Antique Sol Roach Violin, 1917 - Friend of Buffalo Bill Cody

Description

Sol Roach antique violin. 1917. Although his work with violins began as early as the 1870s, research indicates that he didn’t make his first violin until he moved to Windber, Pennsylvania in 1898. Windber was a new coal town being established by the Berwind White Coal Company just east of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Sol built the second commercial building on the main street of the new town selling bicycles, guns and doing guide work. The earliest known example of his original violins is from 1900 and the last known example is from 1928. It is thought that he made around 50 original instruments, 26 of which have been discovered and documented. He also did extensive work regraduating commercial instruments. His original instruments are still in use and have turned up from coast to coast. Most of these are in playing condition. Many of them are being played regularly by both professionals and amateurs.
This is a rare authenticated violin made by Roach. Roach also gained fame as an acquaintance of Buffalo Bill Cody. This item has been valued by our family for many years and has been carefully taken care of.