Marion School
Plezy Clay Bearden
Marion, b. 1901
Self-taught maker active from 1917. Established a business in St Louis 1943, assisted by his two sons Plezy Douglas and Lowell Gene. Moved to Brownsville, Texas 1958, where he was occupied as a churchman until returning to Marion c.1982. Passed the shop to his sons 1963. Lowell Gene later bought out\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BEARDEN, Plezy Clay Born 1901 Marion, Illinois USA. Self-taught maker active from 1917. Established a business in St Louis 1943, assisted by his two sons Plezy Douglas and Lowell Gene. Moved to Brownsville, Texas 1958, where he was occupied as a churchman until returning to Marion c.1982. Passed the shop to his sons 1963. Lowell Gene later bought out his brother’s share and continues the business today with the assistance of his son Gregory. Stradivari and Guarneri models. Orange to red-brown oil varnish. 30 instruments completed, including several violas and one cello dated 1985. Branded: ‘P. C. Bearden’. Labels in varying forms. [Wenberg]
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