Headstone inscription - Latin

[Janet Waterhouse]

Hello,

I am struggling with this inscription on the top of an headstone 'In Pr?' - Image attached.

I hope you can help.

Regards,

Janet

[jds1949]

Looks like "In Memorium" - in memory of

jds1949

[GR2]

The correct Latin for "in memory (of)" is "in memoriam", so the second last letter will be "a", even though the way it is carved it could be confused with "u".

[arthurk]

It looks to be a rather quirky alphabet where the vowels in particular are almost indistinguishable. It reminds me of a query a few years ago, though on revisiting it I see that the main problem there was with 'w':

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=812176.0

The original poster (SiGr) then found a similar Pugin-style alphabet, and another contributor (JenB) found an example in a stained glass window with the same 'w', and vowels quite similar to the ones in the headstone here. (Read to the bottom of that thread - I've rotated the image of the window.)

[Janet Waterhouse]

Thank you for replying.

I take it using a quirky, unattribitable alphabet the inscription reads 'In Memoriam'.

Regards,

Janet

[arthurk]

Yes, it should be In Memoriam, but you might need a close inspection to tell whether it actually says In Memorium - and with it being so idiosyncratic, you might never be sure.

Note the ivy around the lettering - a symbol of affection, eternity etc, typically signifying the bond between spouses.

[Janet Waterhouse]

Thank you ArthurK,

for your analysis of the alphabet and the ivy embellishments, all very interesting.

Regards,

Janet