This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Carlisle
Classification: Biography
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/khH.2ACIB/607.2.3.1.1.2
Message Board Post:
Here is some additional information from "Thumbs Up To James Reynold Carlisle
(1886-1962), Noted American Violin Maker," by Margaret D. Banks, Curator of Musical
Instruments, Shrine to Music Museum, (now the National Music Museum), Vermillion, SD, in
"The Shrine to Music Museum Newsletter," April 1995 (see my other posting from
this article):
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He made and repaired violins for the renowned Wurlizer Company in Cincninnati .... He
took advantage of this opportunity to study many fine instruments in the Rudolph Wurlitzer
Collection, including the famous "Betts" violin by Stradivari and the
"LeDuc" by Guarneri. ...
Like many others, Carlisle sought to discover the recipe for Stradivari's
"secret" violin varnish. His experiments led to the creation of the
"Italian Sunshine Varnish," so-called because it required several weeks of
strong sunlight to dry. Although this varnish was used for only a few years, the
Wurlitzer Company favored the name and featured it in their advertising long after it
ceased being used.
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Also included in this article are black and white photographs of Carlisle in his workshop
c. 1930 and the violin made for his nephew, Walter Corsi.
If you get additional information about the article Carlisle's grandchildren are
researching, please post it. Thanks.