A. Stathopoulos Case closed !
The unique feltron material !
Back on December 18, 2013, following an extensive research, I had written an article regarding the oldest bouzouki case.
The latest acquisition of a 1911 Stathopoulos bouzouki- model 141 , prompted me to continue the research regarding the musical instrument cases which the well-known instrument maker, was constructing during the beginning of 20 th century
Anastasios Stathopoulos with his family
From the A. Stathopoulos catalogue its obvious that the luthier was offering 4 types of cases for bouzoukia
No 150................Hard case from canvas ................$ 1.50
No 151.................Green feltron ------------------------$ 1.25
No 152...............Leather case superb quality--------$ 6.75
No 153...….........Immitation leather case-------------$ 5.50
From the same catalogue we also find information regarding violin, guitar and mandolin cases, as well as oud, laouto, tamboura, banjo, and mandola cases.
Recently, the owner of a beautiful A Stahopoulos 1911 mandolin was kind enough to share with me photographs of his well preserved , original wooden Anastasios Stathopoulos case.
Anastasios Stathopoulos uses as external materials (for his musical instrument cases) , thin wood painted black or covered with leather, , pressured cardboard covered with imitation leather , leather and imitation leather, canvas, and green feltron
This last material called feltron, opened up my appetite, and led me into an infinity loop of research.
At first I assumed that feltron was nothing else than felt.
I thought that feltron was somehow a mixed pronunciation / spelling from English to Greek
Then, I started diving deeper into the material called Feltron
I found out that feltron material used as a supporting panel system between the mattress’ spring system ( #3 at the image bellow )
The same material nowadays ( in its polished format ) can still be found inside the spring mattress construction. Feltron is nothing else than what we call a thick felt pad
“Felt may be the oldest fabric known to man, and there are many references to felt in ancient writings.
Since felt is not woven and does not require a loom for its production, ancient man made it rather easily.
Some of the earliest felt remains were found in the frozen tombs of nomadic horsemen in the Siberian Tlai mountains and date to around 700 B.C.
These tribes made clothing, saddles, and tents from felt because it was strong and resistant to wet and snowy weather.” (Source madehow.com)
Different quality of felt pads
For many centuries felt pads were well known for their use as pads under the horse saddle ( saddle pads)
“The saddle pad is a piece of material that is placed between the saddle and horse that functions as a means of cushioning, protection of the horse’s back, a barrier for dirt and sweat absorption.
The saddle pad was the predecessor to the saddle panel on the modern, treed saddle. This simple pad was attached to the horse with straps or ropes and served as a means of cushion and protection on the horse’s back for the rider. As designs evolved, these pads became a more permanent part of the saddle in the form of panels. These panels are meant to provide the necessary padding needed between horse and rider.
The most traditional material used as a saddle pad is sheepskin with the hide still attached. Other traditional materials include cotton, linen, felt and animal hair.”( Source
Wool felt saddle pad
Wood felt saddle pad
The interesting property which feltron material carries, is that when heated at 120 degrees Celsius become stiff and durable
Could Anastasios Stathopoulos used (with a unique patent) heated feltron to shape the exterior shape of a musical instrument case ?
In his catalogue he describes it as “green feltron “
How unique and beautiful would such a feltron bouzouki case, look?
To visualize somehow the possible look of a green feltron case , I found images of green felt pad shaped for saddle pad
Green felt saddle pad
Green felt saddle pad
My assumption and excitement short lived , after looking over again and a little closer at the information provided in the catalogue
The price for a green feltron case is lower then the canvas case. And at another section the green feltron is listed under soft bags and not hard cases
Looks as Stathopoulos’ green feltron case was at the end a soft bag made by felt …. Or maybe not?
To be continued !
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