Evening star., 1951-11-14
But Is 1t q Strodivorius3
Curious Public Seeks Snithsoniun's Aid
By Betty Miles

From Maine to California, the
public has taken James Smithson
at his word.
The founder of the Smithsonian
Institution declared himself pri-
marily interested in "the increase
and diffusion of knowledge among
men" To accomplish this purpose,
experts in a staggering number OF
fields work there with collections,
and produce publications related
to their work.
They also find time to give a
knowledge-hungry public informa-
ton on everything from minia-
lures to meteorS.
There is, for example, an un-
dying interest in StradivariuS vio-
ilns, Malcolm Watkins, asso-
ciate curator of the Division of
Ethnology of the National Mu-
scum, reported. He is concerned
with the cultural history of West
ern Europe and Colonial America,
and such things as the glass,
ceramics, pottery. furniture, silver
and musical instruments used are
his province.
Thousands of limitations have
been made of Stradivarius' work,
and these appear to have made
their way into the attics Of in
Vulnerable American homes. AS
a matter of fact, the Smithsonian
averages two or three "Strad let
ters" week.
Things came to such pass it
was decided that it would be
worthwhile to issue a mimeo-
graphed leaflet on the subject,
which is sent to correspondents.
Titled judiciously, "Violins Bear
ing a Stradivarius Label it ex-
plains emphatically. ANY violin
bearing a Stradivarius label but
not accompanied by a historical
record must be considered re-
production" DO NOT SEND
YOUR VIOLIN TO THE SMITH
SONIAN INSTITUTION, the leaf
let urge in large type. since the
Smithsonian has no violin made
by Antonius Stradivarius or by
other classic violin-makers in its
collection, and therefore cannot
make comparisons and give an
opinion on the violin's authen-
ITCHY.
Public Is GuIlible
There is a great tendency to
project into the past as far as
possible" Mr.. Watkins explained.
If grandmother is SO, and her
grandmother gave her the object
in question, a person is apt to
assume that great-great-grand-
mother acquired the piece at the
very latest on the day of her birth,
and it is hence of great antiquity.
The public is very gullible about
the supposed antiquity Of family
possessions, it appears. 1t is still
easier than you think to find
many persons who have in their
possession treasures" that were
brought over on the Mayf1ower."
Most frequently, owners want
to know what an object is worth.
Mr.. Watkins said. and appraising
is the very thing Smithsonian per-
sonnel will not do. The public also
is interested in what kind of OBJ
ject they have. and how old it is,
and with these questions the ex-
perts can and do help.
The typical question Mr.. Wat!
kins receives from public which
he describes as SO and 44-100 per
cent courteous goes something
like this:
i've had this object on my
mantel for some time, and people
keep asking me what it is. Can
you help me?"
There are very few professional
appraisers in town to whom a per-
son who appears to own a fine
object can be referred, he COM
mented. Such specialists examine
the work for a fee.
Occasionally individuals come
with things they wish to present
to the museum-as a matter of
fact, the greater part of the COL