Rare music practice device

Steckelberg, Carl F.

[ artifact, musical ] Finger Exercising Device [ for the violin, viola, cello and the like ]

Springfield, Illinois: Hummer Mfg. Co. circa 1909. We offer a rare example of a Finger Exercising Device patented by Carl F. Steckelberg of Lincoln, Nebraska (pat #936,181). Made of wood and metal, it has four finger sections that can be tension adjusted by repositioning a metal spring. A wing nut allows the device (with the support of the bottom metal track) to be extended for various practice "lengths" for different students. In good operating condition with some rust, delaminating plating and dirt. Apparently complete, noting one of the four tensioning springs are missing. We have not attempted to clean it in any way.

14 1/2 inches long in the shortest position, 24 1/4 inches fully extended. 1 1/2 inches wide at the widest point. Likewise 1 1/2 inches tall. The wood "neck" is curved underneath for a more authentic feel. Clearly used, the screws and nuts have been tightened a number of times with minor deformation in the screw heads.

We've included a printout of the patent which also discusses how the device might be used by students of the piano! The top metal piece is stamped "Pat. Oct 5, 1909 | By Carl F. Steckelberg | Lincoln, Neb.| Made by Hummer Mfg. Co. | Springfield ILL." We were unable to find another example online or elsewhere. Very Good. [28087]


In researching this item, we found that there are several violins extant made by Carl F. Steckelberg of Lincoln Nebraska, including one in the David Bromberg American Violin Collection.

This is an interesting invention, as it could be used completely silently. There is a long history of "mute violins" that could be used with reduced sound - the Smithsonian has a patent model for one on their website for one example from more than 30 years earlier and it is described thus:

"This practice mute violin was invented by Charles Francis Albert in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1877. The violin was awarded U.S. Patent number 189,677, on April 17, 1877. Charles Francis Albert was born in Freiburg (Baden), Germany in 1842. His father, John, and brother, Eugene John Albert, emigrated to Philadelphia, where Charles eventually joined them. Once there, he invented several accessories for the violinist. A string gauge, a triple-wound "Albert G-string," a rosin formulation, a chin rest, and this practice violin are among those new ideas he introduced. Albert’s patent for a practice violin specifies his intention to create an instrument that represented a violin in overall size and feel, but would have reduced sound for practice, a collapsible configuration for easy transport, and an adjustable bridge to set the strings closer or farther from the fingerboard to accommodate the proficiency level of the player. Albert states in this patent document, "these subdued tones permit the player to practice without that injury to the nervous system which results from long-continued playing on an ordinary instrument. Learners, moreover, can practice without disturbing their neighbors." (smithsonian)

A nice addition to any early American music collection, and from what we can tell a rarity in itself!

ITEM SOLD