“.. but I digress ..”
A new series by – I.M Forreal
Treasure Hunting - Episode 1
Treasure hunting has been my life .. even though I didn’t realize it until after I had actually found several great treasures …
Granddad A used to say .. “ if you want rabbits … then go where the rabbits are ! “ … and I have come across many rabbits … by looking in the right places ..
He was himself a great treasure hunter, and in fact sparked my lifelong interest in lost treasures and found riches ! He could see value in everything, and treasures everywhere !
He staked out some mine claims …in Panamint Valley (next door to Death Valley) and sold several mining claims for talc and gypsum. He was a gen-u-wine prospector … but knew his way around collectibles or an antique or two ..
I can recall being rapt when he told tales of the Lost Dutchman mine … and old Spanish Gold Fleets lost in hurricanes … he taught me geology basics .. and for many years I was an avid 'rock-hound' .. collecting many geodes and fine gemstones ...but I digress …
I found my own niche in rare stringed musical instruments. I have collected and possessed some of the rarest .. we never really 'own' these treasures .. just stewards to care for under our watch .. then pass on for others to enjoy.
This series will cover several great instruments that I have had over the years .. all of special interest or note .. and worthy of museums … although my personal sense is that great instruments need to be played not just put in display cases .. or locked away – hidden from use or enjoyment by others !
Great instruments need to be played to keep the woods active, alive and flexible. That’s why great acoustic instruments 'warm up' or 'loosen up' after being brought out of the case and played for 30 minutes or so .. it's almost like they shift into another gear.
I once saw several Stradivarius violins on display beside each other in London in 1971.. each cocooned in a glass box .. you could walk around and see and marvel at the woods and workmanship .. but what you really wanted was to HEAR them!!
The museum did offer tape recordings of each .. you could listen to on funky “old school” pilot style headphones – after pushing a button .. alas, a cassette tape was poor consolation to the real in the room magnificent sounds of the live actual instruments! ( pre digital in 1970's).
I attended a chamber music series in France when I attended University there in the 70's ** .. and the small gatherings of 80-200 people .. allowed me to talk to the players backstage after the concert .. many with Stradivarius or other renowned instruments .. and was pleasantly surprised at how I was urged to play a note or two on those precious instruments .. thus I have actually held and struck a few notes on several Stradivarius violins ..
I once rode the train from LA to Tucson .. and sat next to a concert violinist .. who was traveling .. with a Stradivarius and and Amati and a Guarnieri .. !!! He let me play all 3 !!! .. I have so often been in the right place at the right time !
The first item up in this blog series is a magnificent 'attic' find .. from an estate .. it is rare to find them so completely original .. with the patina and condition virtually untouched from original …albeit some funky old time repairs from the 1920's were done – and whilst looking rough are actually quite sound. The condition is playable, but some elements are fragile .. like the - 'tortoise shell ' pick-guard inlayed into the top – which has shrunken into several pieces and could easily knocked off .. but the mandolin sits just as found.
It even arrived in tune … in an ill fitting wooden case for an electric mandolin .. *** I de - tuned it to remove tension on the top, and it has been on display – but un-played ever since.
I recently put this rare treasure on the market .. and here is the updated synopsis I wrote for the next owner ..
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Orville Gibson's Work Shop circa 1903
(note the blond top mandolin on the workbench )
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1903 Gibson “Artist” F Mandolin
The story of this Gibson Artist 'Florentine' scroll mandolin, made in 1903
Probably the 324th original instrument 'Hand Made' by Orville Gibson?
The Factory Order Number (FON) is 324 !
This came from an estate in New Mexico – I purchased it around 2005 ish – 'as is'-- and it is still … just 'as found'! - I have not even changed the strings .. it even arrived in tune ! A true 'Attic Find' ! The story I was told from the estate manager is as follows...
The owner – a woman - bought this new from a mandolin teacher - who was also the Gibson representative at the time . This is early 1900's .. she was infatuated with the teacher – and took up the mandolin so she could be with him. They took lessons on the front porch so they could be together – as was the proper way back in the day. She was really in love !
She bought it from him, and took lessons – and they eventually married.
Apparently she played it every day – in his memory – after he passed away some years ago ! She played it, I'm told, right up until a few weeks before her passing at the age of 103 !
The fingerboard is well played .. all the way up to 'Florida' over the sound hole !!
She must have been quite a virtuoso... and it is a delightful love story entwined with a wonderful and historic “all original” mandolin ! A rare 'barn find' for sure ! What we all dream of finding .. a genuine treasure !
The modern custom rectangle hard case was acquired separately a few years later.
It had no original case.***
October 2021
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I have many other tales of the rare and found .. and the almost caught .. it has been a great adventure …
I tell you, nothing beats the excitement of walking into an old obscure .. forgotten back street pawn shop in the 1960's.. run by a cigar smoking old guy … who says .. I have some old guitars in the back that never got claimed after the war .. take a look and see if anything is of interest ..!? … and brother was there ever !!!! .. watch for that story coming soon...
I have handled some of the most amazing stringed instruments .. which always seem to find me !! ?!!?
I finally had to stop going into old pawn shops .. too much great stuff and never enough money ! .. the pieces that slipped away for lack of $20 to put it on 'hold-layaway' .. oh my .. the stories ..
and yet .. there are plenty of success stores to share .. and here is one that is delightful .. fun .. proves that the great treasures and rarities can still be found .. just by keeping an eye open .. and knowing what you are looking at .. !
I have possessed some of the most iconic electric, and acoustic, stringed instruments sought and known – coveted by many, possessed by few, used by even fewer … man, it's a wonderful world !
The living room in 1969 – Berkeley, California
1939 D-45 .. 1941 and 1944 D-28's ..
1917 - Gibson F4 mandolin (sold to David Crosby as gift for Jerry Garcia)
1939 Dobro - 1930's ca. National
Fender Jaguar (bought used for $45 1969 – sold for $60 in 1971)
2 Gibson - Teens/ 20's - A mandolins
SS Stewart Banjo Mandolin - (with all the battles of WW1 written on the head )
Watched the live upside down moon landing on that "ol' Philco" TV - July 1969 !
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Footnotes
** footnote : a university of Bordeaux sponsored series of private chamber concerts by famous musicians and classical performers – such as I Solisti di Veneti and others – with well known instruments – Stradivari – Guarnieri – Amati .. etc
*** Footnote - the original cases for these were canvas or tooled leather and had a flap opening on the end – these usually have the stitching rot and ultimately the leather case disintegrates .. intact original cases are super rare – and of course this mandolin's original case suffered same fate and was lost decades ago ..
To be continued ... stay tuned ..
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