1861 HANDMADE ANTIQUE VIOLIN/FIDDLE W/HORSEHAIR BOW & CASE - FOLK ART/PRIMITIVE

Description

FOR SALE IS THIS ANTIQUE 1861 HAND-MADE VIOLIN/FIDDLE WITH HAND-MADE CASE AND HORSE HAIR BOW.  NEAR THE NECK "MAY 1861" IS INSCRIBED IN THE WOOD.  IT HAS THREE ORIGINAL STRINGS STILL ATTACHED ALONG WITH ALL FOUR ORIGINAL TUNING PEGS AND ORIGINAL HARDWARE ON THE SCROLL.  I DO NOT KNOW THE TYPE OF WOOD THIS IS MADE OF.  IT WILL COME WITH THE ORIGINAL BOW THAT I BELIEVE IS STRUNG WITH HORSE HAIR.  SEVERAL OF THE STRANDS OF HORSE HAIR HAVE FRAYED BUT MOST REMAINS INTACT.   I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD EVER BE PLAYED DUE TO AGE AND SOME DETERIORATION OF THE ADHESIVE USED IN THE MAKING OF THE VIOLIN.  THE CASE IS HANDMADE OF WOOD AND LINED WITH VERY OLD PAPER.  THE EXTERIOR IS COVERED  IN TIN AND IS HINGED WITH ORIGINAL HARDWARE. ALTHOUGH THE HINGES HAVE BECOME DETACHED FROM THE CASE.  THE ORIGINAL LEATHER CARRYING STRAP IS MISSING.
HISTORY IS TYPED ON LETTERHEAD FROM THE TEXAS LONGHORN SALOON AND READS:
"IN MAY OF 1861, B. STEINARD FROM AMARILLO, TEXAS----------
GIVEN TO HIS BROTHER, ROBERT STEINARD, WHO LIVED NEAR DODGE CITY IN THE KANSAS TERRITORY.  IT WAS GIVEN TO HIS BROTHER, IN CELEBRATION OF KANSAS BECOMING A STATE.  IN 1947, WHEN ROBERT STEINARD PASSED AWAY, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK TO SAN ANTONIO WHERE IT HAS REMAINED IN THE FAMILY."
THE SALOON LISTS IT FOR SALE FOR ,000!
THIS IS A VERY OLD PIECE (155 YEARS OLD!!) AND IS ACTUALLY IN FAIRLY GOOD CONDITION!!
THIS VIOLIN IS A VERY UNIQUE PIECE OF HISTORY AND WOULD BE A STUNNING ADDITION TO SOMEONE'S COLLECTION OF ANTIQUE FOLK ART OR PRIMITIVE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
PLEASE LOOK AT MY PHOTOS CLOSELY AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!  THANKS FOR LOOKING!!