Violin
Maker
Charles M. Woolworth
Date1898
Place MadeOttumwa, Iowa, United States, North America
ModelStainer
Serial No.105
SignedPrinted on paper label with cut corners, the year and serial number in black ink: NEW MODEL, HIGH GRADE VIOLIN / Made by C. M. WOOLWORTH, / OTTUMWA, IOWA, U. S. A. / 1898 No. 105MarkingsPencil mark and compass indentation on inside of top at center
Pencil line extending toward center bouts on inside of top at center, probably by Stanley G. Newton
DescriptionCharles M. Woolworth was born in Deerfield, Oneida County, New York in 1848, son of the harness maker Solomon Woolworth (1822, Jefferson, New York-1871, Chicago) and Abigail Pierce Rowell (1826, Waterville, New York - 1863, Waterville). He had moved to Iowa by 1874, when his son Lee A. Woolworth was born. In the 1880 Census, C. M.Woolworth is listed as a carriage and wagon maker in Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa. His son Lee A. Woolworth died on November 7, 1901, and was known in the Ottumwa area as a musician and composer. His “Company G, I. N. G.” [Iowa National Guard] March was published by Barnhouse in 1902. All Woolworth violins at the National Music Museum: NMM 10,286 made in 1898, No. 105; NMM 10,077 made in 1898, No. 106; NMM 10,290 made in 1902, No. 122; and NMM 4860 made in 1914, No. 125.
Top: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: medium grain, broadening toward the flanks; rectangular cleats inlaid along inside joint; small notch in top edge at neck position
Back: two-piece, semi-slab-cut maple: bird's-eye figure; decorative ebony diamond glued to outside joint, with tapered ebony strips of 28 and 29 mm on each end, glued over joint; rectangular cleats inlaid along inside joint; small button
Ribs: semi-slab-cut maple: bird's-eye figure; set into neck heel
Head and neck: maple: plain; flat scroll ears; slight channel under fingerboard position; dowel holes at upper and lower ends under fingerboard position
Arching: high and full
Edging: deeply and sharply scooped inside edge, forming ridge, the lowest point just inside purfling
Purfling: wide strips; extends under fingerboard
Varnish: medium to light brown, with prominent craquelure
Fingerboard: missing
F-holes: curved upper and lower wings
Linings: spruce; rounded edges
Corner blocks: spruce; small; rounded edges
Top block: integral with neck; small; rectangular with rounded edges
Bottom block: spruce; wide
DimensionsTotal violin length: 587 mm
Back length: 359 mm
Upper bout width: 171 mm
Center bout width: 109 mm
Lower bout width: 211 mm
Upper rib height: 28 mm
Center rib height: 28-29 mm
Lower rib height: 28 mm
Stop length: 195 mm
Vibrating string length: 324 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 128 mm
Credit LineGift of Marie Newton, 1972
Object number10286
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