Scan 544
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1909
13 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 466. See the scan on archive.org.
1some little trouble, I left Venice without carrying out my intention.
3"Dragonetti by his will left me his Amati Double-Bass, which is now in this house, and I believe the only one of that make in England, and consequently highly prized by
5 "Yours truly,
6 "SAMUEL APPLEBY.
8 "Mr. Hart."
10THE BETTS STRADIVARI.
12The Bibliophile tells us of Caxton, Aldine, and Baskerville editions having been exposed for sale by itinerant booksellers, men who in opening their umbrellas opened their shops. Collectors of pictures, china, and Fiddles, have each their wondrous tales to tell of bygone bargains, which are but the echoes of that of the Bibliophile. It is doubtful, however, were we to search throughout the curiosities of art sales, whether we should discover such a bargain as Mr. Betts secured, when he purchased the magnificent Stradivari which bears his name, for twenty shillings. About half a century since, this instrument was taken to the shop of Messrs. Betts, the well-known English Violin-makers in the old Royal Exchange, and disposed of for the trivial sum above-mentioned. Doubtless its owner believed he was selling a brand-new copy, instead of a "Stradivari" made in 1704,
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.