Expert: Kenton Scott - 5/18/2006

Question
We have a violin that has been handed down through the family, but we are not sure of its value or where to take it.  The inside label is very difficult to read but here is what I could make out of it.

Antonius Stradivarius Cremonen
faciebat Anno 17
Germany
1723
There is also a circle with two letters in it, which look like an "A" and a "D"

You can tell it is very old because the case smells really old.  The item that you run across the strings looks like it is made of horse hair.  I know absolutely nothing about violins and we live in an area where the are not many music stores, there is one in town, but it is just a small family owned band store where you can take lessons and buy musical instruments.  I was hoping to find someplace that could tell me if it had a significant value to it.  Thank you.

Answer
Connie,

Brass instruments are more my area.  But, I've heard that there were less thatn 1000 true Stradivarius violins made, and those that still exist are pretty much accounted for.  But, there were a lot of other makers that put Stradivarius in their name.  

But, that being said, I am not going to be of much help.  I think you are going to have to get someone knowledgeable in violins to look at it in person.

kms