[1924] . First edition. xvii, 170pp, with monochrome plate frontispiece and seven further monochrome plate illustrations. Red publisher's cloth-covered boards, gilt-stamped lettering on the spine, embellished with blind rules. Fore and lower text block edges deckled. 8vo. Boards rubbed at edges, rounded on corners and spine ends, cloth worn and a little marked with some staining around the spine head. Text block edges darkened. A little offset toning on free endpapers and light marginal toning to first and last few pages, else internally neat. clean, bright and tight. In its original paper wrapper, toned, rubbed and edges, shelf worn, backstrip sunned, with minor chipping on corners and spine ends and small scar on rear panel.
The tales, adventures and reminiscences of a dealer in historic violins who handled some of the most famous fiddles of the day including the one on which King George IV learnt to play, one on which Paganini performed and several made by Stradivarius.