Comments on: Finding the value of a century old violin?

Question: Finding the value of a century old violin?

Monkeyzulu — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:31:54 -0800

I have an old violin that I can't find the value for anywhere. Can someone help? The label says: Williams Artist/ No. 701 1890. Thanks

By: TomMelee

TomMelee — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:34:45 -0800

Post a picture and I'll ask my boss---he might have an idea. He restores antique woodwinds on the side.

By: Liosliath

Liosliath — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:43:30 -0800

I'd call these folks.

By: altolinguistic

altolinguistic — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:06:22 -0800

take it to a dealer - having an expert cast their eyes over it is really the only way to get it assessed.

By: IndigoJones

IndigoJones — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:44:25 -0800

Send inquiry to Sotheby's or Christie's. Preferably with pictures.

By: mendel

mendel — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 05:52:19 -0800

Yes, this is definitely something to do in person. No, don't bother with an auction house until you've talked to a luthier in your town. For every century-old violin there are a hundred thirty-year-old violins with labels with an old luthier's name or date.

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 07:01:14 -0800

I work at a violin shop. I will be there in about an hour.

By: sourwookie

sourwookie — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:38:14 -0800

Sorry. Couldn't find anything.

By: Monkeyzulu

Monkeyzulu — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:04:34 -0800

I will take some pictures. Thanks for the information. There is know way to check the value just with the model and year? Thanks

By: Monkeyzulu

Monkeyzulu — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:07:37 -0800

Sorry I meant to say: Is there no way to check the value just with the model/maker/and year? Thanks ( :

By: jdfan

jdfan — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:48:08 -0800

About $110.

By: Ms. Next

Ms. Next — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:56:32 -0800

jdfan: it appears that that was a winning bid for the case, I don't think it would say much about the violin itself...

By: jdfan

jdfan — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:17:54 -0800

Winning bid was for the case, violin, and Williams bow. No guarantee who made the violin in that auction but it's possibly a Williams.

It doesn't appear that ebay has done much for the value of antique violins.

By: andyvilletom

andyvilletom — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:39:41 -0800

take it into a professional just remember most places will have a fee.