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From: Ron
Remote Name: 165.121.233.97
Amy Jo, Actually, I have an article featuring this stein that is awaiting publication. I believe your 37" inch stein is the 32 Liter version that one of Ripley's Believe It or Not Museums features as the World's Largest Beer Stein. Robert Ripley was a stein collector, but this was pre-SCI. The scene on the stein is based on a painting, but it has been misidentified for over thirty years. I found the original painting and will reveal it in my article. The stein usually has a removable lid, there are at least two versions - King Gambrinus on a barrel or a person playing the harp. The verse on the lid is “Die Alten Deutsche,” which translates to “The Old Germans.” The verse at the top of the stein is “Wer diesen Humpen leeren kan, ist fur wahr ein ganzer mann,” which translates to “He who can empty this stein is truly a man.” The verse at the bottom of the stein is “Nach froh verlebten Stunden erscheinen solche Kunden,” which roughly translates to “After happy dissipated hours such customers appear.” This appears to refer to the scenes at the bottom of the stein, which includes a monkey for over indulgence and a cat for a hangover. The famous §11 symbol, keep on drinking, appears on the top banner. I've been told that a large kiln had to be used for firing and that Gerz had to send it to Thewalt to be fired. I have seen this stein, in mint condition with the lid, advertised for over $5,000. However, OHI Exchange at http://www.ohiexchange.com/steins/stein_list.htmlhad the Gerz version for under $3,000. Zöller & Born currently has the mold for this stein (it also comes in a 15 liter size). The Zöller & Born web site is http://www.zoeller-born-bierkruege.de/ and if you click on the blue wording under Der grösste Bierkrug der Welt!!! (the World’s largest stein) you can view it. Steincenter.com might be able to get you the ZB version at an even lower cost. Ron