This illustration of a cello by Glen Collins was published in The Strad, August 1982. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs:

It has been a long standing ambition of luthier Glen A. Collins to make a cello for HRH the Prince of Wales. Collins started corresponding with Buckingham Palace in 1977 when the idea was first mentioned. Then, lecturing at the Newark School of Violin Making, part of Newark Technical College, Mr Collins was approached for suggestions regarding the activities for their forthcoming centenary celebrations in 1981-2. This seemed an appropriate time to fulfil his ambition. In February this year Prince Charles confirmed May 19 as the date when he would be able to visit Newark for the college celebrations and be presented with the gift of a cello.

The cello was built with the finest spruce, some of it over 30 years old. A workroom in the violin school was set aside for the project. Students and other members of staff gave some of their time and expertise at various stages.

The instrument is modelled on the cellos made by Stradivari in his mature period from 1717 to 1728, when he made 13 cellos, three violas and 179 violins. The length of back at 29 3/4 inches produces a grand pattern instrument, probably among the largest used by Stradivari. The width of bouts are upper 13 1/2 inches, C's 9 3/8 inches and lower 17 5/16 inches. The ribs are fairly shallow varying from 4 5/8 inches at the bottom block, to 4 1/2 inches at the top. The neck stop is 11 inches and overall string length is 27 1/2 inches.

The varnish of a burnt orange colour was also made up in the school, using a Cremonese recipe with natural gums and coloured resins. Paul Harrild, a student at the school, painted and gilded the Prince of Wales feathers on the lower part of the back.

 

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