Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 279
Scan 279
the history of the violin, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 257. See the scan on archive.org.
1none but Italian instruments, and other causes which depress the manufacture of such articles. Daniel Parker may be considered to terminate the first school of English violin makers. A new era now opens with the violin makers of England, in which the style of work is greatly improved; the model, with most of them, partaking of that used by Jacob Stainer, or Steiner, for it is spelt both ways, the beautiful and exquisite finish of this once favourite maker is closely imitated, and it has influenced all the workmen in the commencement of the eighteenth century; indeed all through this century the Steiner claimed preeminence; some of the violins having realized 100l., and on one occasion a much larger sum; whilst the instruments of the Amati family, and other Cremonese makers, would scarcely reach an amount remunerative to the vendor, which, compared with the amounts since realized for the instruments of these deservedly great makers, seems perfectly absurd and ridiculous; however, in the latter part of the century the instruments of Cremona began to be sought for and appreciated.
3The catalogue of musical instruments of Thomas Britton, previously alluded to, contains some names of violin makers which may form the link between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries; but it is not known by whom they were instructed. "Lot 5, a good violin by Ditton;" this name only lives by the notice which Sir J. Hawkins has given him. It is different with that of "Baker of Oxford," for he deserves much commendation as a violin maker; two or three instruments of this class have been seen, and it is a pleasing recollection to allude to them: "Lot 20, a fine viol by Mr. Baker of Oxford." The work, in every respect, of the modern instruments was very good, indeed of excellent finish, the varnish of a light yellow colour, and probably oil or turpentine was
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.