“Strad” copy with original(?) label covered

[Zig]

Hello everyone, 

About a year ago I was in a thrift store to buy a couple guitars and as I was getting ready to pay, the woman helping me ran back and brought those violin out to show me. I’m out of my depth when it comes to violin. But the second the case was put on the counter, I thought it might be a Lifton (later learned King made similar instrument cases as well… still unsure though)

Long story kinda long…I’ll be happy with it no matter what the value is. I’d greatly appreciate any help/advice/guidance because along with looks, the case, the Piasastro Wondertone strings, and the fact the maple back is one piece, it seems like it was special to someone at some point, To add a little more intrigue, it was a recent revelation that there is a label underneath the “Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 17__” label.

 

Im aware that it has been asked elsewhere, but my first question is it worth putting a damp paper towel over the label now? Or leave it to the professional who will eventually do the repairs it needs? 
 

I appreciate those who actually read all of this. There were 18 pictures to attach but I see several failed… please, let me know if there’s anything else that needs to be posted!!!

 

 

[Strad O Various Jr.]

3 hours ago, Zig said:

Hello everyone, 

About a year ago I was in a thrift store to buy a couple guitars and as I was getting ready to pay, the woman helping me ran back and brought those violin out to show me. I’m out of my depth when it comes to violin. But the second the case was put on the counter, I thought it might be a Lifton (later learned King made similar instrument cases as well… still unsure though)

Long story kinda long…I’ll be happy with it no matter what the value is. I’d greatly appreciate any help/advice/guidance because along with looks, the case, the Piasastro Wondertone strings, and the fact the maple back is one piece, it seems like it was special to someone at some point, To add a little more intrigue, it was a recent revelation that there is a label underneath the “Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 17__” label.

 

Im aware that it has been asked elsewhere, but my first question is it worth putting a damp paper towel over the label now? Or leave it to the professional who will eventually do the repairs it needs? 
 

I appreciate those who actually read all of this. There were 18 pictures to attach but I see several failed… please, let me know if there’s anything else that needs to be posted!!!

 

 

 

Better grade Markneukirchen violin, maybe 100 yrs old or a bit older

[jacobsaunders]

It’s a reasonably well preserved violin from the cottage industry of the Markneukirchen area, 1900ish. I wouldn’t be to bothered what any label said

[Brad Dorsey]

10 hours ago, Zig said:

...there is a label underneath the “Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 17__” label....

I have occasionally encountered labels on top of other labels in mass-produced violins.  In one violin, I found a stack of three.  As Jacob says, these labels generally don't mean anything, although I did once find a Roth label mostly hidden under a generic Strad label.

[Zig]

Thank you Strad, Brad, and Jacob for your quick replies! Really appreciate it!
 

There was a part of me that was a little nervous about the impulse purchase with zero knowledge. I did a quick search of “markneukirchen cottage industry violin” and it seems like $100 wasn’t too bad? 
 

Would it be possible to post some pictures of the bows as well? The one in the case is stamped “Germany” between the frog and the screw and “Dragony Fly” above the frog. 
 

 

 

[match]

I don't necessarily think that my experience applies to every nice Markneukirchen instrument with a covered label, but I once had a very nice violin with a typical Saxon-trade Strad label. On closer inspection, this label was covering another one. Further examination of the body revealed Heberlein brand stamps, and after carefully removing the top label, the original Heberlein label came to light. When I showed the instrument to a violin maker in Markneukirchen and asked how this could have happened, he was surprised that I didn't know that it was a common practice to devalue instruments in this way when taking them across the border into West Germany.

[TRK]

The same thing happened on an 1886 London Béla Szepessy I have. The original label was covered with a Strad Label. The violin immigrated to the USA around the turn of the century. My Luthier said that antique instruments may have gotten some sort of a duty break on import fees versus new instruments at the time. I’m not sure how accurate that was but it sounds like a plausible reason. He carefully removed the Strad label to reveal the original Béla Szepessy label. 

 

 

[Blank face]

Many years ago a customer brought a violin, appearing to me as a well made early 19th century Markneukirchen, bearing an Amati label. At the upper edge of it there was a narrow stripe of another, older label visible, and he asked me if I could try to remove the other. I did my best, soaking and lifting slowly and very carefully the upper, and there it was reading "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis". I told him I wasn't sure wether this was the original.

[Wood Butcher]

On 2/8/2025 at 12:40 PM, jacobsaunders said:

It’s a reasonably well preserved violin from the cottage industry of the Markneukirchen area, 1900ish. I wouldn’t be to bothered what any label said

Just imagine if it revealed a Juzek label