[German Manuscript Poetry or Song Book kept by Soldier Ernst Schäfer in 1858].
Serving in the 3rd Company of the 14th Infantry Regiment
German-language manuscript song book or book of poetry kept by soldier Ernst Schäfer.
Almost the entire manuscript is arranged in stanzas comprising either poems or songs. Musical notations are not seen in the manuscript though many of the individual titles within do use the word “lied,” German for song.
A two-page section titled “Evangelium” [Gospel] hints at some of the contents; an opening line of one song/poem refers to “Glück” or happiness. The songs/poems don’t appear to be religious in nature and are, in the main, probably popular songs.
Schäfer’s ownership inscription on the first page states that he served in the 3rd Company of the 14th Infantry Regiment and was stationed at Lichtenau during the months of October–December 1858. A German military almanac for 1858 reports that the regiment was from Zandt and that that year they were garrisoned at Lichtenau, Germersheim, and Nürnberg under the command of Oberst Friedrich Binder.¹ The opening line of one song (p[13]) appears to make a reference to Nürnberg.
Curiously, a difficult to read inscription on the front endpaper recurs four additional times in the manuscript. This notebook was purchased in New York State. There is a possibility Schäfer emigrated to America, but we have no evidence to support this at present.
Description: [German Manuscript Poetry or Song Book kept by Soldier Ernst Schäfer in 1858].
[Lichtenau, Germany?]. 1858. [84]pp. Notebook. 6½ x 4¼ inches. Flexible, marbled paper covers; label on upper cover with ownership inscription. Upper cover detached; sewing loosened wear and soling; old hand-stitched repairs to binding along spine; evidence of four leaves or so excised in rear; worn. Entirely written in German; leaves with dust-soiling and finger-soiling but handwriting is darkly engrossed. Loosely inserted a German-language manuscript document signed, dated 1867.
[145861]Note. 1. Würdinger, Militär-Almanach für 1858 (München [1857]), pp77–97, passim.
Price: $300.00