Scan 80
Catalog of rare old violins, violas, violoncellos, bows of rare makes, 1921
24 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 51. See the scan on archive.org.
1secret ever since, for a Tourte bow draws a larger and more flexible tone than is possible with a bow of any other make.
3Paris became the world center of violin bow making, a distinction which it retained up to a comparatively recent time. The bows of Francois Tourte have always commanded comparatively high prices, and in recent years, owing to their great scarcity, have rapidly risen in value until it is not uncommon that as much as $500 to $1,000 be paid for fine specimens.
5The keenest competition was created in Paris by reason of a great number of makers who followed Tourte, all of them copying him with the endeavor to find his secret, yet notwithstanding the efforts of bow makers of England, Germany, Holland, and other countries, Tourte remains today supreme, as ever, for no one has as yet been able to match his skill. A good Tourte bow draws from a good violin a larger and richer tone than any other and it is this fact, together with their ease of playing that has made Tourte's reputation what it is.
7The following bows are especially choice examples of their makers' work:
9FRANCOIS TOURTE, PARIS
10NUMBER 405. Round stick. Dark chocolate color. Original mountings. Pearl eyes in frog, set in silver rings. Silver tip. Magnificent specimen. A bow for an artist.
11Price: $400
13FRANCOIS TOURTE, PARIS
14NUMBER 438. Round stick. Chocolate color. Original silver mounting. Excellent playing stick.
15Price: $350
17FRANCOIS TOURTE, PARIS
18NUMBER 428. Round stick. Chocolate color. Gold mounted frog. Splendid playing bow.
19Price: $350
21OLD FRENCH COPY OF TOURTE
22NUMBER 425. Octagon stick. Dark chocolate color. Gold mounted frog. Fine playing bow.
23Price: $125
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