Harp Column Blogs: Samuel MilliganArchive

No matter how hard he tried, my father simply couldn't manage to get very far ahead financially.  This in spite of all the virtues--he didn't drink or smoke, and was an indefatigable and compulsive worker.  He was able to provide all the necessities, but certain expenses were not even to be considered, such as a pedal harp.

I had a Clark Irish harp, for which Papa paid either fifty or seventy dollars--I can't remember which--both amounts stick in my mind after all these years.  This may not sound like very much money, but it was a considerable chunk out of Papa's resources.

Naturally, I dreamed of owning a pedal harp, and I wrote Lyon & Healy for a catalog.  It was just after the Second World War, and they had not yet printed one, but had managed to produce a price list on the cover of which was a picture of the newly introduced natural finish Style 15.

It was gorgeous, of course, but cost the staggering amount of $995.  (To get an idea of prices in those days, note that a gilded 23 cost $3,950.)  I treasured the picture but the actual possession of a pedal harp was to remain a fantasy for some time to come. 

I went to school entirely on scholarships and played school instruments up until my senior year, when I was able to affaord a used (very used) pedal harp.

A MATTER OF EMPATHY

All this being so, I could understand the situation of Basel Sara, whose postings on the Harp Column Forum indicated that he was in the same potition that I had been in at one time--ready to make a living playing, but with no possibility of affording an instrument.

So I was pleased when I learned that Carl Swanson had taken Mr. Sara's situation in hand.  This was without Mr. Sara's knowledge, by the way, since Carl meant for it to be a surprise.  Looking for a suitable instrument, Carl mentioned his search to Bill Grant, the local harp technician here in New York.  Now it happened that a lady on Long Island had a harp that was derelict.  She told Bill that she didn't want it, and if he didn't take it she was going to trash it.  Bill had no use for it, but mentioned it to Carl.

The harp had indeed seen better days.  Carl rebuilt the action and Venus harps installed a new sounding board, all at no cost.  About that time I heard about the project from Bill and called Carl to offer to help in some way, possibly with shipping costs.  He said that a more pressing need was extra strings, which I was happy to supply.  Several harpists also donated music for which they had duplicates or else figured they would never get around to learning.

Please note that my gift was my own idea.  Had Carl asked for something, I would doubtless have refused.  I choose my own charities, and have a knee-jerk reaction against special pleadings of any ilk.  Carl, too, chooses his charities, and it should be noted that at no time did Mr. Sara importune him for anything whatever.

THE 8th DEADLY SIN--SEEING EVIL WHERE NO EVIL EXISTS

On learning what we had done, a totally officious friend of mine who tends to leap to wrong conclusions (invariably based on inadequate information), announced that we had been the victims of a scam.  I explained that none of this had been instigated by Mr. Sara, and that after 75 years on this planet, I have a fairly good idea how scams work.  (Morever, AARP is constantly telling those of my generation what to look for in this regard.)

"Nevertheless," my friend said, determined to have the last word, "you shouldn't have sent the strings."  At that my indignation boiled over and I pointed out pretty tersely that it is MY money, and that I will spend it where and how I choose without advice from him or anyone else.  He apologized, and I apologized for snapping at him and so we resumed what has over the years become a pretty tenuous friendship. 

Anyhow, shortly after Mr. Sara received the harp, all those who made the gift possible received very nice letters from him thanking us for our contributions. 

After that, when I next saw my officious friend, I derived a nasty bit of pleasure pointing out the obvious.  Con artists grab the money and run.  Con artists do not write thank-you letters.

ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Let me add that my own dream had come true a bit earlier in 2003 when I bought a nice used natural finish Style 15.  Great little harp.  Good, powerful, focused sound throughout, totally silent action and a joy for portability.  Visually, it has a bang here and there, but then, so do I.  Let me add that I got it for a bargain price--slightly more than ten times what that model sold for when it was introduced in 1946.

Brooklyn, NY July 18, 2007