Omobono Posted March 8, 2018 Report Posted March 8, 2018 Bonhams offer a violin presented to and owned by Albert Einstein at a March auction. Bonhams The estimate a not so trifling $100K - $150K. Whatever the outcome a sale would surely be a new record for a violin by Oscar Steger of Harrisburg? To my eye not a pretty thing but everything is relative......
duane88 Posted March 8, 2018 Report Posted March 8, 2018 56 minutes ago, Omobono said: Bonhams offer a violin presented to and owned by Albert Einstein at a March auction. Bonhams The estimate a not so trifling $100K - $150K. Whatever the outcome a sale would surely be a new record for a violin by Oscar Steger of Harrisburg? To my eye not a pretty thing but everything is relative...... or it could be uncertain...
deans Posted March 9, 2018 Report Posted March 9, 2018 Seems that Einstein gave it to the janitor's son, probably didn't play it a whole lot. Anyone know anything about his other violin(s)? Somewhere in the back of my head I recall reading of Einstein having a Kloz, but that may be a false memory.
Nick Allen Posted March 9, 2018 Report Posted March 9, 2018 The body looks like what people who aren't familiar with violins draw when they need to draw a violin...
Delabo Posted March 9, 2018 Report Posted March 9, 2018 I thought Bonhams had stopped selling musical instruments in 2015 ? Mind you, they do not have to employ experts to prove the provenance of this violin.
SingingTree Tonewood Posted March 10, 2018 Report Posted March 10, 2018 On 3/8/2018 at 6:04 PM, GeorgeH said: It may set a record for an American violin. By a large margin if it gets near estimate, imo. What other American has come close in value?
Taylor Posted March 10, 2018 Report Posted March 10, 2018 20 hours ago, Nick Allen said: The body looks like what people who aren't familiar with violins draw when they need to draw a violin... That's what came to mind for me, too. I think I have an old plastic Christmas ornament with exactly this same silhouette.
GeorgeH Posted March 10, 2018 Report Posted March 10, 2018 11 hours ago, heavymetalalfa said: By a large margin if it gets near estimate, imo. What other American has come close in value? If I recall correctly, a Samuel Zygmuntowicz violin sold at auction for $130,000. I think that this was not only the highest for an American maker, it was also the highest for a living maker, (but I could be wrong about that part.)
TunaDay Posted March 10, 2018 Report Posted March 10, 2018 Not bad... Lot 26 VIOLIN BELONGING TO ALBERT EINSTEIN. Violin with spruce top, maple sides, back and neck, carved scroll headstock, 1933, Sold for US$ 516,500 inc. premium EXTRAORDINARY BOOKS AND MANUSCRIPTS 9 Mar 2018, 10:00 EST
SingingTree Tonewood Posted March 11, 2018 Report Posted March 11, 2018 Record set, I would say. $516K for an American maker. Provenance is a powerful thing.
Omobono Posted March 11, 2018 Author Report Posted March 11, 2018 Oh my Lord...... "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." A. Einsein.
Omobono Posted March 11, 2018 Author Report Posted March 11, 2018 Einstein's violins "He is reported to have owned more than ten violins" I wonder who else may find one and put it up for sale at that price? Guarneri? "Einstein was apparently offered the opportunity of owning and playing on a Guarneri violin, but instead and modestly chose a less distinguished make."
Rue Posted March 11, 2018 Report Posted March 11, 2018 Lol...and this auction was for the ugly one... Wonder how well the prettier ones can do?
SingingTree Tonewood Posted March 11, 2018 Report Posted March 11, 2018 This will certainly bring up the value of this maker. I tried to research him, but the Einstein sale made it difficult to find him. I am a huge fan of American made violins from the mid 1800's till the 1930's in particular. I had JB Squire's and Asa White, Gemunder and Balterson, that rivaled any modern Italian in my book. So many truly great American makers. Then,, and now.
lwl Posted March 11, 2018 Report Posted March 11, 2018 The Bonham's article says that he was a cabinet-maker who was moved to make a violin for Einstein. I imagine it might be the only one he ever made.
Rue Posted March 11, 2018 Report Posted March 11, 2018 Maybe it sounds good! It was a lovely gesture on the part of the cabinet maker and lovely of Einstein to keep and appreciate that gesture!
Violadamore Posted March 12, 2018 Report Posted March 12, 2018 I wonder what happened to the ex-Einstein violin that Nagyvary played as a young violin student?
Omobono Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Posted March 12, 2018 6 hours ago, lwl said: The Bonham's article says that he was a cabinet-maker who was moved to make a violin for Einstein. I imagine it might be the only one he ever made. That would also be an notable achievement - to make one fiddle and have it sold for half a million bucks!
Jacobus Drainer Posted March 12, 2018 Report Posted March 12, 2018 On 3/8/2018 at 6:01 PM, Omobono said: a new record for a violin by Oscar Steger of Harrisburg? The ex-Heifetz Steger went for over two million.
Omobono Posted March 12, 2018 Author Report Posted March 12, 2018 Begs the question, how many more Stegers are there out there?
3mwater Posted September 24 Report Posted September 24 One is going up for auction. https://www.thestrad.com/news/einsteins-1894-violin-to-go-to-auction-for-200000/20206.article
Violadamore Posted September 27 Report Posted September 27 5 hours ago, Pen said: Abundance of money in the market/γ Fixed it for you.
Jacobus Drainer Posted September 27 Report Posted September 27 3 hours ago, Violadamore said: Abundance of money in the market/γ Here's a great video with γ in the starring role
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