English Leather-bound Violin Case, W.E. Hill & Sons, c. 1955

Description:

English Leather-bound Violin Case, W.E. Hill & Sons, c. 1955, the exterior stamped W.E. HILL & SONS. LONDON. ENGLAND., the blue velvet interior and blanket, approximate length of back 370 mm, ht. 4 1/2, wd. 30 3/4, dp. 9 1/4 in.

Provenance: The collection of Dr. Glenn P. Wood; David Cerone.

N.B. "According to the late Bill Watson, this case was made at W.E. Hill & Sons by the brilliant case maker Ken Turtle, who pioneered the construction of this groundbreaking, post-war leather case.

David Cerone's comments to me regarding his association with the case are:

'OK. Here is the story, as best I can recall. My family had been working with William Moennig & Son since my grandmother purchased a beautiful Balestrieri violin for me at age 14, or so. The relationship between my parents and the Moennig shop grew over the years as the violin was always placed in its hands when it came time for occasional maintenance.

Upon arriving in Philadelphia to begin studies at the Curtis Institute in 1959, I immediately made it a point to personally meet the folks at the famous Moennig & Son violin shop.

It was a glorious experience in every way. Mr. Moennig, Jr. was so very kind, welcoming and warm to me - the visit more than fulfilled my every expectation. I brought my Balestrieri with me for a "bath," and while there, noticed a very beautiful Hill violin case on display. It took my breath away, and Mr. Moennig couldn't help but notice my lowered jaw, whereupon, he asked me if I might like to own it. Of course, I responded "yes," but wasted no time in telling him that I had absolutely no way of paying for such a glorious extravagance (my memory tells me it was in the range $250 - a fortune to me at the time).

Mr. Moennig then said, "Take it, it is yours. I trust you to pay me, in whatever installments you are able, until it is paid off." I did just that, five dollars here, ten dollars there, until, indeed, it was fully mine - and let me add, that with each installment payment, he would lower the overall price of the case!

I used this beautiful case most of my career, but as I began traveling for concerts, more and more, it was simply too heavy to carry - but it was always the case of choice for my instrument while at home in my studio.

As a professional, Mr. Moennig (Bill) and his wife, Wilda, became extremely close friends, as did his son Bill III and his wife, Mary.'
David Cerone, President, Cleveland Institute of Music, retired"
G.P.W.
Estimate $600-800


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