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a fiddle to the left.
Sample an E-Book
Dictionary of Violin Makers by C. Stainer
C.Stainer, has prepared a well organized information packed dictionary on violin makers of 100 years ago & before. Lots of useful bits of info on Many old makers. Very similar to the work produced by L. G. Langwill on Wind-Instruments in depth, detail & precision. However, this work by C.Stainer precedes it by sixty+ years. Edited by Sir John Stainer, father to the author, 102 fine dictionary style pgs +2pg Bibio. c. aprox. 1896
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The VIOLIN and Old Violin Makers, with Labels: by Mason Clarke
An HISTORICAL, REGIONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VIOLIN AND IT'S MAKERS...with FACSIMILES of LABELS USED BY the OLD MASTERS. A Fantastic account of makers, instruments, wood, LABELS, and Biographical data. Organized by Country, 120 pgs. The first Book I look for, when I am "considering" a Violin. c. 1897
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Treatise on the Structure & Preservation of the VIOLIN: by J.H. Otto
A Treatise on the Structure & Preservation of the VIOLIN and all other Bow-Instruments, by J.H. Otto. Incredible history & technical data concerning the violin. A Huge! resource. An enjoyable read. Otto's text is enlightening and nearly every page is rich with notes from the translator. These are as enjoyable as the main text. Two simultanious texts in one. what a great book! 91 pgs include 5 pg index. translated-Revised by John Bishop c. 1906
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Violin Manufacture in Italy: and its German Origins, by E. Schebek
An Historical Sketch; by Dr. Edmund Schebek. Translated from the original german by Walter E. Lawson. A well researched historical argument concerning the origins of the Violin. Lots of very interesting information within these pages. An absolute jewel to read. 63 pgs. c. 1903
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Violin Making: by Walter H. Mayson
They say "a picture is worth a thousand words". 102 pgs and 31 image "plates", plus the Family tree of Italian Violin Makers. "The" book for learning the craft of 1800's style violin making. c. 1909
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THE VIOLIN, Its Construction, Practically Treated: By John Broadhouse
Practical Violin Construction guide with 23 pages devoted just to Varnish. 137 pgs. Included are "Sale Prices of Violins & Bows" of dates 1907-09. A great reference on the subject. The bare nuts & bolts of making the violin without the noise which surounded the issue back then. first published over 100 years ago... c. 1910
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How to Make the Violin: by Carl Fischer
A no holds barred account writen with the authority of a life-time devotion to the Violin. By an anon. author aprox. 1900s. Anonymity affords the author a strong outspoken tone, merging known making methods with newly emerging sciences of acoustics and physics. This book offered up emperical data and observations that went against the mainstream of the day, covering detailed specifics of violin making. 141pgs. c. 1901
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the Violin Makers Guide By H. H. Brown
Contains all information required by an instrument maker to construct the Violin. Measurements, Diagrams and explanations are all included with Illustration rich descriptions of the entire process. A "must have" for the musical instrument maker & repair person. 53 pgs + 9 pgs of plans.
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The Repair and Preservation of the Violin: By Horace Petherick
The Proper Glue, Cases, Finger Boards, Temperature, Old Methods, Modern Ways, the Scroll, Insertion of Fresh Wood, The Effects of Climate, Cleansing, Preservation of the Original Label, Warped Tables, Replacing End Blocks, Purfling, Restoring, Opening the Violin, Studs, Lining or Veneering a Thin Back, The Bar, Varnishing. Well studied and a highly qualified repairer of violins, Horace Petherick (also a respected attorney) was a meticulous perfectionist. 199 pgs., c. 1912
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The BOW, its History, Manufacture and Use: by Henry Saint-George
"It has always appeared to me a curious thing, that the bow, without which the fiddle could have no being, should have received so scant attention, not alone from the comunity of fiddlers, but also from writers on the subject. I only know of one book in which the subject is adequately handled." Words of the author, taken from the preface. 124 pgs., c. 1896
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Bowed Instruments. Information for Players, Owners, Dealers and Makers:
Also for String Manufacturers, by William Hepworth: Information for Players, Owners, Dealers and Makers of Bow-Instruments, Taken from Personal Experience, Studies and Observations. Meticulous & detailed, Hepworth sets the record straight on every detail regarding the violin, 89 pgs. A rhetorical microscope on the Violin. c. 1887
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350 Violin Labels: Anonymous
350 Violin Labels. Published in the 1930's by an anonymous Violin Publishing Guild. Covers "early" Violins on up to 1932. Many of these labels have rarely been seen before, others have had "similar" ones published elsewhere. A great collection of rare labels to aide in the authentication process, 24 pgs. 1932
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Fiddle Frauds: How to detect them , W. Wolff
The authors sets out to expose deceptive sellers, dealers and makers of the violin, by explaining how these practices were carried out. An eye opening and valuable resource for all those who may buy, sell and/or collect violins. a 20 page booklet, c. aprox. 1880.
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Modern Violin Making Illustrated & Described
A Contemporary Violin Makers Process, illustrated & described. Procedures are Divided into daily blocks. With descriptive text accompaniment. A good starting point for those curious about the Craft & Process. (1997)
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