Moennig Collection

In December 2009 the William Moennig Son firm in Philadelphia closed after 100 years in business. One of the finest and oldest American violin shops, the firm built a reputation of service, quality, and tradition. In June 2010 Tarisio auctioned the contents of the firm. This sale included over 600 lots of instruments, bows, photographs, books, ephemera, and tonewood with a remarkable 100% of lots sold. The sale included a stunning collection of bows, including a gold-chased Tubbs viola bow which sold for a record $27,600, and a very fine Jean Marie Pierre Persoit violin bow which fetched $48,000. Topping the list of historical instruments in the sale was a pristine 18th Century viola d’amore by Ferdinand Gagliano which sold for $60,000. Historical photographs also attracted impressive bids, with images of Joseph Joachim and Igor Stravinsky garnering respective sale prices of $5,100 and $4,200. A 19th-century Victorian double music stand proved to be one of the most sought-after items in the sale; it received an astonishing 51 bids and sold for $14,400.