A Stradivarius Violin in Your Attic? How to Know.
It would
be a great shock to the world of fine stringed instruments if a lost
violin from a great Italian luthier turned up. Many imitations were made
100 years ago.
It is not unusual to come across a violin in
someone's attic, at a flea market or any other such corners of life
where forgotten items surface. Sometimes the condition of the instrument
makes it obvious that a student long ago abandoned the instrument when
other pursuits just took over. Other times, the condition of the
instrument or its case or something known about the owner - an eccentric
uncle with some money, perhaps - lend the situation a bit of
excitement.
Could it be? Is it possible? This excitement is
heightened even further when a name, presumably of its maker, is on a
label or stamped inside the f-hole of the instrument, on the back plate.
There it is! It says "Stradivarius"!
Alas, there are many violins
that were made toward the end of the Victorian era, in the late 19th
century, that were falsely labeled with the names of the fabled great
luthiers: Stradivari, Stainer, Guarnerius, Amati or Maggini among them.
They were considered of a "student" level of quality at the time, and
the ruse of their violin shops was less a lie than homage: the makers
were saying the violins were made in the same style or to approximate
the physical specifications of the great Italian violinmakers of the
earlier era.
Recently, the excitement around the dollar value of
antique violins (and violas and cellos) rose considerably, and raised
controversy, when Chicago rare violin dealer Jeff Fushi placed the
269-year-old "Vieuxtemps" Guarneri del Gesu up for sale for $18 million
in 2010. At last check it has yet to sell, but it illustrates what has
happened with rare violins. Over the past 50 years, their value has
appreciated 26,000 percent (compared to the Dow Jones Industrial
Average, which in the same time period has risen a mere 1,400 percent).
Indeed, the problem has now arisen that only millionaires and
billionaires can afford them. At best, the instruments are loaned to
great contemporary players, concertmasters and soloists with the world's
top orchestras. Otherwise, they are held as precious investments,
perhaps seen by a rarefied group but only infrequently heard.
There
are less than one thousand instruments by Guarneri and Stradivari in
existence, and the discovery of a lost stringed instrument found by
these or other great makers would be exceedingly rare. If you find one
of the 19th century imitations, expect its value to be under $1500 (with
a few exceptions) and that to restore it to playable condition could
easily cost as much money or more. But do not be embarrassed about
asking a professional in a shop for fine violins to look at it - they
are accustomed to these requests, and are responsible to all ends of the
market to encourage a love of violins (and violin playing) while
providing a realistic assessment and encouragement. Even the fake
"Strads" were once made, sold and purchased with intent to create
beautiful music.
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