A Collection of Four Wimpels (Torah Binders): 1877, 1900, 1909, 1960

A. [Alsace]: 1877
Linen and multi-colored paints, 6 1/2  x 133 in. (165 x 3380 mm), housed in plexiglass case mounted on two rollers, case dimensions: 9 3/4 in. height, 20 1/2  in. width, 4 1/2 in. depth (248 x 520 x 115 mm). Attached to silk backing

This wimpel was made for Naphtali (known as Hirsch), son of Joseph Hess, born on Friday, 20 Tevet 5637 [=January 5, 1887]

B. [Alsace]: 1900
Linen and multi-colored paints, height: 8 in. (205 mm), housed in plexiglass case mounted on two rollers, case dimensions: 10 3/4 in. height, 20 1/2 in. width, 4 1/2 in. depth (270 x 520 x 115 mm). Few small stains.

This wimpel was made for Jacob the son of Isaac, born on Wednesday 9 Sivan 5660 [= June 6, 1900]

C. 1909
Linen and multi-colored paints, height: 8 in. (205 mm), housed in plexiglass case mounted on two rollers, case dimensions: 9 3/4 in. height, 20 1/2 in. width, 4 1/2 in. depth (248 x 520 x 115 mm).  A single tear affecting two letters, a second tear (repaired) affecting two letters.

This wimpel was made for Eliezer son of Eliyakum, born on Wednesday 24 Av 5669 [=August 11, 1909]

D. [France]: 1960

Linen and multi-colored paints, height: 8 in. (205 mm), housed in plexiglass case mounted on two rollers, case dimensions: 9 3/4 in. height, 20 1/2 in. width, 4 1/2 in. depth (248 x 520 x 115 mm).

This wimpel was made for Samuel son of Aaron (known as Jacques Robert Joseph), born on Friday, 15 Sivan, 5720 [=June10, 1960].

In southern Germany, beginning in the seventeenth century, the custom developed of transforming the linen swaddling cloth used to wrap the eight-day-old baby boy at his circumcision ceremony into a Torah binder. The term "wimpel," derives from the German word for binding. After the ceremony the circumcision cloth would be cleaned, cut into strips and sewn together into one long piece which was embroidered or painted with the child's name, date of birth, and the prayer recited at the circumcision ceremony that the child be blessed to grow to study the Torah, to be married, and to perform good deeds.

According to custom the wimpel was presented to the synagogue on the occasion of the child's first visit. This age varied from one community to the next and ranged from the child's first, third or fifth birthday. His family would bring the wimpel to the synagogue for Shabbat morning services, the wimpel would be used to bind the Torah scroll and the child's family made kiddush in honor of their son's entering into a life of Torah. Years later, that same cloth would be used to bind the Torah at the boy's bar mitzvah.

Reference:
Mappot- blessed be who comes: the band of Jewish tradition, Annette Weber et al., eds., Osnabruck: 1997.