Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Tunebook, Manuscript |
Object ID # |
2006.4.2802 |
Other Name |
Notenbuchlein |
Title |
Jacob Ruth manuscript tunebook, 1806 |
Creator |
Unknown |
Date |
1806 |
Description |
Manuscript tunebook for Jacob Ruth, 1806. Contains fraktur bookplate with potted flowers and large heart containing text: "Harmonisches Melodeÿen Buechlein ueber Die Bekanteste Lieder im Marburger Gesangbuch - Jacob Ruth, Sing Schüler ihn der Neubritaner Schule geschrieben Den 4 Februarus 1806" [Harmonious melody booklet for the most familiar songs in the Marburg Hymnbook - Jacob Ruth, singing scholar in the New Britain School, written the 4th of February 1806]. Another fraktur inscription inside the front cover reads: "Jacob Ruth, 1809, Catharina Ruth". Many pages are blank, but the book includes semitones, fifths, intervals, and practice tunes, and 93 tunes (arranged alphabetically) and a few tunes with full text in the rear, including the song "Preceptor bin ich genannt". |
Provenance |
Made in New Britain Township, Bucks County, for Jacob Ruth (d. 1822). The evidence for this identity is an inscription with names Jacob Ruth/Catharina Ruth 1809 on the end paper. Jacob and Catherine were married in 1808. The MHC has a photocopy of their family register. Jacob was about 21 years old in 1806, so it's a puzzle why the plate calls him a "singing scholar" in the New Britain school. Two earlier tunebooks with plates that appear to be by the same hand were made for Jacob Ruth at New Britain and Plains in 1795 and 1804 respectively (the earlier one could be by a different artist, but it's very similar). All three plates were probably made for Jacob Ruth (d. 1822); the 1795 and 1804 books were owned by his descendant Michael C. Moyer in 1979. It could be that Jacob was himself a schoolmaster and fraktur artist. |
Source |
Gift of Isaac Clarence Kulp |
People |
Ruth, Jacob, d. 1822 (New Britain Twp) Ruth, Catherine Ruth (wife of Jacob, d. 1822) |
Collection |
Fraktur |