Violin ID

[Martin Rood]

I need some help from someone reputable. Maybe you all are. I have a family heirloom violin. Was with some friends last night and one of them said he used to play the violin. I told him about my Grandfather’s violin and brought it out in its case. We looked inside the “f-hole” and saw this: 

“Joseph Guarnierius Fecit” Cremona Anno 1739. IHS and a cross symbol on it. 
 

Does anyone know about these violins?

[Guido]

A basic German trade violin early 20th century.

Labels in these are mostly random, or maybe according to the day of the week it was manufactured.

[Brad Dorsey]

20 hours ago, Martin Rood said:

I need some help from someone reputable. Maybe you all are….Does anyone know about these violins?…

We are all reputable here, and, collectively, we know a lot about these violins.  Briefly, the maker whose name is on the label is one of the most famous violins makers who ever lived.  His violins are worth millions of dollars.  But he did not make your violin.  It is an inexpensive commercially mass-produced violin, about 100 years old, with a facsimile label.  It appears to be in pretty good condition.

[Martin Rood]

The label looks more like it's stamped and is fairly legible.  It is in excellent condition for sure.  Why does it say 1739?  I just don't why they even put these labels inside the F-hole anyway.  I'm going to take to our local violin shop today to make sure.  Thank you for your reply!

 

Martin Rood

[Brad Dorsey]

1 hour ago, Martin Rood said:

…Why does it say 1739?  I just don't why they even put these labels inside the F-hole anyway…

It says 1739 because the label that yours is a copy of says 1739.  And the original said 1739 because that was when Guarneri made the violin that he put the label in.

Labels like these were sometimes put in inexpensive violins to indicate the model of the violin, but they were always put it to try to make the violins sell for more money.