Scan 243
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
4 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 77. See the scan on archive.org.
1of the latter all the remaining Violins, the forms, the patterns, moulds, and drawings of the said celebrated Antonio, as well as those of the Amatis, with which he enriched his collection." In an article published in the "Gazzetta Piedmontese," October, 1881, upon the occasion of the exhibition, at Milan, of the relics of the shop of Stradivari, the writer gives the following account of the negotiations:—"Count Cozio, a great patron, intimate with the greatest artists of the period, especially with Rolla, purchased, through the instrumentality of the firm of merchants, Anselmi and Briata, from Paolo and Antonio junior, respectively son and nephew of Antonio Stradivari, in 1776, all the tools, drawings, labels, &c., which had been used by the celebrated Violin-maker, and his heirs, who were desirous that nothing belonging to him should remain in his native town, as it is inferred from a curious document."* It is certain, however, that Lancetti received his information from the Count himself, and negociations were certainly carried on between Paolo and the Count, either directly or through his agents, Anselmi and Briata.
3* Upon reference to the copy of this document, I find the words used by Paolo Stradivari to his correspondents Anselmi and Briata run, after commenting upon the price offered, "However, to show my desire to please you, and in order that not a single thing belonging to my father be left in Cremona, &c.," having reference, possibly, to some supposed feeling of indifference on the part of the municipal authorities towards the memory of Antonio Stradivari, they not having secured the moulds, patterns, &c.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.