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by John McGregor
His father, was a retired army major and his mother, Josephine was a woman who had great intellect and a romantic disposition. Josef was educated at the lyceum at Karlsruhe and afterwards (1843-1847) at the universities of Munich, Heidelberg and Berlin. After passing the state examination for admission to the judicial service, he graduated Doctor Juris and for four years (1848-1852) held an official position at Sackingen. It was while he was in Sackingen that he was inspired to write his epic poem "Der Trompeter von Sackingen" in 1853, or 1854, or 1855 depending on which reference you are reading. The Trumpeter is a humorous and romantic story which became instantly popular. To date it has been through more than 250 printings. In 1854 he wrote the "Altassyrisch," and soon after developed vision problems. He quit the government service and moved to Heidelberg, with the hope of joining the teaching staff of the university, but his eye problems worsened, and in search of a cure he moved to Switzerland and took up residence on Lake Constance. It was during this period that he outlined his famous historical romance "Ekkehard" which he completed in 1857. I don't know if his vision improved, but he soon returned to Heidelberg, and published "Gaudeamus, Lieder aus dem Engeren und Weiteren" (1868), a collection of happy and funny songs, which was taken partly from German legends, partly from historical subjects. In these songs the author shows himself the light-hearted student, a friend of wine and song; and their success spawned many imitators. For two years (1857-1859) Scheffel served as librarian for Prince Egon von Furstenberg at Donaueschingen, but gave up this position in 1860. He then visited Joseph Freiherr von Lassberg, at Meersburg on Lake Constance and stayed for a while with the Grand Duke Charles Alexander of Saxe-Weimar at the Wartburg in Eisenach. Then, settling at Karlsruhe, he married Caroline von Malzen in 1864 and retired to his Villa Seehalde near Radolfzell on Lake Constance in 1872. On the occasion of his 50th birthday (1876), which was celebrated all over Germany, he was granted a patent of hereditary nobility by the Grand Duke of Baden. He died at Karlsruhe on the 9th of April 1886. by Victor von Scheffel (1853) Just after the death of von Scheffel, the German artist, Carl Schwenniger Jr., produced ten paintings to illustrate the "Thumpeter of Sackingen." I have chosen to show only four, those I feel are the most popular and most often seen on our beer steins. The third and fourth are followed by two steins from Hauber & Reuther with matching enameled scenes.
(Old Assyrian) by Victor von Scheffel (1854) Twice in the past thirty years, Prosit has published this poem in articles by Al Hoch and Walt Vogdes and both times the article was illustrated with Mettlach steins. I've chosen to illustrate it this time with steins by Hauber & Reuther and Merkelbach & Wick. Both factories choose to use a comedic style. The Merkelbach & Wick stein appropriately reflects both Egypt and old Assyria, while Hauber & Reuther choose to use contemporary illustrations with a university student as the primary subject. The Assyrian Empire's Greatest extent was short lived and occurred between 660 and 630 B.C. when it encompassed Lower Egypt and the entire Mediterranean coast from Egypt to present day Turkey. The map illustrated here shows the Assyrian Empire of 660 B.C. (between the orange lines) and shows the locations of Niniveh and Askelon, a bit of a stretch for an evening's stroll.
In closing, a minor official once again shows us just why they are referred to as minor. One summer day, the young Scheffel embarked on a hiking trip along the right bank of the Rhine. When the day grew unbearably hot, Scheffel, removing his clothes in a secluded spot, dove in for a swim. Having grievously underestimated the river's current, however, he barely managed to regain the shore - on the opposite (left) bank. Entirely naked, the young poet was obliged to seek assistance at the nearest inn, where he soon found himself being questioned by the district military policeman, who also happened to be visiting: "Where did you come from?" the officer demanded. "From the opposite bank, Sir," Scheffel replied. "And what's your name?" "I'm the writer, Josef Victor von Scheffel." "Indeed?" the officer cried. "Show me your papers!" Josef Victor von Scheffel, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. www.wikipedia.org Josef Victor von Scheffel, www.lyrikwelt.de/ Hang-Over Hieroglyphics, Albert A. Hoch, Prosit, #32, March, 1975. In the Black Whale at Ascalon, or....The Egytian Stein, Reprint of the March 1975 A. Hoch Prosit article with additional illustrations, Prosit, Vol.2 No.26, June 1998. Der Trumpeter von Sackingen "A Song from the Upper Rhine," Dagmar Rives, Prosit, Vol.2 No.25, March 1998. |
Josef Victor von Scheffel, German poet and novelist seen on the right, was born in Karlsruhe on February 16, 1826.
