| | All books are in PDF format, for easy searching and printing The violin, also known as a fiddle, is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which also includes the viola, the cello and the contrabass. The violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle, regardless of the type of music played on it. The word violin comes from the Medieval Latin word vitula, meaning stringed instrument; this word is also believed to be the source of the Germanic "fiddle". The violin, while it has ancient origins, acquired most of its modern characteristics in 16th-century Italy, with some further modifications occurring in the 18th and 19th centuries. Violinists and collectors particularly prize the instruments made by the Gasparo da Salò, Giovanni Paolo Maggini, Stradivari, Guarneri and Amati families from the 16th to the 18th century in Brescia and Cremona and by Jacob Stainer in Austria. Great numbers of instruments have come from the hands of "lesser" makers, as well as still greater numbers of mass-produced commercial "trade violins" coming from cottage industries in places such as Saxony, Bohemia, and Mirecourt. Many of these trade instruments were formerly sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and other mass merchandisers. A person who makes or repairs violins is called a luthier. The parts of a violin are usually made from different types of wood (although electric violins may not be made of wood at all, since their sound may not be dependent on specific acoustic characteristics of the instrument's construction), and it is usually strung with gut, Perlon or other synthetic, or steel strings. This is a collection of 184 books and publications that cover the history of the violin, including the design, construction, playing, and repair and restoration. Some of these vintage books are over 100 years old, dating back to the days of Stradivarius. Also included is a set of non-english titles in French and German as well. The titles included are as follows: 36 TITLES ON VIOLIN MAKING - LUTHERIE - AND VIOLIN MAKERS | A Dictionary of Violin Makers, by C. Stainer, 1896, 116 pages | A Review of Ancient & Modern Violin Making, by W. W. Oates, 1899, 136 pages | A Short Historical Sketch of Various Violin Schools, by Sherman, Clay & Co. Catalogue, circa 1900, 66 pages | A Treatise on the Structure & Preservation of the Violin, etc. & Celebrated Makers, by J. A. Otto, 2nd ed., 1860, 167 pages | The Arts & Craft Book of the Worshipful Guild of Violin Makers of Markneukirchen, 1677-1772, by Richard Pelon extractor, 1894, 69 pages | British Violin Makers A Biographical Dictionary, by W. Meredith Morris, 1920, 392 pages | British Violin Makers Classical and Modern, by Rev. WM. Meredith Morris, 1904, 363 pages | Cremona - An Account of the Italian Violin Makers & their Instruments, by F. Niederheitmann, 1894, 123 pages | Facts About Violins & Violin Making, by H. Tietgen, 1904, 43 pages | George Gemunders Progress in Violin Making, by George Gemunder, 1881, 121 pages | Historical Sketch of the Violin & Its Master Makers, Lyon & Heal Catalogue, 1901, 285 pages | How to Make a Violin, by J. Broadhouse, circa 1900, 178 pages | Italian Violin Makers, by K. Jalovec, circa 1900, 483 pages | John Askew, the Stanhope Violin Maker, by Willaim Morley Egglestone, 1914, 161 pages | Notes on the Construction of the Violin, by W. B. Coventry, 1902, 174 pages | Old Violins & Violin Lore, by H. R. Haweis, 1898, 327 pages | Old Violins, by H. R. Haweis, 1910, 361 pages | The Art of Fiddle Making, by J. Broadhouse, 1909, 77 pages | The Fiddle Fancier's Guide - A Manual on Violin, Violas, Basses & Bows, by J. M. Fleming, 1892, 351 pages | The Hawley Collection of Violins With a History of Their Makers, by Lyon & Healy, 1904, 254 pages | The Value of Old Violins - List of Principal Violin Makers, by E. Polonaksi, 1912, 104 pages | The Violin - A Concise Exposition of the General Principles of Construction, by P. Davidson, 1871, 216 pages | The Violin - A Condensed History - Its Perfection & Its Famous Makers, by C. Goffrie, 1876, 128 pages | The Violin - How to Choose One, by Professional Player, 1893, 101 pages | The Violin - Its Famous Makers & Their Imitators, by G. Hart, 1875, 591 pages | The Violin & Its Story, or the History & Construction of the Violin, by H. Abele, 1905, 155 pages | The Violin & the Art of Its Construction - A Treatise on the Stradivarius Violin, by A. Riechers, 1895, 42 pages | The Violin Manufacture in Italy and its German Origin, 1906, 81 pages | The Violin, It's Construction, Theoretically & Practically Treated, by P. Davidson, 5th ed., 1895, 323 pages | The Violinist's Guide on the Violin American Industry, The Violinist Publishing, 1916, 54 pages | Treatise on the History & Construction of the Violin, by G. Foucher, new rev. ed., 1897, 102 pages | Violin Making, As It Was & Is, by E. Heron-Allen, 2nd ed., 1885, 411 pages | Violin Making, by W. H. Mayson, 2nd ed., 1909, 86 pages | Violins & Other Stringed Instruments - How to Make Them, by P. N. Hasluck, 1907, 168 pages | Violins & Violin Makers - A Biographical Dictionary of the Great Italian Artists & Their Followers & Imitators, by J. Pearce, 1866, 213 pages | Violins Old & New, by J. Broadhouse, 3rd ed., circa 1900, 34 pages | | 14 TITLES ON VIOLIN REPAIR, RESTORATION AND VARNISH | A Few Notes on Varnishes and Fossil Resins, by Ringham Clark, 1891, 88 pages | Adjusting & Repairing Violins & Cellos, by A. Broadley, 1908. 100 pages | Analysis of Paint and Varnish Products, by Cliford Dyer Holley, 1912. 308 pages | Cremona Violins & True Varnishes of the Great Cermona Masters, by Charles Reade, 1873, 48 pages | Oils and Varnishes, by James Cameron, 1886, 392 pages | Paint and Varnish Facts and Formulae, by J. N. Hoff, 1905, 210 pages | Papers on Paint and Varnish, by Henry A. Gardner, 1920, 514 pages | Recipes for the Colour, Paint, Varnish, Oil Soap and Dry Saltery Trades, 1902, 396 pages | Staining, Varnishing, and Enameling, by J. H. Galloway, 1910, 132 pages | The Industrial and Artistic Technology of Paint and Varnish, by Alvah Horton Sabin, 1904, 422 pages | The Repairing & Restoration of Violins, by H. Petherick, 1903, 231 pages | The Varnishes of the Italian Violin Makers, by George Fry, 1904, 190 pages | Violin Varnish and How to Make It, by G. Foucher, 1911, 54 pages | What to Do and How to Do it for Those Who Paint, Varnish, or Kalsomine, by John L. Whiting, 1883, 48 pages | | 11 TITLES ON FAMOUS VIOLINISTS | Biographical Notice of Nicolo Paganini with an Analysis of his Compositions, by F. J. Fetis, 2nd ed, circa 1900, 124 pages | Biographical Sketches & Anecdotes of Celebrated Violinists, by T. L Phipson, 1877, 276 pages | Celebrated Violinists, by A. Ehrlich, 1897, 299 pages | Celebrated Violinists, Past and Present, by R Legge, 1906, 316 pages | Famous Violinists & Fine Violins, by T. L. Phipson, 1896, 280 pages | Famous Violinists of Today & Yesterday, by H. C. Lahee, 1899, 409 pages | Great Violinists & Pianists, by G. T. Ferris, 1895, 385 pages | Musical Notes - The Great Composers - Violinists & the Violin - The Violin & Its History, by W. Adye, 1869, 116 pages | Nicolo Paganini, A Biography, 1911, 97 pages | Nicolo Paganini, His Life and Work, 1971, 266 pages | The Romance of the Fiddle -The Origin of the Modern Virtuoso, by E. Van Der Straeten, 1911, 406 pages | | 5 TITLES ON FAMOUS VIOLIN MAKERS | Antonio Stradivari - His Life & Work, 1644-1737, by W. H. Hill, A. F. Hill & A. E. Hill, 1909, 356 pages | Antonio Stradivari, by H. Petherick, 2nd ed., 1913, 119 pages | Joseph Guarnerius - His Work & His Master, by H. Petheric, 1906, 330 pages | Notice of Anthony Stradivari - The Celebrated Violin Maker, by F. J. Fétis, 1864, 146 pages | The Salabue Stradivari, A History and Critical Description of the Famous Violin 1891, 48 pages | | 16 TITLES ON THE HISTORY OF THE VIOLIN | Chats on Violins, by O. Racster, circa 1900, 253 pages | De Fidiculis Bibliographia, Vol I, by E. Heron-Allen, 1890, 523 pages | De Fidiculis Bibliographia, Vol II, by E. Heron-Allen, 1890, 585 pages | Researches into the Early Story of the Violin Family, by C. Engel, 1883, 184 pages | The Ancestry of the Violin, by H. Allen, 1882, 78 pages | The Bow, Its History, Manufacture & Use, by H. Saint-George, 1909, 164 pages | The Heart of the Music, by A. A. Chapin, 1906, 320 pages | The History of the Violin, by W. Sandys & S. A. Forster, 1864, 441 pages | The Instruments of the Modern Orchestra & Early Records of the Precursors of the Violin, Vol I, by K. Schlesinger, 1910, 314 pages | The Instruments of the Modern Orchestra & Early Records of the Precursors of the Violin, Vol II, by K. Schlesinger, 1910, 490 pages | The Story of the Violin, by P. Stoeving, 1904, 388 pages | The Violin & Its Most Eminent Professors, by G. Dubourg, 1852, 215 pages | The Violin & Its Music, by G. Hart, 1885, 524 pages | The Violin and Its Music The Violin and Its Famous Makers, by George Hart, 1909, 602 pages | The Violin Some Account of the Leading Instrument, by George Dubourg, 1852, 439 pages | The Violin Some Account of the Leading Instrument and its Most Eminent Professors, By George Dubourg, 1878, 366 pages | | 6 TITLES ON MASTERPIECES, COLLECTIONS, AND OLD CATALOGUES | Lyon and Healys Catalogue of their Collection of Rare Old Violins, 1896, 279 pages | Masterpieces of the Great Violin Makers, Wurlitzer Catalogue, 1917, 138 pages | Rare Old Violins, Kohler & Chase Collection Catalog, circa 1900, 68 pages | Rare Old Violins, Violas & Violoncellos, Lyon & Healey Catalogue 28th ed., 1917, 85 pages | The Salabue Stradivari or 'Le Messie', Hill & Sons, 1891, 48 pages | The Tuscan' Stradivari, Hill & Sons, 1891, 32 pages | | 42 TITLES ON VIOLIN PLAYING - COURSES, TECHNIQUES, AND TONE | A Complete System for The Violin, 1846, 111 pages | A Method for the Qualitative Analysis of Musical Tone, by P. H. Edwards, 1911, 30 pages | A New Theory of Fingering - Paganini & His Secret, by A. Jarosy, 1933, 63 pages | Chats to Violin Students on How to Study the Violin, by J. T. Carrodus, 3rd ed., 1911, 124 pages | Geminiani - New & Compleat Instructions for the Violin, by Geminiani, 1687-1762, 48 pages | Geminiani - The Violin Preceptor or Compleat Tutor, by Geminiani & Philpot 1687-1762, 40 pages | Handbook of Violin Playing, by C. Schroeder, 4th ed., circa 1900, 208 pages | How to Master the Violin, by P. L. Bytovetzki, 1917, 123 pages | Lesson to Performers on the Violin, by G. Tartini, 1779, 38 pages | Modern Violin Playing, by S. B. Grimson & C. Forsyth, 1920, 167 pages | Practical Method for Violin, Volume 1, 1899, 41 pages | Practical Method for Violin, Volume 2, 1899, 39 pages | School of Intonation on an Harmonic Basis for Violin, Book I, by O. Sevcik, 1922, 231 pages | School of Intonation on an Harmonic Basis for Violin, Book II, by O. Sevcik, 1922, 197 pages | School of Intonation on an Harmonic Basis for Violin, Book III, by O. Sevcik, 1922, 267 pages | School of Intonation on an Harmonic Basis for Violin, Book IV, by O. Sevcik, 1922, 189 pages | Spohr Violin School, American Edition 1852, 163 pages | Spohr Violin School, British Edition, 1843, 265 pages | The Mastery of the Bow & Bowing Subleties, by P. Stoeving, 1920, 206 pages | The Secrets of Violin Playing, by Professional Player, 8th ed., circa 1890, 96 pages | The Technics of Violin Playing, by K. Courvosier, 1908, 147 pages | The Technique of the Violin & the Art of Musical Interpretation, by R. Scholtz, 1900, 84 pages | The Violin How to Master It, by W Honeyman, 1883, 120 pages | The Violin, B. Tours, circa 1900, 115 pages | The Violin-How to Master It, Howe Co., 1880, 110 pages | The Violinist's Manual, by H.F. Gosling, circa 1900. 339 pages | True Principles of the Art of Violin Playing, by G. Lehamnn, 1901, 84 pages | Violin Mastery-Talks with Master Violinists & Teachers, by F. H. Marten, 1919, 337 pages | Violin Playing & Violin Adjustment, by J. Winram, 1908, 173 pages | Violin Playing as I Teach It, by L. Auer, 1922, 211 pages | Violin Playing, by J. Dunn, 3rd ed., 1915, 89 pages | Violin Talks - A Book for Teachers & Students, by L. Winn, 1905, 159 pages | Violin Teacher, by Jewett, 1851, 93 pages | Violin Teaching & Violin Study, by E. Gruenberg, rev. ed., 1919, 171 pages | Violin Textbook & Rudimentary Theory of Music, by M. C. Wickins, 1904, 61 pages | Violin Tone & Violin Makers, by H. Moya & T. Piper, 1916, 302 pages | Violin Tone Peculiarities, by F. Castle, 1906, 323 pages | Violin Vibrato, by S. Eberhardt, 1911, 36 pages | Violinschule - Violin School, Vol I, by J. Joachim & A. Moser, 1905, 210 pages | Violinschule - Violin School, Vol II, by J. Joachim & A. Moser, 1905, 262 pages | Violinschule - Violin School, Vol III, by J. Joachim & A. Moser, 1905, 276 pages | Winner's New School for the Violin, by Oliver Ditson Company, 1869, 91 pages | | 20 TITLES ON VIOLIN PLAYING - EXERCISES, STUDIES, CAPRICIOS, ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATIONS | Alte Meister des Violinspiels, by A. Schering, circa 1900, 95 pages | Analysis & Interpretation of Eighteen Violin Compositions, American Teachers, 1911, 71 pages | Forty Selected Studies for the Violin, by F. Mazas, Op. 36, 1901, 51 pages | Forty Two Studies or Caprices for the Violin, by R. Kreutzer, Ed. by Kross, 1893, 116 pages | Guide to the Study of Chords for Violin, 1900, 20 pages | How to Prepare for Kreutzer, by E. L. Winn, 1910, 232 pages | How to Study Fiorillo, by E. L. Winn, 1913. 87 pages | How to Study Kreutzer, by B. Cutter, 1903, 70 pages | Notable Violin Solos - How to Play Them, by E. Van Der Straeten, 273 pages | Scale-Studies for the Violin, by J. Hrimal, 1905, 51 pages | Selected Violin Solos & How to Play Them, by B. Althaus, 1905, 209 pages | Sixty Studies for the Violin, by F. Wohlfahrt, Op. 45, 1902, 23 pages | Sixty Studies for the Violin, Volume 2, by F. Wohlfahrt, Op. 45, 1902, 43 pages | Studies for the Violin, by H. Sitt, 1916, 39 pages | The First Studies for the Violin in the First Position, by R Hoffman, 1906, 27 pages | The Violin Music of Beethoven, by J. Matthews, 1902, 127 pages | Thirty-Six Elementary & Progressive Studies for the Violin, by H. E. Kayser, Op. 20, 56 pages | Twenty Progressive Exercises for the Violin, by J. Dont Op. 38, 1890, 46 pages | Twenty-Four Caprices for the Violin, by P. Rode, 1900, 63 pages | Twenty-Four Studies for the Violin, by P. Gavinies, 1908, 56 pages | | 34 NON-ENGLISH TITLES ON ALL VIOLIN SUBJECTS | FRENCH Antoine Stradivari - Luthier Célébre, by F. J. Fétis, 1856 , 150 pages | FRENCH Duos Faciles et Progressifs pour Deux Violons, by C. Dancla, 1900, 295 pages | FRENCH Etudes & Observations sur la Lutherie Ancienne & Moderne, by M. Riquelme, 1868, 120 pages | FRENCH L' Art du Luthier, by A. Tolbecque, 1903, 344 pages | FRENCH La Chelonomie ou Le Parfait Luthier, L' Abbé Sibire, by N. Lupot, 1885, 262 pages | FRENCH La Lutherie Artistique, by L. Mordret, 1885, 170 pages | FRENCH La lutherie et les luthiers, by A Vidal, 1889, 425 pages | FRENCH La Lutherie et Les Luthiers, by A. Vidal, 1889, without plates, 425 pages | FRENCH Le Violon - Lutherie, Oeuvres, Biographies, par A. Bachmann, 1906, 230 pages | FRENCH Les Instruments a Archet, T I, by A. Vidal, 1877, 478 pages | FRENCH Les Instruments a Archet, T III, by A. Vidal, 1877, 480 pages | FRENCH Les Instruments des Ecoles Italiennes - Catalogue, by J. Gallay, 1872, 176 pages | FRENCH Les Luthiers Italien, Nouvelle Edition du Parfait Lutier, Les Maitres de Diverses Ecoles, by J. Gallay, 1869, 300 pages | FRENCH Les luthiers italiens aux 17è et 18e siècles; nouv. éd. du Parfait luthier de l'abbé Sibire, 1869, 305 pages | FRENCH Les Violons de Crémone, by L. Mordret, 1898, 39 pages | FRENCH Manuel du Luthier, by J. C. Mauguin, 1834, 265 pages | FRENCH Notes et Souvenirs, by C. Dancla, 1893, 161 pages | FRENCH Notice sur le Celebre Violiniste Nicolo Paganini, by G. I. de Laphaleque, 1830, 86 pages | FRENCH Nouveau Manuel Complet du Luthier, by J. C. Maugin & A. W. Maigne, 1869, 284 pages | FRENCH Les Ancetres du Violon e du Violoncelle - Les Luthiers et Le Fabricants De Archets, T I, by L. Grillet, 1901, 331 pages | GERMAN Paganini - Eine Biographie, by J. Kapp, 1920, 232 pages | GERMAN Cremona - Eine Charakteristik der Italenischen Geigenbauer & ihrer Instrumente, by F. Niederheitmann, 1919, 118 pages | GERMAN Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, 1904, 844 pages | GERMAN Die Violine & Ihre Meister, by W. J. von Wasielewski, 1893, 604 pages | GERMAN Die Violine im XVII Jahrhundert & die Anfange de Instrumental Composition, by W. J. von Wasielewski, 1874, 105 pages | GERMAN Die Violine irhe Geschichte & irr Bau, by S. Abele, 1864, 234 pages | GERMAN Geschichte des Instrumental-Violin-Konzerts bis A. Vivaldi, by A. Scherin, 1903, 903 pages | GERMAN Nicolo Paganini und die Geigenbauer, by E. Polko, 1876, 246 pages | GERMAN Stradivaris Geheimniss, by C. Schulze, 1901, 142 pages | GERMAN Violinschule von Ries-Sitt, 1915, 51 pages | GERMAN Paganini's Leben und Treiben, by J. M. Gchottfn, 1830, 445 pages | ITALIAN Niccolo Paganini - Celebre Violinista Genovese, by O. Bruni, 2a ed., 1903, 164 pages | ITALIAN Vita di Niccolo Paganini da Genova, by G. Conestabile, 1851, 322 pages | | |