Scan 83
Cremona: an account of the Italian violin-makers and their instruments, 1894
16 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 61. See the scan on archive.org.
1varnish is exceedingly handsome. Occasionally Stainer has put a third sound-hole in the shape of a star under the finger-board; it may be noticed that in these cases the F holes are narrower than usual.
3His violoncellos are on the model of the contra-bass, that is to say, the upper part of the sides slope downwards on a curve with the neck of the instrument. Stainer is said towards the end of his life to have made twelve violins of extraordinary beauty, and to have intended them as presents for the twelve Electors. This story of the so-called "Elector violins" must, however, be banished into the company of mere legends. (v)
5187. STAINER, Marcus. Knefstein, 1659. A brother of Jacobus. He belonged to a monastic order, and assisted his brother in the business of violin-making. The virtuoso Veracina possessed two violins by him, which he called St. Peter and St. Paul; these are said to have surpassed the best Italian instruments in fulness of tone. Veracina lost these violins in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea. (w)
7Some violas by this maker are known, which are excellent. They are distinguished, at their best, by handsome wood, dark-brown brilliant varnish, and a large tone of a soft quality. (x)
9188. STORIONI, Laurentius. Cremona, 1780-1804. He is the last Cremona maker of any reputation. His violins resemble those of Joseph Guarnerius, but
11(v) Genuine instruments by Stainer are scarce, while copies, of all qualities, swarm: no maker was more copied by German makers and by English makers of a certain period. This great popularity assisted to bring the Klotz family and their followers into high favour, a position which, like that of Stainer in a higher degree, has been declining for a long period, and which threatens to sink yet lower.
13(w) This was Francesco Maria Veracini (the younger), who was the pupil of Antonio Veracini, of Florence. He lost these violins, generally called St. Peter and St. Paul, about 1746.
15(x) Of this family there was also a certain Andreas Stainer, of Absom, in 1660: he was a maker of viols.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.