Powder horn maker, 1970s-80s

Back in seventies or eighties there was a powder horn maker who always set up at Friendship. I think he also advertised in Muzzle Blasts. I think the last name was Von something.
Anyway, there was nothing about his horns that could pass for an 18th or 19th century horn but”¦. They were still true works of art. The carving was fantastic. I never bought one because they were A. More than I wanted to spend for a powder horn, and B. They were too fancy. They weren’t scrimshawed, they were relief carved.
Does anyone here remember his name? It’s driving me crazy.
The reason I’m asking is that I think there is one on Ebay right now and seeing it brought back memories. As is normal for many Ebay powder horns, the seller is either clueless as to what he has (probably late 18th century) or he is simply hoping for a gullible buyer. With lots of money. The Buy It Now price is $2450.00.

 

[Rifleman1776]

That was George VanDriesche. I hope I spelled it right. Very nice person and incredible craftman/artist. I have a pair of horns my wife bought me and treasure them. Had many great conversations with George. I heard he passed several years ago. To the best of my knowledge, he was the only (known) person who actually carved on horn. His detail was incredible. Most horn art is scrimshawed. He did 3D carving with a knife. His prices were never cheap. I cannot comment on the Ebay horn but will say the large horn my wife bought me cost several hundred dollars in the 1970s. If I have time today I'll take a couple pics of my horns and post later today.

 

That was George VanDriesche. I hope I spelled it right. Very nice person and incredible craftman/artist. I have a pair of horns my wife bought me and treasure them. Had many great conversations with George. I heard he passed several years ago. To the best of my knowledge, he was the only (known) person who actually carved on horn. His detail was incredible. Most horn art is scrimshawed. He did 3D carving with a knife. His prices were never cheap. I cannot comment on the Ebay horn but will say the large horn my wife bought me cost several hundred dollars in the 1970s. If I have time today I'll take a couple pics of my horns and post later today.

Thank you, now I can sleep tonight. Van, Von, I was close.
Prices have to be adjusted for the times I guess. Even at several hundred dollars you were getting something that required a lot more hours than some horns today that sell for the same price or more. I never thought he was over-priced considering the amount of work involved, it was just more than I could justify. I don’t think the one on Ebay is worth the asking price. As fancy as it is, it isn’t one of his better ones.
Do you use yours, or are they strictly display?

 

[Rifleman1776]

That was George VanDriesche. I hope I spelled it right. Very nice person and incredible craftman/artist. I have a pair of horns my wife bought me and treasure them. Had many great conversations with George. I heard he passed several years ago. To the best of my knowledge, he was the only (known) person who actually carved on horn. His detail was incredible. Most horn art is scrimshawed. He did 3D carving with a knife. His prices were never cheap. I cannot comment on the Ebay horn but will say the large horn my wife bought me cost several hundred dollars in the 1970s. If I have time today I'll take a couple pics of my horns and post later today.

Thank you, now I can sleep tonight. Van, Von, I was close.
Prices have to be adjusted for the times I guess. Even at several hundred dollars you were getting something that required a lot more hours than some horns today that sell for the same price or more. I never thought he was over-priced considering the amount of work involved, it was just more than I could justify. I don’t think the one on Ebay is worth the asking price. As fancy as it is, it isn’t one of his better ones.
Do you use yours, or are they strictly display?

I knew I had saved one of his old catalogs. The correct spelling is: George Van Driessche. He was from Bay City, Michigan.
I remember talking to him one day about his horn carving. He said it took a tremendous amount of pressure to cut horn. If you know anything about horn, it is made up of hair-like material that is stringy. To cut across the fibers is very difficult. (impossible for me, I tried) George was a short, very muscular, stout man. His forearm muscles were huge. I'm sure that was from the exercertion of the horn carving.
Mine (I'll post pics later) would be considered a mid-range in the fancy department. My wife bought the large and primer horns at different times.
I did use them often for many years. I used at shoots, ronny's and hunting. But after a thong broke and I almost lost them in the woods hunting I stopped carrying for that and used common horns in the woods.
If he will ever be widely known for his art is impossible to predict. Stuff is never worth more than someone is willing to pay. He never had trouble selling his horns or other carved horn items.

 

For sure, if his name was better known, and there were collectors who specialized in his work, the Ebay price would be a lot closer.
I remember reading about someone who was making a woodturning with Rude Osolnik. When it was finished the guy asked what it would be worth. Rude’s reply was, “It depends on which one of us signs it”.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Randy, I took a look at the Ebay offering. While I certainly am not expert enough to definitively say that is, or is not, a Geo. Van D horn my inclination is to say it is not. While the Ebay horn is an incredible piece of work it does not seem, to me, to be George's style. The subject matter of an alligator and George Washington is nothing like I have ever seen from George. That is my personal take. It would also seem to disprove my statement that George was the only ever horn carver. Will be interesting, however, to see what that horn sells for, if it does.
Below are my horns. The subject matter is typical of what George did. Woods, pioneers, cabin. He also did many eagles, wolves, etc. Things from the north country. Not many alligators in Michigan. The detail pic below is from the primer horn.

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[Old Creek]

Rifleman, i dont blame ya, if i had a close call to loosing those i would be scared to drag em through the sticks either.
those are great looking horns and the craftmanship is outstanding.

creek

 

[tenngun]

Have a Ron Brown horn I bought in the mid 70s never knew anything about him except his horn still serves me and was a nice piece of work.Very plain horn very well made

 

Randy, I took a look at the Ebay offering. While I certainly am not expert enough to definitively say that is, or is not, a Geo. Van D horn my inclination is to say it is not. While the Ebay horn is an incredible piece of work it does not seem, to me, to be George's style. The subject matter of an alligator and George Washington is nothing like I have ever seen from George. That is my personal take. It would also seem to disprove my statement that George was the only ever horn carver. Will be interesting, however, to see what that horn sells for, if it does.
Below are my horns. The subject matter is typical of what George did. Woods, pioneers, cabin. He also did many eagles, wolves, etc. Things from the north country. Not many alligators in Michigan. The detail pic below is from the primer horn.

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After seeing your horns I have to agree. Someone else made the one on Ebay. Way too many differences in style.
If nothing else, we have established that there are at least two people who have made powder horns with fantastic relief carving.
Having seen Mr.Van Driessche's in person, I have to say that, as fantastic as they look in the pictures you posted, the pictures don't do them justice.

 

Oh, and by the way.....
Check the sewers in Detroit.
There might be more alligators in Michigan than you think. :grin:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Old thread worth reposting. I may be offering my G. VD horns for sale soon.

 

[Ponderosaman]

The images are lost on this older post. The discussion piqued my interest, can you please re-post the pictures.