1814 EMANUEL ROLAR, ROCKINGHAM CO., SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FRAKTUR BY PETER BERNHART, watercolor and ink on a partially printed paper form, the combination Haus-Segen (house blessing) and Taufschein (birth record) printed in German by Ambrose Henkel of New Market. To which Bernhart added four birds, floral vines, and tulips along with striping to frame the text. The Rolar birth record is filled in below the house blessing, inscribed in German "Written by Peter Bernhart 1814" across lower edge. Conservation framed. Reserve. 1814. 13" x 16" sight.
Literature: For two additional examples of this form decorated by Bernhart see Paul - Bernhart & Company: Shenandoah Valley Folk Art Fraktur (1774-1850), pp. 39 and 50. Also see Wust - Virginia Fraktur, p. 26, fig. 35.
Provenance: The private collection of Dr. Charles and Elizabeth Umstott, Newport News, VA.
Ex-collection of William E. Wiltshire, III.
Purchased from Mary Kramer.
Ex-Elmer Smith.
Purchased directly from the Rolar family.
Exhibited: "Proud Possessions: A Community Collects", May 29 - July 19, 1992, the Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA.
Catalogue Note: Peter Bernhart (act. 1794-1819) was schoolmaster and post rider residing in Keezletown, Rockingham Co., VA. He was the most prolific fraktur artist in the Shenandoah Valley. He produced a number of records for the Rolar family who were prosperous farmers living near Mt. Crawford. Emanuel Rolar (1813-1887) is buried in the cemetery at Frieden's Church just east of Mt. Crawford.

Outstanding condition with dark, bright colors, two small losses at lower right and left edges and some light fold lines.