—by Mynde Turner

In 2021 at the spring antique show in Round Top, Texas, I traded another dealer (from Oregon) for an old wooden harp case. I’ve had it in storage and didn’t get around to cleaning it up for two years. I opened it up to sweep it out for the first time since I acquired  it.  It was a wooden harp case that had seen better days, but all the chips and scuffs told a story of a well-traveled harp case.

I cleaned the outside of the case, lightly sanding it, and then applied linseed oil to the exterior. When I opened the case to vacuum the inside, the canvas pouch was intact. I was first drawn to antiquing by the thrill of the hunt. I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be something if there was a letter or personal item in the pouch?

Well, there was no actual treasure, but I did discover the shipping card info. Now I have no idea if this is the real deal or not, but it sure feels like a bit of historical harp treasure from Anne Adams’ time with the San Franscisco Opera. •