Scan 15
Catalog of Rare Old Violins, Violas, Violoncellos, Bows of Rare Makes, 1919
11 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1RARE OLD VIOLINS
3ANTONIUS STRADIVARIUS, CREMONA, 1717
4Number 5009. This violin by Stradivarius was made at the very apex of what is known as the "Golden" period. It is a thoroughly representative and characteristic specimen of this great master's art. In it he employed his most beautiful wood and varnish, and the cutting of the scroll, sound holes and other details of workmanship are such as one expects to find only in the work of Stradivarius. To the wonderful spruce which he was fortunate enough to be able to use at this time is to be credited the extraordinary power which characterizes violins made in those years.
6There are many varieties of spruce, and the skill of the violin maker is shown almost as largely in his wood selection as in his workmanship and varnish. Stradivarius was an adept in wood selection, if ever there was one. We should say that the quality of wood used in this instrument is as fine as in any Stradivarius that has ever come under our observation. To this is due the marvellous tone of this instrument. It excels among Stradivaris in solidity and the richness of its tone. Such a voice possesses, as none other can, the power to carry in a concert hall. (Plate I.)
7Price: $14,000
9ANTONIUS AND HIERONIMUS AMATI, CREMONA, 1595
10Number 4913. This violin reaches very far back—almost to the very beginning of violin history. Fifty-five years after the first violin of which there is any record appeared in Brescia in 1540, this instrument, made for Henry IV, King of France and Navarre, was completed by the master builders of Cremona, of their time, Antonius and Hieronimus Amati, in 1595. Nearly fifty years were to elapse before the birth of Antonius Stradivarius. Nicola Amati had not yet been born, and one hundred and thirty-five years were to pass before Joseph Guarnerius would give to the world his great treasures.
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