The Gibson Viola is up today. It took us some time to upload after Ebay finally got their new listing format loaded up.  You can look back at previous entries to read up on it.  It worth setting up in a professional shop since there is no bridge and we're selling it as is.  But, you'll find that there aren't many Gibson string instruments around so it's definitely worth it from a collector's point of view.

Another item to mention is a Knilling Bucharest violin.  This came to our shop from a student player.  A good beginner instrument for any starting or amatueur player.  No structual damages are on this instrument. It comes with a case, two bows, and a cake of rosin.

One other fun item up for bid is a musical charm bracelet with some vintage US postage stamps.  This is just one of our many musical trinkets and jeweleries we have offered in our shop, courtesy of a local artist known as the Bead Embellisher.  We also do have many silver and gold musical jewerly listed on our webpage but this bracelet is a unique handcrafted item.  Will be sure to list more of her one of a kind items in the future.
-Ollavaca

A little more background information about this Gibson violin that will soon be up on the listing.

Thomas Wenberg’s “The Violin Makers of the United States” has a short report on Gibson stringed instruments.  In 1902, Gibson, Inc. was established by Orville H. Gibson in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Primarily known for their guitars and mandolins, in 1937 the string instruments were introduced to their production line.  Domestic wood was used to create violins, cellos and double basses as part of the Gibson Violin Family series.  Production of these instruments ceased by 1941 and never was resumed. 

The Gibson will up soon this week after we do some checks on the item description.  For now, the English Violin labeled "T.Dodd" and the French Violin labeled "Vuillaume a Paris" are up again.  Sorry about the ebay listings going up and down each week.  We're still learning how this thing works

Next viola up for ebay auction is an old Gibson Viola.  Look for the posting tomorrow as soon as we get done photgraphing it.
-Ollavaca

This week, we have a french violin labled:

VUILLAUME, a Paris
Rae Croix de Petis Champs 46

The violin may have come from the workshop of Vuillaume but it is likely that this was one of many “trade” violins.  Trade violins were numerous and did not come from his Vuillaume’s workshop, but were made by the Mirecourt, Mittenwald, and Markneukirchen firms following in the tradition of Vuillaume.  These violins were usually undated, but often a very good class of merchandise. They were sometimes branded “Vuillaume a Paris” as this violin is, on the back near the button.

The bidding will begin at $99.00.  This is a real auction, there is no reserve and the violin will sell to the highest bidder.

The buy-it-now price is at $2400.00.  We have researched the web for similar instruments to this listing and have found that the price is around $5,000.

Rare Antique English 19^th Century Violin Labeled Thomas Dodd

This wonderful elegant violin is labeled T. Dodd.  We believe this violin was made in England about 1800, probably by Thomas Dodd.  This instrument is similar to the Old Italian violins in sound and produces a warm responsive and elegant tone which will project well in a hall due to the qualities of the sound.  The back and ribs of the violin remain completely intact with no significant inclusions.  The top of the instrument has multiple cracks, which have been structurally restored with patches applied throughout to reinforce any weakness.  Therefore we believe these cracks to be cosmetic but not structural problems.  The fingerboard has a wedge under it to adjust the neck and fingerboard projection.  The pegbox has been grafted on to the neck, and there are no cracks in this pegbox, but the pegs have been bushed once.

Thomas Dodd was mainly a dealer and maker of instruments and bow from about 1786 to his death in 1830.  This violin is labeled with the Covent Garden address, which he occupied from 1798 until 1809.  He had several other locations after that time until his death about 1830, and the business carried on until 1846 - presumably by means of his 2 sons.

Starting Bid:  $99.00
Auction length: 10 days