Giuseppe Antonio Rocca, Genoa, 1856, the 'Maud Powell'
Violin: 85964
Labeled, "Joseph Rocca fecit R), Genua anno anno Domini 1856 IHS."
Branded to the lower bass corner block.
Back: in two pieces of quarter cut maple with medium width flame descending from the center seam.
Top: in two pieces of spruce with medium-broad grain.
Ribs: and head of similar wood.
Varnish: of a golden orange-brown color.
Length of back: 35.4 cm
Upper bouts: 16.9 cm
Middle bouts: 11.5 cm
Lower bouts: 21.0 cm
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Notes:
"[quoting Maude Powell:] My Rocca violin is an interesting instance of wood worn in ridges by the stubble on a man's chin."Violin Mastery: Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers, Frederick H. Martens, Violin Mastery: Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers, New York
Provenance
| Sold by Wurlitzer | |
| in 1905 | Sold by John & Arthur Beare |
| 1905-1920 | Maud Powell |
| 1920-1924 | H. Godfrey Turner |
| from 1924 | Nathan E. Posner |
| until 1927 | John W. Coggeshall |
| in 1930 | Sold by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. |
| from 1930 | K. A. Stott |
| in 1963 | Sold by Rembert Wurlitzer Inc. |
| ... | ... |
| from 1963 and in 2010 | Anonymous |
| until 2019 | Anonymous |
| in 2019 | Sold by Tarisio Private Sales |
| from 2019 | Current owner |
Known players
Maud Powell
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Rembert Wurlitzer Inc., New York, NY (1963)
Letter: H. Godfrey Turner (1924)- Certificate: John & Arthur Beare, London (1919)
Cozio holds copies of many certificates and other documents, some of which are available to view on request. Please contact us if you wish to view a particular document. (Note that we do not always have permission to share documents.)
References
Historic women performers: Maud Powell, Cozio Carteggio feature, Alessandra Barabaschi, February 6, 2018- Private Archives - 10842, Wurlitzer
Violins & Violinists, June, 1948, Ernest N. Doring, William Lewis & Son, Chicago (illustrated)- Violin Mastery: Talks with Master Violinists and Teachers, Frederick H. Martens, Frederick A. Stokes Co., New York