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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on April 11, 2011, 12:04:18 am
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With a mix of both happiness and admittedly a little regret, I was contacted by the descendants of the family whose names are written in the bottom of my antique violin case. They are descended from one of the children whose name is written in the case. They told me tonight that this ancestor abandoned his own son and left no records or heritage to the family- no photos, nothing. But soon they will have the violin case and it is their only physical connection to the family. When I told the lady who contacted me that I would give it up, she cried. :) I'm glad I am going to be able to be the one to send this violin case home after a very long journey.
What I need to do is to locate a reasonably priced replacement that is as nice as the one I am returning to the family. I would like to make it as painless as possible for them financially. Our plan is for them to replace the case and I hand the family one off to them. Their family lived in the mid to late 1850's and all their names are written in the case. Here are a few pics. When I put the liner in the bottom, I left it loose so that the writing would not be damaged:
(http://www.talesofthesevenseas.com/ViolinCase1.jpg)
(http://www.talesofthesevenseas.com/ViolinCase4.jpg)
(http://www.talesofthesevenseas.com/ViolinCase2.jpg)
(http://www.talesofthesevenseas.com/ViolinCase3.jpg)
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There is one on ebay now that includes at least most of an Anton Schroetter violin and a bow as well and the bid is at $60.00 !! Certainly not in as good condition as yours !! There are a few others but didn`t know the price range you were looking for !! Yours still looks better than they do !! But there is only about an hour left on it. The violin with it looks pretty good just needs a bit of work !! Looks like it was refinished but not put all back together. Needs strings and stuff !!
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Wow Seven.. how did you find that? and how did you manage to find the descendants? this sounds like a fascinating story.
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I'll Keep an eye out on my local craigslist. Ebay may be your best option but will probably take some time. Hubby is looking for an antique cornet and quite a few come up but cases only are listed rarely (at least from my saved searches).
GREAT story!
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I won this violin case on Ebay. When I got it it had been restored, and there was a plush, kind of fuzzy lining in it, but without any forms to hold the violin still, so I decided to put a better lining inside to hold my violin. When I pulled it out, there was writing under the liner. One was a list of old faded family names. I looked them up online and found that the family had lived in the mid to late 1800's. I kinda felt like their descendants should at least know the case existed, so I posted on a genealogy forum and that is how the descendant found me. She was very nice and she just asked me to let her know if I ever should decide to part with it. I told her I felt it belonged with her family and we just needed to find an equal replacement for me and she could have this one.
It is the second set of writing where things really take an interesting turn. Inside the case was written a note that said "This old fiddle case restored by Ken (surname) the name of a town, and then a series of numbers. I did a little more detective work and I figured out that this was an old-style phone number where they just used the last digits. So I looked up the town and that number and found a lady with the same last name as Ken. I figured that Ken was hoping someone would find this and call someday, so I called.
As it turned out, the lady was Ken's widow. Not that long after he restored the violin case, he was killed in an accident. He was an emergency worker and he was swept away in a river on the way to a rescue. He never told his wife that he had put the message inside the violin case. She said he must have seen the list of childrens names and decided to do it. She said it would be just like him to do something like this. The she asked me to keep what he started going and to write my story of how I came by the violin inside the case. I did that and when I put the liner inside, I left is loose so that the writing wouldn't be harmed.
So now it is time for me to send the violin case home. I told the lady it will be going to that it is her turn to write the end of the story inside the case. :)
Now I just need to find one that is as nice as this and to try for it not to be too expensive. Some of these get really ridiculous. I paid somewhere over $100 for it, but less than $200 as I recall and I always felt that it was an exceptionally good buy. I expect it may cost a couple hundred to get an equal replacement, but I've seen them sell for a lot more, although I think if we do some hunting we can locate a nice one at a reasonable price.
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That is just beyond fascinating tales! What an amazing history, you are so generous to care about someone else's family so much. I have thought about contacting people when I buy photographs with names. I imagine people who are looking for photos of their favorite grandparent or people who have always wondered what their ancestors looked like. They'd never know the photos existed, sitting in my photo box. I'd appreciate if someone did the same for me...
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You are a hero tales.
Here is a collection of my family pictures....
http://www.antique-shop.com/elser/gene/nannyfirstalbum/
This is a priceless treasure to me.. to think some family member would sell it in a yard sale or (gasp) throw it away, kills me inside.
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It's already been said, Tales, so all I can add is a thumbs up!
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Glad you guys enjoyed the story. I'm glad to have a hand in bringing that tale to a happy ending. I'll keep you guys posted on how this pans out with getting a replacement case for me and returning the case I have now to her family.
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I'm really curious to know the size of the violin (full , 3/4 , etc.) in order to keep that in mind (for a replacement case) .
Nice & rewarding story , talesof !
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Sorry, full-size 4/4, standard adult violin size.
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Came across this site tales, likely many more of them out there. Might be worth posting that you're looking for another coffin case. ;)
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=6
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Have you seen all of these tales? Some don't give sizes and need refinishing. But with you being so super handy, that wouldn't be a huge deal breaker. Or, for something this size, maybe someone could do it inexpensively for you and make them beautiful again. :)
The third one is decent and kinda unique.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Antique-GSB-Violin-4-4-Coffin-Case-Wooden-Box-/110671459396?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c4887444
http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-CONSERVATORY-STRADIVARIUS-VIOLIN-W-WOODEN-CASE-/230605547179?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b12966ab
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Wood-Violin-Case-Black-Brass-Lock-Hinge-/150585855936?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230f9dcfc0
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Wood-Violin-Case-/130498689946?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6253fb9a
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Another fixer upper.......but looks to be the same style as yours.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/19TH-CENTURY-PAINTED-WOOD-VIOLIN-CASE-/280635689266?pt=Folk_Art&hash=item415730c932#ht_500wt_912
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That a good one, wonder if it's the right size.
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Thanks ladies! The last one has potential for restoration, but since I'm giving up one that is in good, ready-to-use shape, I was kinda hoping to find one similar that wouldn't require further investment.
What I don't want is one like this- these are the run-of-the-mill cheap 19th century wood ones, always painted black with rounded ends. These are veneered, they split and fall apart and are a world apart from the one I'm giving up, that was lovingly hand made. Turns out that the father of the family it came from was a cabinet maker, so mine was likely made by him.
I want to avoid this type:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqV,!ikE2L5USPkQBNmlS-,3bQ~~0_3.JPG)
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Tales, I'm keeping an close eye on the Cape Breton Kijiji.........fidd ling capital of Canada, there's got to be some good ones floating around there ;)
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Thanks! I'm afraid this is going to be fairly tough to find.
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Don't know why I didn't think of this place earlier, hubby has bought from them since shortly after they opened 40 years ago..........they have have had a myriad of antique instruments and accessories pass through their doors over the years.
I shot off a note asking if they might have or know where to find one (included pics)......there isn't a musician in NS who doesn't know their shop, as well as many big name Canadian and American artists who have become customers.
http://www.halifaxfolklorecentre.com/about
Check out their gallery of shop and instrument photos .......will let you know what I hear back
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Cool! That place looks like it would have possibilities. Thanks!
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Ugghhh! Not particularly helpful :P
"Hello: Sorry, but we do not have a case like yours at this time. Good luck in your search.
Regards, M.Dorward"
Hopefully if they do come across one they'll look up my email as I also asked that if they had any
suggestions as to where one might be found.
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Thank-you for trying! These kinds of cases are tough to come by.
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This one might do the trick. I've emailed the seller asking for more photos.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260769726934&fromMakeTrack=true (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260769726934&fromMakeTrack=true)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqQOKjgE1tMeZ5u,BNpi+LyVQ!~~_12.JPG)
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Well, the seller at the auction above never responded to the request for additional pics/info. I found this one in Australia and although it's not quite as nice as what I've got and it needs a new liner it might do the trick. The seller is checking on shipping costs.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110679646138&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110679646138&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
I've been exchanging several emails with the recipient of my case. She is really excited. It is the only relic known to exist from this part of the family and it is her namesake, so she is really thrilled. She's planning a family dinner at which she will "unveil" the violin for her family, once it is in her possession. Really nice to know that it is going where it will be treasured and I'm feeling good about the whole thing. She's in CA, so once we locate a case for me, we're going to meet up to hand off the cases. She says she wants me to see the smile on her face when she sees it. Really nice lady. I'll keep you guys posted on how this goes.
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Tales, to me, that case looks like a refinished common black paint/stain model you detest. I could be wrong but the inside edge is black and the wood looks refinished. I think you could do the same by stripping the common black ones and then using a natural finish. JMO.
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You know I thought that at first too, but the seller insists it is solid wood. It could be that they are just clueless. I have asked for a series of up-close photos showing the wood where there is some kind of notch, all the hardware etc. and specifically showing that this is solid wood and not layered. I've seen several stripped vaneer cases out there and it's not always easy to tell in the photos. I kind of wonder if I should just avoid anything with rounded ends and assume it is this type of cheap case?
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What about this one tales. Price is quite a bit higher than the one you're looking at, but from the pics it looks to be 'real' wood. But it would need work :(
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ANTIQUE-WOODEN-COFFIN-BOX-Case-VIOLIN-FIDDLE-/380334715457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588db73241#ht_668wt_1132
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It has a huge split down the back. :( Actually several hundred $$ would not be at all out of line for the price on the case. I paid about $200 for mine and felt like I got a really good deal. I think its just going to take some time to find the right one.
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Too bad this one wasn't listed on ebay.........though definitely not as old as or with the character of yours
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-string-Antique-Wooden-Full-Size-Violin-Case-W0QQAdIdZ275921686#
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I'm almost a bit scared of the price being so low. There must be some reason why, I would think. I figured the current low price on the one I posted above is an opening bid, but it doesn't look to be drawing much attention. When I have brought my case around other violinists, they are always ooohing and ahhhing over it. No one in their right mind would slap a $20 price tag on it. So hard to tell in some of these photos what is really going on.
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Don't know what the fascination was with painting things black. :P
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ANTIQUE-VIOLIN-COFFIN-CASE-/400210752606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d2e6b745e#ht_500wt_913
http://cgi.ebay.com/Interesting-Antique-Violin-w-Beautiful-One-Piece-Back-/120720764796?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1b84af7c#ht_7449wt_2106
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That's another of the veneer ones. I'm finding that anything with rounded ends is veneered. I'm still looking, so thanks for posting that!
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Talesof....I just love hearing your stories and the compassion you have for reuniting families with treasures! The joy of this site!!!!
As for the reasoning for the low amount....remember. ....if it isn't of value to the person selling it.....most people don't research to find out the value and will take what they get. I know we always have a skeptic eye here for repros and advantage-takers because we have seen them many times....but there are also genuine great deals out there! For $20 it could be a good thing if it is the real thing! Don't overlook the "wild cards"! :)
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This one came up on Ebay today. Not sure about the age with that type of clasp, maybe 1940's/50's? I really don't want 20th century and would rather hang on for a 19th century case, but let me know if this could be older.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-Wood-Wooden-Violin-Case-Very-Nice-/380339443674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588dff57da (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Antique-Wood-Wooden-Violin-Case-Very-Nice-/380339443674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588dff57da)
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This one looks good, but the latches have me concerned. I'm not sure how old it really is. Although I was looking at it again this morning and realized that my steamer trunk has the same design, so I guess the technology for these "jelly jar" latches was around as early as 1890. Opinions anyone?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqQOKkQE2659bfUDBNzJhgz8Wg~~_3.JPG)
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Just glancing through pictures of antique trunks and cases, those latches were quite common 'back then'. Nice looking case tales!!
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Wonder if the seller has any info? Very nice looking. Do you think the liner has been replaced?
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Yes, it looks like a replacement liner held in with modern upholstery tacks. I don't mind replacing that so I'm not concerned about it. I've sent the seller an email asking for up-close photos of the hardware and asking about things like mass-produced vs. hand-cut nails and screws. Looks like it could do nicely if it is old enough.
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Oh....can hear it now....you will get a new one....tear out the old upholstery....and there will be names/history.... :) LOL
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Ha! Deja vu!!! :D
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Got some additional pictures. They don't know the age, it was an auction purchase. I don't think they have any experience looking at hardware from the email I got. They just don't know, although they did feel that the hinges were replacements. Unfortunately their camera doesn't do well with close-ups, but have a look:
These screw slots look off-center to me, especially the one second up from the bottom, left side:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqR,!i4E3RUKt0h9BN0YnJz2Bg~~_3.JPG)
The handle looks nice n' old, the screw on the left side also looks off-center (hand slotted) unless I'm seeing things:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqIOKk!E27lU1m7zBN0YnNlWLg~~_3.JPG)
Not sure about these hinges. I would agree that they could be replacements, but I don't see any sign of old mounting holes:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqUOKiEE3Dp44melBN0YnRqjCw~~_3.JPG)
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Skip that last one- This is the one I've asked her to bid on. Needs the interior redone but the outside looks great, lots of age and nicely made.
http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-ANTIQUE-ARCHED-HAND-CARVED-WOOD-VIOLIN-CASE-/320700412706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aab3bf322 (http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAUTIFUL-ANTIQUE-ARCHED-HAND-CARVED-WOOD-VIOLIN-CASE-/320700412706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aab3bf322)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqMOKpoE24nVvh5YBN0,Z5,rvw~~_3.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqZ,!hIE2e5qhRpEBN0,iPoiSg~~_3.JPG)
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Looks like a nice case- Have been enjoying the whole tread- Good luck
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Think you have a winner there! Do you think the black was once paint or grunge turned patina?
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Unfortunately their camera doesn't do well with close-ups
Usually it is operator error because they are too close for the lens or lens setting on the camera. Most lens (even a macro lens) have a minimum distance one must be from the subject. The camera operator crossed that distance with those shots.
That being said, the hinges do not look like they were inlet expertly, the screw heads on the hinges are most likely replacements. The case looks very nice. I would not be bothered by the hardware too much as that can be replaced.
The last case also looks real nice and the dark spots appear to be grunge to me and not old black paint. The patina on that surface would have taken years to accumulate. A stripped surface would not have that look. JMO.
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Yes the last case looks very, very similar to the construction/design/age of the one I am giving up. I have to chuckle to myself when I think about what it is going to look like when she and I meet in a restaurant and swap violin cases... Fortunately I don't look too much like a Mafioso.
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Wear bright colors or at least, do not wear black w sunglasses.
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I say wear the sunglasses and ALL your bling.....
People need something to talk about around the dinner table ;D
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Ditto what Oceans64 said! LOL
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Update: The family won the auction for just over $100 for the case so we are good to go, and will be meeting up soon to do what we are now both calling our "Mafioso Exchange" :)
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UPDATE: We are meeting this coming Saturday for dinner for the "Mafiosa Violin Case Hand-off" I will take a couple of photos for you guys since you have followed along with this for so long.
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Congrats Talesof! This has been coming for a while! Nice to see you getting the case back to it's "roots" and you getting a great case! Win Win!!!!
Pics will be fun!
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How cool, Tails! They must be so happy you were the one to have purchased the case. What a wonderful thing to do!
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I'm actually really looking forward to this. I've exchanged so many emails with this lady and she is so excited about getting the case that I'm really pleased to be a part of it. Her most recent email said that I would always have a special place in her family for having helped bring this case back to them. How sweet is that? They are also taking Hubby and I out to dinner. Definitely a win-win all the way around.
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Our "Mafiosa Violin Case Exchange" goes down at 5:30pm PST tonight! They are treating Hubby and I to a nice dinner out as well, so I will have some pictures of us later tonight.
I'm going to have a little surprise for her. Earlier today I spoke to the widow of the man who had done the restoration of the case and had written the "secret message" in the bottom of the case, under the lining. I'm going to call her up when we get to the restaurant and put her on speakerphone so that she can be a part of the evening!
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That's great! Hope you have a wonderful time.
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We had SUCH a good time! Kathy and her family were really terrific and our server joined in with the jokes that were were a couple of shady "Mafiosas" there to hold up the restaurant! I got Joanna on the phone, she was the wife of the man who had restored the case many years ago, as so she was able to join us long distance for a few minutes.
Kathy was really excited to have the case. Look at her smile in the photo! We had several people who asked why we had two old violin cases with us in the restaurant and she was telling everyone there the story of how I had returned her ancestor's violin case to her family. I really am so glad that this happened. I like my replacement case and it really was wonderful to see how thrilled Kathy was to see the case, which I found out would likely have been built by her great-great-grandfather who was a cabinet maker.
It was so neat, when we opened up the case, pulled back the lining and she saw the writing inside she gasped out loud, and when I showed her where the children's names were written and the name of her ancestor, she reached out and put her fingers on the names, as if she was reaching out to them. I have done that so many times researching my own family, and it was so neat to see that she really will treasure this for the rest of her life. It was exactly what one hopes for when you give something up, that it will be treasured as much or even more than you treasured it.
It was happy ending after more than a century, and it is time to say "case closed" :)
Here are the photos from tonight. I'm the blonde lady, Kathy is the brunette. She is sitting holding her family's case and I'm holding my "new" one. Seated with Kathy are her husband David and son Ryan. That's my hubby Bob, next to me with his eyes closed!
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Mafiosa%20Dinner/MafiosaDinner2.jpg)
(http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x124/talesofthesevenseas/Mafiosa%20Dinner/MafiosaDinner1.jpg)
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How strange is it that I have tears in my eyes...what an awesome story tales. Just imagining her touching those names got to me, the fact that her ancestors wrote their history on that very spot over 100 years ago is "touching!" Great job, you look like you had an awesome time and you all look so happy! Her GG grandfather is probably smiling, too.
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Aww! It was an incredibly cool evening.
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I bet that woman will have a smile on her faces for months! Such a wonderful event! Great story and a happy ending. WTG, Tales!
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How strange is it that I have tears in my eyes...what an awesome story tales. Just imagining her touching those names got to me, the fact that her ancestors wrote their history on that very spot over 100 years ago is "touching!" Great job, you look like you had an awesome time and you all look so happy! Her GG grandfather is probably smiling, too.
+1000 !!
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Great pics and story...maybe it will help inspire many others to do the same!!! Thanks again for sharing Talesof!