Anders Challman 

Also went by the name Anders Ernst Ericsson​
  • Born:  1871. Börstil, Uppland, Sweden. 
  • Emigrated: 1890.  Settled in Minnesota: Minneapolis, Hennepin County.  
  • Death:   1931 Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
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Photo of Anders Challman's nyckelharpa.   Photo courtesy of the American Swedish Institute
Authors note:   The nyckelharpa photo looks upside down.  A kontrabasharpa and silvebasharpa must be hung with "eyes" up.   It is consider bad luck to hang it any other way.  
Anders Ernst Ericsson-Challman was born on February 6, 1870, in Börstil, Uppland, Sweden, an area known for its rich tradition of playing the nyckelharpa. At the age of 18, he emigrated to Minneapolis, bringing with him a nyckelharpa marked "EÅ 1640."  His instrument served as a strong connection to his Swedish musical traditions, and it holds significant historical value today.  

The nyckelharpa if verified to be from 1640, would be one of the oldest surviving examples of the instrument worldwide.  It appears to be a kontrabasharpa, a type appropriate for the 1600s through the 1800s.

Anders daughter Mildred remembered him playing the nyckelharpa every Saturday evening. Today, this cherished instrument is part of the collections at the American Swedish Institute Museum in Minneapolis. While it has undergone some repairs over the years, efforts were made to maintain its integrity and preserve its historical significance.
Credit to the American Swedish Institute and special thanks to Per-Ulf Allmo, Sweden for providing valuable information for this story.  
FUN FACTS: 
  • The date inscribed on the inside the soundbox says, "1640," which if it was authenticated, would make it the oldest known kontrabasharpa in existence.  
  • The Challman nyckelharpa story is featured in the book  A to Zåäö: Playing with History at the American Swedish Institute. ​   ​Some of the story appears to be merged with that of Axel Kjellberg.  
Music Links
​Here are nyckelharpa tunes from the area near Börstil where Anders Challman lived while in Sweden.  They are played on the newer style of nyckelharpa.  ​