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Wanted to post that I did find the serial number on the back of the little ornately decorated door (don’t know what else to call it) where the top of the neck meets the column and where there is access to the pedal rods. There is also a signature, in pencil, underneath the three digit number. Was it a common practice for the builder to place their signature on the harp along with the serial number? Now to hopefully find out the date it was made.
That is a good idea Sid. Some other people I contacted in England also gave me suggestions of where to look near the bottom of the harp both inside the sound box and with the base removed. I will post if I discover anything. It is indeed a “cool mystery” and rather exciting to have become a harp sleuth!
Greetings Madelyn,
As mentioned above, I would be concerned about what high humidity would do to any harp model from any company. My first pedal harp was a Venus Encore which was a beautiful instrument and provided many years of care free enjoyment. Currently I have two Venus harps, a Premier and an Aria, both of which are excellent instruments and I have had no problems with either harp in any way. The Preimer is moved regularly and is used outdoors often and holds up just fine in the humidity. (otherwise both harps are kept in a climate controlled building) If you have an opportunity do visit the Venus company and speak with Wally or Kurt, they are fine gentlemen to work with and will answer all your questions honestly. Best wishes in your search for a new harp and enjoy the experience.I thought the same thing about the gesso, but in the couple of places where the gold has been nicked away, the grain of the wood can clearly be seen on the carving. The top of the column, below the simple crown, has a wonderful swooping vine of cascading roses that goes from side to side, and on one of the roses you can see the grain of the wood, if it were gesso I believe it would appear white. As far as it striving to be an Erard Grecian, I feel in “concept” it could be looked at that way, but the carvings are completely different, except maybe for a similar “fern” type pattern climbing up from the base. Once I figure out how to get the photos attached you will have a better idea of what I am attempting to describe. 🙂 Thank you for your response, much appreciated.
Thank you for the information Paul, very interesting. The harp had been in the same family for many years, it was Grandma’s harp I was told, so it was not the harp on ebay. I will try and post some photos. It is traditional in appearance with the gilded carved column and base giving it the “unique appearance” from what we often see in other vintage harps. Also, as you mentioned, it does seem to have a French influence to the design of the carvings. I appreciate the suggestion of the type of strings to use too.
