How Many Strads? Our Heritage From the Master by Doring, Ernest N - 1945

Chicago: William Lewis & Son, 1945. 1945 First Edition, Limited to 1400 copies of which this is number 1293. Author inscribed in blue pen on first blank page, "To our esteemed colleague Hans Nebel, Esq. with warm regards. Ernest N. Doring." (Hans Nebel Sr. - a renowned violin maker). VERY GOOD+ hardcover bound in red leatherette with gilt and black stamping on spine and front cover, red endpapers. Other than the inscription and penned limitation number, the book is unmarked. Publisher's Errata Sheet is tipped onto the second blank page. Pages are fresh and clean; the top edge brightly gilt. There is faint scuff to the front pasted endpaper, likely from a removed bookplate. The cover is lightly rubbed at spine ends and corner tips, but is otherwise clean and fine, the stamping bright and strong. Binding is firm and straight. There is a slipcase (stiff boards covered in pale or faded red paper) but it is in poor/fair condition as masking tape was used to hold the joints together and covers the entire spine and most of edges. It still does a good job protecting the book. In honor of Stradivarius's tercentenary, Doring created this carefully researched history of the maker and compilation of surviving instruments. It is printed on fine cream-colored coated paper with carefully printed black and white photographs of dozens of violins as well as four violas, twelve cellos, 1 viola da gamba, one violini-piccolo and four violins by sons of Stradivarius. Included is a summary of his works, a bibliography and an index. 8 x 10-3/4". 379 pages. Signed by Author. First Edition Limited. Hardcover. Very Good+/Not Issued.