Scan 59
Cremona: an account of the Italian violin-makers and their instruments, 1894
14 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 37. See the scan on archive.org.
195. GRANCINO, Giovanni. Milan, 1696-1720. The second son of Paolo. His instruments are very good, and are hardly to be distinguished from those of his brother.
3Giovanni Grancino in Contrada largha di Milano al Segno de la Corona 17—
596. GRANCINO, Francesco. Milan, 1710-1746. Here the same decline occurs as with the Gagliani: the family commences with artists and ends with mechanics. (u)
7Francesco Grancino figlio Giovanni fecit Mediolani 17—
997. GUADAGNINI, Lorenzo. Cremona, 1695-1742. The name of Guadagnini is one of the most prominent among Italian violin-makers, and the instruments have, especially in recent years, attracted more attention, and the value has consequently increased very rapidly. Lorenzo and the two Johannes Baptista are the most noted. The first, a direct pupil of Stradivari, was considered the best; but when the merits of each are duly weighed, they will all be found to take an equal position. The instruments of Lorenzo are of a bold design; he was addicted to vary it, and changed especially the shape of the F holes considerably, sometimes inclining to those of Guarnerius, but then again returning to those of his master. The model is rather flat, with fine archings.
11The scroll is not that of Stradivarius, though it is interesting, more indeed from its originality than from its beauty. The varnish is reddish yellow, and is soft; the tone is
13(u) The correct relationship of the latter members of the Grancino family, as given by De Piccolellis, is that Giovanni was the son of Paolo, and that Giambattista and Francesco were his sons: he gives a label of the last named, "Giov. Battista and Francesco fra. Grancino in contrada larga di Milano 17—," and Vidal quotes a label almost similar, "Gio. e Francesco fratelli de Grancini in contrada larga Milano 17—."
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.