Scan 24
Catalog of Rare Old Violins, Violas, Violoncellos, Bows of Rare Makes, 1921
20 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The back is beautifully decorated with the coat of arms of Henry IV, King of France and Navarre, and the sides bear the inscription which, translated, reads "Henry IV, by grace of God, King of France and Navarre." The Latin inscription within the violin states that it was decorated by the most distinguished pupils of the maker.
3This instrument was brought to the United States by the late R. D. Hawley, of Hartford, Connecticut, who secured it through the medium of Mr. George Hart, of Hart & Sons, Wardour Street, London, in 1879. Mr. Hawley permitted himself to sell it to his life-long friend and colleague, Mr. Albert Pitkin, whose property it remained until it was recently purchased by us, together with the celebrated "Mori" Nicola Amati, now in the R. D. Hawley collection.
5It is impossible to describe the extraordinary richness of the tone of this instrument. It is unique among violins. Without the somber quality which usually characterizes the works of Brescia, it has all their richness, with the added richness and bright soprano quality of the violins of Cremona. It is a quaint tone, the color of which may be compared to wine of a very rare old vintage. It has volume and power for concert or quartet use.
7The varnish is of the richest description, and of a rare, golden brown color.
9The wood throughout is of the choicest selection. Back and sides are especially handsome. (Plate III)
11Price: $12,000
13NICOLA AMATI, CREMONA, 1674
15NUMBER 5886. This is an exceptionally beautiful example of Amati's large type of violin, commonly known as the grand pattern. It is unusually beautiful. The color of the varnish is of a deep orange brown, tinged with red, which is rare among his violins, which are, for the most part, of a lighter shade.
17As far as we know this violin has the distinction of being the first Cremonese violin of the first class to be imported by a Chicagoan.
19The papers which came with it, disclose the fact that it was purchased from the very well known violin dealer of London, the late Mr. George Hart, by a Mr. R. A. Johnson of Chicago, in the year 1872. The late Mr. John P. Waters of Brooklyn, who at that time was forming his collection, purchased it eventually from Mr. Johnson and he some
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