Yogic Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Any idea what is special about this Violin that it starts with a high estimate and is estimated between $2000-3000? It has a generic Strad label. https://live.skinnerinc.com/lots/view/4-17GBPO/german-violin-markneukirchen-c-1920 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Violadamore Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 It's unusual that its wings are fluted, but, to my eyes, that's the extent of it. Looks heavily used, and I'd be concerned as to how much work it will need. No clue, really, going by the offering. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sospiri Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Lousy photos. Why don't these auction houses have decent pictures of the items on sale? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wood Butcher Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Can you take better ones? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 20 minutes ago, sospiri said: Lousy photos. Why don't these auction houses have decent pictures of the items on sale? What's wrong with the photos? If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know then it's not the place to be buying Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sospiri Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 16 minutes ago, Wood Butcher said: Can you take better ones? Can you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wood Butcher Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 31 minutes ago, sospiri said: Can you? No, but I wasn’t complaining about them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GeorgeH Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Skinner photos do seem to be bottom of the barrel compared to the other major auction houses. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shelbow Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Best pictures I have seen on an auction have been the Amber Violins listings, they have so many pictures, way more than anyone else. I do like the Amati 360 body shots though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Violadamore Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 15 minutes ago, Shelbow said: Best pictures I have seen on an auction have been the Amber Violins listings, they have so many pictures, way more than anyone else. I do like the Amati 360 body shots though. The Amati 360's let you inspect much more thoroughly than any other auction site's pics do. I hope that use of the technology spreads. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shelbow Posted November 16, 2020 Report Share Posted November 16, 2020 Just now, Violadamore said: The Amati 360's let you inspect much more thoroughly than any other auction site's pics do. I hope that use of the technology spreads. I hope they do the same 360 with the scroll in the future, that would be perfect then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
martin swan Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 I can see how detailed photos would make it seem like a good idea to buy remotely at auction, but if you went to the average viewing and heard for yourself how execrable the majority of instruments are, maybe you wouldn't set so much store by the quality of the photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
deans Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 Skinner still seems to be operating in brick and mortar mode, I think shipping is still through a third party as well. Maybe they'll try to compete harder in the online market. Used to go to the viewings, sometimes they were same time as Tarisio, those were the days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Violadamore Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 18 minutes ago, martin swan said: I can see how detailed photos would make it seem like a good idea to buy remotely at auction, but if you went to the average viewing and heard for yourself how execrable the majority of instruments are, maybe you wouldn't set so much store by the quality of the photos. It makes it easier to study the instruments visually, and evaluate the archings, etc., of various makers. It also exposes damage and flaws normally hidden in straight-on photos. IMHO, it doesn't suddenly make a bad idea a good one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shelbow Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 6 hours ago, martin swan said: I can see how detailed photos would make it seem like a good idea to buy remotely at auction, but if you went to the average viewing and heard for yourself how execrable the majority of instruments are, maybe you wouldn't set so much store by the quality of the photos. I completely agree, although it is difficult in these current times. I have been to a couple of the Tarisio and Bromptons viewing days in London before the Covid party began. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
matesic Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 The varying techniques used to photograph instruments can give widely different impressions, e.g. Brompton's method seems to get beneath the surface shine to a far greater degree than Amati's. With both of them the first time you get to see the instrument in the flesh can be a bit of a shock. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shelbow Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 I definitely found that with Bromptons, but no so much Amati but I totally get what you mean. I bought one violin from Bromptons that in person was so shiny it was like a mirror. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Delabo Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 The photos have quite good resolution, they allow blowing up the photo to reveal the beauty of the fake scroll graft. A high quality Stanley blade was used in the making of it.......... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sospiri Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Delabo said: The photos have quite good resolution, they allow blowing up the photo to reveal the beauty of the fake scroll graft. A high quality Stanley blade was used in the making of it.......... But the belly photo is dark and blurry. That's what I'm complaining about. So many auction houses have dreadful photos. Do they even care? Or do they think that by having blurry photos they can get more money out of gullible customers? Either way, we need to complain about this, otherwise they will just keep doing it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richf Posted November 17, 2020 Report Share Posted November 17, 2020 To Skinner's credit, they let you copy photos to your own PC, so you can zero in on features of interest (per Delabo's photo), and they provide more photos for the more valuable instruments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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