Marriage Certificates with Fraktur Design
Fraktur Introduction
The term “Fraktur” translates from the German word "broken," which describes the type of lettering Gutenberg copied when he first set up a moveable type printer. Protestant immigrants who came to America in the mid-1700s brought their traditions of marking major stages of life with handmade certificates. In time, the style became known as Pennsylvania Dutch, although the roots were specifically German, and some succeeding generations relocated to other states and Canada.
Berks County, Pennsylvania
The certificate above was created for a couple that admires and has collected Fraktur documents in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The design and flowers within the decoration are similar to historical references, and the color scheme also follows the tradition.
Although the fraktur lettering style is used at the very top within the decoration, it was deemed too difficult to read for the body of the certificate. Therefore, the vows are written by hand in italic lettering with a metal nib using Sumi ink. The decoration was applied with watercolor using both a pen and brushes.
Although the fraktur lettering style is used at the very top within the decoration, it was deemed too difficult to read for the body of the certificate. Therefore, the vows are written by hand in italic lettering with a metal nib using Sumi ink. The decoration was applied with watercolor using both a pen and brushes.
.gif "Fraktur Heart Layout Certificate with Italic Lettering")
Details about Certificate Paper
These certificates were written on a full sheet of Arches Hot Pressed watercolour paper. A full sheet measures 22 inches wide by 30 inches long and includes two watermarks in opposing corners.
Hot-pressed refers to the finish the paper is given at the end of its production, where heated rollers give the paper a firm and smooth surface. In contrast, cold-pressed paper is also run through rollers but unheated, leaving a less smooth surface with texture. Cold-pressed paper works well with a brush, whereas hot-pressed paper holds up well for pen and ink.
Hot-pressed refers to the finish the paper is given at the end of its production, where heated rollers give the paper a firm and smooth surface. In contrast, cold-pressed paper is also run through rollers but unheated, leaving a less smooth surface with texture. Cold-pressed paper works well with a brush, whereas hot-pressed paper holds up well for pen and ink.
More Details about Certificates
Pam has tried many different brands and types of ink over the past twenty-five years. Some inks contain shellac, which makes them appear shiny and is also notorious for corroding metal nibs. Some inks have a bluish or brownish tinge to them, which is particularly apparent when they’re diluted. Yasutomo, a Japanese company, makes the KY6 sumi ink that Pam uses most often.
This sumi ink has a very deep blackness to it, rather like the fine stick inks, which require manual preparation to be used. The KY6 sumi comes in an opaque plastic bottle, requiring the user to fill the ink well of choice for use. Pam most often uses tiny plastic vials that come with lids and sit in a wooden holder.
This sumi ink has a very deep blackness to it, rather like the fine stick inks, which require manual preparation to be used. The KY6 sumi comes in an opaque plastic bottle, requiring the user to fill the ink well of choice for use. Pam most often uses tiny plastic vials that come with lids and sit in a wooden holder.
.jpg "Fraktur Certificate")