Bircher, Martin.

Historical Note

A particularly important aspect of the German Baroque period was the emergence of social structures which promoted literacy and the humanistics arts and sciences. Learned societies were established throughout Europe to bring scholars and writers together. One such society was the Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft (Fruitbearing Society), known also as the Palmenorden (Order of the Palms) because its emblem was the then-exotic coconut palm tree. Founded in 1617, it played a major role in encouraging the use of written German, and in establishing linguistic and stylistic norms for the language. This collection represents the early years of its activity during the 17th and early 18th centuries.

From the guide to the Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft Collection: Manuscript and Pictorial Material, circa 1600-circa 1700, (The Bancroft Library.)