The novice seller could easily imagine that the public auction provides the fairest access to the market. But a London Times article of October 16, 2001 exposes a reality well known within the string instrument business: auctioneers aren’t necessarily possessed of the best expertise in the trade. Nor is it always in the auctioneers interest […]
Ten Keys to Identifying a Violin
FallHow to identify violins? The short answer of course is to find a qualified expert, and they are rare, who will give you their own best information. There is no shortcut to genuine expertise in the fine string instrument world. Anyone seeking quick answers and simple solutions in the field needs a reality check. This […]
Sotheby’s Chicago Sale
FallIn the aftermath of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, with the health of the world economy, and especially the U.S. economy in doubt, questions linger about the current viability of the fine arts market. Even before September 11th, it was becoming more difficult for auctioneers to produce profits. […]
Where Do I Shop for a Violin, Anyway?
Spring
There are various places to buy a violin and a myriad of issues to consider. Stefan Hersh walks the prospective buyer through those considerations. So, where does one shop for an instrument or bow? Buying from a Dealer It may come as a surprise to many, but some of the best help in the string […]
Buying Violins Online
Spring
One of the more successful of the dot-com success stories has been the tremendous growth of online auction sites, especially eBay, with every conceivable type of item showing up on any given day. Normally there are hundreds of violins listed. It seems like we are called or visited several times a week by someone who […]