Scan 82
The violin & its story : or the history & construction of the violin, 1905
11 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 66. See the scan on archive.org.
1respond easily to the touch, and the instruments are of peculiar value for conservatoires and orchestras; the prices range from 3fr. 50c. (about 3s.) to 150fr. (£6). Mirecourt is, so to speak, the cradle of the French violin manufacture, and the Vuillaume brothers, Mirmont, and many other French makers were born at Mirecourt; it is, in fact, the analogue of Mittenwald in Bavaria. one of two readings
2respond easily to the touch, and the instruments are of peculiar value for conservatoires and orchestras; the prices range from 3fr. 50c. (about 3s.) to 150fr. (£6). Mirecourt is, so to speak, the cradle of the French violin manufacture, and the Vuillaume brothers, Mirmont, and many other Freuch makers were born at Mirecourt; it is, in fact, the analogue of Mittenwald in Bavaria. one of two readings
4As art products, the works of Mirmont of Paris, take a high position. Mirmont gives promise of becoming a second Vuillaume, and seldom have we seen violins made with more care or greater acoustic knowledge. They are higher in price than those of the makers named in the last paragraph; his violins were £10 each, his violas £12, and his 'cellos £16; but in comparison with their high quality his instruments may be regarded as cheap. His tenors (violas), of an extra large size, had a full and splendid tone, and his 'cellos are peculiarly fitted for concert work. Mirmont, a man in the prime of life (he was first established in 1860) justifies the highest hope.
6J. B. Vuillaume, of Paris, at an Industrial Exhibition held some years since,* exhibited two violins, copies of a Stradiuarius (Antonius Stradiuarius faciebat 1716) which caused the greatest astonishment. The greatest experts could scarcely distinguish between the original and the copies. The tone varied, but not in quantity, as is so often the case with copies. The tone of the original was clearer, weaker, and sweeter; Vuillaume's were stronger, not so sympathetic, but equally noble. The price of the original was £600; that of the copies was only about £16.
8As a contrast to these exquisite pieces of workmanship it may be mentioned that, at this same exhibition, Schuster Brothers, of Markneukirchen, showed some instruments which caused universal astonishment by their exceedingly low prices. This firm exhibited violins at 9s. each, and some of fine (!) quality up to £3 10s.,
10* That is, some years before Abele's book appeared.—Translator.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.