Taufschein for Elisabeth Eysterc. 1780Sheet: 8 3/4 x 6 3/4 " (22.2 x 17.1 cm)
Frame: 18 x 15 1/8 x 3/4 " (45.7 x 38.4 x 1.9 cm)Watercolor and ink on paperAnonymous Gift2022.4.111547373849P1.2001.234Artist unidentifiedBooks/Manuscripts/Information ArtifactsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. Pennsylvania GermanTranslation: Elisabeth was born in / the year of Christ 1776, the 25th February in the Sign of /— Baptized by Pastor — / Sponsors were Peter Spiess and Magdalena Eysterin, single / Elisabeth was born in the province of Pennsylvania / in York County in Manchester Township The father / is named Georg Eyster, the mother Eysterin, born Altlandin. Today, you are pulled, tender soul / from sin's dark hole, brought / by baptism out thereof / Stay henceforth with all the upright so that you will / receive the crown with which God / adorns his own.A 16United StatesPennsylvaniaWorks on PaperJohn Bigelow TaylorRobert Bishop, Folk Painters of America (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1979), p147, fig. 36
Joe Kindig, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age, p296fraktur with 3 brightly colored suns at top, one with face looking down at Township at bottom.Object information is a work in progress and
may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the
American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgThe Taufschein for Elisabeth Eyster bears telltale marks indicating that the artist prepared some forms in advance and filled in details in the recipient's home. Spaces for the name of the clergyman and the sign of the zodiac–important because the Pennsylvania Germans used a lunar zodiac system with twenty-four-hour periods–remain blank, and some data is cramped. The image contains a city profile of houses and public buildings apparently built of stone with red-tile roofs. The doggerel amounts to the affirmation that baptism promises salvation and the admonition that one must be conscious of and faithful to its giftAccording to Kindig, the fraktur came from the Kleinfelter house at the corner across from 325 W. Market in York. Kleinfelters may be descendants of Eysters. George Eyster (Eister) 1741-1810 married Anna Christina Altland 1743-1825. They had three sons and five daughters, among which were Elisabeth and a son George who became one of the great Kentucky Rifle makers.P1.2001.23417751785 2022 4 1 fraktur with 3 brightly colored suns at top, one with face looking down at Township at bottom.Object information is a work in progress and
may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the
American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgThe Taufschein for Elisabeth Eyster bears telltale marks indicating that the artist prepared some forms in advance and filled in details in the recipient's home. Spaces for the name of the clergyman and the sign of the zodiac–important because the Pennsylvania Germans used a lunar zodiac system with twenty-four-hour periods–remain blank, and some data is cramped. The image contains a city profile of houses and public buildings apparently built of stone with red-tile roofs. The doggerel amounts to the affirmation that baptism promises salvation and the admonition that one must be conscious of and faithful to its giftAccording to Kindig, the fraktur came from the Kleinfelter house at the corner across from 325 W. Market in York. Kleinfelters may be descendants of Eysters. George Eyster (Eister) 1741-1810 married Anna Christina Altland 1743-1825. They had three sons and five daughters, among which were Elisabeth and a son George who became one of the great Kentucky Rifle makers.