THE AUSTIN-MARIE GUITAR COLLECTION AND COMPENDIUM - TWO VOLUME SET Rare Classical Guitars ILLUSTRATED
THE AUSTIN-MARIE COLLECTION AND COMPENDIUM. THE INCREDIBLE CLASSICAL GUITAR COLLECTION of JEFF WELLS.
These books illustrate and provide details on the classical guitar collection of Jeff Wells who built his collection with the intent that it show the history of classical guitars and the developments and techniques used by luthiers over the centuries. The dedication page highlights Jeff's son's middle name AUSTIN and his daughter's middle name MARIE, so one (me) might assume that is how this collection came by its name The Austin-Marie Collection.
Two Volume Set in Slipcase, illustrated hardcovers, each volume measures 11x14 inches, 132 and 24 pages respectively, pages printed on glossy paper.
Richly illustrated throughout with color photographs and detailed drawings.
Both volumes are in FINE, basically as new condition, tight, bright, clean and unmarked. The slipcase has some light edgewear and signs of handling, but is solid and attractive. A lovely, very presentable set.
Self Published, San Anselmo, California, 2022. First Edition, so stated in the copyright notice.
ABOUT THE BOOKS (from the Publisher):
******The Austin-Marie Collection book offers a unique journey through three centuries of guitar making from the dawn of the Baroque era in the early seventeenth century to the birth of the modern classical guitar in the latter part of the nineteenth century. With stunning photography by David Bishop...the collection book is a visual masterpiece. The accompanying luthier biographies provide an invaluable resource for the serious student and enthusiast alike.
The accompanying compendium book includes interviews with contemporary luthiers who performed restoration work on instruments in the collection. Dr. James Westbrook examines x-rays taken of selected guitars and explains the varied construction practices used by luthiers in the past. Included is an appendix that provides the dimensions and materials used for each guitar in the collection.
My understanding and appreciation of the guitar's rich history became a reality when...I acquired a Giovanni Battista Fabricatore from 1785, possibly the earliest extant six single-string guitar; or when I was offered the earliest known guitar by Louis Panormo, England's greatest guitar maker of the nineteenth century; or when I was able to find an 1834 C. F. Martin, one of a dozen or so extant instruments from Martin's first year of guitar making in America.
As my collection grew, I focused on quality examples and provenance, never venturing too far from the main path of guitar development. Harp guitars, guitars with double and triple-necks, experimental guitars with true-temperament fretboards, etc., have intentionally been left out of this collection.******