Images(18)

Viola

Object number2016.72.3 a-q

Manufacturer G. and S. Company

Manufacturer Volkwein Brothers

Manufacturer Super-Sensitive Musical String Company

Manufacturer William Lewis and Sons

Datec. 1920

OriginMirecourt, France

OriginChicago, IL

OriginPittsburgh, PA

OriginWest Germany

OriginSarasota, FL

MediumWood; Varnish; Metal; Paper; Ink; Fabric; Leather; Velvet; Ebony; Ivory; Nacre

Credit LineGift of Paul Lawrence Peeler, Jr.

DescriptionViola with exterior case, interior case, bow, scarf, mutes, bow screw, and nine envelopes of strings.Dimensions(a) Height 26, Width 9.125, Depth 4.5;
(b) Height 11.75, Length 32.75, Depth 5;
(c) Height 11.5, Length 32.75, Depth 6;
(d) Height 1.125, Length 29.5, Depth 0.563;
(e) Height 27, Width 26, Depth 0.063;
(f) Height 1, Width 1.063, Depth 0.25;
(g) Height 0.875, Width 1, Depth 0.375;
(h) Height 0.313, Length 0.625, Depth 0.375;
(i) Height 6, Width 3.375, Depth 0.063;
(j) Height 6, Width 3.375, Depth 0.063;
(k) Height 3.313, Width 3.25, Depth 0.125;
(l) Height 3.25, Width 3.25, Depth 0.125;
(m) Height 3.313, Width 3.25, Depth 0.125;
(n) Height 3.313, Width 3.25, Depth 0.125;
(o) Height 4.5, Width 4.5, Depth 0.063;
(p) Height 3.563, Width 3.563, Depth 0.063;
(q) Height 3.5, Width 3.5, Depth 0.063.
Inscriptions(b)
Leather and fabric flap on exterior of top side has initials "LP" handwritten in black ink.
Marks(a)
Paper label inside viola with printed black text "FRANCE / ModΘle d'apres / Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis / faciebat Anno 1721 / [logo].
Maker’s mark stamped on one side of bridge “AUBERT” and on other side of bridge “CZECHOSLOVAKIA”.

(c)
Exterior of case at center of flat side has stamped text "G. AND S. CO. / MASTERKRAFT / CHICAGO / TRADE MARK".
Interior of case lid has white label with text "MUSICAL INSTRUMENT / VOLKWEIN / BROS. / PITTSBURGH, PA."

(g)
Pink text on front "FAWICK" and imprinted text on back at top "VIOLA / PAT. PEND."

(i)
Front has black printed text including "Musical / Headquarters / ... / VOLKWEIN'S / 632-34 LIBERTY AVE. PITTSBURGH 22, PA. / ..."
Back has handwritten text along bottom "G" and "2.00".

(j)
Front has black printed text including "Musical / Headquarters / ... / VOLKWEIN'S / 632-34 LIBERTY AVE. PITTSBURGH 22, PA. / ..."
Back has handwritten text in red colored pencil along top "#622 / VIOLA A / GOLD / 150".

(k)
Front and back of envelope have red text including "Super-Sensitive / STAINLESS STRINGS / VIOLA / ...A... / SUPER-SENSITIVE MUSICAL STRING CO. / ..."
Back of envelope has additional red text describing maker and product.

(l)
Front and back of envelope have blue text including "Super-Sensitive / STAINLESS STRINGS / VIOLA / ...C... / SUPER-SENSITIVE MUSICAL STRING CO. / ..."
Back of envelope has additional blue text describing maker and product.

(m)
Front and back of envelope have red text including "Super-Sensitive / STAINLESS STRINGS / VIOLA / ...D... / SUPER-SENSITIVE MUSICAL STRING CO. / ..."
Back of envelope and paper insert have additional red text describing maker and product.

(n)
Front and back of envelope have red text including "Super-Sensitive / STAINLESS STRINGS / VIOLA / ...G... / SUPER-SENSITIVE MUSICAL STRING CO. / ..."
Back of envelope has additional red text describing maker and product.

(o)
Front has blue printed text including "ARTONE / ... / VIOLA / STRINGS / G".

(p)
Front has navy blue/black and gold printed text including "PYRAMID-Gold / ... / Viola A-1st / Chrome-steel / Made in West Germany".
Back has navy blue/black printed text describing product in various languages.(q) Front has black printed text including "RAO / ... / ALUMINUM WOUND / VIOLA D / ... / Wm. Lewis & Son, Chicago / ..."
Historical NotesViolin used by Paul Lawrence Peeler, Sr., the first African American full-time teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Peeler was hired as a part-time music teacher in Hill District schools in 1933, a year after graduating from Carnegie Tech. He would go on to receive advanced music and teaching degrees from universities in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Boston and at Northwestern. He began teaching at Watt Elementary School in 1937, and moved to other schools until he retired in 1970. In addition to his teaching he was member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (violin) and taught music or programs for the City recreation department, as well as other agencies in the area. Peeler was member of the National Association of Negro Musicians, and conducted the City’s Folk Art Choir; organized and directed the Concert Orchestra of the Center Avenue YMCA; directed the Evening Schools Chorus and the Cathedral Choir of Wesley Center Church.

Previous owner Paul Lawrence Peeler Sr.

Related institution Pittsburgh Public Schools

Related institution Carnegie Mellon University

Related institution Watt Elementary School

Related institution Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Related institution National Association of Negro Musicians

Related institution Young Men's Christian Association

Related institution Wesley Center Church

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