Stolen Global Database
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The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers is undertaking this global registry of lost and stolen instruments and bows
of the violin family in the public interest and is therefore provided free of charge as a public service.

The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers will in no way be responsible for the accuracy of these listings. This responsibility lies totally with the person or persons submitting them and its is in their interest to review them from time to time. It is also the responsibility of the listing bodies to inform us when goods are recovered so we can remove the listing. This prevents having the goods seized when they are brought into violin shops at some future date.

Below is a list of stolen or missing instruments and bows as they are reported to us. We provide this public service without cost and intend to leave the listings here until we are notified of their recovery or a reasonable length of time has passed. Listings are in alphabetic order by maker, when known or by nationality under general description.

This website nor the webmaster or associated personnel is responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied by others or for information missing from these files.

This page last updated Thursday, May 08, 2008

This page sponsored by The American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers.
 

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Global Registry of
Lost or Stolen Instruments and Bows of the Violin Family

Stolen property is listed by maker's last name, in alphabetic order. Click the letters below to to sort.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Andreas Amati fecit 16..... My dearly beloved and rather valuable violin  has been stolen from my home in Berlin, Germany. It is an easily recognizable instrument being 7/8 sized and bearing the label  "andreas amati fecit 16....". It is about 200 years old, and was probably made in Vienna.  It was taken in a fitted gold velvet cloth bearing the initials "C.U." I will pay back the buyer whatever he  paid for it.  I just want the fiddle back. Please contact Dische@aol.com

RECOVERED

Missing between February 12 and 17, 2004, New York, NY.   Cello by Michele Ashley, orange/brown varnish, Goffriller model, label ID 104B02002.  Bow by William Salchow, gold mounted, light brown octagonal stick with visible knot at balance point, ebony frog, stamped Wm SALCHOW.  Those with any information should call 917-981-5463, or e-mail bhampton@juilliard.edu.
 

B

Violin 4/4, Made by Richard Benoit Montrealensis à Montpellier , Luthier in 2003. Ebony English style fillings, Grauneri chinrest,Mach 1 shoulder rest, brown gold varnish. Stolen:  Nov 24th, 2005 from Residence: Apt 5, 221 Clarke Ave, Westmount , Qc Canada. Pictures available on request. Contact  Edward Hanneman, email: ERH@ primus.ca,  telephone:  (514)  932 0163.

Four Violins and Two Bows.  1.  Robert Dolling violin, Markneukirchen:  2 piece maple back with moderate, medium flames perpendicular to the center joint. Top of 2 piece spruce with even medium growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of shaded red-orange brown on a golden ground. 2.  Ernst Heinrich Roth, Strad copy, Markneukirchen, 1924. 2 piece maple back with medium flames ascending from the center joint.  2 piece spruce top with even, fine growth.  Varnish of hand shaded reddish orange brown on yellow ground. 3.  Signed John Juzek May 5, 1921.  Back of 2 piece highly flamed maple with even medium flames descending from the center.  Top of 2 piece spruce with even, fine growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of golden pale orange-brown on a yellow ground.  4.  Leon Bernadel, anne 1921.  One piece maple back with strong horizontal medium flames and a distinctive knot at c bout.  2 piece spruce top with even fine growth.  Varnish of golden brown on a yellow ground. 5.  Francois Lupot violin bow.  Round stick, ebony frog with pearl heel and slide.  3 part silver button and whalebone wrap.  Weight 56g.  6. C. Dickson round pernambuco bow with ebony silver frog with figured pearl slide and eyes, 3 part button and silver wrap.  Weight 58.8g.

These are believed to have been stolen through mail fraud by an individual by the name of Laszlo Burai.  We were contacted in January by the individual who said he was an amateur player and collector and was looking to purchase a couple violins for investment purposes.  These were shipped out to him for trial at the end of the month with a return date a week later.  They were shipped via UPS to an address in Merrillville, IN.  We followed up with the individual repeatedly and were told a number of excuses such as he needed more time, he was recently in the hospital with pneumonia, or were simply ignored.  The credit card number he gave to us was not valid.

We have contacted the Amherst PD.  If you have seen or heard about any of these instruments please contact Hillary or Matt at our shop at (800) 766-0936.

Violin made by Karl A Berger, New York, 1954, Back: two piece figured rock maple (American) Ribs: figured maple European Table: two-piece fine to wide grained spruce varnish: brown condition: excellent; Body length: 35.5 cm Rib height: 30 cm Ratio: 13.1 : 19.5 Value US$ 15,000 estimated in 2003 Assessed: 1989 John Ferverdwa, Melbourne, Australia Location of loss:  Bus depot waiting room in Berlin, Germany. Date stolen:12 November 2003, Owner name: Gudrun H. Weeks, mail:  gudrun@info.bw telephone:  011-267-392-5005 fax: 011-267-313-3107.


 

A round pernambuco stick of this Belgian cello bow is stamped J P Bernard the ebony frog is mounted with nickel stolen from a rehearsal room in the Music Building at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Friday, February 28, 2003.  The button is banded with ebony.  This bow weighs 81.5 grams and has a silver grip.” Case- “The Weber Deluxe cello case has an interior lined with crushed blue velvet.”  I also had a green rabbits foot and many stickers on my cello case including six European country stickers, other stickers from Europe, stickers about rock climbing, and peace through music.  In my case there was also music, rosin, and strings. If found please notify Emily Tuber, at emlet@juno.com or 860-617-4806 and/or Officer Sleeman, case number 03-3559, at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, 860-486-4800.

sook.jpg (52260 bytes) Bisiach, Leandro,   dal Milano 1917 with brown chin rest and brown pegs stolen from a home on 13th December 1997 along with two bows: A. Lamy violin bow and another made by Eury.Owner: Sook Yoon Address: 2 Bedford Court, Lower Templestowe, Victoria 3107 AUSTRALIA Phone: +613 9850-6780. To view enlarged photographs of this fine violin click on picture

C

A cello made in 1938 by Orfeo Carletti, redish in color with distinctive dark and light vertical markings on its back. Contained in a black case. 
Also an
Irv Fink bow and an unnamed round bow with octagonal or hexagonal frog (handle). Location_of_loss:  CPA office Vermont Ave. LA, Calif.
 Date stolen:  June, 1980. Contact Lee Marsden:  LeeMarsden@aol.com  telephone:  (615) 974 3976, fax: (615) 256 6339.

I would like to report that my Violin and Bow were stolen on 2/13/05 in Minneapolis. A Violin by Joannes Cuypers of the Hague, The instrument is labeled: Johannes Cuypers fecit S Hage 1783 Rep.von Rudolf hendel, Auchen 1884

Description: The back is of two pieces of maple, cut on the quarter, of narrow flame descending slightly from the center joint. The ribs and scroll
are of similar maple. The top is of two pieces of spruce, cut on the quarter, of narrow width grain widening slightly at the flanks. The varnish
is orange-brown over a golden ground. The violin is in an excellent state of restoration. This instrument bears Shar's registered number: S3840
Measurements: Back Length: 35.4 cm UB: 16.8 cm MB: 11.7 cm LB: 20.8 cm. The
Violin bow made by W.E. Hill & Sons of London, England during the first half of the twentieth century and stamped: W.E. Hill & Sons. The shaft is of orange-brown pernambuco wood, round in shape, changing to octagonal at the butt end. The head is fitted with a silver plate. The frog is of ebony and silver with a parisian eye at each of the faces. The button is of silver ending in a pearl eye. A pin crack had been well repaired at the back of the head and the "thumb" of the frog shows some wear. Otherwise the bow is in very good condition. This bow bears Shar's registered number: B2508. Rolf Haas haas0127@umn.edu 612-226-3940.

RECOVERED

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A list of stolen items, property of Farhoud Moshfegh taken between June.11.04 and June 25th.04 from his home in Dedham, MA:
 

Dear Mr. Montgomery!
With great relief and joy,I would like to inform you that my entire stolen collection was miraculously returned to me. We think that the great pressure put upon the person responsible for this act through; Kevin Leary,the private detective,the Dedham police,the violin industry and all the dealers who heard about it specially through your efforts, paid off . the people( or person) came to their senses and realized how difficult and dangerous it could be to continue holding on to the items or try to sell them.
I would like to thank you from my heart for your help and guidance.
Best regards     Farhoud Moshfegh.
      

Two full-size violins stolen June 20 or 21, 2004 in Minneapolis, MN. Violin  made by Scott Cao -- Model # STV-850.  Label "Copy of Paganini's Il Cannone By Guarneri Del Gesu, 1743"  In a rectangular case, older, green 'canvas' case, green interior, leather green trim.

Second violin -- Made by Finn Meyer, Meyer Violin Shop, Minneapolis  – parchment label “Finn Meyer, Minneapolis” –body length 13 11/16"  Rectangular, older, green 'canvas' case, green interior, leather green trim. Bows – 2  pernambuco (wood) bows: one by John Horst, the other by Finn Meyer. Case -- Black canvas, molded with curved top, blue interior, relatively new. Bow - 1 bow: Spiccato, B. Rolland Paris If you see anyone with either violin, immediately call Minneapolis Police Sergeant Carlson (612-673-3546 or .Walter.Carlson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us  Indicate this is Minneapolis police case 04-152181.

Stolen out of our car while we shopped in the Target on Fulton Avenue in Sacramento.
Chinese violin, no serial number or other labeling that we can recall (may be label inside the instrument, but we aren't sure)- Reddish-brown color
- Excellent volume and tone for quality of the instrument. We had some changes made to it recently, notably sweetening the tone of the E-strong by placing a little bit of gut atop the bridge below the string. - Some dings and nicks where the shoulder rest has banged the instrument (underneath)
# Pusch tailpiece with built-in tuner, our violin repair guy, Jeff Sahs, says he thinks it was boxwood (this tailpiece is very unusual; maybe 1 in 1,000 violins will have these) Two bows, one loose on the end, just student-quality loaner bows. Oblong hard case with black fabric cover; reddish velvet lining with velcro for the violin's neck. Instrument "blanket" is the same red velvet with a white/cream satin lining. Wolf shoulder rest.
mary@secondwivescafe.com

 

RECOVERED

A FINE  ITALIAN VIOLIN BY ENRICO CERUTI LABELLED "ENRICUS CERUTI FECIT CREMONAE ANNO 1842 EFC." TWO PIECE, QUARTER SLAB CUT MAPLE BACK WITH SOFT CURL DESCENDING VERY SLIGHTLY FROM CENTRE JOINT; MATCHING RIBS: PLAIN SCROLL. TWO PIECE, SPRUCE TABLE OF MEDIUM TO FINE GRAIN. VARNISH A RED-BROWN COLOUR. GRAND STRADIVARI PATTERN. INSTRUMENT IN FINE CONDITION. INSTRUMENT STOLEN 1:30 PM APRIL 5 AT THE EASYPARK LOT#33 ON RICHARD STREET BETWEEN ROBSON AND SMITHE STREET.

Contact Vancouver Police Department or jennyessers@hotmail.com.

Chipot Vuillaume Left in a London mini cab Thursday evening (31st May 2001).

The violin is French, c.1890. Maker probably Chipot Vuillaume, Paris. Bridge is made by Robert Grummitt. 2 bows, one silver/ tortoiseshell, stamped
Reidl. No details on other bow of less value. The instrument and bows were in a blue oblong BAM case. No photos available

Any information, please contact Jonathan Regan on 020 8657 9356 / 07976 910640. (UK)

Virgilio Capellini Violin made1977 in Cremona and a Prell Bow in a brown case in The Arch Street Parking lot in Stamford Connecticut. The violin has a label inside identifying it. The Prell bow has the name on the bow by the frog. One of the ivory circles on the frog is missing. The case contained a shoulder rest and tuning fork. If found contact owner at LeeBrauer@Compuserve.Com

Christopher English. Stolen baroque cello bows. The following is a description of two baroque cello bows made by Christopher English that were stolen in Boston, Massachusetts,

Baroque cello bow 77.3 grams. Value $1,200.00. Length of stick 27.5 inches.
Length of button 1 inch. Eighteen flutes 4.5 inches long in area used to grip bow. Vuillaume style (half-round) frog seating. Highly figured snakewood stick, frog & button. Bow stamped C.F. English On stick next to frog #345 under frog on stick.

Baroque cello bow 79.5 grams value $1,100.00. Length of stick 27.5 inches. Length of button 1 inch. Eighteen flutes 4,5 inches long in area used to grip bow. Vuillaume style (half-round) frog seating. African blackwood stick ebony frog & button. No name stamp. Bow stamped #358 on stick under frog. Contact Chris English at  2029 Spruce St. Port Townsend WA. 98368. Telephone (360) 379-9835

Lost from Locker #15, Jordan Hall Building, New England 1 violin made by Joseph Curtin, Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1993, bearing the serial #9043. A Guarnerius Del-Gesu copy, it is very finely antiqued, and the varnish is red/golden brown. There is slight thumb wear on the base of the scroll (below the peg box), and a slight discoloration on the top left of the back.

1 violin bow bearing the stamp
W.E. Hill (with a Napier seal at the tip) with original whale bone still wrapped on the stick. The frog is not
original and has no eyelets, just plain ebony. 1 violin bow bearing the stamp
J.S. Finkel. 1 violin case made by Gewa. It is an original Wielke case (which is the original of the half moon, crescent shaped case now popular in black with wine colored interior, and has a Star Wars rebel logo-ed pin on the
zipper flap.  Owner
Jae Young C. Lee email:pocoforte@yahoo.com telephone: 303-513-1300

 

D

Violin made by Guilio Degami, Venice as indicated by label it bears. The table is cut from two pieces of spruce of fine to medium grain; the back is made of one piece of handsome maple, cut on the quarter, the curl descending from treble to bass side; the ribs matching the wood of the back; the scroll is of less figured maple; the varnish is of a yellow-light brown color. Measurements:  358m/m - 166m/m - 114m/m - 203m/m This violin is a typical and characteristic  example of the maker's work in a good state of preservation.  The instrument is registered under Machold's books.  Owner has original certificates (Mr. Arik Braude - Benny Braude)

On her way to School (La Guardia High School in Manhattan) the morning of May 11th, 2004 my fourteen year old daughter stopped with a friend at Starbucks for a coffee.   She left the violin case on the table and went to pick up her coffee.  When she returned the violin was gone.  She reported immediately to the Police and her School.  Blanca does not have  a violin  of her own.  This violin was lent to her by her Professor Mr. Arik Braude for a special audition at her Music School.  Conscious of the difficult situation we can only hope that something  may happen and somehow the violin may be recovered. Please contact ruby_ramirez@msn.com if found.

Stolen Degani Violin. A violin labelled   DEGANI GIULIO DI EUGENIO Premiata con gran diploma d’onore… E medaglia d’oro in Tori… FECE IN VENEZIA” Stolen from the shop of The Stringed Instrument Co Ltd, 16 Charles Street, Mt Eden, New Zealand, email:   info@stringedinstrument.co.nz
 

  STOLEN CELLO A cello by E. Degani, labeled Degani Eugenio, Quattordici medaglie di merito, Fece Venecia anno 1893 (Could also read 1899)
The theft occurred in New York city on Wednesday, October 6th 2004 between the hours of 7:15pm and 10:15pm. It was stolen out of a station wagon, parked in front of 90 Lexington Avenue between 27th & 26th Street.
Description:Measurements: Body length 75.4 cm; Upper bouts 34.2cm; Middle bouts 23.6cm; Lower bouts 42.9cm.
The varnish is of a golden brown color, the front being darker than the back side (see attached picture.) The fittings (pegs, tailpiece & endpin) are made out of light boxwood. The cello was stored in a blue soft bag.
All information leading to the recovery of the cello will be treated confidential!
Contact The New York Police Department - 13th Detective Squad, Detective O'Shea - 230 East 21st Street, 2nd Floor - New York, N.Y. 10010
Tel: (212) 477-7444 or 477-8173 Fax: (212) 477-7492 Or Amati Trading LLC. 549 B Main Street, Fort Lee, New Jersey 0702, Tel: (201) 947-0505 or Fax: (201) 947-0535 - e-mail:
amatibooks@aol.com

di Igino, Luciano Sderci violin made in Florence 1965, owner Monika Schaefer 403-852-4608 or Vancouver Police Department. Stolen 09/25/97 in Vancouver from vehicle.

Dressel, Johann, Berlin. A violin of German origin bearing the label of Johann Dressel, Berlin and made around 1800. In a brown alligator case with brown canvas cover. Stolen from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal October 1992 and still missing. Owner Alan Oser 718-981-4634. Work 212-556-4463. NY City Police complaint No 17085

Dodd violin bow On Sunday July 19th 1998 a Dodd violin bow was stolen from the Tanglewood Music Center, Seiji Ozawa Hall at approximately 7:00 pm. The Dodd violin bow has the following unique markings: bow is stamped "DODD" above frog, plain ebony frog with silver slide. Ebony lined bull-nosed tip. Wrap is whale-bone with leather grip. A reward is being offered! Please contact with any information. Mary Cay Neal Phone 716-877-7640, Fax 716-877-0063.
marycay@worldnet.att.net OR Katie Lempert Manager Student Affairs Tanglewood Music Center Lenox, MA 01240.
Telephone 413-637-5310   - (after August 27,1998 please call 617-638-9430) klempert@bso.org

Stolen from North London on Sunday evening, 15th June, 2003.
-
Cello - Andrew Riley, c 1976, Full size.  Possibly made in Newcastle upon Tyne, Distinctive crazed varnish, bright orange/brown.  Brown tail piece. Lightish patch on one shoulder and a few slight blemishes in the varnish on the other.
-Silver mounted cello bow, branded
Otto Dolling -Silver mounted German cello bow, branded Lothar Siefert -Black Hiskox full size cello case. Contact Diana Ashman WHITNEYTYZACK Tel: 020 7580 2924 d.ashman@whitney.co.uk

Four Violins and Two Bows.  1.  Robert Dolling violin, Markneukirchen:  2 piece maple back with moderate, medium flames perpendicular to the center joint. Top of 2 piece spruce with even medium growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of shaded red-orange brown on a golden ground. 2.  Ernst Heinrich Roth, Strad copy, Markneukirchen, 1924. 2 piece maple back with medium flames ascending from the center joint.  2 piece spruce top with even, fine growth.  Varnish of hand shaded reddish orange brown on yellow ground. 3.  Signed John Juzek May 5, 1921.  Back of 2 piece highly flamed maple with even medium flames descending from the center.  Top of 2 piece spruce with even, fine growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of golden pale orange-brown on a yellow ground.  4.  Leon Bernadel, anne 1921.  One piece maple back with strong horizontal medium flames and a distinctive knot at c bout.  2 piece spruce top with even fine growth.  Varnish of golden brown on a yellow ground. 5.  Francois Lupot violin bow.  Round stick, ebony frog with pearl heel and slide.  3 part silver button and whalebone wrap.  Weight 56g.  6. C. Dickson round pernambuco bow with ebony silver frog with figured pearl slide and eyes, 3 part button and silver wrap.  Weight 58.8g.

These are believed to have been stolen through mail fraud by an individual by the name of Laszlo Burai.  We were contacted in January by the individual who said he was an amateur player and collector and was looking to purchase a couple violins for investment purposes.  These were shipped out to him for trial at the end of the month with a return date a week later.  They were shipped via UPS to an address in Merrillville, IN.  We followed up with the individual repeatedly and were told a number of excuses such as he needed more time, he was recently in the hospital with pneumonia, or were simply ignored.  The credit card number he gave to us was not valid.

We have contacted the Amherst PD.  If you have seen or heard about any of these instruments please contact Hillary or Matt at our shop at (800) 766-0936.

Cello bow by Dorfler  - name stamped (but well-worn) above frog on wood, silver fittings, #5017 stamped on bow as ID number. 
Pernambuco. Silver winding = about 1 to 1-1/4" long. Wt. = 83-84 gm. Med. to dark brown. Leather above frog slightlly worn by thumb. well-balanced, good-playing bow. 
Bow purchased in the late 70's in Tuscaloosa, AL, and can't be replaced. Owner_name: Cathy Schnelker, email: cschnelk@lycos.com or cschnelk@yahoo.com. 
Telephone:(503) 364-4133

Viola made 2004 by S.P.Greiner. Bonn # 181, 407 mm Bow by Lamy, silver on ivory, pearl missing at "Frog", ivory "face plate"
Bow by
Salchow, silver outfit, ivory "face plate". Bow by Dörfler, silver outfit, Instrument case, dark green inside.
Location_of_loss: Cafe Chagall, Georgenstr. 4 Berlin-Mitte,  Oct. 15, 2004 late evening. Owner_name: Georges Aubert, email:            GeorgesAubert@gmx.de telephone: 0049781-31230, fax: 0049781-9480938

E


Recovered

Georges Eugene Ury: also know as Clement Eulry: circa 1840: extremely rare. Half mounted ebony frog, nickel silver mounts. Original Ormeau pearl; Mint condition. Unbranded: Raffin certificate: 59.6 grams. Believed to have been stolen December 19, 2006 through mail fraud by man listed as Lazzlo Burai of Hungarian origin. All have certificates, however there are only photocopy certificates in his possession. Contact with information at 317-595-9144. All items have been reported to the Gary police department.

Full size unlabelled English cello , (18th/early 19th century), in red case with lots of stickers (NYO, Royal Academy of Music etc), 2 bows, one broken, the other with tortoise shell heel. Some music in case, William Salchow rosin, a practise mute and a small teddy bear (!). Desperately missed. Owner_name: Alexandra Fletcher, email: alexandra.fletcher@kcl.ac.uk telephone: 07886782868

Christopher English. Stolen baroque cello bows. The following is a description of two baroque cello bows made by Christopher English that were stolen in Boston, Massachusetts, Baroque cello bow 77.3 grams. Value $1,200.00. Length of stick 27.5 inches. Length of button 1 inch. Eighteen flutes 4.5 inches long in area used to grip bow. Vuillaume style (half-round) frog seating. Highly figured snakewood stick, frog & button. Bow stamped C.F. English On stick next to frog #345 under frog on stick.

Baroque cello bow 79.5 grams value $1,100.00. Length of stick 27.5 inches. Length of button 1 inch. Eighteen flutes 4,5 inches long in area used to grip bow. Vuillaume style (half-round) frog seating. African blackwood stick ebony frog & button. No name stamp. Bow stamped #358 on stick under frog. Contact Chris English at  2029 Spruce St. Port Townsend WA. 98368. Telephone (360) 379-9835

Eury. violin bow along with a Lamy, A. violin bow. Owner: Sook Yoon Address: 2 Bedford Court, Lower Templestowe, Victoria 3107 AUSTRALIA. Phone: +613 9850-6780. Stolen from a home on 13th December 1997. Also see "Bisiach" and "Lamy.A."

T. EWERT. On May 3, 2006, in the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Manayunk, Philadelphia, PA, a violin labeled "Samuel Zygmuntowicz, N.Y. 1991" was stolen. This violin is an interpretation of Nicolo Amati. The instrument is made and set up in baroque style, with period bass bar, bridge.  The fingerboard and tailpiece are made of brown hardwood.  The instrument is covered with red-brown varnish, with moderate natural wear. The one-piece maple back is slab cut, with rolling flames and "bird's eye" figure. The two-piece spruce top has fine grain. The c-bout ribs are decorated with ornamental gold leaf. Description of case and bows: A black canvas-covered shaped suspension case with blue velvet inside, blue velvet blanket, and Velcro around the neck. There were two bows, both made by Trevor Ewert and stamped T. EWERT. One was a short c. 1700 model with no screw, and the other a long c. 1720 baroque bow with a screw. Both were made of the same piece of snakewood and had all-wood frogs. Contact info for owner: Vita Wallace, 212-222-2101, or vitawallace@aol.com 615 West 113th Street, #46, New York, NY 10025.

F

The violin was taken from the front porch of a house in San Francisco, it was in a short black canvas case and packed in a paper carton, the carton measures 30/14/10 inches, and labeled “Delicate instrument, Handle with care” on it’s top and sizes.   Inside the violin one can see a label prints “Feng Jiang,  Ann Arbor Michigan 2005”, and a handwritten “FJ94”on the upper right corner of the label.  There is also a burned iron mark to the left, about at the center of the back, about 1/8 inch in size, it says “FJ”. The following is the information would be helpful in identifying this violin by someone with knowledge in violins: The top is made of two pieces of spruce, the grain is of medium width in the middle, and widens toward the flanks.   The back is made of two pieces of maple cut in quarter, it has strong medium width flames, which descend from the center joint. The ribs are of deeply flamed maple. The scroll is of similar flamed maple. The instrument is finished with an orange red oil varnish on a golden ground, and has been antiqued. It is a copy of Guarneri ‘del Gesu’s violin “Lord Wilton”. The dimensions of this violin’s back in millimeters are: Body length:352.5 Upper bouts: 166.5. Middle bouts: 112 Lower bouts: 206.5. Photos of a similar looking violin can be viewed on the internet at: www.fengjiangviolins.com/missing
Reward is offered for good information, (734) 477-6866.

 

A cello made in 1938 by Orfeo Carletti, redish in color with distinctive dark and light vertical markings on its back. Contained in a black case. 
Also an
Irv Fink bow and an unnamed round bow with octagonal or hexagonal frog (handle). Location_of_loss:  CPA office Vermont Ave. LA, Calif.
 Date stolen:  June, 1980. Contact Lee Marsden:  LeeMarsden@aol.com  telephone:  (615) 974 3976, fax: (615) 256 6339.

David H. Forbes. This bow was stolen from a car in San Francisco parked on Brentwood on January 16, 2003.  It is a satory style David H. Forbes signature bow with his name branded on it.  There is also a serial # 2197 on it, under the frog.  Cash reward for full and whole recovery of bow and accompanying violin.  With any information, please call Cathy Cook at 352-373-4609. cookca@shands.ufl.edu


 

G

RECOVERED

Nicolo Gagliano violin, Naples, 1774 with a back of  two pieces of faint figured maple on a horizontal plane. The grain of the wood on the back forms the sign of the crucifix. The top is of narrow grained spruce and the scroll is of figured maple. Stolen from First United Church of Christ in Lisle, IL, February 2, 2005. Stolen with a Roger Zabinski violin bow, silver mounted with ebony frog and a Chinese made silver mounted viola bow. All in a blue canvas covered violin case. Also lost with this theft were a number of scores including Brahm's Complete chamber works and "The Burning Leaves" on loan from the Canadian Music Center. If seen contact Pamela Bublitz-Snider, 630-961-2766 or Detectives Johnson or Perrell of the Lisle Police Dept. 630, 271-4200.

RECOVERED

Cello labeled "Claudio Gamberini, Ferrara 1923".  Body length: 29 1/2", Upper Bout: 13 1/2", Center Bout: 9 3/8", Varnish: Orange Amber.  Nuremberger cello bow - silver on ebony frog.  Black hard cello case. Owner name: Lane Summers Moorman, email: summersln@yahoo.com, telephone: 615.973.4015. Location of loss: Private residence, Nashville, TN. Date stolen: 08/02/2006. Alternate contact: Violin House of Weaver: 301.654.2239.

New England Conservatory (NEC) is asking for assistance regarding the theft of a violin from its Instrument Library in the spring of 2004 re  Theft of Gand & Bernadel Violin. NEC has reason to believe that the thief may have attempted to sell the stolen instrument locally. The specifications of the violin are as follows: Description: Back is made of maple wood. Top is made of spruce. Varnish is a reddish color on golden-yellow ground. Maker: Gand & Bernadel, Paris, 1881.Label:   Gand & Bernadel Fres, Luthiers du Conservatoire de Musique, No. 960  Paris 1881. 

Measurements: Body length 35.7 cm, Upper width 16.5 cm, Lower width  20.5 cm, Center bouts 11 cm, String length  32.5 cm. If you have seen this instrument or have any information regarding it, we ask that you contact one of the following people: Jesse Perkins, Instrument Librarian  (617) 585-1265 or jperkins@newenglandconservatory.edu. Brian Yankee, Director of Performance Services  (617) 585-1271 or  byankee@newenglandconservatory.edu

Stolen from Toyota pickup truck Pacific Beach CA, February 16, 2005, German Violin ca 1850 possessing a two piece maple back with medium flames slanting downward from the center joint, matching ribs, a plain maple scroll, a spruce top of two pieces and an orange yellow varnish over a golden brown ground widest point upper bout-169mm, narrowest point center bout-116.5mm, widest point lower bout-208.1mm, Owner_name:        Nick Grant  ngrant5552@sbcglobal.net, 858-488-2752

Pardessus Viol, label Emmo Koch, Bremen, 1959, 6 strings, very small, medium brown, ebony pegs with white pips, in hard case with fiberglass bow.  Tenor Vielle, label Edgar Hoover # 2 CA, 1980, 4 strings, back alternates light and dark stripes.  Rebec by George Glenn, MA (deceased), 3 strings).  Violin by Dudley Reed, FL (deceased), medium reddish-brown, hard case and bow with ivory frog.  Viola, Mandolin, Guitar and Alto Recorder by Kung (Switzerland, light colored). Emily Stevenson email: waltmart@mindspring.com telephone:770-309-8742. Stolen Sept. 14, 2005 from 3041 Kirk Road, Monroe GA 30656, USA


Stolen from car at Minneapolis Lakewood Cemetery. November 11, 2006. Violin labeled Franciscus Gobetti  fecit Venetius 17__”.  Back is tiger maple in two pieces.  Varnish is medium dark brown.  Sides are matching wood.  Top is spruce, has a recent scrape in the wood upper left.  (It's appraised as a good copy of Gobetti, German made circa 1900). The ebony chin rest is rather unique, it is centrally placed bridging the tail piece and is rather high.  There is a neck graft, with the wood of the neck not matching the rest of the violin.  The case is dark blue rectangular zipper case with two outside zipper pockets, dark blue lining.  There were three wooden mutes in the smaller pocket, and also my birth certificate from Winnebago Co. WI.  There was one bow in the case, which could hold two bows. Contact name: kathryn angermeyer email: angermeyer@hotmail.com, telephone: 604-885-2969,  fax: 604-885-2904

The theft of a violin labeled Matteo GOFFRILLER dated 1698, along with a round, ebony and silver mounted violin bow stamped R SARTORY, occurred in England on a train traveling between London, Paddington, and Taunton on January 29, 2008. Violin and bow, along with a silk blanket, were in a brown-canvas covered oblong hard-shell case with missing zipper pulls. The bow possibly has a worn thumb leather and worn facets near the frog. Possibly missing the end on the ivory tip.

If found, please contact The British Transport Police +44(0)800 405040 - case officer: PC Clarkson direct line, +44 7771 668393.
Original Case Log Number: 302 29/1/2008 - Crime Report number: B11/012 104/2008.

Instrument and bow insured by Allianz Musical Insurance.  Claims Inspector in charge: Mr. Simon Pring, tel: +44 01483 260763

 

 
 
St. Stanislaus Church Parking Lot,  MAIN STREET,PLEASANT VALLEY, NY, stolen10/08/05, Body length 358mm, upper bouts, 168mm, middle
bouts, 115mm, lower bouts, 208mm, Condition good, Fittings ebony, Brown varnish. Maker Johan Michael GOTZ, 1735-1813 Markneukirchen. 
Silver mounted violin bow branded J.REGH, NEW YORK. Contact_name: DOUG OR MARTHA STUROMSKI, DOUGMARBEL@AOL.COM or 845-2266752


Viola made 2004 by
S.P.Greiner. Bonn # 181, 407 mm Bow by Lamy, silver on ivory, pearl missing at "Frog", ivory "face plate"
Bow by
Salchow, silver outfit, ivory "face plate" Bow by Dörfler, silver outfit, silver Instrument case, dark green inside.
Location_of_loss: Cafe Chagall, Georgenstr. 4 Berlin-Mitte,  Oct. 15, 2004 late evening. Owner_name: Georges Aubert, email:  GeorgesAubert@gmx.de telephone: 0049781-31230, fax: 0049781-9480938

Guarneri del Gesu, 1704(?) 4/4, Brown, Restored, Body Length: 14.1", Neck length 5", neck splice, 1 piece back (curl descends left to right), 
peg holes have bushings, many repairs, shows 200 years of use, Scroll has many repair patches, missing part of bout repair difficult to see, 
repair crack on belly.  I have several pictures of instrument, inside and out.  The photos of the label are in poor condition, so I am not sure of the year.  
I hope to have the photographed enhanced.
8013 E. Fairmont Ave., Stolen from Scottsdale, Arizona April 8, 1981 Owner Catherine Heraldson-Dragon, heir of Ollie Heraldson. 
email: catdragon9@aol.com telephone: 602/373-6369 or 480-423-6684

Violin by J B Guadagnini, Turin. Bears his label dated 1778. A typical example of the period. Varnish of a red brown color. The belly is spruce with open grain. One piece back of maple. Added pieces in the lower flanks by the maker. The wood of the head is similar with winder curls to the maple and matches the ribs. Violin originally from the collection of George Hart. Instrument listed in the Doring book on Guadagnini (The EX HART). For complete details and recovery reporting go to <http://stolenviolin.com>. Stolen with a  VUILLAUME bow. Unstamped with black lizard skin thumb leather and hand guard in the same material. Pernambuco, round stick, silver and ebony frog (Vuillaume style) pearl eyes. Stolen with brown rectangular case.
The violin was taken on Sunday night, May 16th, from Mount Olive Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA This Violin has great meaning and importance to my friend, please return it! For complete details and recovery reporting go to <http://stolenviolin.com>

Cello labeled ‘Yuri Gusev, Cleveland 1996 made from workshop of  Michael D Goronok. Back is of 2 pieces maple with faint narrow to medium flames perpendicular to center joint.”  It is a 7/8 size cello. was stolen from a rehearsal room in the Music Building at the University of Connecticut, Storrs Friday, February 28, 2003. Bow- (there were two bows but I only have a specific description of one) “The round pernambuco stick of this Belgian cello bow is stamped J P Bernard the ebony frog is mounted with nickel.  The button is banded with ebony.  This bow weighs 81.5 grams and has a silver grip.” Case- “The Weber Deluxe cello case has an interior lined with crushed blue velvet.”  I also had a green rabbits foot and many stickers on my cello case including six European country stickers, other stickers from Europe, stickers about rock climbing, and peace through music.  In my case there was also music, rosin, and strings. If found please notify Emily Tuber, at emlet@juno.com or 860-617-4806 and/or Officer Sleeman, case number 03-3559, at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, 860-486-4800.

H

Recovered

Date recovered: 01/20/07

The following two instruments were taken from Hammond Ashley Bass Violins in a commercial burglary.  This incident occurred on September 11th 2006.  Hammond Ashley is located at 19825 Des Moines Memorial Drive in Des Moines, Washington 98198.  This incident has been assigned Des Moines Police Department case number 06-3346.  
    1)  Old German bass with flat back.  New varnish, dark brown.  The tuning gears are brass, individual pieces.  The instrument has a bridge with black adjuster wheels installed and a circle branded in the middle with the letters "HA" in the middle of the circle.  Look inside for a label by Hammond Ashley Violins and a serial number SB 1145. 
  

  Full size violin with a Hammond Ashley Violins label inside with the serial number V 2898.  This instrument also has a label stating, "Veracini Violin...Sharon Music Academy."  The instrument is medium brown, with a dull lacquer finish.  The bridge is missing.  Both items are owned by Hammond Ashley Bass Violin located at 19825 Des Moines Memorial Drive - Des Moines, Washington 98198.  Contact person is David B. Wilson or Bryce Van Parys (206) 878-3456.   Contact information:  Both items are entered into WACIC/NCIC as stolen if they are located or recovered contact the Des Moines Police Department at (206) 878-3301.   Contact Detective:  Detective David Mohr - Des Moines Police Department (206) 870-7610 email address:  dmohr@desmoineswa.gov.

Recovered

Kansas City, MO Date recovered: 9/27/2005

Violin, labeled, "Oskar Bernh. Heinel, Markneukirchen 1919"; made in Germany c.1920. Also labeled "A440 No. 1690". The top is of spruce with mostly narrow grain. The two-piece back is of maple with faint wide curl; scroll of similar wood; ribs with narrow curl. The varnish is orange-brown, unshaded, and somewhat opaque, with slightly wrinkled surface. Length of back - 359 mm. Width - 169, 114, 212 Ribs - 30.6, 32.0, 32.3, 32.3.  BOW, branded "A. Carlesso." The round shaft is of red-brown pernambuco. The ebony frog is silver-mounted, pearl eyes ringed with brass. Weight, 61.0 grams; length of stick, 726 mm. BOW, unbranded. The round shaft is of dark orange-brown pernambuco. The ebony frog is nickel mounted, pearl eyes with ring. Weight (with leather wrap), 54.0 grams; length of stick, 727 mm. All were in a black oblong case. michael@deepsprings.edu, michael.birnbaum@yale.edu
telephone: 773-878-2111 fax: 312-609-2323

 1. A Pietro Giacomo Rogeri, 1720 violin. This instrument is pictured in the Hamma book and the Maestronet Photo Gallery web page.  2. A Leonard Tourte violin bow stamped "Tourte L.". It has a silver-mounted ebony frog with a large oval pearl eye on each side and a solid silver button. 3. A Bow by Eugene Sartory, stamped "E. Sartory a Paris" with "Expo 1894" stamped on the opposite side.It is silver-mounted.  4. A bow by Joseph Henry stamped "Henry". It is silver-mounted.  5. A bow by Nicholas Maire, unstamped. It has a silver-mounted tortoiseshell frog and is pictured in the Vatelot book. 6. A bow by Christophe Landon, stamped "Ch. Landon a Paris".

 If you have information regarding these items please contact the Yonkers Police Department Detectives at (914) 377-7725 or (914) 377-7733.

STOLEN 11/30/07 in Bainbridge Island, WA:
1) Violin: Pierre Moisy, Philadelphia, 1999
2) Bow: W.E. Hill and Sons, c. 1926
3) Leather Gewa case with a Cushy cover

Please contact Jonathan Graber at jonathansgraber@aol.com or (360) 479-8914 (P.S.T)

Violin Bow Branded "W.E. Hill & Sons, England". Silver Mounting with tortoise shell frog and plain button, with silver tip plate.  Stick is round. Color is deep red brown, condition good, weight 58 grams.  Valued for insurance purposes $4000.00. Violin bow - no readable brand, probably Sartory. Mounting is silver with Parisian eye and plain button.  Stick is round. Color is medium brown.  Condition: Very good.  Weight 58.5 grams. For insurance purposes was valued at $6000.00.Location_of_loss: Robinson Music Inc.. Westboro, MA 01581 USA, loaned to a Mario Ramirez. Suspected he may have sold them. Datestolen:       between March 2005 and May 2006 Owner_name: The estate of Charles Boyle. email: carolvella@robinsonmusicinc.com telephone: 508 366-7007 fax: 508 366-9408 Contact Carol Vella, Robinson Music Inc.108 Milk St.Westboro, MA 01581

Luigi Mozzani violin 1917 maple & spruce #108 violin, stolen from the West Los Angeles home of the musician.  It had been in storage at the location.  The house had been visited by many construction workers and movers who performed work on the house.  The violin was last seen around 6/1/04 and was discovered missing on 2/23/05, although it was not reported stolen immediately. The violin was in a Weber hard case.  In addition, (3) bows are missing - a G.A. Pfretzshner silver & ebony cello bow; a Hill & Sons silver & ebony violin bow; and a E.N. Voirin, Paris, gold and ivory violin bow. Photographs of violin available at http://www.lapdonline.org/get_involved/stolen_art/files/collectibles/mozzani_violin.htm Luigi Mozzani violin 1917 #108, maple & spruce,  length = 14.2", upper bouts = 6.6", middle bouts = 4.5", lower bouts = 8.1". Back is one piece slab cut maple of large flames. The ribs are also maple. The scroll is light flamed maple. The tap consists of two pieces of spruce of medium grain. Amber-orange color. LAPD DR# 05-0816478  (Case 8-8T4-002) If you have information on this case, please contact: LAPD Art Theft Detail 213 485-2524.

Violin bow made by W.E. Hill & Sons of London, England during the first half of the twentieth century and stamped: W.E. Hill & Sons. The shaft is of orange-brown pernambuco wood, round in shape, changing to octagonal at the butt end. The head is fitted with a silver plate. The frog is of ebony and silver with a parisian eye at each of the faces. The button is of silver ending in a pearl eye. A pin crack had been well repaired at the back of the head and the "thumb" of the frog shows some wear. Otherwise the bow is in very good condition. This bow bears Shar's registered number: B2508. Rolf Haas haas0127@umn.edu 612-226-3940.

Hofner, West German double bass.  Bass is plywood, moderately shiny with a glossy finished neck.  The number "2" is etched into the back of the bass at the bottom of the neck (on the button).  There is a large mended crack on the bottom of the bass next to the end pin and a mended portion of the neck where a large splinter of wood was removed.  Bass stolen along with a realist pickup (gold colored metal plate under the foot of the bridge on the low E side), a black Mooradian softshell bass case and the bass was strung with D'addario helicore hybrid strings (the windings by the tailpeice are orange and green).  If you have any information please contact Wesley Cheang in Toronto Canada:  (416)485-6491   Wcheang@hotmail.com

Karl Hofner violin, made in Czechoslovakia, dated 1924, stolen 5/17/99 from vehicle in Lakeland, Florida. Owner's e-mail is QuiGon628@aol.com.   Dark brown violin has full piece back, with a blemish near the right f-hole. Violin had Corelli Alliance strings and two fine tuners on tailpiece. Octagonal, red-brown wood bow by A. Shroetter (name barely visible).

RECOVERED

Stolen in Main ST, Laurel, MD, USA, Viola, 16.5", yellow/brown varnish w/good striping & many small nicks/scratches, split back with a black dot at top and bottom of split.  Made by Arthur W. Howe in 1946 (or 45, can't remember -- was finished after his death), his only viola and labelled "No.1".  Stolen in a Gewa Variantu case (grey out, green in) along with a bow stamped "Guy Jeandel".  Also stolen with some 'worthless' items of great sentimental value. Contact Jared Weissbrot, email: jared@soundprint.org, telephone: 443.326.6745

Hudson, Reid, ebony and silver violin bow stolen in Victoria, August 1999 along with a violin by David Burgess of Ann Arbor Mich. 1987. (See Burgess above).

RECOVERED

Violin Bow by Reid Hudson, Duncan BC Canada, stamped: "REID HUDSON". Round pernambuco stick with ivory tip face and tortoise shell and gold grip. The frog is of white gnarly Musk Ox horn mounted with gold.  This is a fancy bow that never fails to draw attention. Stolen from the shop of R. Kim Tipper, 1924 Shakespeare Street, Victoria BC,  on August 26, 2005. Contact carsonmusic@shaw.ca or call 604-215-2626. Listed with the Victoria Police Department.

 

Stolen Eugen Meinl violin, Reid Hudson bows, "crummy" viola, in one dark-blue double case
Last seen in the possession of Jo Woon-Jyoung, in the Yangjae-dong area of Seoul, Korea, May 1st, 1999, the following instruments and items: (1)a Eugen Meinl violin, single-piece back, a copy of a 1725 Strad (2)one Reid Hudson violin bow (3)one Reid Hudson viola bow (4)a "crummy" student-model viola {a large #2 stamped on the button!!) (5)all the above in one large dark-blue double violin-viola case, itself of fairly decent value. Cumulative value of the entire package, c. 10,000 Canadian dollars.

These instruments and bow were likely sold in Seoul, Korea. If any information is available please contact Colin R. Wrubleski at the following:

bucko271828@hotmail.com or brucknerbucko@fastmail.fm  phone (82) {Korean country code} ((0)53)854-1535 OR (82)((0)53)850-7490

I

 

J

A Vincenzo Jorio cello taken in December 1999 from the shop of a dealer of stringed instruments in Germany by a person named of Albert Reinhardt from Zuszenhausen.  He isn't paying the bill but offering the cello in Italy and other states. A client of this same shop is missing a Guarnerius and Testore violin by the same man. Police are trying to get the instruments. 
Description: fine condition,74.3cm lob 32.8cm 41.4cm. Table 3 piece. Copy of certificate of Charles Beare dated 21st November 1995, If located call police or contact this shop at Jost402@aol.com.

K

A violin made by Stanley Kiernoziak was recently stolen in Brooklyn, NY. It was made in 2001 in the workshop of William Harris Lee, and bears the serial number "whl log #5254". The violin has the following dimensions: Upper Bouts 170mm, Middle Bouts 110mm, Lower Bouts 211mm, Body Length 356mm. If found, please immediately contact: William H. Lee or Diana Schilling at William Harris Lee & Co. 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 (800) 447 - 4533

Pardessus Viol, label Emmo Koch, Bremen, 1959, 6 strings, very small, medium brown, ebony pegs with white pips, in hard case with fiberglass bow.  Tenor Vielle, label Edgar Hoover # 2 CA, 1980, 4 strings, back alternates light and dark stripes.  Rebec by George Glenn, MA (deceased), 3 strings).  Violin by Dudley Reed, FL (deceased), medium reddish-brown, hard case and bow with ivory frog.  Viola, Mandolin, Guitar and Alto Recorder by Kung (Switzerland, light colored). Emily Stevenson email: waltmart@mindspring.com telephone:770-309-8742. Stolen Sept. 14, 2005 from 3041 Kirk Road, Monroe GA 30656, USA

L

 1. A Pietro Giacomo Rogeri, 1720 violin. This instrument is pictured in the Hamma book and the Maestronet Photo Gallery web page.  2. A Leonard Tourte violin bow stamped "Tourte L.". It has a silver-mounted ebony frog with a large oval pearl eye on each side and a solid silver button. 3. A Bow by Eugene Sartory, stamped "E. Sartory a Paris" with "Expo 1894" stamped on the opposite side.It is silver-mounted.  4. A bow by Joseph Henry stamped "Henry". It is silver-mounted.  5. A bow by Nicholas Maire, unstamped. It has a silver-mounted tortoiseshell frog and is pictured in the Vatelot book. 6. A bow by Christophe Landon, stamped "Ch. Landon a Paris".

 If you have information regarding these items please contact the Yonkers Police Department Detectives at (914) 377-7725 or (914) 377-7733.

A. Lamy a Paris: pere: silver mounted, silver wrap. Pristine bow, circa 1905: Raffin certificate: 60.9 grams. Believed to have been stolen December 19, 2006 through mail fraud by man listed as Lazzlo Burai of Hungarian origin. All have certificates, however there are only photocopy certificates in his possession. Contact with information at 317-595-9144. All items have been reported to the Gary police department. This theft is one of five antique French violin bows in a hardshell Jaeger bowcase for 6 bows were stolen December 19,2006, in the Gary, Indiana area. The theft occurred by mail fraud. The bows were shipped by Fedex, to a suspicious address in Gary, then picked up and signed for at the Fedex station, by Laszlo Burai, of Hungarian origin. I am sure he was not working alone. His cell phone originated from the 613 area code of Ontario. He pretended to be a player and collector.
All the bows were vintage French bows in pristine to mint condition, and were worthy of a collector. All have certificates, however there are only photocopy certificates in his possession... If you have had contact with either the bows, or this person, please phone, or return the email. The following is a brief description of each bow...
 
1: A. Lamy @ Paris: pere: silver mounted, silver wrap. Pristine bow, circa 1905: Raffin certificate: 60.9 grams
 
2: Georges Eugene Ury: also know as Clement Eulry: circa 1840: extremely rare. Half mounted ebony frog, nickel   
silver mounts. Original Ormeau pearl; Mint condition. Unbranded: Raffin certificate: 59.6 grams
 
3: Emile Ouchard, father and son: silver-mounted, round-shouldered frog. Branded: Emile Gand. Pristine condition:
    1930. Raffin certificate: 60. grams
 
4: E.A. Ouchard: branded: EMILE OUCHARD, silver mounted, Paris eye. Solid button: circa 1935. Mint.
    Tinsel wrap. Raffin certificate: 61 grams
 
5: E.A. Ouchard: Paris, circa @1940: Round stick in nearly mint condition. Hill-style frog seating. Silver mounted Paris eyes: double-branded. Tinsel wrap. Warren certificate 59.5 grams
 
Contact Detective Eva Collins; Telephone: 219-881-1209

 

Viola made 2004 by S.P.Greiner. Bonn # 181, 407 mm Bow by Lamy, silver on ivory, pearl missing at "Frog", ivory "face plate"
Bow by
Salchow, silver outfit, ivory "face plate" Bow by Dörfler, silver outfit, silver Instrument case, dark green inside.
Location_of_loss: Cafe Chagall, Georgenstr. 4 Berlin-Mitte,  Oct. 15, 2004 late evening. Owner_name: Georges Aubert, email:            GeorgesAubert@gmx.de telephone: 0049781-31230, fax: 0049781-9480938

Lamy, A. violin bow and another made by Eury.Owner: Sook Yoon Address: 2 Bedford Court, Lower Templestowe, Victoria 3107 AUSTRALIA. Phone: +613 9850-6780. Stolen from a home on 13th December 1997

Violin full size - Light Color, semi-smooth finish, hand made.  Built by my Grandfather Dave Laskey, "D. Laskey" or "Dave Laskey" should be written on bottom
 viewable through "F" holes.  pre 1980 (he made few instruments all went to family and friends). Owner_name: Philip M Osterhus, email: osterhus@comcast.net, 
telephone: 360-657-2672. Location of loss: 83rd Ave NE, Marysville, WA 98270. Date stolen: June 25, 2006


A 1987
William Harris Lee cello (#3266)and a bow in a brand new bright blue hard case.  Case as silver fasteners all around, is on wheels, and has a small scratch on the front near the bridge area.  Cello is in beautiful condition and is reddish-brown in color.  Bow is unremarkable. Location of loss, parking lot at 949 Whalley Avenue in New Haven, CT., stolen Saturday, December 2, 2006. Owner name, Paulette Thompson-Clinton. email: paulette.thompsonclinton@yahoo.com
telephone  203-927-5367, fax 203-393-1243

Stolen from Bloomington Indiana in Jan. 2002 a John Norwood Lee viola bow (gold mounted on ebony frog, stamped on handle) and L. Piernot viola bow (silver mounted on ebony frog stamped on handle). All lost in black rectangular case. Contact rshong@indiana.edu or 812-333-7133

Four Violins and Two Bows.  1.  Robert Dolling violin, Markneukirchen:  2 piece maple back with moderate, medium flames perpendicular to the center joint. Top of 2 piece spruce with even medium growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of shaded red-orange brown on a golden ground. 2.  Ernst Heinrich Roth, Strad copy, Markneukirchen, 1924. 2 piece maple back with medium flames ascending from the center joint.  2 piece spruce top with even, fine growth.  Varnish of hand shaded reddish orange brown on yellow ground. 3.  Signed John Juzek May 5, 1921.  Back of 2 piece highly flamed maple with even medium flames descending from the center.  Top of 2 piece spruce with even, fine growth, quartersawn.  Varnish of golden pale orange-brown on a yellow ground.  4.  Leon Bernadel, anne 1921.  One piece maple back with strong horizontal medium flames and a distinctive knot at c bout.  2 piece spruce top with even fine growth.  Varnish of golden brown on a yellow ground. 5.  Francois Lupot violin bow.  Round stick, ebony frog with pearl heel and slide.  3 part silver button and whalebone wrap.  Weight 56g.  6. C. Dickson round pernambuco bow with ebony silver frog with figured pearl slide and eyes, 3 part button and silver wrap.  Weight 58.8g.

These are believed to have been stolen through mail fraud by an individual by the name of Laszlo Burai.  We were contacted in January by the individual who said he was an amateur player and collector and was looking to purchase a couple violins for investment purposes.  These were shipped out to him for trial at the end of the month with a return date a week later.  They were shipped via UPS to an address in Merrillville, IN.  We followed up with the individual repeatedly and were told a number of excuses such as he needed more time, he was recently in the hospital with pneumonia, or were simply ignored.  The credit card number he gave to us was not valid.

We have contacted the Amherst PD.  If you have seen or heard about any of these instruments please contact Hillary or Matt at our shop at (800) 766-0936.

M

Stolen from a private residence in Lewisville, Texas, 6 June 2005, a viola labeled Tetsuo Matsuda, 1985. The two-piece back is maple with even, medium-wide figure. The varnish has alternate light and dark bands that fade slightly towards the edges. The neck has a much lighter varnish, and the scroll has a darker, medium brown varnish. The spruce top has medium-fine grain spacing, and an even, medium orange varnish. However, there are some blemishes/scratches below the right f-hole. Both top and bottom have a dark inlaid purfling.  Also a bow, round stick with dark varnish, stamped Horst Schicker. Ivory tip plate, silver winding, ebony frog with pearl eye overlay. Please contact Steve Jasper, email:freon@texas.net  or telephone 972-221-095

RECOVERED

Full-sized modern American cello.  Label reads: "Charles F. McCook   Atlanta, GA   1987".  Maker is registered member of AFVBM.  At time of loss, Mr. McCook was available at 3307 Pine Timbers Drive / Johnson City, TN 37604 / (423) 952-0837. Spirit varnish of a light orange-brown color on a yellow ground. Two-piece back, sides, and scroll of medium flamed maple; two-piece top is spruce.  Condition is excellent.  Finish is evenly applied and fully intact (minor nicks in several places).  Visible repaired seam/crack running length of fingerboard where attached to the neck.  At time of loss, there was an open seam on left rib where the flank met the back.  Seam opening approx. 2-3 inches long.  Pegs are convex, with white "beads" on ends.  Fine tuners on A and D only.  Some visible grain on tailpiece.  Length:   29 7/8”, Upper Bout:   13 7/16”, Middle Bout:   9 3/16”
Lower Bout:   17 1/2”. Stolen or lost from Private residence - 597 Chicapoo Drive / Marietta, GA, Also full-sized early twentieth century German cello bow.  Stamped "
Albert Nurnberger" about the frog.  Round stick is made of pernambuco and is dark brown.  Frog is ebony with silver fittings and a large pearl eye.  Button is three part, silver and ebony with a pearl eye on the end.  Ivory face plate and a grip of silver and leather.  Wood is worn down approx. 1/16" at grip where thumb makes contact. Weight:   78.2. Date 4/7/2005. Contact  mecohano@yahoo.com   Tel 678-595-1969

Stolen Eugen Meinl violin, Reid Hudson bows, "crummy" viola, in one dark-blue double case
Last seen in the possession of Jo Woon-Jyoung, in the Yangjae-dong area of Seoul, Korea, May 1st, 1999, the following instruments and items: (1)a Eugen Meinl violin, single-piece back, a copy of a 1725 Strad (2)one Reid Hudson violin bow (3)one Reid Hudson viola bow (4)a "crummy" student-model viola {a large #2 stamped on the button!!) (5)all the above in one large dark-blue double violin-viola case, itself of fairly decent value. Cumulative value of the entire package, c. 10,000 Canadian dollars.

These instruments and bow were likely sold in Seoul, Korea. If any information is available please contact Colin R. Wrubleski at the following:

bucko271828@hotmail.com or brucknerbucko@fastmail.fm or phone (82) {Korean country code} ((0)53)854-1535 OR (82)((0)53)850-7490

Two full-size violins stolen June 20 or 21, 2004 in Minneapolis, MN. Violin  made by Scott Cao -- Model # STV-850.  Label "Copy of Paganini's Il Cannone By Guarneri Del Gesu, 1743"  In a rectangular case, older, green 'canvas' case, green interior, leather green trim.

Second violin -- Made by Finn Meyer, Meyer Violin Shop, Minneapolis  – parchment label “Finn Meyer, Minneapolis” –body length 13 11/16"  Rectangular, older, green 'canvas' case, green interior, leather green trim. Bows – 2  pernambuco (wood) bows: one by John Horst, the other by Finn Meyer. Case -- Black canvas, molded with curved top, blue interior, relatively new. Bow - 1 bow: Spiccato, B. Rolland Paris If you see anyone with either violin, immediately call Minneapolis Police Sergeant Carlson (612-673-3546 or .Walter.Carlson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us  Indicate this is Minneapolis police case 04-152181.

Stolen 4/4 violin labeled Alessandro Mezzadri , dated Ferrara 1720. The back is formed by two pieces of maple cut on the quarter and is marked by a narrow, mild figure which extends horizontally from the joint toward the flanks.  The wood of the sides matches that of the back.  The table is of spruce with narrow grain at the center and widening toward the flanks.  The typically carved head  is of maple.  The varnish has an orange, slightly opaque color.  This instrument is in an excellent state of preservation." Also violin case and English (?) bow, no description available at this time. Taken from rented vehicle in Puglia, Italy.  Marina di Lessina (in front of Hotel Maddalena) on July 15th, 2006, in the early hours of that morning.  There is a police report filed in Lessina the same day. Regione Carabinieri Puglia. STAZ.CC Lessina. Via Massimo D'Azeglio N.9, Puglia, Italia. Tel: 088.299.1010. Email:  stfg333250@carabinieri.it and Leroy@leroydouglasviolins.com

Violin: labelled 'Shop of William Moennig & Son #306, 2001'.The back is carved from two pieces of maple with a narrow even interlaced horizontal curl which ascends slightly from the center joint towards the upper and middle bouts.  The sides are fashioned from similar maple; the scroll from maple with a fainter and less regular curl.  The top is fashioned from two pieces of fine grained spruce.  The model is after Guarneri.The varnish is a reddish gold in color applied to a golden orange ground.  Body Length: 35.5cm; Upper Bout:16.3cm; Lower Bout scant 21.0cm; Middle Bout scant 11.5cm.
Violin Bow: Silver mounted ebony violin bow stamped '
E. M. Penzel'. Button has two silver rings with a mother-of-pearl inlay on each facet. Weight: 63grams. Violin case: Oblong Bobelock #1017, black exterior, blue silk interior.

 Joan Matuszczak contacted our shop by telephone & e-mail requesting that we send violins for her daughter Natalie to try. She chose a violin,bow & case and bow; we sent an invoice & appraisal but received no payment or response to our contact attempts. Date stolen: August 13, 2004
Owner_name: William Moennig & Son, Ltd.m  moennig@juno.com. telephone: 1-800 523-4051 or 215 567-4198 fax:215 567-4175 

STOLEN 11/30/07 in Bainbridge Island, WA:
1) Violin: Pierre Moisy, Philadelphia, 1999
2) Bow: W.E. Hill and Sons, c. 1926
3) Leather Gewa case with a Cushy cover

Please contact Jonathan Graber at jonathansgraber@aol.com or (360) 479-8914 (P.S.T)

Violin by Simeone Morassi 2004, Cremona. One-piece back.Varnish: light b