The Prices Paid for Stradivari Instruments.
Dragonetti brought several Stradivari and other violins from Italy, and at his death in 1846 he left by will to the then well-known lady player, Teresa Milanollo, a fine specimen dated 1728; also a violin by A. and H. Amati to Sivori. Paganini also bought and sold a number of instruments, and Ole Bull was quite notorious for such dealings in his day.
A certain J. N. Durand (We possess a letter addressed by Mr. Durand to Lupot in 1821. The writer is sending a banker's acceptance for 300 fr., on account of the purchase of two Stradivari violins and a Joseph Guarnerius.)-a city merchant-appears to have been particularly active, and brought-or had consigned to him-Stradivari instruments from France and Germany, His correspondent in the latter Country was a person named Kreutzer, who lived at Mannheim.
Mr. Dowell and Mr. Harper, both merchants of Cadiz, were instrumental in bringing several Stradivaris from Spain; to the former we are indebted for the fine violoncello which belonged to Signor Piatti, and was brought here in 1818.
George Astor, who kept a music shop in Cornhill, and was brother of the famous John Jacob Astor, founder of the well-known American family of that name, also brought several specimens from Germany; two of them, dated respectively 1699 and 1706, were imported about 1809. Besides these instances, various individual cases could be cited, such as that of Mr. Kerr, who purchased the "Tuscan " violin at Florence in 1794; General Kyd, about the same period, brought several fine instruments from abroad, amongst others the violoncello now in the hands of the well-known player, Leo Stern, and a violin dated 1720. In fact, members of most of our wealthy families who travelled on the Continent, and especially in Italy, invariably brought back examples of the different arts, hence, at times, fine instruments.
With the prolonged peace in Europe after 1815 came, as years passed on, increased prosperity, which further stimulated the demand in this country for Stradivari and other fine instruments-a demand which has ever since steadily grown.
From 1830 onwards, and more especially in the forties, fifties and sixties, a more intimate trade relationship was established with our French neighbours, nor can we learn that any of our dealers went farther afield in search of Stradivaris. The principal dealers in England during this period were A. and J. Betts, Corsby, John Hart, Davis, Fendt and Purdy, John Alvey Turner and W. E. Hill. The foremost was Hart, but perhaps the most enterprising was Turner, who, taking John Lott (John Lott, the violin-maker (born 1804, died 1871), was especially clever as an imitator of Joseph Guarnerius. His life, which was not without a touch of romance, has been written by Charles Reade.) with him as adviser (Lott had the reputation of being a connoisseur, and understood French), paid periodical visits to Paris to make purchases.
The corresponding dealers in Paris were Aldric, Thibout, Bernardel pere, Gand pere, and, later, his sons Adolphe and Eugene, J. B. Vuillaume and Georges Chanot pere. The brothers Silvestre, of Lyons, also had many dealings with Tarisio, who generally halted there with his precious cargo en route to Paris. On the death of this remarkable man, in 1854 (he had during nearly thirty years brought into France many of the finest Italian instruments), Vuillaume and Chariot determined to explore Italy for themselves, which they did, often with excellent results. Georges Chariot also travelled in Spain.
The story of Vuillaume's purchase of the priceless treasures left by Tarisio has already been told. A small yet interesting detail in connection therewith was related to us by M. Van der Heyden, of Brussels, an ardent admirer of fine instruments, who by chance met Vuillaume in Turin when returning from his now historic journey. They dined together, and Vuillaume related how he found the "Messie" Stradivari and the "Alard" Guarneri. Both were in the bottom drawer of a poor rickety piece of furniture, and Vuillaume experienced considerable difficulty in opening it without damaging the instruments. When his eyes rested on the contents, be gazed on them for some moments without making a movement.
It was Tarisio's sister who accompanied Vuillaume to the village where the instruments were. M. Van der Heyden knew Tarisio, having met him on various occasions; and says he was a man of common appearance-that he looked what he was, a peasant; he spoke French indifferently, dressed badly, and wore heavy, rough shoes. He was tall and thin, and had features of an ordinary Italian type. He used to relate that he walked to Spain when he went to that country to purchase the Stradivari violoncello, the story of which is told by Charles Reade. ("Letters addressed to the Pall Hall Gazette in 1872," reprinted in Readiana.") (Editor's Note: The modern reader is directed to The Violin Hunter, by William A. Silverman, published in 1981 by Paganniniana Publications.)
Giacomo Stradivari, one of the direct descendants of the great maker-he died in Milan in January, 1901, and was in his youth a follower of Garibaldi-told us that during one of the campaigns in the south of Italy his mother wrote to him from Cremona saying: "There lately came to our house a Frenchman, who actually oftered 500 lire for the old fiddle hanging up in the kitchen, and I immediately accepted it."
Our friend knew not whether it was one made by his ancestor, but did not think so. In Madrid we heard a similarly amusing incident from the Count de Villares, whose father possessed a small collection of Italian instruments, including two violins and a violoncello by Stradivari. The Count was on several occasions greatly pressed by a Frenchman who came to Madrid in search of instruments-presumably Chanot-to sell him one of these violins; and at last, to get rid of his somewhat troublesome guest, he determined to ask what he thought would be an inordinate price for such a person to pay, the equivalent, namely, Of 4,000 pesetas (about £160); but, to his intense dismay, the Frenchman immediately took him at his word! M. Chanot-Chardon, of Paris, still possesses the double violin-case with hidden pockets in which old Chanot secreted his gold during these ramblings.
Charles Reade, during a number of years between 1840 and 1860, took a keen interest in old instruments. He travelled a good deal in France, where he frequently met Tarisio, and purchased there Italian instruments, including Stradivaris and Guarneris, which he resold to the London dealers, principally to Hart and Corsby. He also had transactions with Mr. Gillott, the pen-maker (The Gillott collection was dispersed at Christie's in 1872) whom he materially aided in forming his collection.
The late Andrew Fountaine, of Narford Hall, was also an enthusiastic admirer of Stradivari, and at about the same period he brought from the Continent at different times several fine Stradivaris, notably that dated 1709, which he presented to Ernst, and which is now in the possession of Lady Halle; that of Habeneck, dated 1736 ; the "Gillott," dated 1715; that of the year 1734 belonging to Lord Amherst of Hackney, and the "Hausmann" violoncello of the year 1725. Of recent years, i.e. from 1865 to 1885, we have been more particularly indebted to the late Mr. David Laurie, of Glasgow, for the introduction to' our shores of some of the finest existing examples of Stradivari's genius.
Though in no way connected by tradition with our calling, Mr. Laurie developed a taste for high-class instruments, which, added to a keen business capacity and rare energy, he soon turned to good account. Profiting by commercial connections which necessitated frequent visits abroad, he sought out and came to be on intimate terms with various foreign luthiers, notably with J. B. Vuillaume, Gand & Bernardel freres, of Paris, and N. F. Vuillaume, of Brussels; and in the course of time he also became acquainted with many of the owners of Stradivari instruments residing on the Continent.
Mr. C. G. Meier, an amateur, and ardent admirer of Stradivari, also brought over several noted examples: amongst others the "Betts" (which Vuillaume had purchased in London and afterwards sold to Wilmotte), the "Ames," the "Dolphin," and the "De Barrau," one of the violins upon which Joachim now plays.
The following records of prices paid for Stradivari instruments will be read, we are sure, with considerable interest.
Our earliest information-excepting that obtained from the extracts already given from Count Cozio di Salabue's correspondence-commences at the year 1792.
We may here give the following extract, which refers to a Stainer violin : it furnishes an interesting record of the higher prices paid for that maker's instruments as compared with those of Stradivari.
1791 -- At the sale of instruments belonging to the late Duke of Cumberland, held by Christie's, Feb. 17th, a violin by Stainer realised 130 guineas. This same violin was sold at Messrs. Puttick & Simpson's in 1895, and realised £87.
1792 -- A violin dated 1692, which had been sold by Richard Duke the violin-maker, to a Mr. Rawlins, was purchased by Betts for 72 guineas, and resold by them to a Mr. Herington, who still possessed it in 1834.
A second extract is extremely interesting. It refers to the celebrated "Macdonald" viola, which was purchased in 1792 by Betts from the Marquis dalla Rosa, an Italian nobleman, and then sold by them to Captain Coggan. Later it again passed into their hands, and was resold to Mr. Champion, a well-known amateur. Between 1820 and 1830 it was sold by auction at Messrs. Phillips, and realised 105 guineas. It shortly afterwards passed into the hands of General Boswell (afterwards Lord Macdonald), then found its way to John Hart, who sold it to Mr. Goding, at whose sale, in 1857, it was purchased by Vuillaume on behalf of the Vicomte de Janze for £212. From the Vicomte it passed in 1886 to the Duc de Camposelice at the increased price Of 30,000 francs = £1200.
1793 -- In this year Betts purchased from Mr. Menel a violoncello for 50 guineas, and then sold it to Colonel Leslie of Dublin.
The same year a violin dated 1688 was sold by auction at the Custom House, and was bought by Mr. Norborn, of Holborn, from whom it passed to Mr. Rivaz, senior; in August, 1821, it was purchased by Betts for 60 guineas; in 1846 it was owned by Mr. Abbot, and some years later was purchased by W. E. Hill, who sold it in 1862 to the present owner, Mr. F. A. Forbes, for £105.
1794 -- A violin (the "Tuscan") was purchased in Florence for 50 zecchini, approximately equivalent to £40 of to-day. This instrument was sold in 1875 for £250, and purchased by our firm in 1888 for £1000.
1803 -- A viola dated 1690 was bought by Mr. Bright from the Cavaliere Giantighazzi of Florence and sold to Betts for 45 guineas; later it passed into the hands of Mr. Glennie, and subsequently of Mr. F. de Rougemont. The same year a violin dated 1693 was purchased from Libon (violinist) by Betts for £80, and was sold to Mr. Glennie. A few years later it passed into the bands of Lord Arbuthnot for the sum of 200 guineas.
1805 -- A violin dated 1690, originally bought from William Forster, senior, passed into the hands of Betts in 1805 for 40 guineas. In 1831 the same instrument was purchased by Mr. Austin for go guineas. A violin, broad pattern (no date given), sold by Betts to J. P. Salamon for 65 guineas ; resold by auction in 1810 at Phillips' in Bond Street for 95 guineas and purchased by Mr. Hunter.
1806 -- A violin dated 1704, bought by Betts from Mr. E. Stephenson in 1806 for £100; sold to Mr. A. Glennie for £120 in 1808.
1808 -- A violoncello dated 1711, sold by Crosdill to Betts for £100 ; it then passed to Mr. Champion for £150, and was resold by auction at Phillips' in 1810 for 200 guineas, the purchaser being General Boswell. About 1860 it became the property of Mr. Whitmore Isaacs, of Worcester, at the price, we believe, Of £300.
1809 -- A violin, sent from Cadiz by Mr. A. Dowell, was purchased by Betts for £50. A violin dated 1694, sold by Betts about 1809 to Mr. T. Keene of Bishopsgate Street for 100 guineas, passed in 1820 into the hands of Mori for £120. Mori parted with it in the same year to an amateur (Mr. Golding) at the price he himself had paid; purchased from Mr. Golding's widow in 1866 by the Rev. Frank Hudson, of Cambridge, who retained it until 1882, when he sold it for £300. This instrument was sold by our firm to the present owner in 1888 for £500. A violin dated 1699, the property of a French dancing-master, was sold by auction in 1809 at Phillips', and was purchased by Betts for 106 guineas.
1812 -- A violin dated 1690, bought in Venice by Mr. Pybus, of Bond Street, and sold in 1812 to Mr. Cary for 100 guineas; purchased in 1817 by Betts for 80 guineas and sold to Lord Arbuthnot. This instrument was sold by our firm in 1894 for £450.
1814 -- A violoncello (no date given) was purchased in 1814 by Betts from Mr. Roper Head for 80 guineas. The instrument is described as having the back and sides made from lime- tree wood, the head of beech. A violin dated 1660 (?), belonging to Sir John Twisden, was purchased in 1814 by Betts for £45; in June, 1816, it passed into the bands of Mr. Saunders, of Palace Yard, at the enhanced price of 100 guineas.
1816 -- A violoncello dated 1698, sent from abroad to Clementi (the musician), was purchased by Betts for £50. This instrument was much damaged.
1818 -- A violin dated 1702, brought from abroad by Mr. J. N. Durand, and sold in 1818 to Dodd, of St. Martin's Lane, who resold it to Mr. Cotton Reeve for 100 guineas. At Mr. Cotton Reeve's death the violin was purchased by W. E. Hill, and sold in 1866 to Mr. Mongredien for £130; bought back in 1876 for £200, and resold for £225, it again passed into W. E. Hill's hands the following year, and was then sold for £255. It subsequently passed into the "Hawley" collection, of Hertford, U.S.A. A violin dated 1700, purchased in 1818 from Dragonetti by Mr. F. Rivaz, for 200 guineas.
1819 -- A violin belonging to Sir Patrick Blake was sold by auction at Phillips' in March, 1819, and purchased by Mr. C. Holford for 85 guineas. Another specimen of the early period, which had belonged to Salamon, the musician, sold for £40. It subsequently passed into the possession of Dr. Hague, of Cambridge. (J. P. Salamon, who died in 1815, bequeathed his Stradivari, formerly the property of La Motte, to Sir Patrick Blake.)
1819 -- A viola dated 1696, purchased by Mr. F. V. Rivaz in i8ig from Koliker, of Paris, passed in 1825 into the hands of Sir William Curtis for £120. In 1876 this instrument was purchased by Mr. John Adam; and at the dispersal of his fine collection in 1881 it was sold to the Duc de Camposelice for £800. We purchased it in 1891 for £900.
1821 -- A violin dated 1720 brought from Spain in 1821 by Mr. G. Champion, was sold at Mr. Crane's sale in 1848 for 116 guineas, and purchased by Mr. Woolhouse, at whose sale, in 1893, it fetched £623.
1825-30 -- Violin dated 1704 bought by Arthur Betts for £1 1s (the famous "Betts" violin), was sold by him, about 1852, for £500, to Mr. John Bone, of Devonport-an amateur much addicted to the malady of continually exchanging instruments. He parted with his treasure about 1859 to J. B. Vuillaume, through John Lott, for approximately £200. Vuillaume sold it to M. Wilmotte, of Antwerp, in 1861, for 7,000 francs = £280; he in turn retained it until 1873, when Mr. C. G. Meier became its owner at the increased price of 15,000 francs = £600. In 1878 George Hart bought it from the last-named amateur for £800, and not until 1886 could he be induced to sell it. In that year the Duc de Camposelice became its possessor at the price Of £1,200. We purchased it in 1891 at an increased price.
From these records our readers will be able to form a fairly correct idea of the sums paid in England for Stradivari instruments shortly after their fame had become established. Once and for all they shatter the illusion entertainud by many that in those days such instruments were to be picked up for a mere song. We have unfortunately not been able to obtain as much information regarding the prices ruling on the Continent at the same period. Owing to the unsettled times, it may possibly have been here and there less, though we know that the margin could not have been great. From Count Cozio's correspondence we learn that early in the century he sold a Stradivari violin to Pique, the French luthier, for 200 louis d'or, approximately £160.
1770-80 -- Gallay informs us that the price paid by Duport for his famed Stradivari violoncello was 2,400 francs=£96, and that it was purchased from Cousineau, the harp-maker. No date is given, but we should presume this transaction took place between 1770 and 1780.
1803 -- A violin dated 1727 was bought by the late M. Luce, of Douai, for 70 louis d'or = 1,400 francs, £56. After his death it was put up for sale by auction in 1854, and was repurchased by the family for 2,630 francs = £105.
1808 -- A violin ("Le Messie"), valued by Count Cozio in the inventory of his instruments at 150 louis d'or, approximately £120; purchased by Tarisio from the Count in 1827; purchased by Vuillaume from the heirs of Tarisio, in 1855. Vuillaume offered the violin to M. Fau, a French amateur, in 1865 for 10,000 francs = £400. On the death of Vuillaume, in 1875, it was valued by the family at 12,000 francs = £480, at which price it was offered and refused by N. F. Vuillaume, of Brussels (the brother). In 1877 Mr. David Laurie submitted an offer of £1,000, which sum Vuillaume's daughters were disposed to accept, had not Alard, the violinist, husband of one of the daughters, decided to buy the instrument himself. Bought by our firm in 1890 for 50,000 francs = £2,000.
1817 -- From a letter of Paganini in our possession we learn that Count Cozio sold him a Stradivari violin in the year 1817 for 100 louis d'or = £80 approximately.
1824 -- Viotti's fine violin was sold after his decease at the Hotel Bouillon in Paris (the then auction mart, as the Hotel Drouot is to-day) for 3,816 francs=£152 12s, approximately. In 1860 it changed hands at the price of 5,500 francs = £220. Habeneck bought a Stradivari from Lupot for 2,400 francs = £96. Some years later this instrument was purchased by Andrew Fountaine and brought to England.
1831 -- Gand freres purchased from Tarisio a violin dated 1736 for 2,000 francs = £80 ; they sold it in 1832 for 2,500 francs = £100. In 1862 it again passed into the hands of the firm of Gand, and was resold to Wilmotte, of Antwerp, for 5,000 francs = £200 ; five years later it fetched £40. In 1874 it was again resold by Gands for £320 to Mr. H. M. Muntz, .of Birmingham, who in 1886 sold it to us. Its next owner was Lord Wilton, who paid £650, and in 1889 it again passed into our firm's hands.
1838 -- From a letter written in 1838 by Alard, the celebrated French violinist, and communicated to us by M. Croste, of Bayonne, we extract the following: "Si je vais a Bayonne cet ete, comme j'ai l'espoir, je te ferai entendre un veritable Stradivari; (This does not refer to the celebrated Stradivari known as the 'Alard.") il m'a coute plus de mille ecus (3,000 francs= £120), mais au moins je suis persuade de sa realite et de plus de sa qualite de son, qui est admirable. Si j'avais voulu le vendre, j'en aurais tire il n'y a pas longtemps quatre mille francs, mais j'y suis trop attache pour m'en defaire."
1836-9 -- The "Rode" violin, dated 1722, was purchased from the Duc D'Olbreuse, who had obtained it from Rode, by M. Nores, a musician, for 4,000 francs = £160. M. Nores sold his violin in 1873 to MM. Gand & Bernadel freres for 5,000 francs, who resold it to M. Lamoureux for 6,000 francs = £240. In 1890 it passed into our hands at the increased price of £1,200.
1845 -- The "Sasserno" violin, dated 1717, was sold by the elder Gand for 3,700 francs = £148. In 1884 it was purchased from M. Sasserno for 20,000 francs=£800, by Mr. David Laurie, who immediately sold it for 25,000 francs = £1,000. It again changed hands in 1887 at the price of £1,000,and was brought to England by Mr. David Johnson (an amateur player), who parted with it in 1894 at an increase of price.
1846 -- A fine violin dated 1689 was sold at Milan by Signor Carli to the Duc de Litta for the equivalent Of 3,000 lire = £120. The Duc presented this instrument to Signor Arditi.
1849 -- Joachim purchased his first Stradivari, dated 1714, for250 louis d'or=£200 (he was then nineteen) from Herr MCiller, of Bremen. The price asked was 300 louis d'or=£240; but his uncles, who had agreed to find the money, considered this sum excessive. In the dilemma Joachim offered to make up the difference himself, but they would not consent; and finally the owner, seeing the artist's anxiety to possess the violin, consented to accept the reduced price.
Reverting to England, we have the following extracts about this time from the sale of the late Duke of Cambridge's instruments:
1850 -- A Stradivari violin, dated 1723, was sold for £115 10s. Another, dated 1700, and described as being in beautiful preservation, fetched £140. The former of these two violins was in the possession of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and is now owned by Mr. D. J. Partello.
1851 -- "La Pucelle" violin, dated 1710, was bought from Vuillaume by M. Leroy de Chabrol, a Parisian banker, for 6,000 francs = £240. A few years later it passed into the possession of M. Glandez, after whose death it was sold at the Hotel Drouot in 1878 for 22,100 francs = £884. In a letter written in 1851 regarding the sale of a Stradivari violin, M. Adolphe Gand, the luthier, says: "Le prix est de 2,000 francs, ce qui est extremement bon marche pour un Stradivarius, dont vous savez, Monsieur, que les prix montent A trois, quatre, et cinq mille francs."
1853 -- At the sale of the instruments of the Earl of Falmouth, a violin, dated 1692, of the long pattern, realised £110. Another violin was sold for £140. In the same year a violin dated 1712 was sold for £240 (both sales held by Messrs. Puttick & Simpson).
1855 -- At another sale held by the same firm in 1855 a violin dated 1710 realised £149.
1857 -- At the Goding sale a violin dated 1722 was sold for £200; another specimen, dated 1700, realised £125. The former violin was purchased by Vuillaume on behalf of the Vicomte de janze, who retained it until 1886, when he sold it to the Due dc Camposelice, per the intermediary of George Withers, for 30,000 francs = £1,200.
1860 -- A violoncello dated 1730, the property of the Hon. Mr. Greaves, was offered for sale by auction at Messrs. Phillips'. It was bought in, and subsequently sold in 1866 to W. E. Hill, who resold it for £230 to Mr. Frederick Pawle. Purchased back in 1877 for £380, and resold to Mr. Edward Hennell in 1878 for £500. Again repurchased in 188o for £475, and sold a few months later to Mr. C. G. Meier for £525. The instrument now migrated to Paris, and was there bought in 1882 from MM. Gand & Bernardel freres for £600 by Mr. David Johnson, and brought back to England, to be once again purchased by our firm in 1885 for £650.
1862 -- At the sale of the collection of instruments formed by Count Castelbarco, of Milan, held in London in 1862, the highest prices paid for Stradivari instruments were: A viola, transformed from a viol, dated 1715, £120; a violin dated 1701, £135 ; another dated 1685, £135 ; two violoncellos, dated respectively 1687 and 1697, were sold for £115 and £210.
1862 -- The violin known as the "Dolphin" was purchased from Vuillaume by Mr. C. G. Meier for 6,500 francs = £260; he retained it until 1868, when he parted with it to George Hart for the equivalent Of £200. Hart sold it to the late Louis D'Egville, but soon after repurchased it, and the violin remained in his possession until 1875. In this year it was sold to John Adam for £625, and at the dispersal of the Adam collection the "Dolphin" passed to Mr. David Laurie, who sold it in 1882 to Mr. Richard Bennett for £1,100. In 1892 it came into our hands at an enhanced price,
These prices may be accepted as the average ones more generally ruling both here and abroad up to about the year 1870. Even at the sale of the Gillott collection, in 1872, which included, among other instruments, seven violins by Stradivari, the highest sum realised was £295, paid for an example of the year 1715 (the "Gillott" Strad), the others selling for smaller sums, £200 being the maximum.
Obviously at all times there have been instruments which for various reasons commanded quite exceptional prices: such as, for instance, the "Betts" Stradivari, sold bv Arthur Betts about 1852, as previously mentioned, for £500 ; and the "Duport" bass, purchased by Franchomme in 1843) for 22,000 francs = £880. From 1870-75 onward, the ever increasing admiration for Stradivari's instruments has caused their value to rise by leaps and bounds-owing of course in a very great measure to the immense strides that music, and especially violin-playing, has made in this country.
Instruments which we have cited as selling at comparatively moderate prices have doubled, trebled, and even quadrupled in value; and to-day an average specimen of violin cannot be purchased for less than from £600 to £1,100, while a fine specimen is worth from £1,000 to £1,200. The examples which command a still higher figure are of quite exceptional merit: their value is a fancy one, fixed most often by arbitrary circumstances, and they are invariably in the possession of wealthy owners, who as a rule can only be induced to part with them-if at all, by tempting offers. Nevertheless the Stradivaris for which sums greater than £1,000 have been justifiably paid are fewer by far than is popularly believed.
We will now add a few words as to collectors of instruments, more especially of those by Stradivari. We may safely assume that the love of forming a collection of instruments with a view to playing on them, comparing and contrasting their various and diverse qualities and features, has existed since the time of the earliest makers. Of recent years sonie writers have with considerable vehemence recorded their views for and against the forming of such collections, and there is doubtless something to be said on both sides. We, however, who have daily brought under our notice the ravages which time, and above all injudicious usage, have wrought upon so many fine instruments, cannot but pronounce in favour of those collectors who, by their care and reverence, have preserved, and are preserving for present and future generations, some of the masterpieces of the past. There must have been many such collectors, both here and on the Continent, during the last century; but unfortunately no one deemed it worth while to chronicle their existence.
Parke, under date 1802, says : "Mr. E. Stephenson, the banker, had perhaps the best and most valuable collection of Cremona violins of any private gentleman in England. I am, however, inclined to think that these are frequently more estimated on account of their scarcity (like strawberries in January) than their valuable qualities. As the appellation of ' Cremona fiddles' may not be generally understood, I will take this opportunity to explain it. "These instruments were made by two Italians, named Amati and Stradivarius, of Cremona in the Milanese; and, like the well-known Sedan chairs, originally made in France, go by the name of the town in which they were first manufactured. That there exists a sort of mania amongst certain connoisseurs in fiddles (as in regard to pictures) is not to be doubted, as the following fact will show.
" Mr. Hay, a former excellent leader of the King's band of musicians, produced on his favourite violin, made by Klotz, a German, a tone so sweet and powerful, that he had been frequently solicited to part with it, and was on one occasion offered for it by a noble lord three hundred pounds in cash, and an annuity, 'durante vita,' of one hundred pounds! Mr. Hay, however, possessing a handsome independence, and not being desirous to part with his instrument, rejected the offer, and dying some years afterwards, this 'rara avis,' at the subsequent sale of his effects, produced but forty pounds! "-Parke's "Musical Memoirs," Vol. I., P- 301.
Count Cozio di Salabue appears to have been the first really ardent admirer of Stradivari's works, and we learn from his correspondence that in 1775 he purchased en bloc from Paolo Stradivari no fewer than eleven violins-in fact, all that remained in the hands of the family of those left by the great maker at his death. From an inventory of the Count's instruments made in Milan in 1808, we learn that he still retained, among other violins, five by Stradivari, including the "Messie."
The troubled times in Italy, caused by the French invasion, had in 1800 forced the Count to realise some of his possessions; and his printed announcement in both French and English, which we give, will be read with interest. Count Cozio died in 1840, at the age of eighty-five years, and left but few instruments, the best of which-a Nicolo Amati-is still in the possession of his descendant, the present Marquis Dalla Valle. Before his death he had parted with all those by Stradivari.
Count Archinto, of Milan, who died about 1860, was the possessor of a quartet of Stradivari instruments, afterwards purchased by Vuillaume for, we believe, 15,000 francs. The tenor of this quartet is the fine example now owned by Mr. Rutson; the violoncello is that of the late M. Delsart.
Count Castelbarco, also of Milan, formed a collection of instruments, which included five violins, one viola, and two violoncellos by Stradivari ; but with one exception they were not of the first rank.
The late Count Valdrighi, of Modena, informed us that the Marquis Menafoglio of that city possessed a quartet of Stradivaris, but they were dispersed some years ago. He also mentions a violin purchased by Tarisio from Count Forni for 2,000 lire = £80.
Paganini had a quartet of Stradivaris, which were sold, after his death, we believe, to Vuillaume. We can trace three of these instruments.
Of more recent years the only notable collections formed abroad were those of the late M. Wilmotte, of Antwerp, who died in 1893; and of the Duc de Camposelice, who died in Paris in 1887. The former had owned as many as twenty instruments during his lifetime, and the latter possessed at his death eight violins, two violas, and two violoncellos, all by the great master.
The Count de Chaponay, who died in Lyons in 1877, was also an enthusiastic collector of fine instruments, and possessed several Stradivaris.
The late Vicomte de Janzr may also be mentioned as a former owner of a quartet of Stradivaris. The late M. de St. Senoch was the last French amateur to possess a quartet of the master's instruments. They were dispersed after his death in 1886 at the Hotel Drouot, and realised the following prices:
Violin, dated 1737...15,100 francs=£604
Violin, dated 1704...7,000 francs=£280
Viola, dated 1728...12,900 francs=£516
Violoncello, dated 1696...10,200 francs=£408
Hart states that our own early collectors were the Duke of Hamilton, the Duke of Cambridge, the Earl of Falmouth, the Duke of Marlborough, and Lord Macdonald. Later came Messrs. Andrew Fountaine, Goding, Plowden, and lastly Gillott. More recently still, the most enthusiastic collector was Mr. John Adam, who owned, in addition to other instruments of the first rank, a quartet of Stradivaris and seven additional violins, all examples of great merit. He dispersed his collection in 1881.
In concluding this chapter, we may state that the enhanced prices now paid for all fine instruments act as a powerful deterrent to the formation Of collections. We are acquainted with only three amateurs who possess a quartet of Stradivari's instruments: Mr. Charles Oldham, Baron Knoop, and Mr. R. E. Brandt. The Messrs. Mendelssohn, of Berlin (two brothers), own a quartet between them.
Internet Edition ©2001 Marshall C. St. John
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