Hugo von Bien Trophy

Paul Franz Niehoff graduated from the Reutlingen Pomologisches Institut on February 22, 1890. He was awarded highest honors in Landscaping, for which he received this beautiful hand-painted stein, the Hugo von Bien award.

The stein remained in his wife Maria's hands after his death. After Maria's death, it was passed to my father, Walter Hugo Niehoff. It was recently given to me by my mother, Kathryn.

The glazing includes a dancing couple on the end opposite the handle and verses of a poem on both sides.

In German Script:		In German Script:
	Wo dompfaffen, da Neid, Wo Studenten, da Freud		Wo Jungfern, da Lust, Wo Bier, da Durst
My crude English translation:		My crude English translation:
	Where there are bullfinches, there is envy, Where there are students, there is joy.		Where there are maids, there is pleasure, Where there is beer, there is thirst.

The lid is pewter with the following engraved in German:

Ausstellung Reutlingen 1889
Ehrenpreis gestiftet, Hugo von Bien

My translation:

Reutlingen Exhibition 1889
Prize of Honor donated, Hugo von Bien

An R is engraved in one side of the lid hinge, perhaps identifying the manufacturer of the pewter work. A 90 is engraved on the other side, which I believe to be the date of manufacture.

The bottom of the stein has these swatches of color, which serve as localized color filters coloring the image molded in the bottom on the inside.

The bottom of the stein has a signature, which can be seen also in the picture to the left. It is like a 4 with an elongated stem.

I have the following questions about the stein, and I would appreciate hearing from visitors to this web page who may have answers or leads:

The Hugo von Bien Award