Adolf Hengler

Side view of the featured stein, right.

Base marks on the Brüder Thannhauser. München stein on the top row, Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Da trank ein Mann drei Tag, Bis dass er steif wie ein Besenstiel Am Marmortische lag.   At the Black Whale in Ascalon A man drank for three days Until, stiff as a broomstick, He lay on the marble table.  "Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Da sprach der Wirt: "Halt an! Der trinkt von meinem Dattelsaft Mehr als er zahlen kann." In the Black Whale at Ascalon The innkeeeper said: "That's enough, He's drinking more of my date juice Than he can ever pay for." Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Da bracht' der Kellner Schar In Keilschrift auf sechs Ziegelstein Dem Gast die Rechnung dar. In the Black Whale at Ascalon A group of waiters brought On six tiles written in cuneiform. The bill up to the guest. Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Da sprach der Gast: "O weh! Mein baares Geld gieng alles drauf Im Lamm zu Niniveh!"  In the Black Whale at Ascalon The guest said: "Oh, my! All my ready cash was spent At the Lamb in Niniveh!" Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Da schlug die Uhr halb vier Da warf der Hausknecht aus Nubierland Den Fremden vor die Tür. In the Black Whale at Ascalon The clock struck half past three When the Nubian porter threw The stranger out the door Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon Wird kein Prophet geehrt Und wer vergnügt dort leben will Zahlt baar, was er verzehrt. In the Black Whale at Ascalon No prophet is honored And he who wants to live there in pleasure  Must pay cash for what he consumes.                       

This Stein, together with the one below, each quote a verse/s of the drinking song by Joseph Victor von Scheffel, "Im schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon"  There are six verses below left, so therefore one must assume that these must be two of a range of steins.

Pewter lid of the stein above, showing player rejoicing having knocked down all 9 pins / skittles.

This stein is similar in style to Villeroy & Boch - Mettlach #2583 designed by Quidenus with the subject of "The Black Whale at Ascalon". However the manufacturer of the stein body currently remains unidentified.

Side view of the featured stein, left.

Magnification of the decorator's signature on the featured stein on the top row.

Decorator's base marks on the Brüder Thannhauser. München stein on the immediate left,