Books › A catalogue of the Lyon & Healy collection of rare old violins, violas, viloncellos, bows of rare makes, 1929 › scan 24
Scan 24
A catalogue of the Lyon & Healy collection of rare old violins, violas, viloncellos, bows of rare makes, 1929
20 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1chased along with the celebrated Mori Nicola Amati of the R. D. Hawley collection, by Lyon & Healy.
3This violin is over 330 years old, yet is in superb condition. It is of very full size, being slightly over fourteen inches in length of body and of usual width in the upper and lower bouts.
5The back bears the coat of arms of Henry IV, King of France and Navarre, and the sides bear the inscription which, translated, reads, "Henry IV, by grace of God, King of France and Navarre." The Latin inscription within the violin states that it was decorated by the most distinguished pupils of the makers.
7It is impossible to describe the extraordinarily rich tone of this instrument. It is unique among violins. While lacking the somber quality which usually characterizes the works of Brescia, it has all their richness, as well as the added sonority and bright soprano quality of the violins of Cremona. Its great volume and power make it admirably suited for concert or quartet use.
9The varnish is of the richest description, being of a rare golden brown. The wood throughout is of the choicest selection. Back and sides are notably handsome. (Plate IX)
11Price: $12,000
13JOANNES BAPTISTA GUADAGNINI, TURIN, 1782
15Number 7760. Many choice violins by this great master have been in the possession of Lyon & Healy. This superb example, however, is the peer of them all; we doubt if a finer exists in the world today. It is one of the limited and much sought-after Guadagninis of the red color. In appearance it is a very rugged instrument. The back, in two pieces, is of maple with sides to match. The top is spruce, notably choice in quality from the standpoint of tone. The scroll is in Guadagnini's finest style, and the instrument is covered with varnish of a lovely red color, typically Cremonese in texture. The extraordinary fineness of both wood and varnish gives to the violin an appearance beautiful beyond description. The instrument possesses a tone of great richness and tremendous carrying power. It is in a marvelous state of preservation and is a solo violin of the first rank. (Plate XII)
17Price: $12,000
19Now in the possession of Mr. L. Ernest Walker, Jr., of Saint Louis, Mo.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.