Violin Identification

I'm charged with identifying this violin. It's decorations look very similar to the style done in the Nazi concentration camps by Jewish prisoners. Except for the star of david. 

Violins of Hope

If it is pre 1930 German, a comparable price might be $2500. 

GERMAN MAGGINI COPY VIOLIN

It would need to be restored to top playing condition though. For now I'm going to estimate that if $500 were spent on restoration it could be valued at $1000 to $3000.

Blue Ridge Guitar

-sold-  $600 

Blueridge Guitar

Ser. no. 04010320

model BR -160

2004

I finally found some info on the serial no. If it's correct, the build date was January, 2004 which is less than 2 years after they first started making the Blueridge brand, and number 320 in the series. (see comments)

Sold by the Saga Musical Company in San Francisco, this model has some very intricate inlay of mother of pearl and abalone. The top is sitka spruce and the back and sides are beautiful dark Indian rosewood. It has intricate marquetry and herringbone inlay on the body. The pure white binding contrasts strikingly with the roswood. Have a look it's a beautiful guitar.

And it plays and sounds great. It's not an antique so it has adjustable truss rods to keep the action just right.

For comparison, these sell new for arround $1,000.

$700 at this online location

Raeburn Violin

Raeburn Violin
Labelled; George R. Raeburn,  fecit West Calder 1803

-sold-  $600  

George R. Raeburn was born in 1846 in England.
The fiddle  is marked 1803, but this can't be right according to my research. In 1903 he would have been 57. West Calder is in Scotland near Edinburgh.

English violins made by the Raeburn family were referred to as "Rae's" and remarked upon as having "a handsome appearance, and a striking boldness of character". The wood of the "Rae's" is California Sequoia, 1300 years old when it was cut down in 1872. It has very narrow grain and "surprisingly good acoustic qualities". You can see a reference here.

Appearently he at least visited Glassport, Pa. in 1905 and 1906 if not lived there.

This fiddle's "bold character" might be embodied in it's appearance as well as it's sound. Instead of the usual fiddle head detail at the peg head, it has a gargoyle motif.

Excellent playing condition and beautiful patina. There are a couple of cracks that are visible. And a repair to the parting line down the back was repaired as shown in the photos. Whoever did the repairs knew what they were doing.

These are renown instruments, and this one is rather rare.  Some of the original hardware is exotic, notice the awesome "horn" tailpiece. Shows some playing wear but nothing serious. Recent professional setup. Plays nice and has an excellent sound.


For comparison:
Violin labelled Alexander Raeburn, Fife, 1898  $3,500
" Our John Raeburn violin is priced at £4,500. " This one I found in England is selling for USD $7,500.
Reference from the book "British violin-makers classical and modern".

the "gargoyle" head

the horn tail piece is incredible

flame back

crack

wear and rosin dust

George R. Raeburn, "fecit."?   West Calder. A.D. 1803

These two blocks show where the back was repaired.