Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Adrien-Francois Servais Papers

Summary
Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0195
Creators:
Servais, Joseph
Servais, Adrien-Francois, 1807-1866 (musician)
Dates:
1842-1884
Languages:
In
French
.
Physical Description:
0.5 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
Five letters of Adrien-Francois Servais, a nineteenth century cellist, pioneer in the use of the endpin in performance, and owner of the "Servais" Stradivarius cello.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
Five letters of Adrien-Francois Servais, describing his personal experiences as he traveled and gave concerts, including three from his son Joseph Servais (1850-1885), dated September 7, 1871, June 7, 1877, and December 30, 1884. Also includes a photograph of Adrien-Francois Servais with cello with an endpin and a lithograph of Francois Servais, signed and dedicated to Joseph Fishoff.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Adrien-Francois Servais was among the first of the nineteenth century virtuosi whose exploration of the capabilities of the cello stimulated composers to consider that instrument's capabilities. Renowned for his acrobatic technique, which dazzled audiences throughout Europe, and his expressive style and powerful tone, Servais was once described as "the Paganini of the cello."
Administration
Author
Mumia Shimaka-Mbasu
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Miss Charlotte Bergen, 1981.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Mumia Shimaka-Mbasu, 1986
Custodial History
Transferred from the Division of Musical Instruments to the Archives Center, February 1986.
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation
Adrien-Francois Servais Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Correspondence -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lithographs -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1850-1900 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musicians -- 1830-1880 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cello Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musical instruments Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Fishoff, Joseph Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Musical Instruments Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
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