ViewMate - Image Archive, Image 75219 - Interpretation - Germany - Jöhlingen, Baden - Klein, Baer

Information

Picture

Question

Category: Interpretation
Approval Date: 9/22/2019 5:47 PM
Family Surname: Klein, Baer
Country: Germany
Town: Jöhlingen, Baden
Date of Image: 1821

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I am only interested in learning if there is a significance to the symbol to the left of the signature of my great-great-grandmother Babette (looks like Babed) Klein.

I have no need of a translation of the letter which is in German using Hebrew letters. I also have a transcription in the German script of about 1900 by her youngest child, my great-grandfather Nathan Baer, which I have no trouble reading.

As stated in the first sentence, Babette had just learned from her family that she had been promised in marriage to the recipient, my great-great-grandfather Lazarus Baer. Nathan states with his transcription that his parents had not yet met. The letter is not dated, but Nathan dates it as 1821. They did not marry until 1832.

Response

9/24/2019 12:15 AM

Somewhat of a speculation, but I can make a fair case that this is a hebrew signature for Babette Klein using the initials of the name, "Bet" and "Kuf", joined together in cursive script

9/24/2019 4:57 AM

I agree, except that I'd say it was her monogram in German script. The old capital B looks quite similar to a modern capital L, with a tuck in the base. and the old capital is sketched in as well..

9/24/2019 7:44 AM

as to the age of Babed and the date of the letter, you might know her age in 1821. The handwriting is not of a young girl, I would say she was at least in her twenties.
I would agree that the symbol is based on a German capital B. Hard to tell if a Hebrew kof is involved.

9/24/2019 12:05 PM

i don't speak german, but in the context it looks a lot like a scrawled greeting like "love", or "yours", followed by her name.

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ViewMate Posting VM 75219

Submitted by Ralph N Baer