The Violin and Old Violin Makers / Being a Historical & Biographical Account of the Violin, with Facsimiles of Labels of the Old Makers

The book presents a compact history of the violin family, tracing bowed instruments from ancient eastern prototypes through the viol to the modern violin, and surveying national schools in Italy, France, Germany and Britain. It includes biographical sketches of notable old makers with facsimiles of their labels, technical observations on construction and varnish, and an account of the development of classical music for violin and related stringed instruments. The author draws on published authorities and long personal study of genuine old instruments to provide practical information for students, players and collectors.