Lot 429
Attributed to Jacobus Stainer (Austrian, 1617-1683). 17th century violin featuring a broad lower back, shapely curled headstock, and strongly curved and tapered F-holes. The interior with hand-inscribed label reading "Jacobus Stainer in Absam, prope Oenipontum, 1663." The violin is accompanied by several letters and handwritten documents describing the previous ownership as written below.
Provenance, by repute: An Italian count, late 17th-18th century; A Romani Violinist, 18th-19th century; A Musician, likely Ralph Graham, mid-19th century; "Mr. F," a Cleveland Luthier; the author of the second letter, purchased in 1876; John Murton Gundry, a prominent Cleveland banker, retired to Quahaug, Massachusetts; Jolene Murton Gundry, widow of John Murton Gundry, thence by descent.
-
Provenance:
The letters read as follows:
First letter: "An Italian count was the first known owner of this violin. He played well and loved the best music. Often his playing extended into the night, and early morn was infrequently made melodious by his art. It was, in fact, his playing very early one morning that had much to do with an important epoch, if not the making of it, in the life or career of this violin, and, but for it, the beloved instrument would probably never have come into my possession. How like this: The count was sleeping well, arose and began playing on his violin; [he] played classical and very technical music, so much so that it worked upon the nerves of his body-servant, who slept in an adjoining room and this particular morning was feeling indisposed. The servant stood it until he [illegible]. The Count would never desist. It was not the music altogether that he objected to either, but, to the servant's untutored ear, the senselessness of it. Had it been a dancing time he might have [illegible] it, but those scales and ceaseless runs and trills were unbearable; so he dressed himself and, entering the Count's apartment asked if he never expected to stop. This threw the count into a passion and, flying at him in his toga, struck his head violently with the violin--breaking off the neck and the violin into may. Twenty five separate pieces. The servant was dismissed and the Count gathering together the pieces, laid them away on a shelf in a closet in his room where they lay for a long time. The Count having purchased another vio[lin] to play upon.
One day there came to the castle a [Romani] violinist, playing alone. His playing attracted the Count to the castle [illegible], and after listening for a short time, he requested that he come to his apartment, where he had him play more, and questioned him concerning his proficiency, wishing to know how he [illegible] he played so well upon such an ordinary violin. The [Romani violinist] replied that playing eight hours a day of [illegible] taught him to play dexterously--for the Count marveled at the execution and with ease of many difficult passages! And the violin he said through such constant usage had too become a comparatively [poor] instrument.
The Count was much interested, and he bethinking himself of the broken violin save it so. [illegible] upon receiving from the [Romani violinist] the promise that he would have it repaired. This was not done, however. The [Romani violinist] having more pressing needs for the money. So time went by until a friend of the [Romani violinist] glued it together for him. Still it was no good. Later [illegible] came to the [Romani violinist] of the great possibilities in the United States of America, if he would come, in a short time he could make his fortune; at last he went and drifted to Chicago, where he fell in with an Italian violin maker and repairer whom he told of the violin he had, and of its condition. The Italian offered to repair it for him, which he did, and the [Romani violinist] then began using it with the greatest satisfaction.
Bringing him to Cleveland, a musician here heard the violin and was much impressed by its sweet Italian tone, and offered to trade a violin he had -- a larger and louder sounding instrument -- and pay some money in the bargain for it. This seemed and opportunity to the [Romani violinist] -- for he could then make more noise -- attract more attention. [Illegible] have some ready money so the trade was made.
The musician only used the Stainer for home playing as its delicate tone on account of its seven eighths size didn't fit it for orchestra, his work. A day came when it didn't seem so well -- something was the matter. He took it to [illegible, possibly "Herth Friche"] the violin maker and repairer, who told him at once that some [illegible] was needed where the chin rests, and during their conversation, the musician was asked to try a 13 [...] violin which was in the stock and he mistakenly became very much taken with it and a trade was made. The Stainer being retained by Mr. F, and it was from him, a few years later that I indirectly purchased it. Written in the round German hand, the old Stainer label [...] dusty and [...] is still discernible. Jacobus Stainer in Absam proper Oenipontum 1663."
The second letter: Mr. John Murton Gundry: Lake [Illegible] Bank, Cleveland, Ohio. Dear Sir, yours of [illegible, possibly "herewith"] at hand: Your memo tallies with mine excepting that on Dec 21, I paid you (by cheque in the United Bank), for the month of November leaving December [illegible] and a part of February still due: please try and trace this payment; if you cannot do so I will procure and send you the voucher, but I have not got it here and it will be somewhat inconvenient to get it from Cleveland.
As to the violin: It is a fair offer and I need the money more than the violin but, it is a genuine [illegible] excepting the back. The original back is about 20 pieces. I have them and think it could be restored by an expert repairer.
In 1857 when the violin was owned by Ralph Graham, Conductor of Orchestra old Bowery Theatre N.Y., he [illegible] the old back and Palecek of Prague (the elder) fabricated the present new back which is attested by card parted in. Litermann borrowed it from me one season for a tour
Page 2: With [illegible] Orchestra and he seemed to think after playing primo in all kinds of halls, that the new back (having been made of old wood and in place for more than 40 years at that time (1857-1898)) was about as good as any fiddle back could be, he offered the $200 and another one for it. I bought the fiddle in 1876, it was [illegible] an exhibition at the world's fair in Phila and I paid $320 for it [illegible]. Of course it is not a Strad, or an Amati or a Stainer which a man of your means could well afford, if [illegible] of a fine fiddle but Strads and Stainers are scarce and very expensive, and any Connoisseur has only to play on my instrument to know that it has blood and pedigree. There is a fine man in Buda-Pesth (Schneider) who could put the old back in again for about 250 marks. The old label was soaked off and put on the new back, but the mark of where it rested for more than 100 years. is still on the old wood, it would be justice and not desecration to soak it off once more and put it back. The other labels might be abandoned if you wished to clean it of recent names & dates. The violin you knew from a very exceptional and friendly acquaintance and is well worth $1000 as fiddle so. In my present plight and to [the letter abruptly concludes here, likely indicating that a page is lost]. - Dimensions: (Violin) Length: 23 in x width: 8 in x depth: 3 1/2 in.
- Condition: The original back panel appears to have been replaced. There is a split to the back of violin with diamond shaped repairs to the interior throughout. Numerous splits to the front. Crazing to the lacquer. Minute chips throughout. Discoloration to the neck from use. The violin needs to be restrung.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
ACH, American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Removal
Property purchased from Revere Auctions by a successful bidder will not be released to such bidder until the full payment of the total purchase price (including the buyer's premium and online bidding service fee, and all applicable sales taxes) has been made. In addition to other remedies available to us by law, we reserve the right to impose from the date of sale a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price if payment is not made in accordance with these conditions. Please note that Revere Auctions reserves the right to refuse to accept payment from a source other than the buyer of record. The purchaser must remove all property from the auction premises at his/her expense the day following the auction. All property must be collected within ten (10) days of the auction. If you fail to retrieve the purchased property within thirty (30) days after the Sale Date (such that the 30-day period is termed the "Retrieval Period") Revere Auctions reserves the right to charge a minimum storage and handling fee of $20 per lot per day. Revere Auctions also reserves the right to send the property to a public warehouse for the account and at the risk and expense of the purchaser, to be released only after payment in full of all removal, storage, handling, insurance, and any other costs incurred, together with payment of all other amounts due to us. It is the purchaser's sole responsibility to arrange to collect or ship the property and to identify and obtain any necessary export, import, firearm, endangered species, or other permit for the lot. Revere Auctions and the consignor make no representations or warranties as to whether any lot is or is not subject to export or import restrictions or embargoes. Purchasers are reminded that Revere Auctions' liability for loss or damage to sold property shall cease no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the auction, and immediately upon removal from Revere Auctions' facility if removal takes place within thirty (30) days after the date of sale.
Shipping
Revere Auctions offers in-house shipping for eligible orders and referrals to third-party shippers for all other orders. Customers with eligible orders will receive an email from ShippingSaint.com within two business days after an auction informing you of eligibility. Please allow 7-10 business days after submitting payment for your order for Revere Auctions to begin packaging your order. Eligible orders will include but are not limited to, unframed artwork, framed artwork, jewelry, coins, and decorative objects. Ineligible orders include but are not limited to, furniture, oversized lots, and any lot that must be shipped by a third party.
As a convenience to the Buyer, Revere Auctions will make a referral for packing and shipping to third-party shipping vendors. This is at the request, expense, and risk of the Buyer, and Revere Auctions assumes no responsibility for the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in-transit items is the responsibility of the buyer. The buyer must reach out to a third-party shipping vendor to arrange shipping.
"Oversized lots" are objects such as furniture, andirons, floor vases, sculptures, or any other item whose safe packing will exceed the limits of common carriers. The delivery of oversized, large, exceedingly heavy, or high-value objects is not an inexpensive proposition and we urge you to consider this before bidding.
The buyer must fill out the Shipping Release Form in order for their items to be released to a third-party shipper. This is to ensure that the won item(s) are given to the proper shipping company and reach their final destination safely. This form can be found here: revereauctions.com/shipping-release-authorization/
For a list of referrals for third-party shipping vendors, please see our Shipping Information page for more details. revereauctions.com/shipping-information/
Revere Auctions
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $6,999 | $200 |
| $7,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $499,999 | $10,000 |
| $500,000 | $999,999 | $25,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $9,999,999 | $50,000 |
| $10,000,000 + | $100,000 |