I first met Mr. Sacconi in 1937 when I was 15 years of age.

My younger sister was studying the violin and my father, a music teacher, was searching for a good violin within our limited means. He visited the firm of the late Emil Herrmann, who was then one of the world's leading dealers.

Mr. Sacconi, the head of the repair shop, upon learning that our family came from Rome soon became a close friend.

We exchanged social visits and I became fascinated with a violin he was building, the inlaid copy of the Hellier Stradivari, which I understand his charming wife generously donated to the Cremona Museum after his death.

I immediately asked whether it would be possible to apprentice with him in the Herrmann shop. I was very disappointed when he replied that unfortunately there was no space in the small shop, but he would call me as soon as a position became open.

True to his word, in 1938, he called with the good news that there was a position open. Thus began an association between us that lasted 35 years until his death in 1973.

As a teacher Sacconi had no equals. One has only to count the successful shops operated by his pupils to realize the impact Sacconi had on others. Maestro Sacconi was very proud of his pupils. I can never forget his joy at my appointment as General Manager of the Rembert Wurlitzer firm, soon after the death of Mr. Rembert Wurlitzer. His support and confidence were complete.

Maestro Sacconi was a complete violin maker. His instruments speak for themselves, his expertise had no equal, and his repair techniques are still being used in the best shops.

In his many other interests, he showed the same inquisitive mind and the same brilliant execution.

He seemed to add something more to his knowledge every year, and I feel that at the time of his death he was still at the peak of his career.

I owe a great debt to Mr. Sacconi for the help he gave me in achieving success in my present business as an expert in the appraising field.

Dumont, March 6, 1984

Taken from the book: «From Violinmaking to Music: The Life and Works of Simone Fernando Sacconi», presented on December 17, 1985 at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. (Cremona, ACLAP, first edition 1985, second edition 1986, page 54 - Italian / English).