Antique Beer Steins

During the month of April, the Rosenberg Library had several examples of antique beer steins on display.  These artifacts were originally made in Germany between the early and late 1800s.  Three were donated to the library by W.R.A. Rogers (1869-1937), and one was given by Fred Burton (1876-1938).  Mr. Rogers was a prominent Galveston businessman and member of the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors for many years.  Mr. Burton was in the cotton and later the insurance industry, and he also served as the Galveston Quartet Society’s first director. 

 The earliest types of drinking vessels known as steins date back to the 16^th century.  Most scholars and historians credit the Germans for this invention.  Steins, also referred to as tankards, are containers with handles and hinged lids. These lids were used to protect the liquid contents from flies and other pests, a sanitary measure taken after millions in Europe fell victim to the bubonic plague.  Steins were made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the decoration on the vessels ranges from primitive designs to elaborate masterpieces.

 During the 16^th and 17^th centuries, steins were usually made from brown clay and were hand painted using several colors.  From the early 18^th century on, raised relief decoration and more color were added.  By the later half of the 19^th century, stein making had reached its pinnacle, becoming a true art form.  In addition to clay, pewter, porcelain, colored glass, silver, and even ivory were used to craft beer steins.  Etched or painted scenes on steins portrayed figures drinking, dancing, and hunting.  “Character steins” were cartoon-like vessels in the shape of animals or vegetables with expressive facial features.  Some hand-painted vessels depicted exceptionally realistic military or occupational scenes. 

 Companies such as Villeroy and Boch, Merkelbach and Wick, Marzi and Remy, and HR began mass producing beer steins during the 1800s.  Most of these manufacturers stamped their steins with distinctive makers’ marks, and many steins were engraved with the words “musterschutz” or “geschüzt” on the base.  This meant that that particular design was patented and that its duplication by another company was prohibited by law.  Steins that have the word “Germany” on the base indicate a production date after 1892.  At that time, national law mandated the practice of identifying export goods.

 Beer steins that pre-date the mid 19^th century were usually one-of-a-kind drinking vessels.  Often, these were made to order, and depending on size, quality, and craftsmanship, some steins were quite expensive to produce.  These earlier custom-made beer steins are highly sought after by today’s collectors.  The values of some steins—particularly the oldest and most unusual examples—have gone up significantly over the past several decades.

Photo Caption:  Antique Beer Steins, early to late 19^th century.  Donated to the Rosenberg Library by W.R.A. Rogers and Fred Burton during the early 1930s.