Notes:

"In the violin world, it takes a sharp eye and unshaekeable faith in one's expertise to 'place one's chips' on an instrument of doubtful or disputed lineage. In the event that a large number of 'eagle eyes' have also discovere the 'sleeper,' starting a rumor is often a good way to throw off the competition. For example, in this auction there was an attractive violin certified in the catalog to be a Lupot. However, word spread that it was not a Lupot, but possibly the work of Bernardel, who is not categorized as a 'big winner.' Certainly, this rumor 'scared off' a good number of potential buyers, for when the rumored 'Bernardel' was placed on the auction block, the bidding centered around several well-known dealers who drove the instrument up into the price range of a Lupot ($32,000). Quite surprising? . . . Perhaps; deplorable? . . . not at all -- it's the 'name of the game.'"

The London Auction Scene -- May 1979, Dr. Steven Wernick, Journal of the Violin Society of America, Vol. V, No. 1, Flushing, NY