About L. Dalton Potter Expertise I have been involved in the violin trade for over 28 years. I am currently the President of The Potter Violin Company in Bethesda, MD. I can offer clients initial advice on the value, authenticity and quality of almost all bowed string instruments (violins, violas, cellos & basses) using good quality digital photos. I would decline to give final evaluations without examining instruments in person.
Experience Experience in Music Business: Charlie Byrd's Music House; 1977 - 1980
Senior violin technician: Violin House of Weaver; 1980 - 1996.
President: The Potter Violin Company; 1996 - Present
Organizations: Founding member;String Industry Council, Violin Society of America, American String Teachers Association, Guild of American Luthiers,
Suzuki Association of America, Publications; Journal of the American String Teacher's Association, American Suzuki Journal Education/Credentials;Berklee College of Music 1974 - 1977
Awards and Honors: Chester J. Patranek Award for Excellence in the Music Industry
Traugott Rohner Leadership in the Music Industry Award
(26 years of service - too many to list)
Expert: L. Dalton Potter Date: 4/11/2008 Subject: original 1728 stradivarius
Question our family owns an original stradivarius 1728 violin.we would like to know if you know about how to go about finding an appraiser, and possibly a buyer.
Answer Hi Melinda,
Boy, you really need to see someone about this. Please be aware that as a violin dealer, we hear from folks all the time who really believe they have a "real" Stradivarius. Unfortunately, virtually all of these situations end in disappointment for the owners. Almost all of the instruments that Stradivari made have been accounted for and authenticated and documented over the years starting as early as 1770 with a guy named Count Cozier did Salable. As you probably already know, many of the labels in old violins are what is euphemistically termed "facsimile" labels, meaning they may or may not have anything to do with a real person making instruments; even though it may be a really nice instrument. Many violins were made for resale by other shops during the period from 1870 until right before WW II so that it is highly likely that unless your instrument comes with certificates and documents from well-known violin dealers dating back over several decades (even centuries), you have a decent quality German or French "trade" violin with a fictitious mark. The Interesting thing is that some of the copy instruments I have seen are really nice and have a high value of their own. You are welcome to e-mail me digital photos at dalton@pottersvioins.com and I will examine them and clarify further, if I can.
All the Best!
Dalton Potter
