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: 4/19/2008 Subject: My violin
Question Hi,
I recently inherited a violin that belonged to my great-great-grandfather. It is in mint condition and looks really old. It has rosewood pegs, a one piece back and a two piece front. Inside it is marked "Ludovicus Ricozali fecit Cremonae anno 17". Can you tell me anything about the violin and it's value? If you need to ask me any more about the violin I would be happy to help! Thanks.
Answer Hi Sam,
Without actually seeing it or seeing some pictures, I can only give you so much. Ludovico Ricolazzi (also Ricozali) did indeed work in Cremona during the mid 1700's and made some well respected instruments. His violins tend to be a little smaller than "normal" meaning that the length of the back, not including the bump where the neck is attached, might be a bit less than 14 inches. Unfortunately, there are also a number of copies made in the mid 1800's in the JTL workshops at Mirecourt, France which far outnumber the original maker's work. There aren't any easy ways to tell the difference without (as I said before) seeing it or at least some photos. You would be welcome to e-mail me some clear, well-lit digital photos of the front, the back, and (side-view) the scroll to my e-mail address at the shop: dalton@pottersviolins.com. The French copies tend to range in value from a few hundred dollars up to as much as $1200, depending upon condition and quality. If by some rare chance, you actually have an Italian violin dating back to the 1700's it will need to be authenticated and certified by respected dealers and experts before being offered at auction or placed privately. It would be expected that you also pay to have the instrument put into playing condition, and with a great old instrument like a REAL Ricolazzi this might mean an investment of several thousand dollars. The hard part is knowing what it will sell for BEFORE making this investment. Average prices for eighteenth century, unknown Italian makers tend to be between $8000 and $15,000. I will point out that my sales records which include over 42,000 appraisals dating back 20 years and auction records for the past ten years don't show a single Ricolazzi (Ricolazi) violin be sold. I think that the best course of action would be to send me some pictures so I can help you decide where to go from there.
All the Best!
Dalton Potter
