Antique Tailor / Hatter Scissors 13" Steel & Brass Shears Newark NJ Provenance  

Amazing pair of antique Tailor Scissors with original owner's provenance.  There are not any specific markings on the scissors. Possibly made by R Heinisch and the markings worn off from use? There is a taped description on the blades about the original owner.

They belonged to Christian Bauer that was in business before 1870. I looked up the name and there was a Christian Bauer that was a “hatter” in 1870’s NJ., which seems to confirm the identity.  very good working condition, they cut very well.  right-handed scissors.  

Bauer Family History 

In October of 1832, my great-great-great-grandmother, a woman named Catherine E. Horn, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. My great-great-great-grandfather, Christian Bauer, was born four years later, around 1835, in Wurttemberg, Germany. "Bauer" is a German word that means "Farmer". 

How Christian met and married the older Catherine is still unknown. Sometime around 1860, they made their way to America. Initially, they lived in Brooklyn, New York, where their first child was born. This was Otto Bauer, on May 28, 1861. After Otto, there was Anna Bauer, born around 1862, then my great-great-grandfather, Frank Bauer, on June 28, 1863. After Frank was born, the family moved to Newark, New Jersey. It was there that three more children were born: Edward Bauer, around 1865; George Bauer, around 1867, Christian Bauer, born 1871, and a second George Bauer, born in 1874.

Listed on the 1870 Federal Census for Newark, Christian was working as a "hatter" (a person who makes or sells hats) while 38-year-old Catherine, who was known as Katie, was at home raising Otto (10), Anna (9), Frank (8), Edward (5), and George (3). Another child, Christian Bauer, Jr., was born in 1871. Little Christian was only two years old when he died November 18, 1873, from a disease called Variola, more commonly known as Smallpox.