This illustration of a 1707 cello by Joseph Guarnerius filius Andrea was published in The Strad, November 1928. The following text is extracted from an article accompanying the photographs:

Authentic cellos by this maker are exceedingly rare, although a number of speculative old cellos have been attributed to him, doubtless owing to the variety of his styles and the difficulty in finding features that are treated similarly in genuine examples.

This cello has a plain back of poplar, with a front of ‘vigorous pine’. It is slightly on the small side and is uncut. The preservation is wonderful, due to the fact that for a large number of years it was the property of an English amateur, who treated it with almost religious devotion.

The instrument possesses a magnificent tone. The varnish is quite exceptional both as regards its quality and the amount remaining. It is a rich dark red with a wonderful lustre. Joseph filius Andrea is justly famed for the quality of his varnish and for the lavish way it was applied. He was perhaps the greatest of all the Cremonese Masters in this respect.

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