German 1845 Planig Honorary Membership Certificate-105th Anniversary-Framed

Original German honorary membership certificate issued by the Männerchor “Harmonie” 1845 of Planig, a historic German men’s choral society. The certificate names Herr Boller Jakob as an “Ehrenmitglied” (Honorary Member) in recognition of his service to German song and the Planig men’s choir.

The wording states that the award was presented at the choir’s 105th anniversary celebration, which dates the certificate to approximately 1950 based on the organization’s 1845 founding date. This dating is further supported by official Rheinland-Pfalz records identifying Männerchor Harmonie 1845 Planig as an established organization that subsequently received the Peter Cornelius Plaque in 1952. 

The certificate features decorative printed borders, Gothic-style red and black lettering, an original organizational ink stamp, and signatures of the choir secretary and chairman. Printed at bottom “Druckerei und Verlag K. Wolf – Ingelheim.”

Still housed in its period wooden frame. The reverse retains an old framer/dealer label reading “H.C. Becker, Kunsthandlung, Bildereinrahmung, Bad Kreuznach, Mannheimerstrasse 39.” The aged backing and construction appear consistent with a mid-20th-century framing.

An interesting piece of postwar German cultural and social history. The Männerchor Harmonie 1845 Planig survived for roughly 175 years before eventually dissolving; a local publication notes that its former Sängerheim was taken over by another organization after the choir dissolved. 

Condition is as pictured, with substantial age toning, foxing/staining and scattered spotting to the certificate. Frame and backing show normal age and wear. The aging gives the piece a strong period appearance and it has apparently remained framed for many years.