Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1703
Violin: 41978
Labeled, "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis/Facietbat Anno 1710" [changed from 1703].
Back: One-piece
Top: of fine grain, widening slightly towards the flanks
Varnish: Reddish-orange over a golden ground
Length of back: 35.45 cm
Upper bouts: 16.6 cm
Middle bouts: 10.75 cm
Lower bouts: 20.55 cm
Notes:
"Expert X had previously seen this instrument and felt the scroll was replaced. He valued at $1,500,000 to $1,700,000, but believes there is appreciation potential. . . . Beare noted some worm damage, but thought it appeared to be good at $1,250,000."New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Report of the Trustee Review Panel concerning the Golden Age Collection, December 16, 2004
"This instrument embodies a typical case in which an original Stradivari label has been tampered with, thereby causing several problems in identifying the instrument as well as in determining its exact production date. . . Several experts believe the date has been changed from 1703. . ."
Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Cologne
Provenance
| in 1942 | George Schlieps |
| ... | ... |
| 1987-2003 | Dr Herbert R. Axelrod |
| 2003-2007 | New Jersey Symphony Orchestra |
| from 2007 | Current owner |
Certificates & Documents
- Insurance valuation: Machold Rare Violins, Ltd, Vienna (2002) Values the instrument at $2.2 million.
Certificate: Jacques Français, New York, NY (1987) #892.- Certificate: Jacques Français, New York, NY (1971) #892.
Letter: Arthur Phillips Hill, London (1949) States that the instrument is authentic (with the possible exception of the head) including the label, but that the label has been tampered with. "The instrument has unfortunately suffered from the vicissitudes of time and hard wear, but with careful restoration could be made quite a presentable instrument as it appears to be quite strong in wood.”- Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1948)
- Certificate: W. H. Hammig & Co., Berlin (1942) States that the original date on the label was probably 1703.
Cozio holds copies of many certificates and other documents, some of which are available to view on request. Please contact us if you wish to view a particular document. (Note that we do not always have permission to share documents.)
References
Antonius Stradivarius (Volumes I-IV), Jost Thöne, Jan Röhrmann, Alessandra Barabaschi, Jost Thöne Verlag, Cologne, 2010 (illustrated)- Evelyn & Herbert Axelrod Stringed Instrument Collection, Herbert Axelrod (illustrated)
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra- New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Collection brochure from Violin Advisor, LLC, April, 2007
- New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Report of the Trustee Review Panel concerning the Golden Age Collection, December 16, 2004