Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-09-07
Washington, D. c., Sept. A.

day, a JOol20t gentleman car
rying a violin case walked into a large
music store and asked to see the
head of the violin department.
Il have here a Straivarius vio-
lin." he explained, trimphantly re-
moving the instrument from it's case
and holding it aloft so that all might
be privileged to gaze thereon. I'm
told they're YER a r and bring big
prices, and I would like to know just
what would be considered a fair price
for this one. I've already received
an offer Of $500 for it, but a friend
of mine who is a violinist says tina,
is much too little"
The clerks looked politely interest
ed, but they did not seem impressed
Presently the head Of the violin de-
partment appeared and picked up the
violin. There was q noticeable lack
examined it.
How did you get the instrument? ?"
he asked.
why, it was among my deceased
uncle's effects which were recently
turned over to me-" explained the
proud n THE old gentleman
used to play on it a good deal, but
he had no idea of its real value,
Neither had I until I happened to see
the name of Stradinvan in the inside.
Then I remembered hearing some
where that old violins Of that make
were valuable"
But did you not see this?" IN
quired the violin expert, pointing to
read, Made in Germany" You did ?
Well, that little mark proves beyond
question that your violin is not a gen.
uine Stradivarius, even, ii the indif-
ferent workmanship did not do SO.
Genuine Strads are not made in Ger
many. This violin, I regret to say, is
not valuable. It is probably not worth
more than 49,"
When the ,erstwhile jubilant gentle
man had departed in great detection
Of spirit, the violin expert said: I'VE
are always having to take the JOY out
Of life like that. I am compelled to
disappoint many people every year.
The ignorance Of the public on the
subject Of violins is incredible. Peo-
pie who are not otherwise easily
fooled allow themselves to be COM
pletely taken in by newly printed
Stradivarius or Guarnerius labels IN
side their violins. This man who was
Just here was fortunate. He had the
violin bequeathed to him. He did not
pay thousands for it, which. many
persons do"
IAbeb May Lie.
As a matter Of fact, he said, the
label is one Of the least important
things to be considered in determin-
ing the value Of q violin. The main
points Of interest r the lines of the
instrument, the wood, the varnish,
tho scroll, the r holes, the character
istic tone OF the instrument, the gen
eral character Of the workmanship
and the many Little m~annertsms char
acterisdc OF the maker. There is q
strong suggestion Of boldness and
power about tho violins made by 10
seph Guarneri, for instance, that Is
altogether lacking In the fine. sweet
toned instruments Of Nicholas Amati,
another tof the famous old Italian
masters. @
It Is q simple matter to procure
we'll executed counteffeit labels and
paste them In any violin, mach easier
than It 10 to forge the signature Of 1
famous artist. When bhckened by q
little dust they will easily deceive the
layman. Yet in the case OF the
cheaper violins. there II no intent to
deceive. The labels T pasted In by
modern makers merely q trade
marks or to indicate the model. Of the
violin-if It l. q copy Of ! Btradfvar-
tus, Guarnerius or some other famous
make. Many Of these Instruments,
as In the Incident already described,
arr also frankly Abessd Made in
Germany"
While this form of labelling Is vel,
known to an persons acauainted with
the making Of vtohno and their his
tory. 1t arolsos many false hopes In
the. unenhghtened. IN one Instance