OLD VIOLINS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18369, 30 April 1925, Page 10

OLD VIOLINS.

TO THE EPITOE OF "THE PBESS." ' Sir—We are indebted to Mr Thos. W. Dent, for his practical statements in to-day's "Press" regarding violins. The chance of being in possession of a genuine Stradivai-ius violin is, as Mr Dent says, perhaps, one in 20,000. Although no actual record can be traced of tbo numbers of violins made by Antonio Stradivarius, it is estimated that he made 1036 violins, violas and 6imilar instruments, and 80 violoncellos—a totai of 1116 instruments. In 1909 a London firm of violin dealers made a searching, world-wide investigation to ascertain as far as possible the number of Strads in existence, and traced 504. As early as 1685 copies of Stradivarius violins and labels were made, but it is believed in most cases the makers felt justified in doing this, as they considered they had made a good copy of his masterpieces. Often their own name was found in another place in the violin. Later, at the beginning of last century the demand in Italy for Amati and Strad violins exceeded the supply, hence it paid handsomely to copy his labels and sell the instrument bearing them as genuine. The English and French dealers soon followed, and so there ensued such a confusion thatto judge a violin by the label was an impossibilty. . I could write much more on the his'tcry of Stradivarius and his violins, but I think I have made it clear to any owner of a violin bearing the name Antonio Stradivarius, with date, etc., not to be too sure of its genuineness. However, I consider any old violin with a good tone worthy of investigation, and probably very valuable. lam endeavouring to get into communication' with a violin expert, whom I used to know, and if successful, I will be pleased to communicate with any enquirers. Although not making any promises on this gentleman'B behalf, I believe he would be pleased to give his opinion in the same spirit which prompts me to write these few lines—an appreciation of the greatest master violin maker the world has seen. —Yours, etc. , GORDON HAYMAN. 191 Rolleston street,. linwcod, April 29th, 1925. I