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How to
Survey a Harp
by Nancy Hurrell
The Historical Harp Society Survey Project has a goal to
survey all existing pre-1945 harps for the purpose of forming a web based
database for harp research, a valuable resource for the harp community.
When I was first asked to survey harps for the HHS Survey
Project, I thought, “Will it take a lot of time?” and “Do I need
special skills to do this?” Now I know it doesn’t take a lot of time
to fill in the form. I have learned that the more time you have to spend with a
historical harp, the more interesting details you begin to notice. Glossary
sheets, provided with the survey forms, give all the information you need.
There are clearly drawn diagrams and definitions of the parts of the harp.
After surveying many harps in museums, I really look forward to the opportunity
to examine a harp. There are always interesting details of artistry and
craftsmanship, from painted designs, carved foliage, maker’s labels and
royal warrants, to hooks and crochets! It sharpens your skills as a detective,
artist and historian.
Where do you find historical harps? They are found in
museums, historic homes, and private collections. There may be harpists in your
local harp society who own pre-1945 instruments. If you know of a historical
harp in a museum in your area, make arrangements ahead of time to visit the
harp. Museum curators are extremely busy, and they respond better if your visit
is planned well in advance and they know specifically what your needs are.
Sometimes they will only allow you to photograph the instrument, but not
measure it. Other times you may measure the harp, but not photograph it. In
this work, we have to start somewhere, and it’s useful for our project
database to just know where a historical harp is located. The project goals
need to be explained to the harp’s owner/curator. It is important to tell
the harp owner that the HHS will not publish anything without permission, and
that the names/addresses of private owners will not be listed on the web
database. At the visit, be sensitive to the owner/curator’s requirements.
Each harp needs to be treated very carefully.
How do you survey a harp? You will measure the instrument,
describe details and photograph it. Here are some useful items to take with
you:
SURVEY
KIT
- HHS Survey forms and Glossary sheets are
available from and soon will be available online. A clipboard is useful.
- Extra paper is handy for notes or sketches of
details.
- Tape measures both metal locking and soft are
useful. For measuring the height of harps, a metal locking tape measure is
easiest. For the soundboard widths, a soft tape measure is safer on the finish
of the harp. I like to have centimeters as well as inches; it can give more
precise measurements, and most museums use cm. nowadays for measuring
instruments.
- Pencil is best. Some museums don't allow ink to be
used.
- Gloves could be part of your kit. If white gloves
are required, usually museums provide them.
- Flashlight is invaluable. Often places are dimly
lit. And if you are able to see the inside of the soundbox, a flashlight can
reveal a harp maker's name and structural details inside the soundbox.
- Magnifying glass can help in reading a maker's
label and can reveal wonderful details in paintwork, carving, and
mechanisms.
- Camera is very important. Having digital photos
makes them easy to store and send to the survey project. With digital photos, I
often use the magnifying icon on my computer to reveal details I missed when I
was actually with the harp.
- A tripod is a useful accessory for taking a full
view photo of a harp. A white sheet or poster board for a back drop, or
plain wall behind the harp is helpful. In addition to a full view of the harp,
close-ups of the parts of the harp are wonderful: mechanism, column, neck,
soundboard decoration, base carvings.
The
Surveys
There are two different HHS survey forms: Pedal Harps and
Non-pedal Harps. The HHS Glossary sheets, which accompany the forms, explain
the parts of the harp.
- Identification. The "Make" of the
harp refers to the harpmaker or harp company. The "Model" means the type of
harp, like single-action or Royal Portable, etc.
- Dimensions.
The height is from the floor to the top of the pillar, finial, or neck of an
ethnic harp without pillar. Measure the string lengths from the soundboard to
the tuning pin.
- Construction
materials. The most common wood used for harp soundboards is spruce.
However, if you don't know the answer, leave it blank or use question
marks
- Action. The
type of action can sometimes help determine the period of the harp. Consult the
HHS Glossary and diagrams.
- General Decor.
Use the back and extra sheet for additional descriptions and drawings. A
magnifying glass can help determine if the soundboard design is a
- Forms filled out
by/date. Don't forget to sign here. Please ask the owner for permission to
publish the photos on our web database.
- Current
Owner. E-mail and museum website addresses are useful here.
- History of the
Harp. When did the current owner purchase it? Sometimes there are wonderful
stories about the persons who played the harp.
It's customary to give the harp owner a copy of the
completed survey form, the HHS Glossary Sheet and copies of the photos taken.
Some museums require it.
By surveying a historical harp, you are contributing to a
very worthwhile project. It gives you insights into other cultures and periods.
I hope it will be as fascinating for you as it has been for me.
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