Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-08-19
Sirgiuia fire. gress.
". W.B. GALLAHER, Editor.
august 10, 1891.
Famous VioIins.

There is no absolutely determinable
standard by which the superiority of old
violins from the hands of famous makers
can be established.
Perhaps Stradivari Nicholas, who lived
and made violins in Cremona, Italy, in
the latter half of the seventeenth century,
should be credited with popularizing the
violin as much as any one in history.
To be sure, Amati, whose name is one OF
the famous ones still, was a little earlier
and taught Stradivari the art.
But for the man who did most toward
establishing the present rule as values
for violins of ancient make the world
must look to Louis Tensio, an Italian col
lector, who was at the meridian in the
first quarter of the present century. Ten
sio was a lover of violins, either for them
selves or the money that he acquired by
trading in them. He roamed about Eu-
rope, buying up old violins and trading
new ones for them. In old monasteries
he received many a rare one, which the
owner was only too glad to exchange for
one of the newer finish. This goes to
show how little was then appreciated the
benefit of age which is such an impotant
factor in the value of an instrument.
Tensio was found dead one day in his
house in Milan, surrounded by his collec-
ton of violins, which probably could not
be reproduced for its rare and fine instru-
ments to-day from all the collections in
the world.
The name of Guanarius stands next to
that of Stradivari to-day for excellence
of make, especially the name of Joseph
Guanarius del Jesu, whose trademark
was !. II. S. A hundred years ago the
Amati violins stood higher in value OF
the world than those of Stradivari, but
they have since exchanged their posi-
tions. To-day an Amati must be excep-
tionally fine to be worth more than $500
or 5000, while as good specimens of the
Stradivari or Guanarius are probably
worth, respectively, as many and half as
many thousands.
One of the finest, or at least more pre-
cious, Guanarius instruments extant is
that which Paganini used, and now pre-
served in a glass case in the Municipal
Palace at Genoa. Paganini's pupil, ST.
vori, is probably The only one who has
played on it since his masters death, and
that only once.
In this country, Mr.. Hawley, Of Hart
ford, Conn, has an exceedingly valuable
collection of rare violins. He has 10 less
than five specimens of Stradivari and
three of Guanarius. One of the latter is
known as the King Guanarius, that is the
finest product of the artist. 1t is valued
at $500.
Theodore Havemeyer, of this city has
a number of rare and valuable instru-
ments, among which are more than one
Stradivari and Joseph Guanarius de-
Jesu,with the !, H. 5. brand of excellence
one of the oldest colored men who hang
around Dyer street looking for a job recent
ly approached one of the commission mer-
chants on that street, and after considerable
shufling around exclaimed:
Say, boss, wants ter ak yer question.
"All right, 60 ahead"
q kin git my fIrnicher insured for S4oO.'
"Yes."
can it will only cost me 81"
"Wen."
"S'pose had that trumpery insured an
de housen should catch aire and burn up
what would git?7
In that case, Sam, you'd get pulled in
and then sent to Cranston for ten or fifteen
years"
"What fer?"
''For setting the fire, Of course"
"Golly, am dat so? Well, | am very
much 'bliged to yer, an | guess will save
dat 81 and left de $4OO go. Morning, sab.
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