JACKSON’S violins sold for $5 to $100 in their times

OGDENSBURG — Music consumed the life of Ogdensburg violin maker Alexander E. Jackson.

In the name of music, he also sold, played, tuned, conducted, fixed and taught.

Newspaper archives on the life and career of Ontario-born Mr. Jackson (1870-1944) reveal a man of many talents.

■ An Oct. 26, 1926, Ogdensburg Journal classified ad for instrument repairs: “Repairs on Violins and String Instruments. Bows rehaired. Saxophones repadded and adjusted. A.E. Jackson, 212 Ford Ave.”

■ An Oct. 28, 1936, classified ad: “Piano Tuning, $2.50. Repairs on Violins, Clarinets, Saxophones. A.E. Jackson, 212 Ford Ave., Ogdensburg, N.Y. Phone 603-R.”

■ On Sept. 23, 1938, a published report told of personnel changes at Morristown school.

“Mr. (George L.) Slater was appointed (to the position of band and music instructor) by the Morristown board of education to succeed Theresa Maloy, music instructor, and A.E. Jackson, band instructor. The position was combined this year.”

■ Mr. Jackson’s father and fellow violin maker, Levi C., was also a salesman in Ogdensburg who evidently knew the power of the Christmas shopping season, even as the Depression began. Hence this Dec. 11, 1929, classified ad: “GET YOUR VIOLINS — for Christmas from the old reliable maker, 20 to pick from, prices $5.00 to $100 for some new, some very old ones. Some 3-4 size. L.C. Jackson, 324 Mansion Ave.”

■ Father and son displayed their violin in the window at Jamieson Music Store in the city’s old Second Ward. Press coverage wasn’t exactly understated.

“Father and Son Manufacture Violin Which Defies Detection as Stradivarius,” the headline stated.

■ A.E. Jackson was once a conductor at the Ogdensburg Opera House.