Books › A catalogue of the Lyon & Healy collection of rare old violins, violas, viloncellos, bows of rare makes, 1929 › scan 16
Scan 16
A catalogue of the Lyon & Healy collection of rare old violins, violas, viloncellos, bows of rare makes, 1929
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Rogeri, etc. There were also some thirty bows, eighteen by the master, Tourte.
3It is said Mr. Partello's knowledge of violins and bows was uncanny, that he could select a Tourte bow from among six or eight other fine bows in a darkened room.
5It was while he was stationed in Germany that he won the fervent gratitude of Czar Nicholas of Russia. The Czar's indebtedness was occasioned by Mr. Partello's success in recovering for the late ruler, a beautiful and much-prized Stradivarius which had been stolen from the Royal Palace. In appreciation, the Emperor presented to Mr. Partello the gold and enamel jewel casket with the imperial Russian crest in brilliants (Plate I), together with a letter bearing the Czar's signature. Lyon & Healy is indebted for the permission to picture the casket to Baroness Carita von Horst, daughter of Mr. Partello, in whose possession it remains.
7After Mr. Partello's death, upon the reading of the will, it was found that his entire collection had been left to the Smithsonian museum in Washington. The musical public was astounded. A storm of protest arose throughout the world against the placing of these masterpieces under glass, their voices to remain silent forever. We have in our possession letters written by Kreisler, Ysaye, Elman, Heifetz, Professor Auer, Kneisel, Toscanini, Damrosch, Stock, and other prominent musicians, protesting against the loss of these gems to artists and consequent deprivation to the public.
9However, the heirs contested the will, which was finally set aside, and the collection was purchased by Lyon & Healy. The release of these treasures to the public created such enthusiastic interest among musicians and collectors that the collection is now practically dispersed.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.