The Ivers Mandolin Orchestra: Chautauqua Institute

Everyone A Gibsonite

Page 21 Gibson Mandolin Catalog M: See right side second photo from bottom

I recently discovered that this photo of my Great grandfather's Mandolin Orchestra appears on page 21 of the Gibson "M" catalog, published in 1921, confirming my theory that he (Joseph L. Ivers) was a Gibson "teacher-agent" or dealer, and that this photo was part of the "Everyone a Gibsonite" marketing campaign. Some of these instruments are still owned and played by Ivers family members. For example, my father Robert Ivers still plays the 1914 F4 in the center played by my Great Grandmother Mary Ivers in this photo. He also owns a 1921 H2 Mandola, no doubt pictured brand spanking new somewhere in this photo. I would love to try to contact other family members to see where some of these other instruments ended up.

Showing posts with label Chautauqua Institute. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Summer Strummers 2011 Official Photo

Here they are, everyone in their signature Red Vest show attire. I just spent last weekend at the Chautauqua Institute, and while I didn't get a chance to see them perform, the word from my father Robert Ivers is that 2011 was another successful season for the Summer Strummers. The now legendary group is accepting bookings for the 2012 season, and is enjoying official "Amateur Group" status and production support from the Chautauqua Institution Music Department.

Joe Prezio- Banjo, Ed Harmon-Mandolin and Saw, Ed Paul- Bass, Robert Ivers-Mandolin, Kelsie Shea- Violin, Ray Defendorf-Guitar

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Summer Strummers 2011 Line Up

The Red Vests Are Back!

Here they are on the front porch of the Methodist House at the Chautauqua Institution. First gig of the 2011 Season! More gigs and pictures comming up.

The 2011 Summer Strummers: Left to Right: Joe Prezio- banjo, Ray Defendorf- guitar, Ed Paul- bass, Ed Harmon mandolin and saw, (Tim Shea- Violin Not Pictured), and Robert Ivers-mandolin. (Robert Ivers; is my father, and grandson of Joseph L. Ivers, Mandolin Orchestra leader and Gibson Mandolin Company Teacher/Agent mentioned above.)

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Gibson Mandolin F-4 Seriel #24532 Factory Order # 2607 Provenance

F4 Gibson Mandolin # 24532 Provenance

-Joseph Lawrence Ivers purchase (probably direct from Gibson Mandolin Company)

-Instrument probably built in 1914 according to the Factory Order Number dating chart in Spann's Guide To Gibson 1902-1941; Centerstream Publishing.

Instrument probably shipped in 1915 according to Serial Number Dating in the Mandolin Archive (see link below to Mandolin Archive)

-Played by J. L..Ivers in his mandolin orchestra. In Adams, Massachusetts.

-Photo of the orchestra is dated 1921-instrument appears in the hands of woman to the right of J. L. Ivers, his wife Mary Ivers.

- This F4 Master Model was handed down by my Great Grandfather to my Great Aunt Doris Ivers- Hueston, who took care of it for years.

- My Great Aunt Doris Ivers- Hueston gave the mandolin to my Father to play and care for in the early 1960's.

-A watercolor of the instrument done by Robert Ivers is owned by James Ivers, great grandson of J. L. Ivers. A print of this watercolor is posted on this blog.

-This Mandolin was expertly repaired by Eric Aceto a Luthier in Trumansberg, NY He repaired a hairline crack on the front, and replaced a section of ivory binding on the top front.

-This mandolin was played in a string band (The Summer Strummers) by Robert Ivers in 2004-2010 at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua NY

-This instrument was played by a violist in the Chautauqua Symphony in 2003 and in the opera orchestra.

-In 2005 it was played by a Chautauqua Symphony violinist in Gustav Mahler's symphony #7, E Minor.

-Mandolin owned and played for many years, by Robert Ivers of Big Flats, NY, and Chautauqua, New York,; my father and Grandson of original owner Joseph Ivers.

-Sept 2010 Mandolin given to me by my father to play and take care of.

Gibson Mandola H-2 Serial # 66429 Provenance

Gibson Mandola H-2 Serial # 66429 Factory Order Number 11452 Provenance

-Joseph Lawrence Ivers purchase (probably directly from Gibson Mandolin Co. Shipped probably in 1921 Serial Number dating according to the Mandolin Archive. See Link Below)

-This H2 Mandola was most likely manufactured also in 1921 according to the Factory Order Number dating chart in Spann's Guide To Gibson 1902-1941; Centerstream Publishing.

- In the 1921 photo of the orchestra, this H2 Mandola appears in the hands of the smiling woman in first row second from the right.

-Played by J. L..Ivers in his mandolin orchestra.

- Handed down by my Great Grandfather to my Great Aunt Doris Ivers- Hueston, who took care of it for years.

-Instrument owned for many years by my Great Aunt Doris Ivers-Hueston, daughter of original owner Joseph Lawerence Ivers.

- My Great Aunt Doris Ivers- Hueston gave this Mandola to my Father Robert Lawerence Ivers around in 2001.

-Mandola is currently owned and played by Robert Ivers of Big Flats, NY, and Chautauqua, New York; my father and Grandson of original owner.