A pre-2006 Scott Cao 963 intermediate violin, possibly a Guarneri model, was stolen from a house in Eaglemont, Melbourne on 16/05/21. Orange/mid brown colour with a flamed 2 piece back and sides; lighter brown chin rest. The bridge is likely to be stamped “Violineri Melbourne” or “B Fyfield”. It was in a Gewa Strato light oblong case, Brown/Sand with dark blue lining.
If found, please contact Banyule CIU. Crime reference number: 23549237
All items have been safely recovered from a stolen car in Dandenong and returned to their owner. Thanks to all those who actively searched for and publicised this theft.
The following instruments were taken on the night of the 6.1.2020. The front door was forced and only the instruments were stolen. The police report number is 22752401. The reporting station is Oakleigh.
Smith Violin 1908 with Paesold gold mounted bow and Hill Bow, in yellow hard case.
KG 15″ Viola with 2 carbon fibre bows in blue Tonarell case with wheels.
KG Full size Cello with carbon fibre bow in Red hard case with wheels.
Bow case – Black with 6 assorted violin bows including one with red hair.
2 x 3/4 size German Trade Violins in Canvas covered cases.
Violin by Charles Darley Hume in excellent condition with the maker’s label attached and a second label The “Bertha”.
The front is of close grained spruce narrowing at the flanks. The two-piece back is of medium curl maple, the curl descending from the joint. The neck and scroll are of matching maple and the ribs are of a closer curl maple. The instrument is generously covered with an oil varnish, reddish brown in colour. Body length is 360 mm, Rib Height is 32.2mm – 29.8mm.
Also stolen was a (French) bow stamped “Lupot” and a second bow stamped “Egidus Dorfler” or just “Dorfler”. A third bow had no known markings.
Also taken was a Mamby violin and a 3/4 violin. One violin is in a well worn black Bobelock rectangular case.
If you have any information on this instrument please contact Detective Senior Constable Matt Prestage, Cobram, Victoria (03) 5871 2866, or Mathew.prestage@police.vic.gov.au reference no. LEDR2052917.
We are pleased to confirm that this violin and the accompanying bows have been recovered and are now back in the hands of their delighted owner.
Stolen in the early hours of Friday 13th November 2015 from St Kilda West.
Viola made by Carleen Hutchins, 1980, serial no. 240 with silver mounted bow made by A. R. Sandner, in a Bam case
Any information can be given to the Port Phillip Crimes Investigations Unit, Detective Sergeant Dave Barry, tel 03 9536 2626
We are pleased to confirm that this instrument has now been recovered by the police and returned to its owner.
We have been advised that this post on the AVMA Missing Instrument Register was referred to in the course of its recovery.
We have been advised by Victoria Police that this instrument has now been recovered. Excellent news for the owner.
A full size Hungarian violin in Italian style, c. 1910 labelled:
“Stehlik Lajos, Hangszer Keszito, Budapest VIII Jozsef Korut 71”
has recently been reported stolen (February 2012). It is in very good condition.
Should you have any enquiries in relation to this violin or have any knowledge or hear any snippets of information on this instrument, please contact:
Gerry Muileman, Detective Senior Constable 31761, Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit in Box Hill. Tel: 8892 3334, Fax: 88923340 or email gerald.muileman@police.vic.gov.au
This cello has now been recovered! Rosy Hunt would like to thank everyone who offered support and help following the theft and subsequent period of searching until the recovery of her instrument.
A cello has been stolen from Ms Rosy Hunt, Caulfield, Melbourne on Friday 16 September 2011. See more details at: http://www.missingcello.com
The cello by R & M Millant was accompanied by two bows, one Fetique and one Tourte copy, and was in a shaped blue Laughlin cello case covered by a lot of stickers.
Following is a description of the cello and Fetique bow:
The cello is by R & M Millant and bears its original label dated 1952 in Paris. The number 341 and the initials RMM enclosed by a parallelogram constructed of purfling material are to be found on the lower bout ribs by the end pin.
The back is of two pieces of medium to narrow, regularly flamed maple with the figure descending very slightly from the centre joint; the sides and head are of similar wood; the top plate is of two pieces of slightly wavy grained spruce of medium spaced reed lines at the centre, growing progressively wider towards the flanks; the varnish is of warm, golden brown laid over a light golden ground. The length of the back is 761 mm.
CONDITION
Rib Garland : There is a short (c. 25 mm) shrinkage crack on the lower ‘C’ bout corner; two short cracks (c. 95 mm) on the lower bass bout rib.
Back Plate : There are three cracks, (c. 75 mm, 25 mm and 55 mm) respectively, running downwards from the upper bass side edge and a short crack (c. 40 mm) running upwards from the lower treble edge.
Top Plate : There are cracks on both ƒ hole wings; a sound post crack (c. 170 mm); two short cracks (c. 70 mm each) running upwards from the lower edge of the plate; a short crack (c. 70 mm) running upwards from the lower bass bout edge; two short cracks (c. 80 mm and 55 mm) running downwards from the upper bass bout edge.
It has a bridge stamped Bridgewood & Neizert.
The French cello bow by Victor Fetique is stamped “VTOR FETIQUE A PARIS” on the near side of the handle and “EXPION BRUXELLES” on the far side.
The bow comprises a round pernambuco stick with gold mounted ebony frog which is decorated with a pearl eye surrounded by a gold band; the adjuster of ebony with gold bands on either side of a central section of mother of pearl inlays and capped with a pearl eye.
The second bow was silver mounted with “TOURTE” stamped on the frog or handle.
A little information is available regarding the possible perpetrator:
The person who it is believed to have stolen this instrument was driving a very distinctive vehicle. It was a an old-looking 1990s model white ute, the sort you see at building sites, with an orange light on top of the middle of the drivers cabin. It was noisy! Sped off with a lot of noise. It had a white grill behind the rear window that was cross hatched.
We think the driver, who was in a fluoro jacket, was probably on his way home from a building site in the St Kilda area. He had short brown hair, was of medium build, about 40.
So if anyone sees a vehicle like this, esp in the St Kilda area, take note of the number plate and phone Rosy Hunt (0420 866461) or Crimestoppers. We want a rego!
The following violin and bow were stolen from a Melbourne home on Sunday, 15 March 2009.
VIOLIN
The violin is of German origin, c. 1830 and is labelled Sebastian Kloz, Mittenwald. It also bears the stamp of New Zealand repairer “JAMES HEWITT” dated 1930 on the inside top block.
The back is of one piece of medium to broad flamed maple with the figure running horizontally; the sides are of similar wood; the later head of plainer maple; the top is of two pieces of straight grained spruce of close, irregularly spaced reed lines; the surface varnish is of a dark brown colour. Length of back is 353 mm.
Condition
HEAD : The later head is grafted to a new neck; the neck is fitted with a wedge and appears to be screwed through the neck root into the top block.
SIDES : There are old stable cracks on all sections of the rib garland.
BACK : The button of the back plate has been replaced and appears to be pinned through into the top block; there is an old crack c. 45 mm long running downwards from the bass side of the button.
TOP : The top plate has numerous old cracks on all areas of the plate.
VARNISH : The surface varnish is not original.
BOW
The bow is by W E Hill & Sons of London, c. 1935 and bears the stamp “HILL” on the handle and the stamp “ENGLAND” on the lower facet of the handle. The bow comprises a round pernambuco stick with plain ebony frog half mounted in silver; the adjuster of silver capped with a pearl eye.
The bow weighs 66.5 gm and is in excellent condition.
Should you have any information on either of the above two items please contact the West Melbourne Police Station on 03 9247 6491. Their reference number for this incident is LEDR738284
28 March 2009 – RECOVERED
The owner advised us today that this violin and bow has been found by the Police and that the entry in the Missing Instrument Register had been seen by a party involved in the recovery of these items.
On Saturday, 20 September, one of our customers had a violin stolen from the boot of her car in South Yarra, Melbourne. The violin was on approval from Alex W Grant Violins and naturally both we and the customer are anxious to recover it.
This matter has been reported to the Stonnington Crime Investigation Unit, Prahran Police station. The contact for this matter is Leading Senior Constable Anthon Bennett. His phone number is 03 9520 5216 and the incident number to quote is 080259845.
Should you be offered the instrument, please contact either ourselves or the police without delay and retain the violin if possible.
The violin is by Colin-Mezin, 1926 and bears the words “Le Victorieux” and the serial no. 334 on the label. It may also have a tag attached to one of the pegs with the stock number CVN496. The violin has our set up and the bridge has our stamp on it.
Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
28 NOVEMBER 2008
We were delighted today to hear from the Police that this instrument has now been recovered, thanks entirely to the vigilance of the Melbourne playing public. Many thanks to everyone who showed their concern and support over this stolen violin.
I would like to express my thanks to the AVMA for offering the facility to publicise the theft of a valuable instrument and for playing a MAJOR part in its recovery.
It is thanks to the vigilance of a local player and the AVMA Missing Instrument Register, that this instrument was located and returned to me.
The local police were very impressed with the Missing Instrument Register and asked that I pass on their thanks in the hope that you will continue and expand this valuable service.
Kim Ho