The name of this violin was taken from the ownership by Lord Newlands (1825-1906) of England who kept it throughout his life with great care. This instrument belonged for many years to a French amateur Mr. Wittering. Upon his death in 1876 it was purchased by Gand et Bernardel and then sold to the well-known dealer David Laurie in 1877 and was brought to Scotland and sold to an amateur player Mr. William Croall. Mr. Croall retained the violin until around 1884 when it again passed into the hands of Laurie. It was then sold to Colonel Hozier, who subsequently became Lord Newlands. Lord Newlands kept the violin until his death when it passed to his son. It was then acquired by an amateur, Mr. R. E. Brandt, from whom W. E. Hill & Sons obtained the violin and sold it in 1921 to Miss Rhoda Backhouse. In 1961, the violin was re-acquired by W. E. Hill & Sons and offered to Mr. Dunbar in 1962, but returned to W. E. Hill & Sons in 1964. In 1982, it was sold to Mr. Suhail F. Saba, who was the owner of a very select collection of fine violins. In 1973, it was exhibited at the CINOA Exhibit, Assembly Rooms in Bath, England, representing the instruments owned by W. E. Hill & Sons. In June 2002, Nippon Music Foundation acquired this instrument from Edmonton (Music) Limited.
