Scan 312
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
4 lines. Read by computer on 1 October 2026. Printed page 250. See the scan on archive.org.
1remarkable. At one period he owned twelve Stradivarius Violins, and nearly the same number by Joseph Guarnerius, all high-class instruments. It would take up too much time and space to name the particular instruments which were comprised in this collection. The remnant of this group of Cremonese Fiddles was dispersed by Messrs. Christie and Manson, in 1856. Mr. Plowden's collection was another remarkable one, consisting of eight instruments of the highest class.
3The late Joseph Gillott was a collector, who, in point of number, exceeded all others. He did not confine himself solely to the works of the greatest makers, but added specimens of every age and clime; and at one time he must have had upwards of 500 instruments, the chief part of which belonged to the Italian schools. When it is remembered that the vast multitude of stringed instruments disposed of by Messrs. Christie and Manson in 1872, did not amount to one-half the number originally owned by Mr. Gillott, some idea of the extent of his collection may be gained. Among the many curious instances of the love of collecting Violins, which sometimes possess those unable to use them, perhaps that of Mr. Gillott is the most singular. About the year 1848, he conceived the notion of bringing together this mammoth collection; and in the space of four years had made himself master of the largest number of Italian instruments ever owned by a single individual. He suddenly relinquished
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