5 Bows from a private collector

[PascalJ]

I'm violin making student and I've got the chance to get these bows from a private collector. Could someone more experienced help evaluate the value (if existing) or origin of those bows? The last one stamped "Gustave Villaume".

Many thanks!

[Blank face]

Numbers 1-3 are more or less unexpensive german student bows, 1 and 3 possibly penambuco, at 2 the wood isn't clear to tell by the photo.

Number four is a Mirecourt shop bow, possibly pernambuco. The dark line behind the frog could be a crack, but also not to tell for sure by the unfocussed photo. The diagonal grain lines would make the bow prone to crack in this area. G. Villaume was a dealer, but the brand looks fresh and spurious anyway.

[PascalJ]

Thank you so much. So 350€ for all would be a good price? 

Number 4 is also stamped. "Kramer .... " as I see.

[sospiri]

2 hours ago, Blank face said:

Number four is a Mirecourt shop bow, possibly pernambuco. The dark line behind the frog could be a crack, but also not to tell for sure by the unfocussed photo. The diagonal grain lines would make the bow prone to crack in this area. G. Villaume was a dealer, but the brand looks fresh and spurious anyway.

Yes horrible run out through and behind the head. Why do some bowmakers do this? It's not difficult to avoid when cutting blanks.

[GoPractice]

From a superficial standpoint, if you are interested, the amount is small.

I went to see a collection for $100k usd for 4 bows. One might understand the pressure that is involved. The bows were excellent, but perhaps not what the potential buyer was looking for.... I am not funded. If it were possible, I might have purchased the bows. But my participation was on behalf of a buyer.

Not to be mean, but one needs to decide what is realistic and what is not. Like the person that puts on their pants one leg at a time, I play only one bow at a time. I would have purchased the bows were it my money. But this year, the purchase is not to be...

[Blank face]

8 hours ago, sospiri said:

Yes horrible run out through and behind the head.

Ooops, that was what I meant, not at the frog end. Just what happens when being in a hurry. I also missed that numbers 3 and 4 are different bows, because they look so similar. Therefore the Villaume barnded is number 5, but the rest applies the same.

Reg. price, this might depend of issues we cannot see at the photos. If there are some hidden damages like cracks, the whole lot could be virtually worthless.

Like others said, one can buy a couple of bows like these for one hundred, but also for a multiple (surely not should pay 100 K), depending on a lot of factors, condition, weight and other circumstances.

[jacobsaunders]

If I were a violin making student, and wanted these bows, I think I would try to scrounge them for nothing. If that wasn’t successful, I would save my money for a future opportunity, which will surely arise.

[GeorgeH]

11 hours ago, sospiri said:

Yes horrible run out through and behind the head

You mean this?

[Blank face]

8 hours ago, GeorgeH said:

You mean this?

All the grain lines in this area are running out at the top of the stick. As long as all are solid it's not problematic, but if one of them just slightly opens at the upside it will run down through the stick completely

[GoPractice]

You are all better men.

Pascal, your initiative, intent, are good. This is certainly a great place to learn.

Learn to rehair,

Jean Pascal 

[sospiri]

11 hours ago, GeorgeH said:

You mean this?

Yes 

 

3 hours ago, Blank face said:

All the grain lines in this area are running out at the top of the stick. As long as all are solid it's not problematic, but if one of them just slightly opens at the upside it will run down through the stick completely

And yes.