Lot 2060

SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART FRAKTUR-STYLE LETTER FROM HEAVEN / HIMMELSBRIEF

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SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART FRAKTUR-STYLE LETTER FROM HEAVEN / HIMMELSBRIEF

Estimate: $500 - $800

Starting Bid: $250

(0 Bids)

by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
June 27, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
2177 Green Valley Lane
Mt. Crawford, VA, US 22841

SHENANDOAH VALLEY OF VIRGINIA FOLK ART FRAKTUR-STYLE LETTER FROM HEAVEN / HIMMELSBRIEF, watercolor on lined paper, depicting a stylized floral vine border originating from a potted plant at the lower center framing a religious letter written in English translated from the German Madgeburg Himmelsbrief of 1783. Paper with a blind stamp depicting a congressional building below "CONGRESS". Presently unframed, tipped to mat (the frame the consignor displayed it in is included with the lot, if desired). First half 19th century. 12" x 14 1/4" OA.
Published: Smith - Arts and Crafts of the Shenandoah Valley, p. 28, top half.
Catalogue Note: The Magdeburg Himmelsbrief (or Heaven's Letter) purportedly fell from the sky in 1783 after having been written by God Himself. Dr. Elmer Smith expands on this specific Himmelsbrief by saying "The Himmelsbrief (above) was once believed in by many people as being a Letter from Heaven which could protect those who carried it from all kinds of misfortune and tragedy. The vast majority are in the German language and are seldom decorated. The illustrated is in English with a floral border in orange-red."

  • Provenance:

    Ex-collection of Dr. Elmer Smith, Bridgewater, VA.

  • Condition:

    Good conserved condition having been laid to rice paper with several minor holes/tears backed and inpainted; cut-down slightly at the edges; typical minor to moderate all-over toning with areas of darker toning/staining, minor dampstaining to the edges.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000