This important antique American violin by Andrew Hyde
is offered to the highest buyer with .The violin bears the maker\'s label
and is guaranteed to be authentic and original.There is also a repair label by Milton Wickes, who worked for Andrew Hyde before opening his own competing shop. I cannot find any evidence of repair on the violin, no cracks or repaired damage, so I can only assume it was in Wickes\' shop for seam maintenance or set-up work.
The violin is numbered 157 and was made in 1888 in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was made during the onset of Hyde\'s fame, reputation and skills.
This important antique violin is in excellent, original condition without cracks, repairs or damages and is ready-to-play. The violin has been heavily played and there is wear consistent with regular expert use. The violin has been expertly set up by a professional luthier including a new bridge, sound post, new Thomastik Dominant strings, properly fitted and adjusted pegs, a planed and dressed fingerboard, and adjusting for optimal tone and playability. The violin is ready for immediate play.
Andrew Hyde was a very wealthy and important American in his day and many of his inventions and patents are still around today. Hyde was Thomas Edison\'s superintendent of operations and was the engineer behind many of Edison\'s patents. He fought in the Civil War in a Massachusetts heavy artillery division, and owned many patents for rifles and handguns. He partnered with CS Shattuck in 1875 and established the Hyde and Shattuck Firearms company. Some of his more lucrative patents like the first double action revolver provided him handsome royalties from the Smith and Wesson company, Iver Johnson Armsworks as well other patents which provided him a lifelong income from Edison\'s operations. He also invented the modern adjustable wrench which earned him a boatload. With unlimited financial freedom by middle age, he devoted himself to violin making and to several other patents for stringed instruments including mechanical tuners. He had the resources to travel to Europe and purchase fine Cremonese master violins which he brought home to his workshop for the purposes of study. He also wrote extensively including a lengthy treatise intended to be on the benefits of modern vs antique violins. It is both fascinating and amusing as it reveals the personality of the man-certainly confident and cocky to the point of arrogance, quite calmly comparing his violins and workmanship favorably with old Italian masterpieces. Below are some excerpts from his treatise which I find fascinating to read. It was published in 1890, about 2 years after this violin was made.
On the advantages of new violins, particularly his own:
On the \"senseless craze for violins of ancient Italian manufacture\"On the dangers of unsanitary old violins:William Henley provides an extensive review of Andrew Hyde in his
Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers
I have bought and sold at least 12 violins by Andrew Hyde. Without exception, violins made by Andrew Hyde all have a remarkable rich and solid tone, with depth, wide dynamics, and elegant harmonics. Whatever Hyde figured out about violin making, he seems to have mastered the ability to produce instruments of consistently superior tonal quality. This violin is no exception. It has power, volume, the ability to project, clarity, brilliance, but most important a profound warmth and sweetness that makes it a soothing and very rewarding instrument to play. Perhaps its most notable characteristic is the ability to control the volume and the color of the tone over a wide range simply by varying the bow pressure. From expansive warmth, a dulcet timbre and innocent sweetness, to penetrating clarity and dominating brilliance this violin produces an array of voices and moods that is exciting for both the performer and the listener. It is an accessible and wide open sound, easily bubbling out of the instrument and, when pressed, has that sizzle that only the best violins seem to have.
The back measures 356mm or 14 inches.
Thestarting offer is $49 and there is !
If you have any questions, or need additional photos, please don\'t hesitate to email me.
While this is a good, handmade antique American violin that is certain to attract seriousinterest and commensurate offerding, it will surely sell for a small fraction of the price a shop would charge. This violin carries afull 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you win it and don\'t like it for anyreason, you can return it for a full refund excluding my shipping charge. Where else can you buy an old, handmade, antique American violin, in excellent original condition, by an important American maker at sale, with a full money-back guarantee?
This isa full-sized violin. The back measures 14 inches or 356 mm.
Insured shipping and professional packaging of the highest order is $39 in the US, $59 to Canada and $79 to most other countries. I pack in new, custom-made shipping cartons. I use packing materials designed to provide superior protection for old violins. I ship very fast, usually within 24 hours of payment-or less. You can expect your package to arrive safely within a couple of days of your payment.
Thanks for looking!!!!
Pahdah_hound
