Expert: Jim Garber - 1/17/2009

Question
I have a very old looking viloin that I've been doing some research on and I'd like to ask you a few questions about it, if I may.

First, it seems to be a Jacobus Stainer. It has a stamp or engraving which says "Stainer" on the base of the kneck and a tag that I can read through the sound hole that says "Jacobus Stainer in Absam prope Oenipontum 1635" (35 is handwritten).  

After doing some research it would seem that Stainer was only 18 in 1635. I have also found zero references to any volin that Stainer built this early although I did find an article that suggested he was possibly working in Venice in 1635.  The violin seems authentic enough and in decent condition although only two strings are still in place.  

Could this violin legitimitally have been made in 1635 as one of Stainer's earliest "models"?
What value do early, orignial models of Stainer's violins that are not necessarily made in 1635 have?
What type of value would this instrument have at an auction or to a dealer, if authentic?

My brother has the violin now, if it would help, I could ask him to send some images of it. Thank you in advance for any help you could offer me.  Have a great day!

Answer
Hi Rick:
The only violin that is probably more copied than Stainers is Stradivari.

I first refer you to this page on Strads:
http://www.afvbm.com/strad.htm

As the writer says, I would not definitively tell you that you do not have a genuine Stainer. However, the likelihood is pretty slim, in my humble opinion. The best advice I can give you is to take it to a reputable violin shop and have them look at it. I would not consider myself a violin expert but even if I were, I could not truly evaluate an instrument from photos online but only from a hands-on inspection.

If it were an actual verified Stainer, it would be worth quite a bit. But also bear in mind that Stainer was born in 1621 which would make this one made by him when he was 14 years old. And Stainer copies with faked labels are exceptionally common.

According to the book I have, the majority of genuine Stainer labels were handwritten. I am not sure but I am not sure if genuine Stainers had the name imprinted on the back.

Good luck with this violin.

Jim