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March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Hello,
For once, I would like to share a story with you that has nothing to do with Ovation nor guitars... :eek:
Every weekend, I visit my mother to take some news and to discuss with her with a coffee.
She knows my taste for old things and especially what relates to my family.
I try to be the memory of the family by keeping all the old documents, photos or papers that I can find.
I already have great historical pieces like 2 photos taken during the war in France in 1870/1871!!
This morning, she kindly offered me an old photo that she had framed and dates from about 1913.
In the right foreground, the little girl is my grandmother that celebrated its centenary last December.
Top right, he is the grandfather of my grandmother (sorry, I don't know how to say in English... :D )and he played violin as you can see from the photo.
The best part about this story is that with the photo, my mother offered me this violin whom was surely built in the second part of the 19th century!!
It is not in very good condition and no doubt that it is not a Stradivarius but it is a sentimental piece that I would restore in the next month if I can find a good luthier in Paris.
Five generations separate me from my ancestor and his violin is now on my wall just beside my Ovation guitars in my music room.
I wish that the spirit of this very old instrument will give me a little bit of talent... ;)
Have a nice day.
J :)
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March 2002
Posts: 15678
Location: SoCal | Wow. Very cool, my friend..... |
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September 2002
Posts: 806
Location: Seymour, Tennessee | +1
Thank you so very much for sharing this!
My Mother's Cousin in Athens, Gerorgia is the historian for her side of the family.
My Uncle has started researching my Dad's side.
Keep up the work, it certainly pays off later.
It is really neat & special to have old things like that turn up. |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Jérôme, what a great story and TWO great pictures! Thanks so much for passing that along!
Oh, and, in English, your grandmother's grandfather is your great-great grandfather.
(Arriére-arriére grand-pére, si je ne me trompe pas...)
Best,
Alan |
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May 2002
Posts: 1445
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada | Great story and great aquisition, Jérôme!
As for restoring the violin, you should only do what is needed to make it playable because it looks wonderful as it is. |
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August 2007
Posts: 1008
Location: Tuscany, Italy | Jerome, thanks for sharing this with us. Nice story !
In Italian to say great-great grandfather we use one word : tris-avolo or making fun of it, bis-bis-nonno :D |
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October 2006
Posts: 5575
Location: big island | wonderful, jerome! thank you for this very heartwarming post. |
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August 2009
Posts: 197
Location: Pennsylvania | Wow, that's a great story and a very special gift you've been given. Congrats! |
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December 2009
Posts: 143
Location: Ontario Canada | Hello Jerome,
Thank you for sharing your family with the OFC family here for all to enjoy. Your pictures and story make this site such a wonderful place for shutins such as I at this wintery and cold time of the year.
Sincerely
Jim |
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August 2009
Posts: 1137
Location: Germany, where delicious wine is growing (Rheinh) | Hi Jerome,
please show us some pics from your violin when it is refinished, I'd be happy.
I've started to learn violin playing as a boy aged 8. But the playing sounds to myself like a cat who has a knot in it's tail.
So later I started to learn playing a church-organ for several years 'till I was going to learn my job.
When my kids were born, I bought my first guitar, music is music, I thought and who one has a pipe-organ in the kids room?
Now I've some nice guitars and I think when there would be a organ some times, I can't play it anymore.
Have a good time!!
Bernie |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Thank you for sharing my pleasure!!
Oh, and, in English, your grandmother's grandfather is your great-great grandfather.
(Arriére-arriére grand-pére, si je ne me trompe pas...) And for the English lesson... :D
J :) |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Priceless heirloom! |
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November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Might be easier to play with just the one string too.... |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Jerome, awesome story and hierloom!
I would caution you not to restore it yourself because the number one error made with vintage instruments is to refinish or modify.
I am sure there is a knowledgable Luthier that can make it functional and retain it's period/original character. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Like these:
Violin Makers in Paris |
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Posts: 4413
| But it does not have a plastic back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | Great story & wonderful family heirloom.
These are things to be treasured and passed on in your family. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Congratulations on the pictures and learning a bit more of your family history. Too much of our ancestry gets lost on the younger generation. It is nice to see you trying to keep your heritage alive. |
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March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Thanks again to all of you.
Chance of life and schedule are sometimes strange.
I posted this topic 2 days ago and my grandmother is gone today at 11:00am.
She was too tired after a long and full life.
She was 100 years old and it's a very honorable age.
Of course, we already miss her and we're sad but it reminds me that the wheel is turning and I've got a positive thought this evening.
Enjoy life while we can do it!!! ;)
J :) |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| My sympathies my friend.
One hundred - French wine, French food - good for the soul and good for the body! |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | My sympathy and thanks for sharing her with us all! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | I am sure the mourning for her loss is helped by the fact that she lived a full, rich life and produced offspring like you, Jerome. |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Great story Jerome. Treasure the Instrument as it is a wonderful link to your past. |
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April 2004
Posts: 245
Location: France | great story, my dear friend !!!! And really a great picture of your family and your grand-mother !!! |
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OT: A part of my musical roots...
