AboutAl Dzina Expertise I can answer questions about violin and guitar making and restoration. I will not answer questions about playing these instruments, because I am a maker, not a player.
Experience I was trained in violin making in Germany and have been working at this craft for sixty years.
Expert: Al Dzina Date: 5/6/2008 Subject: Andreas Guarnerius
Question QUESTION: I inherited my grandmother's violin several years ago and tonight came across an old family letter stating that this violin was bought in 1858 for $40.00. On the inside is stamped, "Andreas Guarnerius fecit Cremone fub titulo Sanctae Terefiae 1698." The "98" is hand-written. Do you have any idea when and where it was made?
Thank you.
ANSWER: Hi Lola;
If your violin is a real Guarnerius it would fit the following:
Auction from $34,00 to $209,000 in 1990 an instrument of his sold for $300,000. A. Guarnerius Born 1626, Died 1698, Worked 1650-1694, in Cremona, Italy. If you have any doubt send me your City & State and I shall attempt to send you to a shop that can help.
Al;
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. I am in a rural area of south-central Colorado, with no significant music stores. Do you know of any shops anywhere in Colorado or New Mexico who might be able to verify this violin's origin? If Mr. Guarnerius only worked until 1694, it doesn't appear that he made it. Was his style copied by others using his name?
Answer Hi Lola;
It could also be possible that one of his sons might have finished
off this violin. But let one of the following give you help. TZANKOW ALEXANDER VIOLINS 13884 W. 76th AVE. ARVADA CO 80005 (303)403-4314 tzankow@msn.com
VON'S VIOLIN SHOP 1869 S. PEARL ST. #202 DENVER CO 80210 (303)778-1349 vonsviolinshop@hotmail.com
NEWNAM FINE VIOLINS 4585 FAIRWAY DR. LOS ALAMOS NM 87544 (505)622-9679 post@mindspring.com
ROBERTSON & SONS VIOLIN SHOP 3201 CARLISLE BLVD. NE ALBUQUERQUE NM 87110 (505)889-2999 marie@robertsonviolins.com
Al;
