Set of Drawing Instruments

Description:

This wooden case is covered with black leather, lined with purple velvet, and fastened by a brass hook. Pieces of chamois and paper lie inside the case. The paper is marked: Andreas Fruth. (/) Speyer, Inw 18./5. 1866. The set includes a 5-1/4" brass and steel drawing pen with ivory handle; a small white ceramic cup, presumably for ink; 4-1/8" brass and steel dividers with a removable leg and pen and pencil attachments; and a brass joint tightener.

Andreas Fruth (1849–1931), the grandfather of the donor, was born and raised in Speyer, Germany. He immigrated to the United States in 1868 and operated the Filsinger & Fruth Marble and Granite Works, which made cemetery monuments in St. Louis, Mo., from 1872 to 1922. He married Caroline Brandenburger in 1873 and raised three children, Otto, Herman, and Hilda. For a set of drawing instruments owned by Otto, see 1990.0115.02.

References: Staatsarchiv Hamburg, Hamburg Passenger Lists, 1850–1934, microfilm no. K–1721, 373-7 I, VIII A 1 Band 032 C, p. 676; John W. Leonard, ed., The Book of St. Louisans (St. Louis: The St. Louis Republic, 1906), 190, 207; Fruth Family, Papers, 1862–1920s, Missouri History Museum, http://collections.mohistory.org/archive/ARC:A0537; accession file.