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Instruments: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu
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Subject: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:01 PM John Egan made harps from 1792 to 1830ish. He is the inventor of the modern Irish folk harp. He began his work as the last of the bardic harpers of the O'Carolan ilk were dieing. Well, a friend has sold me a previously un-catalogued Egan "portable" harp. This now will begin about three years of it being restored and conserved by the leading experts in instrument conservation. So far, it is believed that it will likely be playable again. I have great hopes of singing with my Egan for the rest of my life, and launching her into her third century with a newly restored old voice. It may be one of the oldest Egan's in existence, and is one of only five privately cared for. Egan's are at the Metropolitan Museum, Harvard, and other major instrument collections. I intend to give opportunities to appropriate harpers to perform on her and record her, with proper oversight and precautions. I believe great instruments should be heard. I'll keep my mud-pals informed as she is gently brought back to her former glory. She is a teal blue, with 14 k. Shamrock tendrils all over. The remains of her bronze and gut strings lead me to believe she has not been heard for a hundred years. The shop that owned her before my friend… tossed this bit of Irish history… into a dumpster. Sometimes God smiles on us. Here is a link to photos of her present loveliness. Click here More photos will be posted to the Mudcat Facebook page. I wish all my mud friends the joy I feel tonight, at least once in your life, if not every day. ------------Link fixed. Mudelf.----- |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:04 PM PS As to age, she does not have the Royal Warrent on all Egans after, I believe 1816, and does not have several of his inovations on latter harps... exact date may not ever be known, but we will - as she is restored, know she is no latter than a some year fairly soon, as she is compaired to the other existing Egan Portable - Pre-Royal Portable harps. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: JennieG Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:08 PM What an amazing story. She looks like a duchess in rags, but when she is cleaned up she will shine like the beauty she is. Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: maeve Date: 10 Jul 09 - 08:42 PM How lovely she is! Thank you for letting us in on the joy. maeve |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: frogprince Date: 10 Jul 09 - 10:59 PM WOW!!! To think that somebody would toss that in a dumpster; I can understand that they might never have suspected that it could be a playable instrument again, but how could they not realize that they were looking at something extraordinary, just as a piece of art. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: EBarnacle Date: 10 Jul 09 - 11:07 PM Mazel tov, Larry |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: katlaughing Date: 11 Jul 09 - 12:36 AM My thoughts exactly, frogprince! Lorcan, she is gorgeous and it is no mistake she has come into your hands. She is going to sing so beautifully with all of that love and attention you give her. WOW!!! I can't wait to hear her. Joyful noise coming soon! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 11 Jul 09 - 04:20 AM harp photos set amazing - |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: GUEST Date: 11 Jul 09 - 07:59 AM Thanks Friends... the best estimate is that the restoration will take about three wonderful years. All the best lor |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: GUEST Date: 11 Jul 09 - 07:59 AM Saundra... thanks for the clicky! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 11 Jul 09 - 09:24 AM Two guest posts above are me... somehow got logged out... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: Celtaddict Date: 11 Jul 09 - 10:04 AM She is gorgeous even before she gets her voice back; I hope for an announcement when she will sing again, so we can share the experience! Totally off topic, without the capital letters your name looks Nigerian. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:06 AM Nigerian!!! No... but I do have a large bank account which I need to get to the US, and if you would like a biz partner... send me your banking info... =) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: Celtaddict Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:13 AM Better not; you may need it to get her back in the condition she deserves! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:20 AM speaking of Nigeria, a friend was crowing that his latest email from the wonderfully charitable & sadly widowed Mrs Moneybags really came from a Nigerian address! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:22 AM Best wishes for your future harp. I've seen the pictures, and the harp seems basically in good shape - no cracks or splits. That's good news. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Instrument Comes to Inobu From: Micca Date: 11 Jul 09 - 11:39 AM THE HARP that once through Tara's halls The soul of music shed, Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls As if that soul were fled. So sleeps the pride of former days, 5 So glory's thrill is o'er, And hearts, that once beat high for praise, Now feel that pulse no more. The Harp that Once Through Tara's Halls Thomas Moore (1779–1852) |
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Subject: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: Suffet Date: 11 Jul 09 - 12:32 PM Greetings: A woman named Julie Finch recently found an old harp in a dumpster in New York City. It turns out to be one made by John Egan in Ireland in the very late 18th or early 19th century. There are only 37 John Egan harps currently known in the world, counting this one, and only five are in private hands. The other 32 are in museums or university collections. Finch sold the harp to Mudcatter Lorcan Otway (InOBU) who is now having the instrument restored. Further information is available on Facebook by clicking here. --- Steve |
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Subject: RE: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: Celtaddict Date: 11 Jul 09 - 12:52 PM This is going to cost. Is there a means to make a donation? |
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Subject: RE: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: catspaw49 Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:00 PM Previous and CURRENT Thread found only a few below this one on MUDCAT!!!! Clone please. Spaw
-Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: Suffet Date: 11 Jul 09 - 01:57 PM Yipes! I searched under "Egan" and "harp" but found nothing. Sorry for starting this thread. Mick or Joe or smeone, could you close this one out and roll the messages over? Thanks. --- Steve |
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Subject: RE: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: Sorcha Date: 11 Jul 09 - 02:14 PM She's BEAUTIFUL! |
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Subject: RE: John Egan harp found in dumpster! From: InOBU Date: 11 Jul 09 - 06:26 PM Thanks Steve... I have started a Facebook group to report on the restoration... Celtaddict, that is a kind offer. When I have chosen the restoration company (it is now down to three, leaning towards one in Boston) if friends wish to create a "Friends of ..." fund, I can gurentee a wonderful concert by several friends ... Thanks. lor |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: alanabit Date: 12 Jul 09 - 05:58 AM Lovely news. Look forward to hearing of your progress. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Valmai Goodyear Date: 12 Jul 09 - 08:11 AM May i just draw people's attention to the all-day Irish harp workshop with Bonnie Shaljean at the Lewes Saturday Folk Club , Lewes, Sussex, UK on Saturday 18th. July? Bonnie performs at the club in the evening. Here is a booking form for the workshop and for evening tickets. Valmai (Lewes) |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Rumncoke Date: 12 Jul 09 - 03:50 PM That is just increadibly beautiful - I found I was moved to tears looking at the photos. I hope the restoration proves trouble free and that the harp proves to sound as well as it looks. Anne Croucher |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 12 Jul 09 - 07:57 PM Hi Anne: That is how I felt, when I found she was coming to me, I can't believe the honor of accompaning her into the start of her third century. lor |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Peter the Squeezer Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:52 PM I don't pretend to know anything about harps (are they always female?), but this is so obviously something very special. Presumably you won't be taking her along to your local singaround. :-) I shudder to think waht could have happened is the lady who found her had passed by earlier or later. All the best for the restoration. Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: MartinRyan Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:06 PM Sometimes, strays just find the right home.... Regards |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 13 Jul 09 - 07:54 PM It turns out that another of the five privately owned Egans was found in the trash... I think John Egan's spirit might have a hand to make sure his harps find the right homes. I am getting a reproduction of this model Egan, also strung with gut and bronze, (I am adding the bronze lower strings...) so the repro is going to sessions, the grand girl, when finished will be played at concerts... with great care and love. |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Leadfingers Date: 13 Jul 09 - 08:38 PM Lorcan - All I can say is I hope the restoration goes ahead with no problems ! Another wonderful story in the Folk World ! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 14 Jul 09 - 05:37 PM The latest news is that Julie tracked down the former owner, Rose Augustine, who died several years ago. This remarkable woman invented the nylon guitar string with her husband. She collected thousands of wonderful old instruments, and, according to her obit in the Indepentdant, felt old instruments should be played - which makes me feel that I am doing right by her harp. She was a great patron of the arts, and I am honored to keep her memory alive in this instrument as well... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: John P Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:11 PM Lorcan, if you feel so inclined, I would love to see some close up pictures of the artwork that's all over the harp! Beautiful instrument! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 14 Jul 09 - 08:29 PM Funny timing John P! I was photographing the blades this evening, and did some up close photos of the artwork to get evidence of a past repair (turns out what I took to be a repair might not have been, as I find origional mettal work overlaps painted shamrocks... long story, connected to the blades...) Long and short, check Flickr tomorrow and there will be new photos of the artwork. THanks to all... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:25 PM Photos of the art posted to flickr, link is above, thanks for asking! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: katlaughing Date: 14 Jul 09 - 11:35 PM Those are beautiful shamrocks! I love the way they cascade. The iron brace? Is it pockmarked from age or was it hammered to match the shamrock pattern do you think? Thanks so much for sharing! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 15 Jul 09 - 10:40 AM Hi Kat: I am pretty sure the pockmarks are from age, a little on either side of 200. It is now possible that parts of the harp are older than others, and for some reason Egan himself put the two together in this harp. The unfolding story is on Facebook at this group... "A John Egan Harp awakes from a long sleep" http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=207738710283 There are little mysteries about this dear girl, I hope we find answers to someday... and I hope and believe we hear her sing as well. Is mise, le meas Lorcan |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 16 Jul 09 - 11:13 PM Looks like I will be bringing my Egan to England to be restored in October... God willing... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Barry Finn Date: 17 Jul 09 - 12:47 AM "Don't let it fly United" "Please" Barry |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 17 Jul 09 - 06:53 AM I love that song, United Breaks Guitars! I am looking at Continental, but United now uses that song to train ground crew, and wound up paying the writter lots to licence the song. I think they might now be very instrument aware... I am calling first, and making sure the harp will ride in the cabin with me, in a soft case inside a hard case, made by Colarado Case Co. Thanks Barry |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: InOBU Date: 17 Jul 09 - 06:54 AM PS A link to that song is on my Face Book page... Brilliant... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: GUEST Date: 22 Jul 09 - 05:07 AM Two bits of news... In October, I will be taking my Egan to Michael Parfett in London for restoration and conservation... and yesterday, the replica Egan, Genie bought me for my birthday, and to keep me company while my origional harp is in England arrived, strung with cat gut, she has a lovely voice... I am really chuffed. I will be in England for a day or two at most, hope to see my London mudfriends, Kevin McGraw, Clr. ... and a few English Otways if possible... Cheers Lor |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: MartinRyan Date: 05 Aug 09 - 04:26 AM Ha! Just heard InoBU talking about this on irish radio! Great story. Regards |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: GUEST Date: 05 Aug 09 - 07:46 PM I think there is an on-line version of RTE... glad you heard it! Cheers lor |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Amos Date: 10 Aug 09 - 10:56 AM InOBU Makes the New York Times on the harp story. A |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Desert Dancer Date: 10 Aug 09 - 12:26 PM Refresh - just spotted the NYT article, myself! Becky in Long Beach, this week |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 10 Aug 09 - 07:17 PM wow! |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: GUEST Date: 11 Aug 09 - 06:52 AM Thanks folkies... I will also find the RTE link for folks, it is in the villager and Irish Times coming up... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: GUEST,InOBU - Lorcan Otway Date: 14 Aug 09 - 08:45 PM Irish Times Irish times story about the harp |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: GUEST,Lorcan OTway InOBU Date: 14 Aug 09 - 09:10 PM RTE About the Egan.... The link to the RTE radio story... |
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Subject: RE: Folklore: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: Sandra in Sydney Date: 15 Aug 09 - 03:10 AM Irish Central story referred to in RTE article |
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Subject: RE: Instruments: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: katlaughing Date: 20 Nov 10 - 11:46 AM Hod did you make out, Lorcan? All done and home with it, this year later?:-) kat |
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Subject: RE: Instruments: Historic Folk Harp Comes to Inobu From: EBarnacle Date: 24 Dec 10 - 10:59 AM I dropped by Larry's with Lady Hillary last night and he showed us THE HARP. She is beautiful, even in her unrestored state. She really needs a lot of work to make up for her years of neglect, though. This is one investment that will be well worth making. She is clearly a treasure, awaiting Larry's ability to take her to London to have her fully restored. |
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