Guitar
1
Photo by Dominic Ibbotson © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentGuitar |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
Date MadeCirca 1850 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Bookmatched varnished soundboard of spruce. Bridge of ebony with bone saddle. Six bridge pins of ebony with mother-of-pearl eyes. Bridge curved at bottom and towards ends. Soundhole 80mm diameter, purfling of 11 strips of ebony with ivory strips in between. Similar decoration around the edges, having ivory corner edging with 7 strips of ebony with ivory in between. Back and sides of birdseye maple. Back of one piece with ivory edging and ebony strips inside on the back and sides, identical reverse ebony strip below ivory edging on the sides by the soundboard. Ebony pin in bottom, let into ebony wedge shaped bottom piece. Bookmatched sides. Ebonised heel, neck and head, core wood probably maple. Machine heads with ivory buttons and rollers. Fingerboard of ebony, raised above and glued to soundboard. 17 frets. Ivory nut. Width of neck 47.0 at nut, 59.2 at body join. Sharp joint between heel and neck. Soundboard shows much fingernail wear below strings. Repair History: Previously had scratchplate, now removed. This instrument was owned by Catherine Josephine Pratten (nee Pelzer), also known as Madame Sidney Pratten. Pratten (1821-1895) a child prodigy and ardent guitar teacher and performer, was the daughter of Ferdinand Pelzer, guitar teacher of London. She made her concert debut at the age of nine, performing duets with Giulio Regondi. Catherine married Flautist Sydney Pratten in 1854, whom she was married to until his death in 1868. In addition to performing on the guitar, Pratten published guitar tutors and composed music for the instrument. Overall size: 921 Body length: 440 Body width, upper bouts: 250 Body width, waist: 180 Body width, lower bouts: 315 Body depth: 86.5 (bottom) - 81 (heel) String length: 628 No maker's inscription. Handwritten label under soundhole reading "Madame R. Sidney Pratten / Concert Guitar / London (1850) No. 2 / 38 Welbeck Street / Cavendish Sq. W." |
NotesA. Macaulay, July 1991; D.P. Martin, 2003. |
Measurements921. |
ProvenancePrevious owner |
CollectionMIMEd; Macaulay Collection |
Accession Number0769 |