An extraordinary group of seven fraktur from Bucks County, PA

One of the largest family groups of fraktur known to survive together, including five rewards of merit and two birth and baptismal certificates, this grouping spans the work of three different artists and two generations of the Bartholomew family of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. All are in excellent condition and have been conservation mounted and framed with Tru-Vue Museum Glass. The rewards of merit in particular have incredibly rich colors and fine detail; one piece has three tiny hummingbirds if you look closely. The seven Pennsylvania German fraktur in this rare family group consist of the following:

1) birth and baptismal certificate of Daniel Bartholomew, attributed to the Engraver Artist and dated 1797. 13 x 7 3/4 inches (unframed)

2) birth and baptismal certificate of Magdalena Bartholomew, unknown artist, c. 1813. 12 3/4 x 15 1/2 inches (unframed)

3) five rewards of merit made for William, Lydia, and Henry Bartholomew of Bedminster Township. Attributed to the Rockhill Artist. H. 4 x W. 3 3/4 inches (largest). All are inscribed on the back with the child's name and date of 1834 or 1838.

Siblings Magdalena, William, Lydia, and Henry Bartholomew along with their parents are buried in the Tohickon Cemtery in Bedminster Township, Bucks County, PA.