B.F. Phillips (Pittsburgh) Violin ID - "reconstructed"?

[Jkg4395]

Hi All -

I have a violin that was given to me by my Great Aunt, in 1980. I played it until 1995, and then unfortunately it was "lost". It has been found and now I'm interested in learning more about it. I'm wondering if anyone here has some ideas of it's origins.

I know we can't always rely on tags, but the tag inside says "Reconstructed by B.F. Phillips & Sons. Cameo Bldg, 5th Floor. Pgh, PA. Aug 1936. E.S.P."

B.F. (Benjamin Franklin) Phillips was from Warsaw, Poland. His father and grandfather (last name Filipiak) both were violin makers. BF came to the US around 1905 (name changed to Phillips) and set up shop in Pittsburgh. My research indicates he made approximately 150 violins and he was known for making them from woods recycled from old churches or buildings. BF passed away in 1977, in Pittsburgh.

I believe the initials E.S.P. on the tag are that of BF's son Edwin Stanley Phillips. I have not found a lot of information on Edwin, but I did see that BF's other son, Eugene Walter Phillips played with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 years.

I would assume that if this violin were originally constructed by B.F. then the tag would say "made by" rather than "reconstructed". However, I don't know what might be underneath the tag and I won't attempt to look. Assuming the violin was reconstructed by BF's son, I'm wondering about the origins of the violin.

The only other information I have: I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. My Great Aunt was active in Pittsburgh orchestras, as was her husband. My aunt was from the Pittsburgh area. She married a man who had recently arrived from Greece. He and his adult siblings came to the US together and all were musicians. I don't know if the violin may have belonged to his family.  The violin was given to me with a "Tourte" stamped bow. I KNOW it's not a genuine Torte.  I'd love to learn more about it also and can upload pictures too.

I have additional photos of the violin also or I can upload pictures of specific areas, if anyone has questions. Thanks so much!

 

[Strad O Various Jr.]

The construction looks more like a trade violin from Markneukirchen, Germany, presumably varnished and tinkered with by the signee of the label, this was common practice.

[Jkg4395]

Here are some pictures of the bow. It was given to me with the violin.

 

[uncle duke]

29 minutes ago, Jkg4395 said:

 I played it until 1995, and then unfortunately it was "lost". It has been found 

You mean one of your sisters claimed it and gave it back later - it happens sometimes.

This particular fiddle could have a neck, belly, back and ribs all from different sources, imo.  It could be a few other things too including being a cheaper piece of work than what a "Markie" is.

[Nick Allen]

This violin does not look like the work of Ben Phillips, unfortunately. Or any bespoke maker, for that matter. 

[Marty Kasprzyk]

Apparently B.F. Phillips was a pretty good maker.  In 1940 Jascha Heifetz tried about 100 American violins and selected the best four one of which was a Philips violin for comparison with a bunch Strads.

Attached is a 1946 paper by F. A. Saunders which describes the testing. 

Saunders The Mechanical Action of Instruments of the Violin Family JASA 1946 copy.pdf

[scordatura]

I've seen a few Phillips violins. Obviously this is not one of them. They are pretty decent. One was played at one point by Todd Phillips who is a good violinist who plays around NYC (Orpheus Chamber Orchestra). He is the grandson of the violin maker. He and Danny Phillips are in the Orion Quartet. I think Danny plays a Strad. I always remember Todd's because it had a painted bridge with a horse or something on it. The son of the violin maker played for many years in the Pittsburgh Symphony. I think he also played a Phillips violin.

[Yoshiki]

Very interesting story and violin!

I'd like to know the thoughts from Masetroneters about the bow as well.

[Bob K]

The stamp on the bow looks like it probably reads 'Germany' but could be fully revealed by removing the frog.

[Aetherdood]

My Grandpa gave me his violin that says

"Repaired by B.F. Phillips + Son Pittsburgh, Pa. July, 1947"

its a really old looking violin but it still sounds great and i wanna know how old it is

i can send pictures if anyone replies

Edited January 11, 2023 by Aetherdood

[Violadamore]

1 hour ago, Aetherdood said:

My Grandpa gave me his violin that says

"Repaired by B.F. Phillips + Son Pittsburgh, Pa. July, 1947"

its a really old looking violin but it still sounds great and i wanna know how old it is

i can send pictures if anyone replies

Welcome to Maestronet! 

Please read this thread: https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/333119-how-to-photograph-an-instrument-for-identifcation-purposes/

Then, following then instructions in that thread, post a set of photographs of your violin.

Otherwise nobody can respond usefully.

[DJL]

Ben Phillips made a violin in 1937 that my grandfather, Markus Klein, purchased shortly before he joined the PIttsburgh Symphony under Otto Klemperer in 1938.  I believe Phillips son, Eugene was a student of Mr. Klein. I currently have the privilege of playing this beautiful instrument.  Andres Cardenes, the former concertmaster of the PSO, played it for a few minutes when I came to pick it up after some minor repairs. It's sound was sweet and rich.

Expand the photos for full details

[carol frohlich]

My husband used a lovely Phillips violin for many years in the Indianapolis symphony......We were both in the first violin section. when he retired he gave me his fiddle to use. It was healthier than my old Italian instrument which I sold to Kenneth Warren. and sons.  Eddie Frohlich and Eugene Phillips were contemporaries...studied with some of the same teachers  in Pittsburgh. I retired from the ISO in 2005 and am ready to sell this instrument. So I am ,looking for any information about Phillips instruments. 

Eddie 's dad. a Hungarian tailor, paid for the violin with 2 handmade wool suits........at least that's the story I was told.

Eugene called us many many  years ago to see if Ed was interested in selling the fiddle.......and I spoke to Danny when he played with Lincoln center players here in Carmel ,In. He was using his granddad 's viola that night for an all Brandenburg concert.  

[Naude]

Check with Phillip Injeian, in Pittsburgh.