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Scan 147
Old Violins And Their Makers, 1883
2 lines. Read by computer on 30 September 2026. Printed page 133. See the scan on archive.org.
1Lemböck, of Vienna, showed two very respectable copies of Joseph del Jesu, by which is meant that, although there was nothing particularly striking about them, they displayed honest and intelligent work. Some of the above makers also exhibited very fine specimens of tenors and violoncellos. In Berlin, in 1820, a musician named C. Grimm, who, as an amateur, displayed marked ability in the manufacture of violins, founded a business in this industry, which was continued on somewhat peculiar principles by his son, Louis Grimm, and his son-in-law, Helmich. The father, through unceasing attention, intelligent study of the old makers, and innumerable experiments, succeeded in attaining a high position in his profession, and acquired a very wide-spread reputation in Germany. In spite of this the firm declined, or declines, if it still exist, to make more than thirty instruments yearly, the construction and finish being guaranteed in this way to be the best which they can produce. It is a curious resolve, and is, I think, quite unique in the history of violin making. In the London Exhibition of 1862 they received very high and enthusiastic praise from all quarters, as well as an acknowledgment from the jury, and their countrymen claim that Grimm's instruments, for richness and fullness of tone, surpassed all the French ones exhibited there. Küntzel, of Berlin, was also represented at this show by a quintet, which was described by Vuillaume as not very thoroughly made; the tone, by others, being thought to be good and full. This maker asked an enormous price for these five instruments, viz., 2000 thalers (about £290). When it is remember that Vuillaume only asked £16 for one
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