New Year's Wish for Jacob Grimm and Family, circa 1775

Summary

Early German immigrants created decorative documents, known as Fraktur, for a variety of reasons. Many commemorated a child's birth and baptism. Others were made as keepsakes, symbols of achievement or expressions of the immigrant's heritage or religion. Jacob Grimm received this New Year's greeting from Daniel Schumacher, the minister at his church. The pastor embellished his greeting with an angel and a border of colorful flowers.

Early German immigrants created decorative documents, known as Fraktur, for a variety of reasons. Many commemorated a child's birth and baptism. Others were made as keepsakes, symbols of achievement or expressions of the immigrant's heritage or religion. Jacob Grimm received this New Year's greeting from Daniel Schumacher, the minister at his church. The pastor embellished his greeting with an angel and a border of colorful flowers.

Artifact

Fraktur (Document)

Date Made

circa 1775

Creators

Schumacher, Daniel 

Place of Creation

United States, Pennsylvania, New Smithville 

Creator Notes

Probably made in New Smithville (Weisenberg), Pennsylvania.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

82.114.5

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Watercolor (Paint)

Technique

Watercolor painting (Technique)

Color

Red
Yellow (Color)
Green
Blue
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 13.125 in

Width: 8.5 in

Inscriptions

In diesem Jahr | werd friede heil | [...] Triumph | halleluja | gott lasset aber | mahl ein Neues | Jahr erscheinen [...] [watermark] J. HONIG SOHNEN

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