PHONO-FIDDLE

According to details from item A1994.120.3; which is a letter from the Horniman Museum & Library, London, 1975: This instrument is a one-stringed fiddle which was used mostly by buskers in theatre queues in the late 19th & early 20th centuries (although you can still hear the instrument occassionally). It was never used for classical music, of course, nor for folk music, but rather for music halls & popular songs. A great many were made, and usually sold for a few shillings. There may be some in British Museums, but I would doubt it since it is not a 'proper' instrument, either classical or folk. We have a couple in the Horniman Museum, but do not exhibit them; they are in storage.