Scan 310
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737), 1909
16 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 282. See the scan on archive.org.
1We may here give the following extract, which refers to a Stainer violin: it furnishes an interesting record of the higher prices paid for that maker's instruments as compared with those of Stradivari.
31791. At the sale of instruments belonging to the late Duke of Cumberland, held by Christie's, Feb. 17th, a violin by Stainer realised 130 guineas. This same violin was sold at Messrs. Puttick & Simpson's in 1895, and realised £87.
5INSTRUMENTS BY ANTONIO STRADIVARI.
71792. A violin dated 1692, which had been sold by Richard Duke, the violin-maker, to a Mr. Rawlins, was purchased by Betts for 72 guineas, and resold by them to a Mr. Herington, who still possessed it in 1834.
9,, A second extract is extremely interesting. It refers to the celebrated "Macdonald" viola, which was purchased in 1792 by Betts from the Marquis dalla Rosa, an Italian nobleman, and then sold by them to Captain Coggan. Later it again passed into their hands, and was resold to Mr. Champion, a well-known amateur. Between 1820 and 1830 it was sold by auction at Messrs. Phillips', and realised 105 guineas. It shortly afterwards passed into the hands of General Boswell (afterwards Lord Macdonald), then found its way to John Hart, who sold it to Mr. Goding, at whose sale, in 1857, it was purchased by Vuillaume on behalf of the Vicomte de Janzé for £212. From the Vicomte it passed in 1886 to the Duc de Camposelice at the increased price of 30,000 francs = £1,200.
111793. In this year Betts purchased from Mr. Menel a violoncello for 50 guineas, and then sold it to Colonel Leslie of Dublin.
13,, The same year a violin dated 1688 was sold by auction at the Custom House, and was bought by Mr. Norborn, of Holborn, from whom it passed to Mr. Rivaz, senior; in August, 1821, it was purchased by Betts for 60 guineas; in 1846 it was owned by Mr. Abbot, and some years later was purchased by W. E. Hill, who sold it in 1862 to the present owner, Mr. F. A. Forbes, for £105.
151794. A violin (the "Tuscan") was purchased in Florence for 50 zecchini, approximately equivalent to £40 of to-day. This instrument was sold in 1875 for £250, and purchased by our firm in 1888 for £1,000.
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