New Year's Wish for Jacob Grimm and Family, 1784

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 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 a border of colorful flowers.

Artifact

Fraktur (Document)

Date Made

1784

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

61.148.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ink
Watercolor (Paint)

Technique

Watercolor painting (Technique)

Color

Red
Blue
Green
Yellow (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 13 in

Width: 8.125 in

Inscriptions

Mit Gott Sey alles wohl gethan - So fangen wir das | Neu Jahr an 1784 Gott lob ein Neues | Jahr bricht Jetz und[?] | wieder ein [...] Ihm alter Jacob Grimm und seiner | ehefrauen | zu wunschen Gottes Gnad [...] On back: [...] 1784 dero Pfarrer Daniel Schumacher

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