Guitar
1
Photo by Dominic Ibbotson © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentGuitar |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
MakerGerard |
Date MadeCirca 1830-1840 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Soundboard of spruce, bookmatched. Bridge of ebony, rectangular with extended ends which curve towards the waist, with buttons of ebony with large mother-of-pearl centres at the ends. Separate ivory bridge saddle. Ebony bridge pins with mother-of-pearl eyes. Purfling around the soundboard edge of ebony, with alternate ivory and ebony strips inside (11 strips including the ebony corner). Soundhole 74mm diameter, with ebony on the edge and alternate ivory and ebony strips outside, 21 strips in total. Back and sides of rosewood, the back veneered on a pine base, the sides not bookmatched. Ebony endpin, strip at bottom, and purfling between the back and sides. Several splits in the back. Heel and neck join in a sharp line, neck joins the head with a V joint. Heel, neck and head of black stained wood, possibly maple. Mother-of-pearl position dots at the 5th, 7th, and 9th frets. Head slotted for machine heads, the machine heads of brass with ivory buttons and rollers. Inlaid mother-of-pearl wreath and plaque in head above tuners. Ivory nut. Neck 46mm wide at nut, 59.5mm wide at body join. Ebony fingerboard, raised above (and glued to) the soundboard. 17 metal frets. Repair History: Crack in back mended. This instrumnet was owned by Ferdinand Pelzer, guitar teacher of London. Pelzer was the father of Catherine Joasephine Pratten (nee Pelzer), 1821-1895, also known as Madamn Sidney Pratten, who was a child prodigy and ardent guitar teacher and performer, famous in the 19th-century London music scene. Maker's name "GERARD" stamped inside the instrument on the heelblock. Label inside the instrument reads "Mr F. PELZER / Professor of the Guitar / London", the word London being handwritten, the rest printe Repair History: Crack in back mended. Overall size: 878 Body length: 419 Body width, upper bouts: 251 Body width, waist: 177 Body width, lower bouts: 311 Body depth: 85 (bottom) - 80 (heel) String length: 590 |
NotesA. Macaulay, July 1991; D.P. Martin, 2003. |
Measurements878. |
ProvenancePrevious owner |
CollectionMacaulay Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number0294 |