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Barrel cello

Alternate name:Violoncello
Maker: Palmer Roe
Date: 1920-1930 ca.
Place Made:Canton, South Dakota, United States, North America
Model: none
Serial No: none
Signednone
Markingsnone
DescriptionBarrel with a fingerboard, 5 strings, on a folding, adjustable stand or cradle
5th string, remnant enclosed, appeared to be a very thin gut string

Palmer (Polly) N. Roe (b. 2/29/1888-d.12/23/1966), a Canton native, served in France in WWI as a sergeant with Headquarter company, South Dakota 147th Field Artillery Regiment. He was disabled (by mustard gas) in World War I. He became a Veteran’s Service Officer when he retired. Played violin all his life. Made musical instruments in the 1920’s and played them at school assemblies and other programs, accompanied by his wife.
DimensionsHeight (maximum, without stand): 700 mm
Width (maximum): 425 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Published ReferencesAndré P. Larson, The National Music Museum: A Pictorial Souvenir (Vermillion:
National Music Museum, 1988), p. 61.

Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter, October 1981, p. 4.

John Koster, “Museum Collections as Resources for Musical Instrument Makers,”
American Luthier, #42 (Summer 1995), p. 26-35.
Object number: 00843