Scan 77
The Violin Gallery: Comprising: Section I. South Kensington Special …, 1890
16 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1The only features which characterize it as the work of the earlier period are the slightly greater hollowing out of the model round the edges, the exquisite finish of the purfling and the drooping corners.
2Dimensions:—Length of body………….14 inches full.
3 Width across the top…..6 11-16 " bare.
4 Width across the bottom….8 1-4 "
5 Height of sides (top)…….1 3-16 "
6 Height of sides (bottom)….1 7-32 "
7212 ANTONIUS STRADIUARIUS. 1708. Mr. H. M. Wetherill, No. 15 East Penn St., Germantown, Philadelphia.
8A beautiful specimen of the best period—color, bright reddish brown, except where the upper varnish is worn off, it then shows the yellow under coating of most Strads. It is in an excellent state of preservation,—what repairs it needed were made a few years ago, in a scientific manner, by Mr. C. F. Albert under the advice of Ole Bull. It will be remembered that the great violin virtuoso Ole Bull was not only versed in the intricacies of the finger-board, but also in the intricacies of violin construction, he himself having made many experiments with thicknesses, bass bars, &c., and the interest and praise which he bestowed on this violin—calling it one of the finest Stradivaris that he had ever played upon—the owner can well be proud of.
9The history of this violin is known as far back as the latter part of the last century when it was owned by Concertmeister Kreusser of Darmstadt. It passed from him to Concertmeister Mangold, and in 1825 from him to his son Wilhelm Mangold, Kappelmeister in Darmstadt, from whom the present owner purchased it in 1868. It is interesting to observe the similarity of these great fiddles when made about the same time,—compare this one with "Pucelle" No. 90 made one year later, it will be noticed that the f holes and outlines are identical and were no doubt made in the same mould; the upper turn of the C's shoots straight out making almost a square shoulder, and the lower turn is longer, partaking more of the Guarneri character as in No. 93. While the corners of "Le Messie" No. 91 made eight years later are more drooping and the C's deeper. An enlarged view of this original scroll is given as a study.
10These Stradivari violins have of late years been advancing in value until the prices have become fabulous, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 according to period of manufacture and state of preservation.
11"And what is it that we pay for?" says the Rev. Mr. Haweis of London, "a little wood, varnish, paint—a few shillings would buy all the materials. We pay for what no money can produce, we pay for conditions that have passed away; we pay for the inspiration of a matchless workman and a subtle soul infused into elements which seem beggarly, but which have become priceless."
12213 ANTONIUS STRADIUARIUS. 1717. Mr. Geo. Gemunder, Astoria, N. Y.
13214 ANTONIUS STRADIUARIUS. 1710.
14 Isidor Hauser, Esq., 119 East 54th St., New York City.
15 I show here three views of the Vieuxtemps-Hauser Stradivari, one of the finest Strads in the United States, bequeathed by the late Miska Hauser of Vienna to his brother, the present owner.
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