A CHARMING CDV OF A GIFTED VIOLIN TO REDWOOD CITY PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES E. VAN COURT

1. Photo of a document from Belmont, California, dated 15 December 1881, with a view of a violin and bow in its case. San Francisco, California: Wm. Shew, circa 1881-1882. Shew's No. 523 Kearny Street imprint to verso. INSCRIBED BY VAN COURT: "With thanks of Yours Truly James E. Van Court." 

The letter reads in full: "In appreciation of the interest taken in music by Mr. James E. Van Court of this place, as well as his pleasing sociable conduct, we the undersigned agree to pay the sums set opposite our respective names, for the purpose of purchasing a Violin (Complete) to be presented as a  Christmas present in the coming Christmas." Followed by a ledger that records a total of $17.50 was raised by 19 donors. 

James "Jimmy" Van Court (1841-1923) was a native of Redwood City, in the Bay Area, where he lived his whole life. In the 1880 Federal Census, he is recorded as a photographer and is remembered as such in his obituary published in the Redwood City Standard. Evidently a devoted community member, the obituary also remarks that "he gave lessons on the violin to anyone who wished to learn without any charge."

Shew (1820-1902) studied under Samuel F. B Morse, and was active in Boston as a superintendent of J.Plumbe's Gallery before he came to California during the Gold Rush, arriving in San Francisco in 1851. He operated his studio at 115 Kearny Street until 1880, moving to 523 on the same street in 1881. The hand-updated mount suggests that the view was printed near contemporaneously with the reproduced 1881 letter when Shew occupied his new gallery. 

2. Studio portrait of a man playing a violin. CDV-sized hand-tinted tintype. 

Though not Van Court, a compelling contemporary photograph of a violinist enhances the offering. 

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards, Stereographs] [Music, Music History] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]