gilt titles spine; jacket illust. is the 'Doria' violin by G.P. Maginni; illustrated by numerous b/w. figures; "There are more curious beliefs about the violin than any other instrument. Physicists have now discovered how the violin family produce their sound, but this knowledge is not generally accessible to players and makers. In this book Sir Iames Beament, a distinguished scientist with a lifelong involvement with musical instruments, explains, without assuming any scientific background, how strings vibrate, and the role played by the bow, bridge, and body in producing sound. Those discoveries do not give a satisfactory picture of what we hear, and the core of the book explains how the sound relates to the sensations it produces. This leads to the conclusion that most of the myths about violins are groundless. but also that nothing can be achieved by applying modem technology to making or playing. Practical advice on strings, maintenance, purchase, and children's instruments completes the discussion."; this copy is signed by the author on the fep. with the inscription: "Ben - with gratitude - Jamie" & also, loosely inserted, is a letter from the author to the previous owner - Ben Milstein (heart surgeon & amateur violin maker) in which he explains that the copy is one of six author-copies of the original printing which contained some misprints resulting in a reprinting of the book before publication. The letter goes on to say that Oxford University Press had managed to retrieve half of the 80 misprinted copies which makes this one of a very small initial print run & a true & unique first edition having an errata slip created by the author glued inside the front cover. B.B. Milstein's address sticker is affixed to the front cover; as new condition in a protected D/J.; including bibliography & index - 245 pages.