EXTREMELY RARE 1819 ANNA MAGDALENA SCHERERTZ (WYTHE CO., VA, B. 1819) FOLK ART FRAKTUR BIRTH AND BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE, watercolor and ink on paper, a stunning example by a very rare and elusive Southern folk artist. This example, arguably the finest to come to open market, features a pair of facing turkeys flanking an inscribed heart above the central reserve inscribed for "Anna Magdalena Scherertz / Anno 1819 / 12th of February" over another heart flanked by Maltese crosses resting on scrolled arms, the whole flanked by large stylized tulips rising from small urns. Unframed and loosely secured in an unsealed modern matte under glass. Reserve. Attributed to the Wild Turkey Artist (Wythe Co., VA, active 1770-1822). Circa 1819. 12 1/2" x 7 3/4" sheet.

Literature: Published in Earnest and Earnest - Papers for Birth Dayes, Vol. II, p. 819.

Provenance: Property of a Virginia private collector. Ken Farmer Auctions, Radford, VA, November 2010, Lot 447.
Catalogue Note: The so-called Wild Turkey Artist worked in Wythe Co., Virginia during the fourth quarter of the 18th century and first quarter of the 19th century, executing fraktur birth and baptismal certificates for German clientele, most of who had settled in the area after migrating down the Great Wagon Road. Likely a schoolmaster, whose identity remains unclear at present, he used both fraktur lettering and script and almost always employed facing turkey-like figures as important design elements in the overall composition. Both of these visual signatures are clearly identifiable on the present lot.Approximately thirty examples by the artist are known, and most remain in the families for whom they were originally made. Consequently, very few fraktur by this artist appear on the open market. The sale of the current lot presents a rare opportunity to acquire a masterwork by an important Southern folk artist.

Very good condition overall with fading, minor overall toning, fold lines, and small areas of stain.