Expert: Michael Avagliano - 6/19/2009

Question
Dear Mr Avagliano,
I'd like to know the approximate value of a Maggini (Giovanni Paolo) violin (made
c 1610) .original in all major parts except the scroll, and in a good state of
preservation? Thank you very much.

Answer
Hello Marian,

Unfortunately, your question is very difficult to answer for several reasons. First, are you talking about an instrument that you own, or are looking at for purchase? Meaning, is the value you're asking for an insurance value, to cover the cost of replacing such an instrument, or what the market value of a Maggini would be?

These are two very different numbers. An insurance appraisal would include a value attached to the time and expense of replacing the instrument, which would be considerable in the case of one of the approximately 60 instruments left in the world by Giovanni Paolo Maggini.

Second, it would be unethical for me to stick my neck out and tell you a number without knowing much more about the instrument in question. Does it have documentation? Has it been certified, and if so, when and by whom? As I said, there are only about 60 Magginis left, so the odds of an uncertified instrument carrying a Maggini label being authentic are astronomically low. If the instrument is generally accepted to be authentic, is it one of the very few that has double purfling? Although it seems every copy of a Maggini has double purfling and an extra turn in the scroll, only perhaps 10% of authentic Magginis have this feature. Speaking of the scroll, if it's not original, is the scroll's maker identified as well?

Also, what do you mean by a "good" state of preservation? In everyday parlance, that word "good" could mean that the instrument is in perfect playing condition and without many cracks. In the language of appraisal, though, a "good" state of preservation means the instrument is in far worse condition, several steps below "excellent","near mint" or "pristine". "Good" would indicate to an appraiser that the instrument has been heavily damaged, and that the damage may have been repaired haphazardly.

All these questions would need to be answered before I could give anything close to an accurate idea of the violin's value. Even assuming that the violin is authentic, the questions of model and condition could easily mean a difference of several hundred thousand dollars.

My recommendation, if you already have documentation for the violin, is to have it appraised by a qualified dealer in Germany. Hieronymus Koestler in Stuttgart or Andreas Kaegi in Berlin come to mind. Or, if the violin is not already certified, then your first step is to discover whether it is authentic. Any reputable dealer or appraiser should be able to help you determine that by seeing the instrument in person.

Good luck!

Sincerely,
Michael