Featured Stein: October 2009
 
~  Münchener Kindl Stein ~
by  Roy C. De Selms
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Beer drinking is generally thought to be associated with Bavaria, the Southeastern province of Germany. Its capital city is München (Munich) which hosts the famous annual Oktoberfest. The city’s name, München, comes from the word “Mönche” meaning monks, reflecting the fact that Benedictine Monks established themselves here in the 8th century. If one stands in the Marienplatz in front of the Rathaus (town hall) in Munich and looks up at the Glockenspiel (clock play which happens every hour) and keeps looking up to the top of the tower, then barely visible standing on the top is the figure of the “Münchener Kindl”   (Munich Child) symbol of the city. This is the figure on the front of the featured stein of the month. The side to the right of the handle shows the “Hofbrauhaus” (court brew house) site for much of the Oktoberfest activities. The other side shows the female figure of Bavaria with a lion at her side symbolizing Bavaria.
The Münchener Kindl is a popular theme for very many beer steins including many character steins. However the stein shown here has some other interesting features. One such feature is the unusual light and dark gray color rarely encountered on steins. The mark on the base of the stein (figure 1) is unusual for two reasons: first the mark of Simon Peter Gerz barely detectable with the 079 and GRÈSNASSOVIA meaning Nassau Stoneware and referring to this unusual color technique; second is the overmark of the finishing shop of Jakob Goldschmidt that ordered the stein from the Gerz factory and asked for their mark to be applied at the factory. For a more complete discussion read John McGregor's article at the stein college web site (ref 1). The mark on the base of a similar Gerz stein (figure 2) is also shown for comparison and has the early “stein in triangle” mark which was over struck in the first example, 865, GRÈSRHENANA meaning Rhenish Stoneware and GES. GESCH. (Gesetzlich Geschützt) meaning patented or copyrighted. For a further identification of this and many other marks check out Chris Wheeler's web site (ref 2) on stein marks. Thanks also to Prosit Editor Walt Vogdes for his input on this subject.
figure 1
figure 2
 
References:
1. www.steincollege.com/finishin.htm
2. www.steinmarks.co.uk
Compliments of Erste Gruppe Chapter of SCI
 

  

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