John Austin Wesco (J.A. Wesco) violin 1901 - complete with a curved bass bar. It shockingly sounds amazing. This violin was restored to keep the violin as original as possible.
I've read he was Boston trained and a master violin maker. He lived in several states, this violin states it was made in Oregon. We read he submitted violins into the St. Louis Worlds Fair / Exposition circa 1920's.
We're still researching on the maker. He was sought after to repair violins like Strads and was popular in cities in Europe such as Paris according to the news articles.
Professional Sound sample Demo:
https://youtu.be/yKgvattAs0I
It has a connection with a documented businessman, professor, and quoted 'Master Vioiln' maker according to the newspapers of his time.
He was quoted as 'the best violin maker in America' according to a historic article the newspaper. Photos and more info available at RevivoViolins.com - I also cross list on Reverb, and Facebook Marketplace. Play on my friends!
Mr. Wesco created the 'Wesco System of Writing', teaching penmanship in the early 1900's as a professor. He also traveled to Boston to learn violin making.
Here are a few quotes from research:
"In the fall of 1903 he was again associated with the Portland Business College, devoting part of his time to supervision and instruction, and the remainder to his private pen work, music, and violin making in an office he has maintained for the past thirty years.
During the early years of Mr. Wesco’s interest in music, he became interested in the structure of the violin, and no other accomplishment so reflects his artistry as the delicate remodeling of an old masterpiece, or the building of a new model out of some rare piece of long-seasoned wood—wood that has served in the belfry of some ancient church, cathedral or mission: or perhaps, has weathered the storms of the ocean as part of a great vessel ploughing the seas around Cape Horn a century ago. His skill in repairing famous violins has circled the globe. Rare and priceless interments come to his hands from the musical centers of the world—Paris, Vienna, and others. The violins which he has made may someday be recognized with those of the old Masters. Those who appreciate violins at their true worth—for their tone capacity and quality, and not for their actual age alone—rank these instruments with the very best."
"During his early years he became interested in music and went from Portland, Ore., to Boston to study violin making, in which work he became known as a Master. Violins were sent to him to be repaired from Paris, Vienna, and other music centers. As a handwriting expert he was widely known and handled hundreds of cases. Men of high standing in the profession consider that his work ranks among the very finest."
A remarkable work and wonderful playing piece of North American History, by a Boston trained and Oregon made Famous figure.
Shipping in the USA only at this time.
Thank you for learning a little more about the history of the violin in USA. Play on my friends!
