Identify & Restore 1917 Violin

I had my sister buy it before anyone else had the chance. It may be a risk, but I feel it's worth it.

I didn't get a chance to inspect it much, but I got it for $50! Paper said restoration cost was around $1,000 and would be worth about $3,500.

I'll add pictures tomorrow, but here is some info:
-Was owned by a man in the metro area of MN who worked on violins; I believe he passed away
-It's from 1917
-Country of origin (should have that info tomorrow)
-Needs new bridge
-Has a case and two(?) bows

Should I call the store and see if they have any additional information?

*Browsing Google Images*

 

I guess my first question is who's provided this "Paper said restoration cost was around $1,000 and would be worth about $3,500."

My next questions, how much do you know about violins? Can you do the restoration yourself or do you know someone who can?

Look carefully at the bows. Sometimes they are worth more than the violin.

 

I know nothing about violins, but my other half does. However, I'm hoping to restore this and surprise her with it.

Like I said, I should enough information tomorrow for us to figure it all out.

I will likely be looking for a restoration professional in the mid-atlantic region.

 

Remember...when you get the best....the cost can be justified .

 

And at $50 for a violin, you can't get hurt too badly no matter what. If nothing else, it makes a good display item.

 

It was probably a ballpark guess by someone who knew the owner personally. I wouldn't assume it's incredibly far off. We'll see.

 

A good idea. With violins, only a professional can really tell about quality and value versus restoration cost. It is not like guitars, where there were relatively few manufacturers, and labels were generally honest (A Martin guitar is a Martin guitar, and can be valued fairly easily).
With violins, there were many thousands of makers, and a long history of false labels.
When I took one of my violins (a 1797 J.G. Ficker) in for appraisal to a reputable Seattle shop, they consulted huge reference books with information on signatures, labels, maker's history....a very interesting process. They ultimately provided documentation of every aspect including every repair that had been made over the years. An old violin wears its history...... The bow, 75 years newer, was still valued in the $500 range, and needed a whole different set of reference books; so you want to have the bows looked at by a professional also.

 

As often as not the bow is worth more than the violin. Some of the old French ones can be worth a small fortune.

 

Yes, and not just French...the bow I use with my German violin is an 1849 German bow. It can be great fun, if one is shopping for a new bow, to try some that are totally beyond one's budget. See what a $5,000 bow feels like compared to a $500 bow; there really is a difference. Of course, the comparison can make it hard to settle for the one that is affordable.

 

English too. American-made pieces don't tend to be valued as highly.

 

Is the man in the clipping the one who made your violin?

 

That poor thing! I might have rescued it too.

 

I wonder, too, about the connection with the guy in the clipping. Looks like St. Paul. Minnesota?

 

Yes. I couldn't remember what city, so I said metro.

 

Thought the OP was going to come back with more information. I am curious as to maker and about the bows. Also, it is not clear what kind of restoration is needed. I don't see anything in the picture that would take $1000.00 to restore.

 

OTOH we can't see the back or the inside.

 

Never take the word of the person selling an item. Sorry to sound cynical, but I started working with my parents in their shop when I was 8 and I'm 66 now. That handwritten sign doesn't mean a thing. $50 is probably a good deal.

However, before you take it to a restorer, first take it to a quality music shop and have an appraisal done. Think of how many times you've seen Antiques Roadshow tell people if only you hadn't touched it, it would be worth thousands. Now it's only worth hundreds. I'm not saying you have a treasure, but the guy restoring it isn't going to tell you no because he wants the money.

Also, unless the person who included the clipping with the violin can prove they go together, it means nothing. Don't call the store you bought it from. They'll tell you what you want to hear. Again, go to someone qualified to look at it in person and give you accurate information.

 

Lyon and Healy violin, which were imported from Germany.
Eureka Violin Chicago
1917 style 1005

The violin was a pending project on the St. Paul store owner, Ken Amundsen. It was purchased from C.H. Highley in Marion, Indiana.

"His regular customer list includes some of the most celebrated musicians ever to pull a bow across a violin. Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, the Duttons, and the fiddler with Kenny Chesney are just a sampling."

His current age is/was 70; I haven't found a definite indication of death, but his business is now closed via Google. His website is still up, though. http://www.amundsonviolin.com/

Attached are additional photos.