John,
the pamphlet that Heinz and I are working on is titled "PiÃ??tole 1904". It was published in 1906 and reprinted in 1913. I THINK that Heinz called it the fractur alphabet. While deer hunting this year, I hunted in an old German/Polish community in upper Michigan and I found a German lady in her late 70's who told me that it would be difficult and time consuming to translate. Very technical. She said that she would not even want to try. She said that while in school in Germany, the alphabet had already been changed. I THINK that the "Ã??" is called a sharp "s". While my pamphlet does not appear to be technical in appearance, every German speaking person that I have contacted says that it is, including Heinz. Heinz tells me that there is also a difference between German army and navy style of writing. I even went to an international grade school and the Head Master did not want to try interpreting. While Heinz is laboring over the translation, I have done considerable running so that I could cross translate as to the accuracy of the print. Its a lot more work than I originally thought it would be.
I have asked Heinz about his progress but I do not want to push him. Its better to do it slow and accurately then fast and sloppy. I am dying to read what that pamphlet says. Heinz is an intelligent man and I trust what he is doing.
But getting back to the pamphlet that started this. The title of that pamphlet just does not look right. If it was not for Tom A, whose knowlege I respect, I would yell "FAKE" unless it was written in English. If this pamphlet was written for the American market, then that will be a different story.
Big Norm
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