Expert: Kenton Scott - 4/16/2006

Question
Dear Mr Scott:

Contrary to what you believe, and you are obviously entitled to "your opinion",  I "know" this violin is very valuable.  Yesss, it is "that old".  I think the year stamped inside is 1905(or later).  I also know it's "authentic" because a company called "The Antiques Roadshow" came through here and I took the violin to them to see.  The man I showed it too said he couldn't give me a "fair price" but to "guard it with my life".  So don't bother telling me it's a "fake".  

I'm SORRY I bothered/wasted your time.

Virginia



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Followup To
Question -
Dear Mr Scott:

Hi, I have a "very old antique violin" made in the UK by "Hawkes & Son Co.".  I am trying to find a "reputable antiques dealer" because I would like to sell my violin "before" somebody steals it.  When I was 3yrs old, my grandmother turned down $10,000.00 for this violin so I "know" it's worth a lot of money.  Some guy(myestro)(sorry I can't spell it) told me "it's a one only/none others left in the world".

Can you help me?  If you can't, would you please pass my email onto somebody who "can help me".  I will not give out my personal address untill I am sure of things for obvious reasons.  If you would like to talk to me, contact me and I'll give you my phone number "later".

Thank you:

Virginia
Answer -
Let me start out by saying that more of my knowledge is in the area of brass instruments.  

But, by the information I have, Hawkes and Son don't even appear to be in the string business.  He started as an importer of brass instruments in 1960, and eventually got into manufacturing brass and then woodwind instruments.  He changed the name to Hawkes and Son in 1889.  And, in 1930, he merged with Boosey.  

So, that means that the your instrument was somewhere in the 1889-1930 range.

I would guess that Hawkes bought string intruments already made by someone else and put his name on it.  It is called stencilling. And, stencils are not noted for being top quality instruments.

So, you can see, I'm a bit doubtful that your violin is as valuable as reported.  

kms  

Answer
Viriginia,

Let me amend one thing.  I see references to Hawkes and Son as being dealers in string instruments.  And, I see reference to them being makers of wind instruments.  They MAY have made string intsruments, I just don't find any data that so states.

kms