The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-22
SOME E -. ,.
- Rare Niolins.

~ Rare NiOlins.
The study of old violins probably af.
tords greater pleasure to those inter
ested than ia ever accorded the most
enthusiastic scientist who delyes into
the mysteries OF archR llOgy. Az
general rule every violinist regards the
instrument upon which he performs
the bsst of any in the world. whether
it is u genuine Cremona or n factory
made fiddle. With the increase Of
knowledge upon the subject Of vlolins,
1t is said tho mania for possessing rare
specimens grows stronger aud in this
age one can seldom meet player OF
note who does mot possess half dozen
or more choice instruments and VINO Is
not ever ready to purchase rare in
strument at any price. The ingenuity
Of modern times has frequently taken
advantage Of the desire upon part of
musicians for rare violins and the eff
forts of the old makers are so closely
initiated that it is almost impossible to
distinguish the genuine Amau or Strad
irarius from the mOdern production,
The enthusiastic collectors OF the day
are therefore obliged to demrnd his.
tory of an instrument offered for sale
ia order to be sure that their purchase
was not manufactured in the present
century.
For q City of its siZs and musical
ability Scranton probably shelters
greater number Of rare and valuable
violins than any city in the country.
There are comparatively few good vio-
linists in the Electric City; but thu
performers in nearly every instance
evoke soulful strains from instruments
OF value that cannot be determined
The most expensive and rare violin IN
this state is probably owned by Carl
Koampel, the we'll known druggist.
The violin, an ancient specimen Of the
work of Audrius GuSrnaris, OF Gre.
mona, was once the propsrty Of Spohr,
and descended to Mr.. KoemDel from
his uncle, August KOempsl, who was
fayorite pupil of Spohr August k)sm-
pei was leader of the Weimer orches-
ira in 1867, which position he secursd
through influences Of Liszt. at the
| death of the great violinist the lustru-
ment descended to his nephew, Carl
Koempel, of this city Mr Koempel
has standing Offer of 50 500 for the
violin, but it could not Os purchased at
any price H9 also has a Stradivarius
violin valued at 800 and several other
excellent Instruments of recent make,
Colonel L. II. Ripple, another enthu
sisst upon violins has an extremely
rare collection. Colonel Ripple's pet
instrument is one from the hands of
NicolauS Amati. the celebrated Cremo -
nesa maker. the greatest of his family.
who were all violin makers, and next
to Stradivarius, the greatest maker in
the wOrld-at least he is accounted so
The violin was made in 1858 and is in n
very good state Of preservation. 1t has
a brilliant tone and NIL through is a
very fine instrument. The colonel also
has several other valuable violins, that
have been produced by makers Of great
er or less renOwn, among the number
being an unique specimen which is
decorated with a carved head Of ex-
President Harrison,
Miss Julia Allen. daughter OF the
genial health officer, Dr. w. +. Allen,
also plays npon valuable Amati VIC.
lin which was recently the property OF
Ovid Musn. The instrument, which
was made during the Seventeenth cen
tury. was one Of the favorites In the
collection Of Musin, AID the great vir-
tusuo wab probably induced to part
with it on account Of his admiration of
Miss Aliens remarkable talent rather
than the fabulous priCo at which the
violin was purchased. The instrument
has 4 very sweet tone and is we'll pre-
served.
Richard r. Weiseuale. the woll
known amateur violinist, draws the
bow across rare old instrument which
was presented to him by Colonel Rip
pie. II Is production Of the csle
brated German maker, Jacobus Stainer
the greatest Of all the German makers.
! W llAV NhiH ihohi nus NV ~ Dhl
tiCularly loud tone. the quality ia OF
exceptional sweetness aud has been
much admired by violinists who have
played on IT, 1t was made in 1884 and
ia in fairly good state OF preservation.
Robert ]. Bauer, musical director at
the Academy Of Music and leader Of
the Justly celebrated Bausrs orchestra.
delights in drawing the how over n
GrandjOn, a French instrument sup
posed to be about 100 years old, whicl
was purchased for him in New York
by DR. Allen. The violin IL OF n lght
color, Of the pattern OF the we'll known
Italian instruments, aud has sym
pathetic tone which can bs strength.
ened at the will Of tho performer il
orchestral work
Miss Harriet Ward the talented
, young violnist OF tho West Side, DOS
sesses a valuable instrument, which /.
said to be an excellent imitation of tn,
Gunrnieri violins, The instrument wa.
secured for Miss Ward by Rober,
Bauer, who purchased it from Jamet
3 Brennan, Tne latter gentleman
{ brought the violin from Germany to
a this country, and was only induced to
- part with II by an off r of 500
Rather a Poor Vlrdicatlon
Phdudeiphiu Bdieiia.
Representative Brecklnridge's defence
~ it is outlined by his friends amount
simply to II determination to prove tha
the woman was rs bad ns him elf