Music & Musical Instruments

This violin was made in Mirecourt, France around 1880. This instrument, with shaded varnish to imitate age and wear, is based on a model of violins by Joseph Guarneri “Del Jesu.” It is described in Foote's 1882 catalog as “No. 5928 Copy of Guarnerius, extra fine quality, beautiful oil varnish, plain ebony trimmings $22.00.” Four Guarneri models are listed in the catalog in the French violin group, ranging in price from $10.00 to $35.00 each. This violin is the next to the most expensive.

Many large and oversized violins like this (with 14¼ inch body length) were made in Mirecourt. A second Smithsonian example is catalog #72846. These two instruments have similar archings and outlines, both have pearwood purfling, and are listed in the Foote catalog at the same price and “extra fine quality” under French copies of old masters. The second instrument, with a different design of f-holes, is identified as a copy of Stradivarius.

This violin has a printed reproduction Guarneri label and is made of a two-piece table of spruce, two-piece back of maple with even, medium-fine ascending figure, ribs of moderately figured maple, neck, pegbox and scroll of faintly figured maple, and a yellow-brown varnish.

This violin was made in Mirecourt, France around 1880. This instrument is a typical example of commercial Mirecourt, France production for export. J. Howard Foote, in his catalog published in 1882 describes the Salzard models: "The following are made by the successor of François Salzard, who died early in 1875. They are the only Violins made which rightfully bear the stamp - "Salzard à Paris" - and are imported by this house only: Nos. 5915 Genuine Salzard, beautiful dark color, elegant plain finish, ebony trimmings . . . Each $12.00"

The Salzard family of makers were working in Mirecourt from the last quarter of the 18th century. François was born in Mirecourt in 1808, the son of the Mirecourt maker Dominique Salzard. François established a business in his name in 1836 and later moved his activities to Paris. His son, Ernst André, born in 1842, studied under François and in 1863 opened a business first in Moscow and later in St. Petersburg as maker to the Imperial Court where he achieved an excellent reputation.

This violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, back of maple in one piece bearing an even, medium, horizontal figure, ribs of complementary maple, mildly figured maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and a semi-opaque reddish-purple varnish.

This viola was made in Schönbach, Germany around 1880. It is made of a two-piece table of spruce, two-piece back of bird’s-eye maple cut on the quarter, ribs of maple with fine figure, neck, pegbox and scroll of maple, and orange-brown varnish.

Under the heading “VIOLAS” in his 1882 catalog, page 54, J. Howard Foote continues, “Or Tenor Viols, also called Altos by the French. No. 5995 French Copy of Stradivarius, excellent quality ebony trimmings $10.00 each.” While the Smithsonian accession records indicate item No. 5995, it is possible that this instrument, a cheaper German viola, No. 5994, was substituted in shipment and is the one displayed at the Smithsonian in 1882.

This violin was made in Markneukirchen, Germany around 1880. It is a commercial instrument in Russian form which is constructed with ribs that bulge out from its sides. The edges of the body and ribs are rounded to form a continuous curve with the archings of the table and back. From the plan view the ends of the corners terminate as points. The closed scroll with two volutes and pegbox are rounded en suite with the body. The bass bar is carved from the graduations of the table.

On page 52 in his 1882-83 catalog, J. Howard Foote describes this instrument (#5880) among the “GERMAN VIOLINS, Russian Model ... Dark red, rounded edges, beautifully made, ebony trs., Russian Style ... $120.00 Per Doz."

The violin bears a reproduction Rubus label and is made of a two-piece table of spruce, two-piece back of maple with fine, irregular descending figure, ribs are of similar maple, neck of moderately figured maple with stylized rounded pegbox and scroll, and an opaque brown varnish heavily shaded to imitate wear and age.

This harmonica was made by an unknown maker, possibly Germany, around 1878-1880, and sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a Concert model, with 24 holes on two edges and 48 reeds. This harmonica is comprised of 4 connected wood harmonicas eached tune to a different key, covered in metal, with zinc reed plates and bone reed plate covers. There is a metal handle at each side of the harmonica.

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This instrument listed in an 1880 J. Howard Foote catalog, sold as a Concert harmonica (#5747), for $12.00.

This violin was made in Klingenthal, Germany around 1880. This commercial violin bears a square arching and outline typically seen in Klingenthal trade instruments of the late 19th century branded “HOPF.” J. Howard Foote, in his 1882 catalog indicates: “Hopf violins are well known by their peculiar shape and color. But few Violins sold as “Hopf” are genuine. Nos. (catalog numbers) 5871-73 are made by the successor of the original “Hopf” both in name and vocation.” This instrument, Foote catalog #5872, is described as “Genuine ‘Hopf,’ extra quality, ebony trimmings and fingerboard, ‘Stainer’ model...$80.00 per dozen.”

Caspar Hopf is thought to have founded the Klingenthal tradition of violin making in the late 17th century. From these beginnings until this century, 24 makers bearing the Hopf family name worked in Saxony, primarily in Klingenthal. The family is generally known for their extensive production of inexpensive and commercial instruments for the trade. This violin is made of a two-piece table of spruce, back of maple with irregular fine figure, ribs of medium-fine figure, neck, pegbox and scroll of medium-fine figured maple, and a deep reddish-purple varnish.

This harmonica was made by Wilhelm Thie in Vienna, Austria, around 1875-1880, and sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a double model, with 48 double holes and 48 reeds. This harmonica has a black painted wooden comb with brass cover plates attached with small nails to the top and bottom. The harmonica is embossed:

WILHEM THIE
[awards]
IN WIEN

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This instrument listed in an 1880 J. Howard Foote catalog, sold as a double harmonica (#5782), for $15.00 per dozen.

This drum was made by Abner Stevens in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1812. The wood drum shell has been cut down approximately 3 inches from each end and features an image of the American bald eagle on a flag shield with a banner inscribed “LIBERTY OR DEATH.” It has black painted hoops and metal hooks laced with rope through leather ears, used to tighten the hoops. The drum is currently disassembled. The paper label inside the shell is inscribed:

AMERICAN DRUMS
ABNE[R] [S]TEVENS,
HA[S] FOR SALE
TAMBOREANS, BASS & COM[ ]
DRUMS,
MADE IN THE BEST MANNER
At his Factory in the center of the town of
PITTSFIELD, (Ms.) 1812.

”This drum was carried during five years of the Civil War by Henry K. Bevier, father of donor, who was drum major of the 72d New York Zuaves. He carried the drum through many engagements of the Civil War including the Battle of Gettysburg and also in the Victory Parade held in Washington, D. C. at the close of the War. The family tradition is that this drum was originally purchased by his grandfather who carried it during the war of 1812.”

”Henry K. Bevier was born on December 1, 1843 at Jerusalem in Erie County/New York, the son of Samuel and Rhoda Taylor. On August 5, 1869, he married Mary M. Taylor and in 1873 settled in Elisabethtown, Bartholemew County, Indiana. He later moved to Nebraska and was at the time of his death in his 90's the oldest surviving Civil War veteran in Nebraska."

”Some time after the Civil War, Bevier cut three inches off the top of the drum body and three inches off its bottom and made a new drum which he gave to one son. The remaining center portion, was made into another drum and given to another son, which is the drum donated to the museum.”

Henry K. Bevier (1843-1938 ) [recorded in roster as Brevier] enlisted on May 28, 1861. He was a musician with the 72nd New York Infantry, Company D. He was mustered in June 20, 1861. Bevier was mustered out June 19, 1864.

This gusle was made by an unknown maker in Bosnia, Yugoslavia, probably 19th century. It has a table of hide (missing) stretched and fastened to the body with 19 pins (16 missing), body, neck and stylized horse with rider of one-piece hardwood, one hardwood tuning peg; instrument is not varnished.

This instrument has a spoon-shaped body with an elongated narrow neck terminating in a carving of a mounted horseman, with no further ornamentation. The horseman is possibly a stylized representation of Milos Obilic, a 14th-century Serbian folk-hero known for defending his country against the invading Turks.

This violin bow was made by and unknown maker in Mirecourt, France, about 1880, and sold by the J. Howard Foote Company in New York and Chicago. It is a round snakewood stick with an ivory face, nickel silver lined ebony frog with underslide, colored pearl slide, and ebony button with two nickel silver rings (one extant), and a pearl eye.

John Howard Foote (1833-1896) was a musical instrument dealer with shops in New York City and Chicago. This instrument listed in an 1880 J. Howard Foote catalog, sold as a violin bow (#6168), for $37.50 per dozen.