Violoncello

Date1826-1833 ca.

Place MadeDeerfield, New Hampshire, United States, North America

Serial No.none

SignedThe oversize label is printed in black ink, has a decorative border, and features a central wood-engraving including an open umbrella, a keyed bugle, a clarinet, a valveless horn, and a flute. This engraving is signed with the initials, "N.D. Sc. The label is positioned just the opposite way from the usual violin-maker's label, and is read "upside-down," so to speak. The lengthy text follows:

HENRY PRENTISS,
COMMISSION STORE,

UMBRELLAS, PARASOLS,
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS &c
52 [engraving described above] Court Street
OPPOSITE THE NEW ENGLAND
MUSEUM, BOSTON,

Has constantly on hand Musical Instruments of every description, comprising as
great a variety as can be found in any Store in this or any other City.

Silk, Cotton and Oil Cloth Umbrellas; Sword and other Canes, Clarionetts; Flutes;
Flageolets; Fifes; Large and Small Drums; Violins; Bass and Double Bass Viols;
Bass Horns of Wood and brass, with extra keys; Bassoons; Serpents; Bass, Tenor
and Alto Trombones; French Horns; Kent and E. flat Bugles; Trumpets; Hunting
Horns; Cymbals; Violin, Bass and Double Bass Viol Strings and Bows; Bridges;
Pegs; Tuning Forks, with sundry other articles.

Clarionetts, from 5 to 13 keys (silver or brass) manufactured to order, in the first
style, best materials, and at the shortest notice.

[pointing hand] All kinds of Musical Instruments repaired, and additional keys furnished at a reasonable price; Whalebone cut to pattern, and all kinds of Wood, Ivory and Brass
turning, neatly executed.
Markingsn/a
DescriptionFour-stringed small double bass or large cello size
Mechanical pegs of brass
Two piece back
Reddish-brown varnish
Published ReferencesAndré P. Larson, “Mazzeo Collection a Highlight . . . 1995 Acquisitions Include Rare
Clarinets, Vintage Strings,” The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter 23, No. 3 (January 1996), pp. 1-4.

Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Martin P. Busch, 1995

Object number05885

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