Missing instruments

A violin has been reported missing from Melbourne University on Thursday 15 September 2011.

It is labelled Cestmir Musil, c. 1950’s and has some varnish discolouration near the chin rest and alongside the fingerboard. It has an ebony chinrest and Evah Pirazzi strings. There are also two bows in the case which is a new black BAM Stylus soft shell case.

This was reported to Melbourne North Police station on 17 September and should you have any information with regard to this instrument please contact them on 8379 0800.

Two violins have been stolen from Carlton on 18 November 2011

These instruments were taken from the owner’s side as he was unloading his car in Carlton, Victoria, on Friday evening 18 November, 2011.

The instruments are labelled: Giovanni Gabba 1969 and Carlo de March 1948. They were in a rectangular, brown, double-case covered with vinyl, fake crocodile skin. The vinyl is significantly worn. There were four bows inside the case. Three are cheap, but good, modern Chinese bows, with little hair. The fourth is a better quality, un-named, late nineteenth century bow, of Pernambuco wood with an ivory frog. Inside the case, also, was the owner’s busking permit, which, if it remains in the case, would quickly identify the stolen goods.

The de March has a chin rest, but an older type (not plastic), covered with a greyish fabric, or parchment … quite an unusual, distinctive chin rest. It is a more finely crafted instrument. After various discussions and advice, the owner believes that it is probably genuine. It is slightly deeper red than the Gabba, and slightly smaller, a small Strad model, probably.

Opinion has divided over the Gabba. Some experts have thought it genuine, others have thought it to be French. It has no chin-rest.

Both are fine concert instruments.

If you have any information on any of the above instruments please contact Melvyn Cann on exstasis1@hotmail.com

A violin labelled “Sanctus Seraphin, Utinensis Fecit, Venitijs Ann. 17” has gone missing from the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide.

It has a one piece back, the sides and head are made from close-flamed maple. The top is made from fine to medium grained pine and it has very full arching. The instrument is covered with a light yellow-brown varnish and is in good condition.

Any information or leads which might help to locate this violin would be very much appreciated. Please contact Keith Crellin at keith.crellin@adelaide.edu.au

On 11 June 2010, an “antiqued” KG300 4/4 violin with a Jean Paul Martin bow was stolen whilst the owner was travelling on the train from Melbourne.

The theft has been reported to the Belgrave police station. The officer taking the report being Sgt Mick Hall (Ph: 9754 6677).

A Maggini copy violin was lost/stolen outside the South Brisbane Sailing Club at West End on Sunday 16 May 2010 between approx. 7.00 pm and 7.30 pm.

The violin is probably of German trade origin from the 1800s and was in its case with two bows and all accessories.

Should you have any information, this loss/theft has been reported to the Dutton Park Police and they can be reached on (07) 3020 8111, Crime Report Number QP1000492887.

The following two instruments were in a vehicle stolen in Melbourne on 12 April 2010.

Details for the violin are as follows:

The violin is by David Gusset, Eugene, Oregon, USA and bears it’s original label dated 1993.

The back plate is of two pieces of medium to broad regularly flamed maple with the figure descending slightly from the centre joint; the sides and head are of narrower flamed maple; the top plate is of two pieces of straight grained spruce of close, evenly spaced reed lines; the varnish is of a reddish-brown laid over a golden ground. The length of the back is 353 mm.

Condition: There is a natural wear pattern in the varnish. The violin is otherwise in excellent condition.

Details for the bow are as follows:

A German violin bow from the Nürnberger workshop stamped *ALBERT NÜRNBERGER* on the near side facet of the handle and “GERMANY” on the lower facet. The bow comprises a round pernambuco stick with gold mounted ebony frog which is decorated with Parisian eyes; the three piece adjuster of gold / ebony / gold. The bow weighs 60 gm.

Condition There are old repaired cracks on the off side of the frog and the pearl slide is almost entirely worn away; the ivory tip plate is broken. The bow is otherwise stable and generally in very good condition.

Should you have any leads on either of these items please contact the Moonee Ponds police station on 03 9373 5200.

The following instruments have been reported stolen from a car parked in Kingston, Canberra on Friday night, 26 February 2010 sometime between 7.30 pm and 9.30pm.

VIOLIN
French, made by Jerome Thibouville Lamy, c. 1890 – 1910. The label reads that it is an imitation Amati and the maker’s initials should be on the label as well. The varnish is of a golden yellow colour with few, if any, distinguishing marks or variations in colour. It has a shaped, dark blue case.

VIOLA
The 16” viola was made by John Johnston in 2009 and is labelled as such. It is a Guadagnini model with reddish / brown varnish, lightly antiqued. The case is red with some silver and a sticker.

CELLO
The contemporary Chinese cello carries a KG label and has a red / orange varnish. It’s case is black with a shiny finish.

Should you have any further information on any of the above please contact Officer Joshua Burnett at the Woden Police Station on 02 6256 7777, incident reference 413470.