Scan 192
Catalogue of the stearns collection of musical instruments 2nd edition, 1921
28 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 166. See the scan on archive.org.
1satyr's mask. From ornamental ivory peg-heads, 4 wire and 3 gut strings lead over 19 metal frets. A reproduction of an instrument by Antonius Stradivarius, Cremona, Italy, in 1700, made by Lyon and Healy, Chicago, and presented by them to the University, it exhibits the graceful form and delicate workmanship characteristic of the great Italian violin-maker. The cetera was used by the Italian improvvisatori.
2Length, 96 cm.; of body, 48.5 cm.; width, 50.5 cm.; depth, 7 to 9.2 cm.
41093. Machete. Unusual form. Five gut strings………….Madeira
5Two constrictions in waist, the upper one of lesser diameter than the lower. The flat back and sides are made of a dark-brown indigenous wood.
6Length, 74.5 cm.; widths, 17-10-7 cm.; depth, 6.3 cm.
7Signed—"Da Costa, Funchal."
91094. Machete. Similar to No. 1093……………………….Madeira
10The name given by Da Costa to this and No. 1093 is machete rajio.
11Length, 66 cm.; width, 14.2 cm.; depth, 6.9 cm.
131095. Cavaco. Body in form of a fish. Four gut strings…….Madeira
14Length, 67 cm.; width, 21 cm.; depth, 5 cm.
15Signed—"Da Costa."
17The Guitar (Old Eng. Gittar; Fr. Guitare; Ital. Chitarra; Span. Guitarra; Ger. Guitarre) was derived from the Orient. Throughout the eighteenth century it dominated Europe. It was known by many names now obsolete, as Eng. Gittern, Gythorn; Fr. Guiterne; Ger. Chiterne; Sp. Viheula.
19The following is a substantiation of the old English spelling given above:
21In his preface to the edition of "Musick's Delight on the Cithren" dated 1666, John Playford (1623-1693) says: "Not a city dame, though a tap-wife, but is anxious to have her daughter taught by Monnsieur La Noro Kirkshaivibus on the Gittar which instrument is but a new old one, used in London in the time of Q. Mary as appears by a book printed in English of instructions and lessons for the same about the beginning of Q. Elizabeth's reign, being not much different from the Cithren only was strung with gut strings, this with wyre which was in more esteem (till of late years) than the gittar.
23"Therefore to revive and restore this harmonious instrument I have adventured to publish this little book of instructions and lessons. John Playford."3
25Structurally, the Guitar presents a flat back, sides with incurvations, and
273 Frank Kidson, "Musical Quarterly, New York, October 1, 1918, p. 524.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.