Scan 285
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737), 1909
18 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 257. See the scan on archive.org.
1A third letter, dated Venice, March 20th, 1638, says:—
3I am still pining for that blessed violin. Every day I am shown letters which explain that in order to construct a perfect instrument has been found necessary to wait until the cold weather has passed way, and that in a couple of days it will be ready; still, there is o end to the delay. You may rest assured that I do not cease from ressing them. . . .
5A fourth letter, dated Venice, April 24th, 1638, says:—
7Concerning the violin, Signor Monteverdi has recently shown me letter in which his nephew writes him that the new one is in pro- ress, but as he wishes to send an instrument of exquisite work, it anot be brought to perfection without the strong heat of the sun; he an, however, offer an old one of superlative merit, but the price sked is two ducats more—that is, fourteen. I have requested him o have this one sent at once, irrespective of the price; he has promised to do so, and I am expecting it from day to day.
9Having been obliged to negociate this matter through other hands, you must excuse me (for the delay). I give you my word of honour hat I have not neglected it; on the contrary, I have left no stone inturned. And now, kissing your hands, believe me, etc., etc.
11A fifth letter, dated May 28th, 1638, says:—
13… As regards the violin, Signor Monteverdi read me a letter which he had received from his nephew, in which he wrote that he had the violin, and that it proved on trial to be a singularly successful instrument; that he had consigned it to a boatman who lay at anchor, and was on the point of starting for Venice; that he had not been able to get it for less than fifteen ducats, besides the expenses of the carriage and the case. I replied that I would settle everything, and begged the gentleman not to delay any longer, as so much time had already been wasted over such a trifle. As soon as it arrives I will at once consign it to the Illustrious Signor Residente Rinuzzini. . . .*
15It is again to be regretted that throughout this correspondence the Cremonese violin-maker's name is unmentioned; as in the previous instance, we cannot but assume that he was one of the Amati family,—most
17* "Opere di G. Galilei," Firenze, 1842–56. The letter of May 28th, 1638, is an unpublished one in the Galileian MSS. in the Bib. Nat., Florence; Vol. XII., 1st Part, leaf 62.
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