The record-union., 1893-06-21
EHRICH'S VALUABLE VIOLINS.
They Are Likely to be Sold for a
Mere Song.
Instruments Of the Same Kind That
are Valued at Many Thousand
Dollars Each.

are Valued at Many Thousand
Dollars Each.
Mention was made yesterday of the fact
that the 9TH of July is the date set for the
rendering of the final account of the
Public Administrator on the estate OF
Ernst Enrich, the vioinist, who died IN
this city three years ago.
a bout all of the estate that remains to
be disposed Of are two violins that were
greatly priced by the deceased musician,
and which should have a high market
value. Remenyi and Max Adler have
been bidding for the instrument known
as a ''Stradivarius," the latter's offer be-
ing 5l,5oO.
1t would seem, however, as if twice or
thrice this sum ought to be obtained for
it, as violins of that make are exceedingly
rare and are valued away up into the
thousands Of dollars. Some time ago the
RECoRD-UNIoN recited the history OF
"Ehrich's pets,'' and gave an authentic
sketch of several old makers of violins
whose instruments are now held at great
values. Some OF these facts will bear
repetition at this time, as it looks as il
somebody is likely to make good specu-
lation by buying the Enrich instruments.
As the estate consists chiefly of his
musical instruments, some facts concern
ing their character and history may be OF
service in determining their value. There
are two viOlins that certainly possess
considerable value, and one OF them, a
genuine Stradivarius, ought to bring a
good big price.
The other violin referred to is an Amati.
II is small, like all the instruments that
came from the hand of that celebrated
maker. The Amati family tourished i'll
the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and
three generations each furnished the most
celebrated maker OF violins OF their time,
except Stradivarius. The family lived in
Cremona, town in Northern Italy. An
drea, born between 1900 and 1870, made
Violins that were remarkable for their
exquisite softness of tone and beauty OF
Workmanship. Very few of them are in
existence to-day.
THE AMATI VIOLIN.
Antonio Amati. his son, succeeded his
father in business and also became IA
NOUS for the quality of his violins. His
youngest brother, Geronimo, also pupil
OF his father, continued the business, but
no viOiins bearing mis- mark SUBSEQUENT
TO lG3S are known TO exist.
NicoIo, the son of Geronimo, born in
1885, was the most celebrated of the fam
lily, and the greater number of the Amati
vlolins now in existence are from his
hands. lie made some changes in the
models OF his ancestors, resulting IN Civ
ing his instruments greater power and
brlliancy. In perfection of finish, purity
and mellowness Of tone, NicolO Amati's
Viollns were regarded as marvels. The
tones are slender, but in an especial de-
gree sweet rolDH and ailvnrv
HOW ENRICH GOT THE VIOLIN.
The circumstances under which Enrich
became the possessor of the little Amati
violin-which he held dearer than his
liie-are quite interesting. Between
twenty-five and thirty years ago the then
young musician was one day lettering
about the grounds OF the old Mission Do
1Ores Church, in the suburbs of San Fran
cisco. He had concluded the inspection
ot the interior of the quaint old adobe edi-
flee erected by the Jesuit Fathers more
than century ago, and passed out into
the little graveyard in the rear, where he
spent some time in decipering the fast
fading inscriptions on the crumblinp
tOmbstones that marked the graves of the
old Fathers who once occupied the then
almost abandoned cloisters.
He had lOitered in the historic grounds
and the shades of evening were fast fall
ing over the churchyard and adjacent
hills. The old bell in the tower had long
since rung out in dull, mellow tones, the
'Angelus," and its echoes had died away
in the undulatiug sand dunes that
stretch out TO the ocean, where the last
rays of the sun We're glimmering on the
pebOle-lined beach. He was about to re-
trace his steps toward the city, when
TIE SWEET TONES OF A VIOLIN,
Coming from one of the wings of the old
church, broke upon his ears. He had
been viollnlst for years, and had heard
many sweet-toned instruments, but
never one like that. The player, too, he
discovered was master in the art of
using the bow. The entranced youth
listened awhile, and then crept softly to-
ward the building. Through a partly
opened window he was enabled to catch
glimpse of the violinist-an aged Span
lsh priest. Enrich might have climbed
in al the window without disturbing him.
so wrapt did he seem to be in his delicate
manipulatlons of the instrument that he
clasped with the affection that a fond
father would display in embracing his
tender infant.
Enrich was beside himself with excite
ment. The desire to become the possessor
OF such an instrument at once took Dos
session Of his whole being. He returned
10 the city, but the metropolis had no at
traction Tor him the following day, for his
thoughts were of the old Mission Church
the white-haired monk and the soul-en-
tranciug strains that had thrilled him on
the preceding evening. Finally the
thought occurred to him that he might be
able To purchase that identical violin. lie
wanted to call on the priest and make
him an offer, but he had only $500. and
he feared that the otter OF that sum would
not be very tempting one to the posses
sOr OF such an instrument.
IL fastened back to Sacramento and
consulted his friend, Herman Wachhorst.
the well-known jeweler. He laid the
matter before Mr.. Wachhorst and asked
il he could lend him few hundred dol
lars to add to his little store. so that he
might make a reasonable offer for the
violin. Mr.. Wachhorst said he would do
SO, but knowing that
EHRICH WAS NOT MUCH OF A FINANCTER.
And a poor hand at driving a bargain.
offered TO 90 to san Francisco with him
and did so. Together they called upon
the old priest, and Wachhorst explained
10 him their mission. When the Vener-
Rule monk first heard the proposition
made to purchase his cherished violin.
which had been a companion to him in
his lonely hours for so many long wears,
lie would not listen to 1t. Mr.. Wachhorst
made first low offer, and when the
priest shook his head the offer was in
creased. Then came d struggle in the old
mans breast. He. knew he had not long
To live, and must SOON part with his loved
instrument, and finally when $500 was
mentioned by the visitors rs all they