Josef Guarnerius Violin - 1733
Kevin H. Thomas
>In article <4cefgg$u...@grandcanyon.binc.net>, Paul Sturm <pst...@hbps.com>
>wrote:
>> Greetings,
>> I'm trying to determine the value of a violin (in prime condition).
>> The label inside reads as follows:
>>
>> Josef Guarnerius fecit
>> Cremonae anno 1733 IHS
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your help.
>>
>> Paul
>The Guarnerius violins are as valuable as a Stradivarius violin although a
>lot less famous. You can expect to get (at least!) 10000 u$s if is in mint
>condition. The real difference in the prices obtained are due to the
>violin history (i.e., one famous violinist possesed it) and its tone. You
>should really contact an appraiser from the music division of the big
>auction houses (as Sotheby's or Christie's, to get the real value). I hope
>this helps. Sincerely, Jean C. Zenklusen
>--
>"Science has explained nothing: the more we know the profounder is the surrounding darkness"
>A. Huxley
Definitely have it appraised... be prepared to pay for this. However,
the likelihood of having such a violin is unlikely.... it does happen,
but not often.
Paul Sturm
Jean C. Zenklusen
> Greetings,
The Guarnerius violins are as valuable as a Stradivarius violin although a
John Ward
You should take your violin to a competent appraiser. As with Strad
labels, the fact that a violin has a Guarnerius label doesn't necessarily
mean that it was made by Guarnerius. The chances are that your violin is
one made by a later maker who, for reasons of commerce, put in a
Guarnerius label.
According to _The Violin-Makers of the Guarneri Family_ by William,
Arthur and Alfred Hill, a genuine Guarnerius label would read as follows:
Jofeph Guarnerius fecit (followed by a cross symbol)
Cremone anno 17-- IHS (directly under the cross)
Guarnerius used the old style "s" which looks like an "f" in his first
name, so I've used an "f" there.
According to the Hills, Joseph Del Gesu was very consistent in his labels
and did not vary the wording, or make any alterations in the label
throughout his career.
On the other hand, even if your violin is not a genuine Guarnerius, which
would be very valuable, it may still be a violin of considerable worth.
The French maker Vuillaume made replicas of Guarnerius violins and put in
a fake Guarnerius label in those instruments. A Vuillaume in prime
condition could be quite valuable. Of course, other makers have done the
same.
Hope this helps.
John
David Kastrup
>Greetings,
>I'm trying to determine the value of a violin (in prime condition).
>The label inside reads as follows:
>Josef Guarnerius fecit
>Cremonae anno 1733 IHS
Like the instruments of many craftsmen from Cremona, Guarneri labels
have been glued in many more violins than those built by himself, or
actually in Cremona.
So you have to be rather prepared to have a forgery.
Whether this is the case or not, going to a violin maker of knowledge
or to an appraiser is the proper way to estimate a violin's worth.
The worth of a violin lies in the craftsmanship and the sound, not the
label. And in the maintenance, and that seems to be secured, if you
are not mistaken.
In fact, some violins with false labels are not at all junk, depending
on who built them and when, and can even be worth several $1000.
Of course it helps if you have documents about your violin's history...
--
David Kastrup, Goethestr. 20, D-52064 Aachen Tel: +49-241-72419
Email: d...@pool.informatik.rwth-aachen.de Fax: +49-241-79502
Mark Tanner
>The worth of a violin lies in the craftsmanship and the sound, not the
>label.
Actually, this is not entirely true. I've played on many the Strad
that is worth $1 million+ that don't sound anywhere near as great as
instruments in the $75-100K range. The worth of the instrument lies
primarily in its "name" value; the sound is distinctly secondary.
A great-sounding Strad and an awful-sounding Strad (yes! They exist!)
have almost identical monetary "value." A great-sounding Strad will
always be worth 10 (or more) times an equally-great-sounding
instrument by a less-famous maker (Vuillaume, say). There are some
interesting articles about the "use" value and the "name" value
components and their relative weighting in the total value of an
antique object.
-mark
Mark Tanner (mta...@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu)
http://nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu/~mtanner/
Richard Walz
--
Richard Walz (violin and related)
Email: rw...@net.codix.fr or CIS: 100136,2335
Fax: (33) 26 85 62 12 Tel: (33) 26 82 60 82
First, is it real? The odds of having a geniune Guarnerius are miniscule.
Have the instrument tried out by a good player and then show it to a
dealer (reputable one, if you can find such a person).
good luck,
Richard
Jennifer Queree
>>> The label inside reads as follows:
>>>
>>> Josef Guarnerius fecit
>>> Cremonae anno 1733 IHS
>>>
>>>
>>> Paul
Jennifer
BabsADon
Most violins with a Guarnerius label are replicas. Not all replicas are
alike in workmanship and value.
I suggest you take your violin to a violin shop in your area. Only a
specialist can determine the value of your instrument. Be prepared to pay
for an opinion. Violin dealers like to be reimbursed for their time and
expertise just like anyone else.
Good luck.
BabsADon
fgdhs...@gmail.com
I have a similar violin...redish 2-piece back.
send me a photo of it, I tell you about it.
On Thursday, December 28, 1995 at 5:00:00 PM UTC+9, Kevin H. Thomas wrote:
> sa8...@odin.mdacc.tmc.edu (Jean C. Zenklusen) wrote:
>
> >> The label inside reads as follows:
> >>
> >> Josef Guarnerius fecit
> >> Cremonae anno 1733 IHS
> >>
> >> Thanks in advance for your help.
> >>
> >> Paul
>
> >lot less famous. You can expect to get (at least!) 10000 u$s if is in mint
> >condition. The real difference in the prices obtained are due to the
> >violin history (i.e., one famous violinist possesed it) and its tone. You
> >should really contact an appraiser from the music division of the big
> >auction houses (as Sotheby's or Christie's, to get the real value). I hope
> >this helps. Sincerely, Jean C. Zenklusen
>
> >--
> >"Science has explained nothing: the more we know the profounder is the surrounding darkness"
> >A. Huxley
>
>
