One of the finest groups of Pennsylvania German fraktur ever assembled is presented in its entirety, illustrated with beautiful photography Among the most beloved forms of American folk art, fraktur is a Germanic tradition of decorated manuscripts and printed documents noted for its use of bold colors and whimsical motifs. This publication makes a landmark contribution to the study of Pennsylvania German fraktur, and offers the most comprehensive study of the topic in over 50 years. The featured objects, most of which have never been published, accompany significant new information about the artists who made these works and the people who owned them. An introductory essay sets the renowned Johnson Collection within the context of collecting and scholarship on Pennsylvania German folk art and then highlights major new discoveries, including connections between fraktur and related examples of furniture and prints. An interview with the collectors offers valuable insights into the formation of this special group of objects, which includes birth and baptismal certificates, bookplates, religious texts, writing samples, house blessings, cutworks, and printed broadsides. The splendid color illustrations reveal schools of artistic and regional influence, giving a nuanced understanding of how artists took inspiration from one another and how designs were transferred to new locations. Detailed catalogue entries include extensive information about each piece as well as complete translations.

Drawn with Spirit: Pennsylvania German Fraktur from the Joan and Victor Johnson Collection

Arts & Photography

Minardi, Lisa

History & Criticism

Yale University Press

Paint, Pattern, and People explores the fascinating and diverse furniture of southeastern Pennsylvania through the people who made, owned, inherited, and collected it. Delving into the cultures and creativity of the area's inhabitants, primarily those of British and Germanic heritage, this comprehensive work looks closely at localisms and regionalisms of form, ornament, and construction that were influenced by ethnicity, religious affiliation, settlement patterns, socioeconomic status, and the skills of the craftsmen.
William Penn's policy of religious tolerance attracted people of various faiths and ethnic backgrounds, making Pennsylvania the most culturally diverse of the thirteen colonies. Through the study of well-documented furniture, fraktur, needlework, paintings, and architecture produced by this mixed multitude, the region's great diversity comes into focus. Paint, Pattern and People is a significant contribution to the literature in the field, presenting new scholarship as well as never-before-published furniture and related objects.

Paint, Pattern, and People: Furniture of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1725-1850

History

Cooper, Wendy A.

Americas

University of Pennsylvania Press

Located in the scenic Perkiomen Valley, the adjacent boroughs of Trappe and Collegeville have a rich and fascinating history. Trappe was founded in 1717 by German immigrant Jacob Schrack Sr., who ran a tavern known as the Trap, after which the village was named. Its most famous early residents were Lutheran patriarch Henry Melchior Muhlenberg and his sons Peter, a Revolutionary War general, and Frederick, first speaker of the US House of Representatives. Collegeville, initially known as Freeland, developed primarily in the 1800s following the completion of the Perkiomen Bridge in 1799. It was named after several early colleges, including Freeland Seminary, established in 1848, and the Pennsylvania Female College, established in 1851. These institutions were succeeded by Ursinus College in 1869. A pioneer in women's education, Ursinus became coeducational in 1880. Trappe and Collegeville were formally incorporated as separate boroughs in 1896.

Trappe and Collegeville (Images of America)

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

This landmark publication explores the history and material world of the Muhlenberg family, one of the most influential German-American families of all time. Beginning with the immigration of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg to Pennsylvania in 1742, the Muhlenbergs figure prominently in American history. A native of Germany, Henry Muhlenberg served as a Lutheran minister in Pennsylvania from 1742 until his death in 1787, earning him the title patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America. He married Anna Maria Weiser, daughter of Conrad Weiser, and they had eleven children. Three of their sons went on to achieve significant renown: Peter as a Revolutionary War general; Frederick as first Speaker of the United States House; and Henry Jr. as a renowned botanist. This publication brings together for the first time many rare and unique artifacts to help contextualize the Muhlenbergs and bring their legacy to life.

Pastors & Patriots: The Muhlenberg Family of Pennsylvania

Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College

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Books by Minardi, Lisa