About the Collection
The VSA/Goodkind Collection includes over 1,200 book, score, and periodical titles, 566 auction catalogs, miscellaneous research files, institutional records for the Violin Society of America, and a variety of visual materials.
The collection contains many items originally compiled by Hyman Frankel (d. 1959), including rare books on the violin from the 17th century through the 20th century; scores for solo violin, violin chamber music, violin methods and treatises; prints and engravings; and violins and bows. Goodkind assumed the responsibility for administering Frankel's collection around 1959.
The books, scores, and periodical titles comprise the core of the collection. They focus on the history of the violin, violin construction, the rare violin market through the years, early violin makers and violinists, and early violin treatises. 566 catalogs from 104 auction houses, stringed instrument makers, and musical instrument dealers published between 1838-1991 address violin sales, pricing, and ownership.
Research materials include those created or compiled by Goodkind and Edward W. Abell as well as numerous photocopies of articles from periodicals and newspapers (1808-1986) on the subject of violin construction and history. The institutional records of the VSA contain financial, membership, public relations, and board of directors records; along with correspondence, clippings files, ephemera, and miscellaneous photographs. Additional visual materials including photographs, negatives, and two paintings round out the collection.