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Story
January 23, 1950
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Pan American World Airways window display showcases two of Hiram Powell's 150 whittled violins from 1840, made from Sequoia redwood and family woods, along with his journal covering family history since 1799. Display loaned by son Ira M. Powell.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
WHITTLED VIOLINS
BY HIRAM POWELL
IN PAA WINDOW
How idle whittling can become a fine art is demonstrated in the unusual window display of Pan American World Airways, which is attracting much attention, according to Fred Dunn, District Traffic Manager.
In the window are the two remaining instruments of the 150 violins carved by Hiram Cornelius Powell, along with the 270-page volume of his personal journal. This is opened to page 108, concerning the year 1840, when Powell wrote: "By this time, I became quite a fiddle maker. I have made four or five . . ." (This is a type-written copy of the original long-hand journal, which relates family history dating back to 1799.)
The violins are the property of Powell's son, Ira M. Powell of Haines, who loaned them for display.
Of one, a sign says: This is one of 150 violins, carved from Sequoia red wood from the National Forest in California. It is one of the first 12 made. All were given away with the exception of these two.
The other instrument is "carved from seven different pieces of wood, each piece taken from a building belonging to the Powell family. The top piece is from an old watering trough in Oregon."
BY HIRAM POWELL
IN PAA WINDOW
How idle whittling can become a fine art is demonstrated in the unusual window display of Pan American World Airways, which is attracting much attention, according to Fred Dunn, District Traffic Manager.
In the window are the two remaining instruments of the 150 violins carved by Hiram Cornelius Powell, along with the 270-page volume of his personal journal. This is opened to page 108, concerning the year 1840, when Powell wrote: "By this time, I became quite a fiddle maker. I have made four or five . . ." (This is a type-written copy of the original long-hand journal, which relates family history dating back to 1799.)
The violins are the property of Powell's son, Ira M. Powell of Haines, who loaned them for display.
Of one, a sign says: This is one of 150 violins, carved from Sequoia red wood from the National Forest in California. It is one of the first 12 made. All were given away with the exception of these two.
The other instrument is "carved from seven different pieces of wood, each piece taken from a building belonging to the Powell family. The top piece is from an old watering trough in Oregon."
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Prodigy
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Family
What keywords are associated?
Whittled Violins
Hiram Powell
Sequoia Redwood
Family Journal
Fine Art Whittling
What entities or persons were involved?
Hiram Cornelius Powell
Ira M. Powell
Fred Dunn
Where did it happen?
Pan American World Airways Window
Story Details
Key Persons
Hiram Cornelius Powell
Ira M. Powell
Fred Dunn
Location
Pan American World Airways Window
Event Date
1840
Story Details
Hiram Powell carved 150 violins from whittling, including ones from Sequoia redwood in California National Forest and family buildings including Oregon trough; journal from 1799 details family history and 1840 fiddle making; two remaining displayed with journal excerpt.