Violin for sale: $18,000,000 (NFI!)

[Josh Kaplan]

A piece on NPR this evening about a violin being put up for sale for $18,000,000.
“Jeff Fushi, a dealer of rare violins in Chicago, is selling what he calls the Mona Lisa of violins on behalf of a London banker. The 269-year-old Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Jesu is not just one of the oldest instruments ever to go on sale, but also the most expensive — it's on the market for $18 million.”

The story raises some interesting issues about collecting versus playing such instruments, and even discusses Chinese-made violins about 2/3 of the way through.

Josh

[F-2 Dave]

Does it come with a case?

[Murphy Slaw]

I bought it.

It's gone.....

[F-2 Dave]

Did it come with a case?

[JEStanek]

Gig bag and it wasn't original. That's why I walked away.

[Lee Callicutt]

Aw, man, I was gonna' send it to Steve for Voodooing!

[F-2 Dave]

Gig bag and it wasn't original. That's why I walked away.

Smart, Jamie. You're obviously a discriminating shopper.

[Charles E.]

Why not? there was a story today on the BBC about a 900 year old Chinese string instrument that sold for 20 million. Making it the most expensive string instrument ever sold.

[Bertram Henze]

What I always say: monetary value is imaginary. The good thing is that, consequentially, debts are imaginary, too.

[nickster60]

Bein & Fushi is one of the best shops in america. I have be there a couple of times, great place if you have a lots of money to spend,

[zookster]

Of interest here is the rapid uptick in prices in vintage instruments, regardless of the recessionary conditions. The high price for a recent Strad was in the $8-$10 million range, no small change, but far less than the asking price for the Guarneri. If this one sells for anywhere near what they have advertised it will indicate again that the vintage market is a far better investment than anything else, in particular the stock market. At least that's what I keep telling my wife...........

Makes the price of a Loar seem downright paltry.

[JeffD]

Gig bag and it wasn't original. That's why I walked away.

[jaycat]

Did the price include distressing?

[Ed Goist]

Did the price include distressing?

Of the buyer...Almost certainly!

[Doug Edwards]

I think I'll wait for the half price sale.

[Bertram Henze]

Of interest here is the rapid uptick in prices in vintage instruments, regardless of the recessionary conditions.

I guess nobody's planning to actually play that instrument, just like you can't eat gold. It doesn't get more unreal than that. Recession is just a process of waking up to reality, but some just stay in bed a little longer.

[farmerjones]

It's prolly an alright fiddle, but still a million USD isn't what it used to be.
Just look at the price of AU.

[testore]

I had the pleasure of playing it a year ago. Worth every penny! When you see something that old and in that great of condition it is simply beyond description, also considering that it has been a very well played violin for its entire life. The loudest violin I've ever played and I've played dozens of Strads and Guarneri violins. This one is exceptional!

[Tom Wright]

I guess nobody's planning to actually play that instrument, just like you can't eat gold....

This is gold one can eat, since it will in fact get used, my guess. Many of these high-value fiddles get loaned out to selected soloists, the owner acting as patron to the player. Then again, Ann-Sophie Mutter could justify the purchase if she didn't already have a great fiddle. Yo-Yo Ma could buy it with cash. When you pull down six figures for a gig, this is not a crazy price for an instrument, just a scary one.

Testore is right, this axe is a cannon. I've heard it at close range, played by Josh Bell.

[nickster60]

I am not sure anyone gets more sound out a violin than Joshua Bell.

[pglasse]

...you can't eat gold.....

Well, actually, many people do eat gold. http://www.food-india.com/ingredient..._i025/i025.htm

I'll admit, I'm not sure if that clarifies whether this violin will get played or not but trivia needs an outlet.

[jaycat]

I had the pleasure of playing it a year ago.

Yah, me too. Woulda bought it too, if the damn thing woulda stayed in tune . . .

[Capt. E]

yes, the discussion on NPR said this was the best sounding violin many had ever heard. The really tragedy is that it is likely to be purchased as a museum or collector's piece and will never be played. Very few artists, obviously, can afford to own such an instrument, but often they will be loaned out from time to time. I suppose it will be accompanied by an armed guard.

[TonyEarth]

i heard about this a while back. honestly, that price is scary. its so high it just scares me, i would never EVER buy a violin that expensive. maybe (or probably? don't know much about how expensive violins are dealt with) some big company or museum will buy it and lend or rent it to famous musicians. still, way too expensive.

[ilovemyF9]

Now that's a nice commission for PayPal!!!!