1928 Hand Drawn Pennsylvania German Bookplate Benjamin Lantz 1916 Religious Book
Description: An Antique hand painted colored bookplate. The book plate, which is in German, was drawn by by Benjamin G Lantz acknowledging that his book was a gift from Stephen Stoltzfus. The bookplate is drawn on the first page of a religious book titled "Kutzliche Anweisunger" or "Useful Instructions" and published by The Mennonite Publishing House of Groffdale, in Lancaster County Pennsylvania in 1916. The bookplate is a typical example of Pennsylvania Dutch art form where a person who had artistic talent would make the colorful page for the owner of the book with the owner's name and date and any other information they would want to add. These were normally very colorful, with beautiful calligraphy and with possibly some floral decorations. This particular bookplate reads "Dieses Buch/Gehorett Mir/ Benjamin G Lantz/ Empfangen ine geschenk/fan/Stephen G Stoltzfus/1928" which loosely translates to "This book belongs to me Benjamin G Lantz received as a gift from Stephen G Stoltzfus." The colorful calligraphy with decorative light blue ornamental scroll is very well done with nice fresh colors after being around for almost 100 years. It would display nicely in your collection. Truly the photos do not do it justice and the piece is much better looking than the photos suggest. A very nice and colorful piece of Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, which would make a great addition to your collection. Please view photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: The book itself was published in 1916 and the bookplate was drawn in 1928.
Origin: Recently acquired at an estate sale in Southeast Pennsylvania.
Size: The book itself measures ~4" by ~5 3/8" with the page of the bookplate measuring ~3 3/4" by ~5 3/16". The entire piece weighs about 4 ounces.
Artist: Benjamin G. Lantz.
Marks: Unmarked/unsigned, but the language of the bookplate suggests that Benjamin G. Lantz prepared it to identify that the book was his and that it was a gift from Stephen Stoltzfus.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a nice decorative folk art piece that is very well done, beautiful, and in great condition. It would make a worthy addition to your collection.
Condition: The piece is in very good condition given its age. The book plate has some browning to the paper, a small tear to the edge that is ~1/4" long and then extends downwards with a crease that is about ~1" in total length. The book itself is in good condition with general browning to the pages, a minor break of the spine at the title page, three additional breaks to the spine throughout the book, but the book is intact and all together with no losses. There is wear obvious to the cover especially at the corners and along the edges. Be that as it may, this is a great antique worthy of a spot in your Americana Folk Art collection. Please view photos to appreciate the beauty of the piece and for additional condition information.
