Scan 19
Catalog of rare old violins, violas, violoncellos, bows of rare makes, 1921
24 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 10. See the scan on archive.org.
1RARE OLD VIOLINS
3JOSEPH GUARNERIUS DEL GESU, CREMONA, 1742 THE "WIEINIAWSKI"
4NUMBER 5598. In our judgment the Wieniawski is the greatest of all solo violins by Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu.
6For years it has been a shrine at which all music lovers have worshipped, and all agree that it is perhaps the greatest of Guarneri's work of which there's record. Its voice is of unexampled power and beauty.
8Masterful in every detail of the model and workmanship, superb in his choice of woods and employing a varnish such as he used only on his choicest instruments, Guarnerius intended this to be a monument to his skill as a builder of violins, which would stand and be recognized by the world as one of its most cherished possessions. It is exceptionally well preserved. Many other violins of our collection are in a similar splendid condition but this instrument is unique in that it is rare that a violin which has had so much public use and has been exposed to the dangers of travel, comes down to us practically as it left its maker's hands.
10Price: $20,000
12(Plate I)
14ANTONIUS STRADIVARIUS, CREMONA, 1721 THE "JANSA"
15NUMBER 5947. This is a representative example of those wonderful violins made by Stradivari between 1720 and 1725.
17Many examples of this period have passed through our hands; among them may be named The Paganini, The Earl, The Adam, formerly owned by Mr. Kreisler, The Bott and others. It belongs to his largest and broadest type, the favorite of all concert players. It belonged to the celebrated violinist and composer, Leopold Jansa, born 1797, died Vienna 1875.
19The tone is exceptionally large and more flexible, if anything, than the average Stradivari of this period, that one meets with. It is what one might call a splendid Beethoven fiddle, as it has the flexibility and the light and shade required for the proper rendition of the classic concertos.
21Price: $16,500
23(Plate II)
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.