"Jim Knott, 76, is said to be the reason wooden lobster traps now are used mostly as decorations or glass-topped coffee tables. He is credited with developing the first wire lobster trap and being the first to use one, in 1957, off Good Harbor Beach on Gloucester’s eastern shore. " Bangor Daily News
Description: "Jim Knott, 76, is said to be the reason wooden lobster traps now are used mostly as decorations or glass-topped coffee tables. He is credited with developing the first wire lobster trap and being the first to use one, in 1957, off Good Harbor Beach on Gloucester’s eastern shore. " Bangor Daily News
Ralph built his third violin, the “Albino Violin” in 2009. As with his first two violins, Ralph carved a Lion’s Head scroll for it. He says this violin is the “best so far.” The top is carved (not steamed) cedar wood and the bottom is carved poplar wood. He carved the lower block and top nut from old ebony piano keys. Vittoria (Vitelli) McIlhenny, Mrs. Alan McIlhenny of Northeast Harbor, purchased the “White Violin” for her collection in 2010.
Description: Ralph built his third violin, the “Albino Violin” in 2009. As with his first two violins, Ralph carved a Lion’s Head scroll for it. He says this violin is the “best so far.” The top is carved (not steamed) cedar wood and the bottom is carved poplar wood. He carved the lower block and top nut from old ebony piano keys. Vittoria (Vitelli) McIlhenny, Mrs. Alan McIlhenny of Northeast Harbor, purchased the “White Violin” for her collection in 2010. [show more]
"Meanwhile I played a violin that I had bought from Millard Spurling. This violin had a mother of pearl inlay on the back. Millard had bought the violin from George Joy [George Jacob Joy (1861-1936)], who I believe taught school at Great Cranberry Island. Millard had intentions of learning to play but never did. After his wife died he had a lady friend at Ellsworth who had a daughter going to school who wanted to take violin lessons so he let her borrow it. When he got it back it was damaged. He had it for a number of years before he sold it to me. I repaired it and that gave me something to play while I scraped the varnish off the one I made. I intended to re-varnish but didn’t get to it so it set around in this condition for years. While playing at the Grange Hall at Northport I miss-stepped and fell off the stage with the Spurling violin in my hand. I was not hurt but the top was in splinters." - "Fiddle Making" by Ralph Warren Stanley, 2010. Ralph has since repaired the "Spurling Violin."
Description: "Meanwhile I played a violin that I had bought from Millard Spurling. This violin had a mother of pearl inlay on the back. Millard had bought the violin from George Joy [George Jacob Joy (1861-1936)], who I believe taught school at Great Cranberry Island. Millard had intentions of learning to play but never did. After his wife died he had a lady friend at Ellsworth who had a daughter going to school who wanted to take violin lessons so he let her borrow it. When he got it back it was damaged. He had it for a number of years before he sold it to me. I repaired it and that gave me something to play while I scraped the varnish off the one I made. I intended to re-varnish but didn’t get to it so it set around in this condition for years. While playing at the Grange Hall at Northport I miss-stepped and fell off the stage with the Spurling violin in my hand. I was not hurt but the top was in splinters." - "Fiddle Making" by Ralph Warren Stanley, 2010. Ralph has since repaired the "Spurling Violin." [show more]