Photo of Art and Madeline Slicer
The collection was donated to Springfield College Archives and Special Collections in March 2015 by Art and Madeline Slicer. Art Slicer was raised in Hartford, Connecticut and graduated from Springfield College in 1959. His wife Madeline Slicer was born and raised in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and graduated from Springfield College in 1958. They each taught at schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, with Mrs. Slicer teaching physics and chemistry, and Mr. Slicer serving as an athletic director, swimming and gymnastics coach, and health sciences teacher. Mr. Slicer began collecting steins in the late 1980’s, focusing part of his collecting on Turnverein (Turner) steins that depict sporting activities. In March 2015 Art and Madeline donated their collection of Turnvereine steins and related memorabilia to Springfield College Archives and Special Collections. Now retired, the Slicers continue to collect steins and are active in three local chapters of Stein Collectors International.
4F shield
The items in this collection bear many of the symbols and expressions associated with Father Jahn and the Turnvereine in Germany. One predominant theme is the four F’s (“Frisch, Fromm, Froh, and Frei”), which appear on the steins as either words or are arranged as a cross emblazoned on a shield, also known as the 4F shield.
Frish, Frei, Stark und Treu
A variation on the 4F shield was a combination of two F's, an S and T, which represents "Frish, Frei, Stark, und Treu" ("fresh, free, strong, and true"). This variation indicates the Turners’ criticism of religion in the 1850s; they replaced “fromm” (devout) with “stark” (true), even though the term “devout” signified loyalty to the Turner ideals, rather than religious devoutness. Three decades later, the latter expression became the motto of the German Workers Turner Union (see Hofman's “From Jahn to Lincoln: Transformation of Turner Symbols in a New Cultural Setting” in the 'Sources' section of this collection).
Etched stein with 4F symbol and gymnast
This stein shows a Turner (gymnast) holding a flag bearing the 4F symbol. Note the barbells and other gymnastic equipment along the bottom, and the inlay lid with the relief image of Father Jahn. It also bears the image of a sword and a torch, which respectively symbolize the political and religious fight for justice and equality, and enlightenment. These symbols indicate the Turners' association with Freethinkers (Friedenker). For more about these symbols, see Annette Hofman's article "From Jahn to Lincoln: Transformation of Turner Symbols in a New Cultural Setting" (The full citation is on the 'Sources' page of this site). This particular stein was made by Johann Wilhelm Remy, a manufacturer who produced steins from the mid-nineteenth century until his death in 1911.
1880-1911
Character stein of barbells
This stein and its inscriptions reinforce the connections among physical fitness, strength, and—of course—drinking. On this particular stein, the inscriptions extol the virtues of physical fitness, an idea underscored by the relief images of barbells to construct it. This item is yet another example of a character stein, because its body, lid, handle, and mountings combine to form a figure, person, or object--in this case, barbells.
1912-1925
Character stein of Nurnberg Tower
This character stein of Nurnberg (Nuremberg) Tower commemorates the July 1903 Turnfest in Nurnberg. Note the prominent image of Father Jahn. This particular stein is known as a character stein, because its body, lid, handle, and mountings combine to form a figure, person, or object--in this case, Nurnberg Tower.
1903-1934
Mettlach stein with gymnasts
This stein is another example of a Mettlach stein, manufactured by Villeroy & Bosch in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
c. 1899
Stoneware stein of Ingolstadt festival
This stein commemorates the 1909 Turnfest in Ingostadt. Note the prominent image of Father Jahn.
1909-1934
Stoneware stein of Bamberg festival
This stein commemorates the Turnfest held in Bamberg in July 1926.
1926-1934
Pilsner glass with shot putter
Although most steins and vessels in the Slicer collection bear a 4F shield symbolizing the four F's associated with the Turnvereine movement, this glass depicts the letters F, F, S, and T, which stands for "Frish, Frei, Stark, und Treu" ("fresh, free, strong, and true"). This change indicates the Turners’ criticism of religion in the 1850s. They replaced “fromm” (devout) with “stark” (true), even though the term “devout” signified loyalty to the Turner ideals, rather than religious devoutness.
1880-1934