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Violin
Maker: Leander M. Nute
Date: 1900
Place Made:Portland, Maine, United States, North America
Serial No: 97
SignedPrinted on paper label, the last two digits of year and the serial number written in black ink: L. M. NUTE / fecit - Portland, Me., 1900 / #97
Markingsnone
DescriptionMaker lived 1837-1925. Leander M. Nute, born in New Hampshire in 1837, was listed in the 1860 Census as a station master living in Lisbon / Franklin Township, Linn County, Iowa. His one-year-old son had been born in Iowa, indicating that Hute had been in Iowa since at least 1859. In 1870 he was living in Somersworth, Strafford, New Hampshire, working as a shoe manufacturer. The birth of his second daughter (7 years old in 1870) in Iowa indicates that he was in Iowa until at least 1863. His youngest daughter, 1 year old in 1870, was born in New Hampshire, indicated that he had returned to his home state by 1869. Nute was listed in the 1880 Census still as a shoe manufacturer in Somersworth. In the 1882-1887 Dover (Great Falls), New Hampshire directory, Nute is listed as proprietor of L. M. Nute & Co., but in 1892, he was listed as a shoe manufacturer with Sullivan. By the early 20th century, he devoted his full attention to violin making, and in 1920 he is listed in Portland, Maine as a manufacturer of violins.
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain converging at the center joint in the upper bout
Back: one-piece, slab-cut maple: prominent, irregular, narrow curl
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: prominent, narrow curl, angled slightly to the right on the bass side and slightly to the left on the treble side; tool marks visible on inside
Head and neck: maple: irregular, narrow-to-medium curl; neck stained light red-brown
Edging: edges of top and back scraped after application of the varnish to simulate wear, and traces of black stain applied
Varnish: red-orange, slightly shaded on top, back, and ribs
Fingerboard: ebony
Tailpiece: period ebony tailpiece from Arne B. Larson parts collection added by museum for display, 12/01; see accessories for tailpiece that came with violin
Pegs: four rosewood with mother-of-pearl eyes enclosed in brass rings
Saddle: ebony
Endpin: ebony inlaid with celluloid ring, originally enclosing a central eye, now missing
Linings: willow
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: nail through block into neck
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain converging at the center joint in the upper bout
Back: one-piece, slab-cut maple: prominent, irregular, narrow curl
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: prominent, narrow curl, angled slightly to the right on the bass side and slightly to the left on the treble side; tool marks visible on inside
Head and neck: maple: irregular, narrow-to-medium curl; neck stained light red-brown
Edging: edges of top and back scraped after application of the varnish to simulate wear, and traces of black stain applied
Varnish: red-orange, slightly shaded on top, back, and ribs
Fingerboard: ebony
Tailpiece: period ebony tailpiece from Arne B. Larson parts collection added by museum for display, 12/01; see accessories for tailpiece that came with violin
Pegs: four rosewood with mother-of-pearl eyes enclosed in brass rings
Saddle: ebony
Endpin: ebony inlaid with celluloid ring, originally enclosing a central eye, now missing
Linings: willow
Corner blocks: spruce
Top block: nail through block into neck
DimensionsTotal violin length: 589 mm
Back length: 356 mm
Upper bout width: 169 mm
Center bout width: 120 mm
Lower bout width: 208 mm
Upper rib height: 27-28 mm
Center rib height: 28 mm
Lower rib height: 28 mm
Stop length: 194 mm
Vibrating string length: 325 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 131 mm
Back length: 356 mm
Upper bout width: 169 mm
Center bout width: 120 mm
Lower bout width: 208 mm
Upper rib height: 27-28 mm
Center rib height: 28 mm
Lower rib height: 28 mm
Stop length: 194 mm
Vibrating string length: 325 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 131 mm
Terms
Credit Line: Gift of Neal and Karin Meisel Steffenson, 1998
Not on view
Object number: 06139