Birth Certificate for Anna Fritz

Dateca. 1827

Attributed to Henry Young (1791-1861)

MediumInk and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary support: 9 7/8" x 8" and Framed: 11 5/8" x 9 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1976.305.2

DescriptionA vertical format certificate having a center heart crowned by a smaller one, with 8-pointed starts in the top corners. Birds clutching tulips appear on either side of the larger heart while, below the same heart, appear two confrontal birds perched on flowering branches. Two opens roses are symmetrically placed above the latter birds. Inscriptions appear at the top and inside the two hearts.
The 1-inch reeded, red-painted frame is probably original.
Label TextMore than fifteen examples of this type of certificate made by Henry Young have been recorded, most having two eight-pointed stars with alternating blue and red points and yellow centers. Other characteristics include specific color patterns for the upper and lower pairs of birds; the alternating yellow, red, and blue points around the perimeter of the two hearts; the stylized pink roses with small yellow and green leaves; and the yellow and blue daisies clutched by the lower birds.
InscribedWritten at the top of the picture is "Soli Deo Gloria." The small top heart reads: "Mary Frits"; the large heart reads: "Anna Fritz a/Daughter of Henry Frits and his wife/Mary a born Scott, was born/the 16th Day of July in the/year of our Lord 1823 in/Fearfield Township/Lycoming County/State of Penn-/sylvania."
ProvenanceOwnership prior to Lawrence E. King is undocumented.