Notes:

This theft occurred on October 17, 2008, near Hannover, Germany. The Stradivari violin was accompanied by two violin bows, one stamped "Harwood" and the other stamped "Sartory" in a light green case with brown leather trim and a brown handle, lined in dark green velvet with beige cord trimming. Also stolen at the same time:

Martin Schleske violin made in 2000

4 bows. (a Charles Pecatte violin bow, a Maline violin bow, a Watson violin bow (copied from a Tourte) with tortoiseshell frog and gold crown), all of them stamped, and a violin bow stamped "Voirin" in a black case with black handle, lined in dark green.

If recovered or identified please contact Mrs. Blecker: Tel.+49 511 1095674 or Mrs. Gabernowitz: Tel. +49 511 1095673 at the Hanover Police Department and refer to case number 200801473565.

Or contact Jeanne Christée, admin@jeanne-christee.de or phone +49 172 565 3379

American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers | String Music Resources

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"The 1721 'Sinsheimer' Stradivari violin used by performer Jeanne Christée von Bennigsen was stolen October 17 from the owner’s manor in Hannover, Germany. Roderic von Bennigsen was in London when thieves in four-wheel drive vehicles ransacked his house, taking a case containing the $4 million Strad and bows stamped Sartory and Harwood. Also taken were a 2000 Martin Schleske violin and bows by Charles Pecatte, Maline, Watson, and one stamped Voirin. "

News item, Strings Magazine

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"Police recovered the violin, which has an insurance value of €1.5 million and is believed to date from 1721, along with other pieces from the stolen collection on Tuesday, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

Despite strong security at the home, the thieves broke past a high wall and a moat on October 17, 2008 to take, among other items, the valuable instrument made by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, widely lauded as the most significant artisan of his field.

Two suspects were arrested on Tuesday by commando police officers in Hannover, and a further two accomplices are under suspicion, a spokesman told news agency DDP. The men all come from the city, and were known by the police for other property thefts.

If accused in the gang robbery, all four men face up to ten years in prison if convicted."

The Local - Germany's News in English