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BibliographyShelley, Donald A. "The Fraktur-Writings of Illuminated Manuscripts of the Pennsylvania Germans." (Allentown, PA: PA German Folklore Society, 1961, pp. 133-135, plate 224-227.
Artist
Henry Christian Andrew Harmon Young
(1792 - 1861)
James B. Doctor Birth and Baptismal Certificate
Date1829-1839
DimensionsSight: 12 3/4 × 7 7/8 in. (32.4 × 20 cm)
Object numberN0089.1961
Credit LineCollection of the Fenimore Art Museum. Gift of Stephen C. Clark
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextDecorated family records, commonly called frakturs, served as official documentation and were required by law in Europe and later by Germans who settled in Pennsylvania. Typical motifs that reflect religious and cultural heritage include hearts, vines, flowers, and human figures. Henry Young, an immigrant from Saxony, rendered at least 13 frakturs while working as a teacher in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania from 1817 to 1861. This birth and baptismal certificate commemorates the 1807 birth of James B. Doctor to George and Eva Doctor of Muncycreek Township, Pennsylvania. Its completion 23 years after James' birth may indicate it was made for his betrothal or wedding.BibliographyShelley, Donald A. "The Fraktur-Writings of Illuminated Manuscripts of the Pennsylvania Germans." (Allentown, PA: PA German Folklore Society, 1961, pp. 133-135, plate 224-227.
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