Books › Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937 › scan 223
Scan 223
Ayars, Contributions to the Art of Music in America by the Music Industries of Boston (1937) — the Squier, Farley, Rettberg, Rockwell and Elias Howe matter, 1937
24 lines. Read by computer on 19 September 2026. Printed page 197. See the scan on archive.org.
1struments after the Stradiuarius and Guarnerius models. After Ira J. withdrew from the firm Calvin Baker worked for him [Asa Warren] and made many good violins. After him, Orrin Weeman worked for A. W. White about three years and for a while also a man named Alden." 16
3When Asa W. White was in business alone he continued at [address hidden] until 1870. Later addresses were [address hidden] from 1876-79 and [address hidden] from 1881-83.
5He (A. W. White) turned out several hundred violins "and about ten 'Cellos, several violas, three viol da gambas, and two viol d'Amors. A. W. White received a gold medal from the Massachusetts Mechanics' Fair." 16 He advertised the quality of his instruments thus in 1883:
7"Violins Highest Awards Wherever Exhibited
8Over three hundred now in use
9None have proved inferior
10Endorsed by the best artists in the country
11Every instrument guaranteed
12Only the finest and best old wood used in construction
13Amati, Stradivarius, Guarnerius & Maggini Models
14$75 each" 17
16Asa Warren White apparently followed the lead of Elias Howe in collecting old instruments for sale, as the same advertisement stated, "I keep in stock a line of fine old Violins—Italian, French & German. A list sent upon application." He imported French violins of the celebrated Italian models which he graduated and adjusted and sold for $17 alone, with bow and case for $21. He also graduated and adjusted German violins selling them for $9 alone, with bow and case for $13. He kept in stock for sale violins, violas and 'cellos of different grades, boxes, cases, trimmings of all kinds, and Italian and German strings by the best known makers. 17
18His shop in Boston was a training school for some of the later violin makers. He died in 1893. The following story is related of him:
20A short rotund man brought into his shop one day an instrument which he claimed was a Stradivarius. Mr. White, a tall,
2216 Howe, William H. The Violinist's Guide. Early American Makers p. 18.
2317 Information from an advertisement of A. W. White in The Apollo Vol. [address hidden]. 4 & 5, February & March 1883 inside of front cover.
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