Scan 20
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737), 1909
18 lines. Read by computer on 24 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Result of our researches to ascertain the number of his works now existing—The greatest number dating from one year—The destruction of Stradivaris in the past—A word of warning regarding the preservation of those which have been preserved—Imprudent owners and would-be restorers—Their ruthless acts ……………………………………………. 234
3CHAPTER XI.
5THE PRICES PAID FOR STRADIVARI INSTRUMENTS AND THE GROWTH OF THEIR REPUTATION.
7The earliest records of money paid for Cremonese instruments—The relative value of the money—The price paid for an Amati in 1630—The price of a Brescian violin—Researches in foreign archives—The present given to Stradivari by the Duke of Modena, and the title of appointment granted by the Archbishop of Benevento—Review of different statements as to the actual sum charged by the master for an instrument—Count Cozio’s correspondence—Interesting letters of Stradivari’s son as to the price asked in Cremona for one of his father’s violins—The quintet of instruments sold to the Spanish Court—Reasons for dismissing assertions that Stradivari was but poorly remunerated—The spread of the fame of the master’s instruments—Stainers and Amatis, contemporary opinions and comparisons—The introduction of Stradivari instruments into France and England—The first revelation of their supreme merit—The players who played upon them—The effect on other violin-makers of the period—The flow of Stradivari instruments into France—Early transactions in England—The dealers of the period—Examples brought to our shores by well-known families—Prices paid towards the end of the eighteenth century, and onwards during the nineteenth century—A few words as to collectors—Count Cozio and the value at which he estimated the “Messie” example in 1808 ……………………………………………. 255
9CHAPTER XII.
11STRADIVARI’S SUPPOSED PORTRAIT.
13History of the portrait—A critical review—The truth as to the portrait ……………………………………………. 294
15APPENDICES ……………………………………………. 301
17INDEX ……………………………………………. 314
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.