Object Number 1957.0083.007 A

Object Name

Fraktur (Birth and baptismal certificate)

Title

Birth and baptismal certificate (Geburts und Taufschein) of Barbara Ritzecker

Category

Works on Paper

Credit Line/Donor

Museum purchase

Creator (Role)

Christian Mertel (Scrivener and decorator)
February 3 1739-1802
References: Frederick S. Weiser, "Christian Mertel, the 'CM Artist'," Der Reggeboge, 1987, vol. 21, no. 2. pp. 75-85; Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp. 285-8. Mertel was known as the C. M. Artist until 1987, when a chest with a fraktur pasted under its lid bearing his full signature was discovered.

Place of Origin

ConewagoTownship, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic, United States, North America

Origin Notes

Christian Mertel purchased land in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County in 1793 and lived there until his death in 1802. This area is now part of Conewago Township, Dauphin County.

Date

1792-1802

Materials

Ink; Watercolor; Paper (laid)

Techniques

Drawn, Hand colored, Hand lettered, Painted

Dimensions (inches)

12.5 (H) , 15.25 (W) , 12.5 (Image H) , 15.25 (Image W)

Dimensions (centimeters)

31.7 (H) , 38.73 (W) , 12.5 (Image H) , 15.25 (Image W)

Measurement Notes

H at left. W at bottom. Chain intervals: 2.5 cm; 9 laid lines per cm.

Watermark

Left of center: "E Co(?)" (diffcult to see due to backing)

Coloring

Hand colored with transparent and opaque watercolors

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Article] Evans, Nancy Goyne. 02//1973 Documented Fraktur in the Winterthur collection, Part I. Antiques. 103 (2): 307-18.
• Published as fig. 12, pp. 315 and 318.
[Article] Weiser, Frederick S. 1987 Christian Mertel, the "C M artist". Der Reggeboge: Journal of the Pennsylvania German Society. 21 (2): 75-85.
•
[Book] Garvan, Beatrice B. 1982 The Pennsylvania German Collection.
• For a fraktur made by Mertel for the sister of this certificate, see no. 12 on p. 299.
[Book] Earnest, Russell D. & Earnest, Corinne P. 1997 Papers for Birth Dayes: Guide to the Fraktur Artists and Scriveners. 2 vols. 909.
• For more information on Mertel, see vol.2, pp. 544-546.