Hammond, IN 
Walter Mlynarczyk, maker

Woods, metal
ca.  Late 20th century
Length: Length 23 in; Width: 7.88 in; Depth: 1.75 in
Lutes – Violin Family – Folk Fiddle

Hand written inside w/ black ink: Polska / Stradivarius / Made – 1990
Label printed inside: Mr. Walter Mlynarczyk / 4114 Towle Ave. /
Hammond, IN 46327

This handcrafted folk fiddle by Walter Mlynarczyk of Hammond, Indiana, indicates he made it in what he considered a Polish ‘Folk Style.”  The upper bout on each side has a shoulder with a cut-out short arm. The lower bout supports an opened raised foundation for the bridge. The tailpiece has mother of pearl and glitter material circles. There is carved purfling filled with glitter material outlining the shape of the fiddle on both the front and back. The sound holes are triangular in shape. There are four metal strings with standard pegs and a scroll shape at the top of the peghead. Two metal tuners are added to two of the strings at the bottom between the lower bridge and tailpiece. The back is made from one piece of wood.            

This fiddle came from the Fred Spector collection of Chicago (Lincoln Park), Illinois.  Fred played violin with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 47 years.