Sangerbund token

[Prosit]

Have we ever talked about this one? or one similar?  Seems like I remember we did....not sure and don't find it easily.
Anyone know anything about it?
Dale

[Figleaf]

There is a choir club with that name in New Jersey. I wonder if there is any connection between this club and this text:

According to paragraph 11 of its constitution and principles the "National German American Alliance of the United States of America" recommends a systematic investigation of the share Germans have had in the development of their adopted country, in war and in peace, in all kinds of German American activity, from the earliest days, as the basis for the founding and continuance of a German 'American history.

Source: German American Annals

since the side with the monkey includes the text §11.

There is a choir in Schwaben also, but its name is different and it has a logo, that has nothing in common with anything on the token.

Peter

[Prosit]

Thanks!

I do like the monkey....maybe what is familiar is the India temple tokens we talked about one time that had a monkey on it.

Dale

[Figleaf]

Yes, the monkey is intriguing. Two thoughts.

The monkey is sitting on an olive branch. There are not too many olive trees in NJ or Germany, so I venture that the olive is symbolic, for peace, of course.

My interpretation of the object in the monkey's hand is a cup. European street musicians used monkeys with a cup to collect money as a reward for their efforts. Sometimes the monkey was dressed up or trained to thank for a gift by saluting with its hat. The scene could be symbolic for collecting money for the choir.

Peter

[Prosit]

A bit more information:

The Schwäbischer Sängerbund roots date back to 1885. On April 10 of that year, a group of 27 German immigrants formed the original men's chorus. Their purpose was to keep their cherished traditions and heritage of choral singing alive In their newly adopted country. In the early 1900s, the men's chorus was one of the leading clubs in the city of Newark which at that time had over a dozen active German choruses. The Schwäbischer Sängerbund men's chorus was very active in the Northeastern Sängerbund participating both in prize competitions and with the United Singers of Newark hosting singing festivals in 1891, 1906 and 1935. Between the years 1912 and 1938 the chorus enjoyed much success by winning one first and placing second three times in first class prize competitions by men's choruses at the Northeastern Sängerbund festivals.

Dale

[Arminius]

Apparently the Swabians like to commemorate their singing on medals:



Deutschland, tragbare Medaille auf das schwäbische Sängerfest am 4.-5. Juli 1886 in Heilbronn, 1886 AD.,
quadratische Messing-Klippe (27-37 mm / 9,75 g), oben gelocht,
Obv.: SCHWÄBISCHES SÄNGERFEST / HEILBRONN - 4.5.Juli 1886 / W. M. , Stadtansicht mit Neckarbrücke und Booten, alles in verziertem Kreis, in den Ecken Ornamente.
Rev.: GRÜSS GOTT MIT HELLEM KLANG / HEIL DEUTSCHEM WORT U. SANG , Umschrift um Harfe zwischen Zweigen, darunter (Lieder-?) Rolle, alles in verziertem Kreis, in den Ecken Ornamente.

Maybe cause usually they tend to be grouchy and close-lipped ? 

[Figleaf]

Those city views are great. Incredible how much attention was paid to detail on a modest brass medal. Unfortunately, Google has not been in Heilbrunn yet, but my impression is that much has changed, even though the Killian church in the centre is still standing.

Peter