Object Details
- Description
This Appalachian dulcimer was possibly made by R. B. P in Louisa, Kentucky, 1849. It is a single-bout dulcimer, with a wood nut and bridge, two round sound holes, two square sound holes, and two F-shaped sound holes, 12 metal frets, carved out pegbox for 3 friction pegs, and a rounded head. There are two index cards attached to the back of the dulcimer. One card is typed:
A. Smith E39, p/. 102
Two of three strings fretted on 12 frets.
Dated 1849, A. Smith says "possibly oldest of Type E (double
bout). And, since only slightly waisted, as if derived from
a Type D (single bout), though, unlike D's, fingerboard is
not hollow.
Two small round soundholes (one each side) toward tuners;
in middle small square holes (one each side) and, by strum,
small F-holes. The strum hollow seems to have developed through
use: evidently not the intention of the maker. Shorter
vibrating string length that typw D's.
"R.B.P. 21/49, Louisa, Ky." Inside left square hole:
"R.B. igg. 2/21/49." Carved on the belley are the initials
"L.C., H.Y. and JEO" and pencilled "Luella, Ky."
*Accquired by A.G., March 15, 1955, in Mechanicsburg, Champaign
County, Ohio, from Mrs. Merle Westfall, who said it had been
played in that village. (See Continued: related information)(and the other index card.
A.Smith E39, p. 102 continued)
Of Mechanicsburg dulcimer is interest and, perhaps related to
the E39: The small village was for many years the home of
Harvey Halley, who played and taught the dulcimer until the time
of this death there in 1944, aged 76 years.
Harvey Halley was born 1868 in Gallia County, Ohio, where
his father, Dr. Henry Halley was a physician. Dr. Halley gave
his son his dulcimer in 1885, when Harvey was 17 years old.
Harvey taught his nephew, Brodie Franklin Halley, also
of Gallia County, to play the dulcimer in the 1890's. Brodie
having been born in 1877.
Brodie was the best traditional player ever known to
Anne Grimes. (See Grimes Tapes #28 and #29 and letters etc. in Halley's file folder) Grimes tapes made February 1954, when
Halley lived near Gallipolis in a beautiful and well maintained
old log cabin family homestead. He bought his dulcimer in
1909 in Gallia county from John White "an old Civil War vet"eran.'
It similar to E44, p.104, Butternut Gallia dulcimer,- only
Halleys soundholes: Hearts, spades, diamonds and clubs!"Anne Grimes (1912-2004) was an American journalist, musician, and historian of American (particularly Midwestern) folklore. Grimes studied voice and piano at Ohio Wesleyan and initiated graduate studies at Ohio State University. Following her education, Grimes was a music teacher, music and dance critic, and radio host. After WWII, Grimes began collecting and documenting folk songs throughout Ohio, as well as collecting Appalachian dulcimers and zithers. She would continue this work, performing, recording, and lecturing on instruments from her collection throughout the rest of her career.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- 1849
- ID Number
- 1996.0276.19
- accession number
- 1996.0276
- catalog number
- 1996.0276.19
- collector/donor number
- E39
- Object Name
- dulcimer
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 3 1/2 in x 6 7/16 in x 32 1/2 in; 8.89 cm x 16.35125 cm x 82.55 cm
- place made
- United States: Kentucky, Louisa
- Related Publication
- Smith, L. Allen. Catalogue of Pre-Revival Appalachian Dulcimers
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
- Music & Musical Instruments
- Dulcimers
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_608124
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746b3-4379-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
