Books › British violin-makers classical and modern; being a biographical and critical dictionary of British makers of the violin from the foundation of the classical school to the end of the nineteenth century, 1904 › scan 123
Scan 123
British violin-makers classical and modern; being a biographical and critical dictionary of British makers of the violin from the foundation of the classical school to the end of the nineteenth century, 1904
18 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1Length of C's . . . . . . . . . . 3 1/8 inches.
2 ,, sound-holes . . . . . . . . . 2 1 5/8 "
3Depth of ribs at bottom . . . . . 1 1/4 "
4 ,, ,, top . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1/8 " one of two readings
5 ,, ,, top . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1/8 " one of two readings
6Distance between sound-holes at top . . . 1 5/8 "
8In one specimen examined by me the Strad outline was considerably modified in the inner bouts. The arching is flatter, especially in the front table. The scroll is excellently carved and in the spirit of the maestro, but the sound-holes are a sort of compromise between those of Anthony and Joseph (Del Gesù). The purfling is beautifully inlaid, but is rather too near the edge in some examples, where it is just a trifle under one-eighth. The edge is full and nicely rounded. On the whole, the workmanship is excellent and in splendid taste. The varnish is an oil one of Mr. Collins' own composition—the result of numberless experiments. It has for basis fossil amber. It is very elastic and transparent, and it does not soften, chip, or crack. It is made in one colour, orange red, which is quite permanent.
10The wood is of the orthodox kind and very good in quality. The tone is powerful and penetrating.
12Mr. Collins has repaired a great number of instruments, hence the slow production of new ones. He has obtained two certificates of merit and three prize medals. He makes only violins, and his price is fifteen guineas. Facsimile label:—
14WILLIAM HENRY COLLINS.
15LONDON. 1900
17COLVILLE, DAVID, Cupar: 1845-85. He made excellent instruments on the models of Amati and Stradivari. I saw and tried one of his Amati copies some years ago. The wood was beautifully figured, and the tone sweet and silvery. He was a born artist, and had he led a less chequered career he would have turned out still better work. He visited New
Makers on this page
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.