Evening star., 1922-12-10
Violin Bought Forty Years Ago by Artist
Now at Capitol, Found to Be Real Amati

paired in Florence about fifty years ago.
Where the email pieces were put along
the edge you cannot see without look
ing very closely at 1t. With the excep-
tion Of these slight repairs. It is in al.
most as good condition as when 1t left
the great masters hands nearly two
and a half centuries ago. A slight
crack only has started in the back"
THE present artist-owner cares for
L this instrument with reverence and
tenderness. as BELTS the handwork Of a
great master. Within the case it is
wrapped In soft silk and velvet.
Il had no idea this was a real Amati
when I bought It," he said. "I only
knew it was a fine violin. I am much
pleased to have my judgment Of SO
many years ago confirmed by the ex-
perts Of today. Yes" he continued.
holding 1t lovingly in place. II would
much rather leave 1t to good museum
than to sell it during my lifetime to
some one who would value il only for
the money it would bring. There is
something about a great work Of art
Of any kind. into which a master has
put his soul, that makes it a desecra-
ton to sell it,
Some twenty-five years ago Lyon and
Healy printed catalogue with a de-
scription in 1t Of the Particle violin
which fts Mr.. Whipples instrument so
perfectly that it may be quoted:
There is such an overwhelming
amount of evidence in this violin to
prove the loving care impaired in every
minute detail that one cannot help feel
ing absolute veneration for the great
artist who executed it.
''Amati was at the very height Of his
power at this time $3.50. He was do
ing his greatest work
THE artistic surroundings in Gre
mona and all over northern Italy at
that time must have thrown the halo
Of fame around any devotee who ex-
cel!ed in his chosen field. The price. Of
; royal favor was artistic workmanship:
not alone that which had TO do with the
production Of tone, but also with respect
TO the appearance Of the instrument.
Nicolas Amati had the artistic in
stinct to higher degree. perhaps. than
any other maker of Cremona.. He was
by all odds the greatest teacher among
violin builders. and his influence was
far greater than that exerted by any
other maker that ever lived.
THE tone OF this violin is Of the
sweetest. purest and most beautiful
quality imaginable. While possessing
grea. power. It is no. that quality which
particularly impresses one as the bow
is drawn for the first time over its
strings. but rather Its delicious sweet
ness and purity Of tone. There is a
delicacy and refinement in fine Amati
violin possessed by no other. 1t Is the
aristocrat Of the fiddle world. as much
! the embodiment Of pure art as is the
rarest work Of Raphael.
''The preservation and good condition
of this violin is one Of its greatest
charms. Every line is intact, the var
! nish is golden-brown color. 1t has
passed through the vicissitudes and
dangers of more than two hundred
years and remains today practically as
perfect as when Amati finished it,
Mr.. Whipple has made arrangements
to meet all famous violinists who come
! 10 Washington and have them try out
this Amati. For it is the true artist
, alone who can fully appreciate the
beauty Of form and the sweetness Of
tone OF these old masterpieces