Scan 118
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
8 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 70. See the scan on archive.org.
1This ticket was placed in an unusual position, one which could not be better selected for being imperceptible to the ordinary observer, on the back, close to the lining on the right side just below the lower right corner. The paper had been cut to the ink lines, which were meant for a border and fitted to the place. There had been no disturbance of this ticket, as when the corner was lifted the original clean surface of the wood was exposed.
3The rise of the arching, back and front, was more pronounced than that known to me during any of Joseph's periods; it was also different in the arrangement and proportion of the curves. On closer examination of details one thing was certain, that the purfling was Joseph's and no other; it was broad and bold enough for a large sized viola or even violoncello, hastily inserted all round in his own manner, and in this respect so like the 1714 violin that it seemed as if done on the same day; the material was likewise identical. Of the pine, beyond the fact of its being of high class, nothing can be said, but the sycamore was apparently from the same tree as the smaller violin of Mr. Hewett's; this, of good nutmeggy grain, gave the impression of being a plain portion of an otherwise richly curled log. The varnish was of good quality but different from Gisalberti's usual varnish. The scroll was seemingly an attempt at greater neatness than usual, but consistent with the work of Gisalberti. Taking the whole contour into consideration, with the curious ff, the conclusion seemed most reasonable that the violin was firstly designed and built upon the block or mould by Gisalberti, and the remaining work completed by Joseph. The ff are a curious mixture of Gasparo da Salo and Amati, and are Gisalberti's.
5This may have been suggested by the presence among the belongings of Gisalberti of some work of his Pesaro friends.
7There will be still remaining the mystery of this violin being signed and possibly disposed of as the work of Andreas Gisalberti when he had retired to Rimini.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.