INTRODUCTION

The Cooper
Collection
INTRODUCTION

The Cooper Collection
of violins and stringed instruments

I am often asked how the collection started, and the answer is… quite unintentionally! Surprisingly, it began not with a violin but with a bow. In 1953 I was called in to clear up the estate of the well known Brighton firm of W.H. Tibbalds after the sad demise of Bert Tibbalds. Lodged behind the work bench was a bow by J.B. Vuillaume, it had obviously been there a long time, probably lost during the war years. More out of respect for the family, and with their permission, I decided to keep this fine example of French work. However, it was at least another ten years or so before it became possible to form even the nucleus of a collection of instruments. Having published two volumes of the collection that include instruments by Amati, Guarneri, & Tononi and bows by Tubbs, Dodd and Panormo I am now pleased to make the third and final part available on this web site.

I like to think of it now as a working collection and these publications as a reference for those, who like myself, are fascinated and deeply involved in the subject of "Instruments played with a Bow."

Albert Cooper 2004

Before his death in 2007, Albert Cooper established the Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust, which supports talented young musicians in the UK, either by helping them to fund the purchase of an instrument, or by making a contribution towards tuition. A large portion of the proceeds from the Albert Cooper collection will benefit the Albert Cooper Music Charitable Trust.

1913 - 2007