercolor painting (Technique)

Color

Red
Yellow (Color)
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 13.375 in

Width: 16.375 in

Inscriptions

Maria gerteraut[?] Heimbachm | ist von Christlichen Eltern geboren worden den 12ten Tag August im Jahr | Christi 1784 in Winser Taunschip in Bercks Caunty geTauft worden von | P. Seman Die Taufzeugen waren Bastian Gref und seine Frau | Maria gerteraut[?] Die Eltern sind die Ehrsame Peter Heimbach und | Seyne Ehrsame Haussfrau Names Anna Barbara Eine geborne | Becherin [...]

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