Henry Ford & His Violins

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Henry Ford loved fiddles—they reminded him of the rural dances of his youth. In the 1920s, as a successful industrialist, Ford purchased some expensive “fiddles”—classical Italian violins. He also led a revival of fiddling and old-fashioned dancing.

Henry Ford's First Violin, 1880-1900 - 1

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Violin by Carlo Bergonzi, 1740

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Violin by Carlo Ferdinando Landolfi, 1780

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Violin by Nicola Gagliano, 1735

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Violin, "The Doyen," by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, 1744

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Violin, "The Rougemont," by Antonio Stradivari, 1703 - 1

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Violin, "The Siberian," by Antonio Stradivari, 1709

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Henry Ford Posing with a Violin, 1924

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Fiddler Jep Bisbee with Daughter and Son in Ford Home (Henry Ford's Birthplace), November 1923

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Record Album, "Records of Early American Dances as Revived by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford," circa 1945

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Cartoon of Henry Ford Dancing to Fiddle Music, "Oh Fiddlesticks," 1926

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Violin by Nicolo Amati, 1647

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Violin Bow, 1790-1795

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18th Century Style Coat, Made for Henry Ford

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Album of Documents Concerning Henry Ford's Violin Collection, 1921-1951

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Letter from J. C. Freeman to E. G. Liebold Concerning Repair of Henry Ford's Amati Violin, January 19, 1935

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Emma and Mellie Dunham Leaving Maine to Visit Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, 1925

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Charlotte and Benjamin Lovett Dancing, circa 1925

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Clara and Henry Ford, with Others, Dancing in Newly Completed Lovett Hall Ballroom, Dearborn, Michigan, 1937

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Henry Ford's Old-Time Dance Orchestra, circa 1925

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Letter from Benjamin Lovett to Mary Channing Coleman of the North Carolina College for Women, May 2, 1927

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Program, "First Annual Concert and Ball," with Music by Henry Ford's Old-Time Dance Orchestra," 1926

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I. Miller Costume Shoes Worn by Henry Ford

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Violinist Grisha Goluboff and Henry Ford, 1934-1938

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Fiddler Jep Bisbee in Traverse City, Michigan, 1923

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Book, "Mellie Dunham's 50 Fiddlin' Dance Tunes," 1926

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"Good Morning, After a Sleep of Twenty-Five Years Old-Fashioned Dancing is Being Revived by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford" 1926

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Highland Park High School Students Dancing in Lovett Hall Ballroom, Spring, 1940

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Newspaper Article, "Old-Fashioned Dance to Stay in Dearborn...Dearborn Backs Up School Dance," 1926

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"Virginia Reel," Published by Henry Ford, 1925-1926

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Program, "The Fifth Annual Quadrille," Music by Henry Ford's Old-Time Orchestra, 1939

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Violin, Made from Parts of Model T Touring Car, 1932

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Replica Dance Card for the 1885 New Year's Ball at Martindale House Inn

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Violin Bow, circa 1720

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Letter from Highland Park High School Principal to Benjamin Lovett, January 16, 1926

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Henry Ford Playing Violin, with His Old-time Dance Orchestra Musicians, 1933

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Benjamin Lovett with Henry Ford's Old-Time Dance Orchestra in Lovett Hall, 1944

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Blue Amberol Cylinder Record, "Virginia Reel," 1927

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Letter from Benjamin Lovett to Miss R. Cassily of Mills College, April 12, 1927

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Musician's Stage in the Ballroom at Botsford Inn, Farmington, Michigan, 1925

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Benjamin Lovett Teaching Dance Class, Lovett Hall, 1944

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Edison Diamond Disc Record, "Old Southern Schottische" / "Novelty Dance," 1926

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Edison Diamond Disc Record, "Varsovienne" and "Heel and Toe Polka," 1926

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Letter from Benjamin Lovett to Everett Gibson, February 21, 1927

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Clara and Henry Ford with Guests at a Costume Party, Eagle Tavern, Greenfield Village, circa 1937

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Program for a Radio Broadcast of Dance Music Played by Henry Ford's Old-Time Dance Orchestra, 1944

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Henry Ford Examining a Violin, circa 1939

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Henry Ford with His Old-time Dance Orchestra, 1933

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