Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: GUEST,Guest-Nick
Date: 29 Apr 14 - 06:08 PM

Thanks everyone for responding, especially Bev and Jerry for the detail on the image. I am certainly inclined now to agree that the image is a later addition; the varnish over the top is quite pronounced. As to whether it is trade made or home made, I've not the experience to say. For me, the most interesting aspect now is the hardwood front and, yes,screwed on pine/spruce back. Would it sound better this way, or was it an aesthetic thing?

Nick

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 28 Apr 14 - 11:53 PM

After a little more thought, here's a hypothesis (based on nothing) about how this decal got on this one-string violin:

None of the autoharp manufacturers, Dolge, Phonoharp, Schmidt or anyone else, made their own decals. They bought them from some supplier. They may have been designed by autoharp makers or maybe not. In any event, whoever made the one-string violin in question simply bought one and stuck it on.

Why not?

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 28 Apr 14 - 04:50 PM

Nick:

We thought this decal looked familiar. It's an old Autoharp decal!!!

It was first used on the Dolgeville eight-bar model 72-7/8 in the late 1890s. It continued to be used by Phonoharp (1910-1926)on both the model 72-7/8 and twelve-bar model 73. And it was used by Oscar Schmidt on the model 73 as late as 1936.

How it wound up on this instrument is a complete mystery to us.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Apr 14 - 09:57 AM

I find it interesting that the back seems to be screwed on.

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Apr 14 - 09:57 AM

It looks like a decoration to me.

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Apr 14 - 11:22 PM

I go antiquing a lot. I think that instrument has recently been varnished (or similar) from head to toe, and it wouldn't surprise me if the decoration has been recently applied.

I think the finish is simply too perfect for something that old - no scratches, no wear marks.

Of course if it plays well, what does it matter?

Subject: RE: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 27 Apr 14 - 04:18 PM

Nick,
I would say it's just a decoration, not a logo. It could even be a Victorian scrap pasted on and lacquered over. It looks home-made to me. Slightly more elaborate than the one I used to own.

Didn't strohviols work off a gramophone sound head? Maybe just the posh ones.

Subject: Tech: Unknown instrument logo, c1900
From: GUEST,Guest-Nick
Date: 27 Apr 14 - 03:27 PM

I've no idea where else go with this query, so Mudcat it is...

I have been looking at a turn-of-the-century Jap (one-string) fiddle:
http://www.tfoa.eu/the_store/index.php?target=products&product_id=38733

Yes, over-priced, but can anyone here identify the maker-manufacturer from the logo transfer on the front of the instrument? (Head to the last image on the page.) Similar but simpler images in B&W were frequently employed as column headings in 19C newspapers for the Entertainment section -- in comparison, this looks to be quite complex. The seller's date seems correct: I would say 1890 to 1910.

Thanks for looking. Nick