Stein Collectors International
Featured Stein: October 2006

~ A Schlaraffia Society Stein ~
by SCI Master Steinologist John McGregor




The stein seen here is from an actual chapter of the Schlaraffia Society. The inscription, in Bavarian dialect, reads:

Wenn's letzte Tröpferl von da Pip'm rinnt,
wenn koana mehr zur Haustür aussifindt,
wenn da Spielhahn balzt und da Gockl schreit,
na is für d'Uhu erest zum Hoamgö Zeit.

When the last drop runs from the tap,
when no-one can find his way to the door, when the wood-cock (grouse) performs the courtship dance and the cocks crow,
only then is it time for the Eagle Owl to go home.

Around the front half of the base is a dedication: "Die Activen i/l (ihrer lieben) Oberuhu "Zollkare" zum 26.10.03." or "(From) the Members (to) i/l (their dear) Chief Eagle Owl "Zollkare" on October 26, 1903." The use of "zum" before the date tells us the date is an anniversary of some kind. There are two exclamations, one on either side, Aha! and Uhu!. Aha! is the positive exclamation of "I told you so! Eureka! and Yes!" all rolled into one word and of course Uhu! is simply, but maybe a bit more than simply in this case, the German word for Eagle Owl. The lid is engraved with a monogram of the owner's initials and the names of 16 chapter members. This 1.0 liter steingut stein is marked E.D.& C. and was manufactured by Ernst Dorfner.

Here is a view of all three sides of this interesting stein, showing the elaborate arms this chapter employed, along with the two exclamations and the inscription.

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