[Violin] Bachmann, Alberto. . LES GRANDS VIOLONISTES DU PASSÉ - Inscribed Presentation Copy. Paris: Librairie Fischbacher. 1913. First edition. vi, 469 pp., fold-out chronology chart of violinists, fold-out of Tartini work, numerous illustrations, musical examples. 9 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches, original printed wrappers over cloth. Block separated inside from the upper wrapper, else fine and solid. Inscribed by the author on the titlepage his lawyer: " Très cordial et reconnaissant souvenir au brilliant avocat Pierre A. Georges / Paris 7 Juillet 1941. Alberto Bachmann." Sold together with an original postcard photograph of Bachmann, and two early clippings about him and his work.

A fascinating book that features an illustration, some biographical information, a list of compositions, and examples of compostions of some 40 important violinists, including Alard, Baillot, de Beriot, Corelli, Dancla, David, Ernst, Fiorillo, Gavinés, Geminiani, Habeneck, Joachim, Kreutzer, Laub, Locatelli, Millanolo sisters, Nardini, Paganini, Rode, Sivori, Tartini, Vieuxtemps, Viotti, Vivaldi, Wieniasky and Wilhelmj.

Swiss-born Alberto Bachmann was a concert violinist and composer whose enthusiasm for the instrument compelled him to write about it. He wrote Le Violon in 1906, Les Grands Violinistes du Passé in 1913, Gymnastique à l’Usage des Violinistes in 1914, and culminated his work as a writer in 1925 with the publication of his Encyclopedia of the Violin.

A very scarce volume in its own right, this is the first signed copy we have ever seen.