1825 Journeyman Certificate with View of Brno, Czech Republic

Brno Journeyman certificate.

A most unusual and likely unique 1825 bird's-eye view of Brno, Moravia, Czech Republic, issued as part of a journeyman's guild-issued certificate of accomplishment. Such certificates were issued throughout the Austrian Empire, but appear to have been exceptionally typical of Brno.

A Closer Look

The view looks westward on Brno with the imposing Špilberk Castle (Hrad Špilberk) looming at the center in the background. Below the castle, Old Town is clustered with rooftops and defended by well-fortified walls. The iconic clock tower of Brno's Old Town Hall (Stará Radnice) dominates the midground. Behind the twin spires of the St. Michael Church (Kostel Svatého Michala) are recognizable. The domineering church to the right is the spectacular Kostel sv. Jakuba (Church of St. James). The imposing pile of religious buildings on the left is the Capuchin Old Brno Monastery (Opatství svatého Tomáše / Starobrněnský Klášter), beneath which is a network of crypts.The German blackletter text below the image reads as thus

We, the village teacher and all the masters

The honorable guild of the respectable citizens [name] in the [place] hereby certifies

that the present journeyman, by the name of [name], aged [number] years, of the [religion] faith,

born in [town], district [district], province [region],

of [height/stature], [face type], [hair color] hair, [eye color] eyes, [nose type] nose, and [any particular marks or distinguishing features]

whose own signature appears below

has worked here with us for [years] and [weeks],

and has conducted himself during this time [honorably / diligently / faithfully] in his work.

In confirmation of this, we have properly issued this certificate to the aforementioned journeyman.

Done at [Brno], on [31] [Month] 18[25].

Unfortunately, the manuscript text, written in an administrative German script, is to our eye indecipherable. The certificate is stamped with the guild seal and certified with various signatures and city tax stamps.

Publication History and Census

This certificate was published in Brno c. 1825. We see similar certificates in use as early as 1811 and as late as 1850, but they likely had a wider range of use. While we have encountered similar certificates at Austrian and Czech auction houses, we have identified nothing identical.

Condition

Good. Overall toning. Wear on old fold lines. A few older repairs at fold intersections. Old manuscript text and tax stamps.