Info sought on Duyands dulcimer
John S. Ashworth
dulcimer labeled "Duyands Dulcimer Patented Nov 10 1868." The playing
surface can be concealed inside a folding table top. Mine needs minor
restoration and refinishing but appears to be playable. Please contact John
French, 1809 Windsor Place, Louisville, KY 40204-1315 (tel. 502-452-9031).
Thanks.
Paul M. Gifford
>From: jsas...@homer.louisville.edu (John S. Ashworth)
>Subject: Info sought on Duyands dulcimer
>Date: 14 Aug 1995 13:08:18 GMT
>Keywords: hammered dulcimer
Ezra Durand, born in 1833 in New York State, came to Michigan as a child and
grew up in Washtenaw County. He was a local agent for George Prince's
melodeon company in Chelsea, MI, and by 1866 was making dulcimers whose design
was influenced by Prince's melodeons. A partner in his enterprise was William
Vogel. Durand & Vogel went to Stonington, CT, in 1867, but went out of
business in 1869. He later went to St. Joseph, MO, where he sold organs, and
finally to Portland, OR, where in 1900 he was serving a prison term for
forgery. He took out a couple of patents and published a method. Durand made
his instruments with the unusual design of having bass strings on the left.
I've seen quite a few of his instruments (maybe 20?), not surprising a lot of
them in southern Michigan. I do know that he must have brought a stock of
them to Missouri, because I have heard of some there. There is one at the
James Whitcomb Riley House in Indiana, and one at the Indiana State Museum.
Salesmen must have sold some in Kentucky.
Paul Gifford
danna....@gmail.com
Im gatting new strings for it once i get off me bum and find my caliper.
Someone is selling one on ebay as "Ezra Durand parlor dulcimer-1860s" that is quite nice looking.
