Scott Tichenor
Jun-02-2005, 10:27pm
I'm on the list of recipients for Skinner Auction press releases. This came in the email today and while not particularly worthy of creating a front page news article I thought I'd share the contents and see if anyone is interested.
<span style='font-family:courier'>Contact: David Bonsey, Director Catherine Riedel, Director
Fine Musical Instruments Marketing & Public Relations
978-779-6241 ext. 224 978-779-6241 x231
dbonsey@skinnerinc.com criedel@skinnerinc.com</span>
VIOLONCELLO SELLS FOR $121,500
AT SKINNER AUCTION OF FINE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Lloyd Loar-Signed Gibson Mandolin Sells for $105,000
BOSTON, Mass. – May 31, 2005 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner's May 8th auction of fine musical instruments was its largest music sale to date. It was a decidedly solid sale, with over 90% of lots sold, and gross receipts of $1.5 million, including 12 record auction prices achieved for recognized makers of violins and bows. Crowning the selection was an exceptionally fine violoncello made in 1817 by Giacomo Rivolta (lot 69), an instrument reputed to have been built on Stradivaris's own "B-Pattern" mold. Known best for his fine 'cellos, Rivolta later won gold medals at competitions for his work and claimed to have been responsible for the resurgence of the celebrated "Stradivari School" of violin making. The dark amber color and soft texture of the varnish on this 'cello was particularly fine, enhanced with the patina of age. The piece reached well beyond expectations, selling to the trade for a record $121,500.
Fretted Instruments
Fretted instruments led off in the sale, which totaled 435 lots. Outstanding were two Gibson F-5 mandolins, both dated and signed by Lloyd Loar on March 31, 1924 (lots 37 and 56), selling for $94,000 and $105,000. A well-played and very fine Martin OM-28 from 1933 (lot 57) brought $18,800, and a vintage Fender Telecaster from 1952 (lot 47) brought $32,900, with its original “thermometer” shaped case with "poodle" interior, original shoulder strap and set of instructions.
World Record Prices
Although most items went to the trade, musicians showed much interest in the lots that were in ready playing condition. These included lot 86, an Italian violin by Giovanni Tononi, Bologna, c. 1700 that sold for $47,000, with a 1945 certificate of Rembert Wurlitzer; and lot 88, a violin by Vincenzo Sannino, Naples, 1903, that also went for $47,000 (a new world record for this maker), with the certificate of Dario D'Attili. Noted department director David Bonsey, "The Sannino violin is probably the nicest one by this maker that we will ever see, with a superb golden red varnish in the 'antique style,' painstakingly done, but without any heavy-handedness." In near-mint condition, with a very solid core of sound, and strong in all registers, it sold itself to a professional violinist in the Boston area.
Selling for a record $18,800 was a viola by George Chanot, Paris, 1850 (lot 67), one of the foremost French makers in the style after Stradivari, a very clean example with an "antiqued" varnish, in near mint condition, with a powerful carrying tone that belied its comfortable size of just over 15 _ inches. Additional record prices were achieved by a violin by Ernesto Pevere, Ferrara, 1929 (lot 83) that sold for $18,800, and a violin by Paulus Pilat, New York, 1927 (lot 435) that fetched $11,750. Bows also made record marks, including a viola bow by Emile A. Ouchard that reached $11,750, and one by German maker August Rau that brought $2,467.
Other Noteworthy Lots
Other noteworthy stringed instruments included a violin attributed to the Parisian workshop of J.B. Vuillaume, c. 1830 (lot 72) that lived up to its attribution and brought $58,750. Lot 60 was a viola by Ansaldo Poggi, Bologna, 1976. Poggi's violins are enormously popular now, due to outstanding tone and beautiful workmanship. Violas by this maker are rare, as he only made approximately thirty of them. This example, in mint condition and from the original owner who commissioned it, sold for $47,000. An extremely fine violin bow by Domenique Peccatte, researched and paired with a contemporary certification from Bernard Millant of Paris, sold with a later replacement frog for $28,200.
Bonsey attributes the high sale rate of this and other Skinner Musical Instrument auctions (a consistent 90% or better over the last three years) to good international marketing and a loyal clientele which finds the Boston location the best in the world for the social atmosphere and the opportunity to make business contacts. “We have built a community of dealers, collectors and musicians that can depend on Skinner to deliver quality instruments and bows, selected with a maker’s and musician’s point of view,” he says. “More and more people each year are finding how exciting it can be to try instruments and learn more about the market.”
Upcoming Auction Information
Consignments are currently being accepted for Skinner's next auction of Fine Musical Instruments, which will be held in the fall of 2005. Prices realized at the May sale are available at www.skinnerinc.com. For more information, call 617-350-5400, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
###
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com
<span style='font-family:courier'>Contact: David Bonsey, Director Catherine Riedel, Director
Fine Musical Instruments Marketing & Public Relations
978-779-6241 ext. 224 978-779-6241 x231
dbonsey@skinnerinc.com criedel@skinnerinc.com</span>
VIOLONCELLO SELLS FOR $121,500
AT SKINNER AUCTION OF FINE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Lloyd Loar-Signed Gibson Mandolin Sells for $105,000
BOSTON, Mass. – May 31, 2005 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner's May 8th auction of fine musical instruments was its largest music sale to date. It was a decidedly solid sale, with over 90% of lots sold, and gross receipts of $1.5 million, including 12 record auction prices achieved for recognized makers of violins and bows. Crowning the selection was an exceptionally fine violoncello made in 1817 by Giacomo Rivolta (lot 69), an instrument reputed to have been built on Stradivaris's own "B-Pattern" mold. Known best for his fine 'cellos, Rivolta later won gold medals at competitions for his work and claimed to have been responsible for the resurgence of the celebrated "Stradivari School" of violin making. The dark amber color and soft texture of the varnish on this 'cello was particularly fine, enhanced with the patina of age. The piece reached well beyond expectations, selling to the trade for a record $121,500.
Fretted Instruments
Fretted instruments led off in the sale, which totaled 435 lots. Outstanding were two Gibson F-5 mandolins, both dated and signed by Lloyd Loar on March 31, 1924 (lots 37 and 56), selling for $94,000 and $105,000. A well-played and very fine Martin OM-28 from 1933 (lot 57) brought $18,800, and a vintage Fender Telecaster from 1952 (lot 47) brought $32,900, with its original “thermometer” shaped case with "poodle" interior, original shoulder strap and set of instructions.
World Record Prices
Although most items went to the trade, musicians showed much interest in the lots that were in ready playing condition. These included lot 86, an Italian violin by Giovanni Tononi, Bologna, c. 1700 that sold for $47,000, with a 1945 certificate of Rembert Wurlitzer; and lot 88, a violin by Vincenzo Sannino, Naples, 1903, that also went for $47,000 (a new world record for this maker), with the certificate of Dario D'Attili. Noted department director David Bonsey, "The Sannino violin is probably the nicest one by this maker that we will ever see, with a superb golden red varnish in the 'antique style,' painstakingly done, but without any heavy-handedness." In near-mint condition, with a very solid core of sound, and strong in all registers, it sold itself to a professional violinist in the Boston area.
Selling for a record $18,800 was a viola by George Chanot, Paris, 1850 (lot 67), one of the foremost French makers in the style after Stradivari, a very clean example with an "antiqued" varnish, in near mint condition, with a powerful carrying tone that belied its comfortable size of just over 15 _ inches. Additional record prices were achieved by a violin by Ernesto Pevere, Ferrara, 1929 (lot 83) that sold for $18,800, and a violin by Paulus Pilat, New York, 1927 (lot 435) that fetched $11,750. Bows also made record marks, including a viola bow by Emile A. Ouchard that reached $11,750, and one by German maker August Rau that brought $2,467.
Other Noteworthy Lots
Other noteworthy stringed instruments included a violin attributed to the Parisian workshop of J.B. Vuillaume, c. 1830 (lot 72) that lived up to its attribution and brought $58,750. Lot 60 was a viola by Ansaldo Poggi, Bologna, 1976. Poggi's violins are enormously popular now, due to outstanding tone and beautiful workmanship. Violas by this maker are rare, as he only made approximately thirty of them. This example, in mint condition and from the original owner who commissioned it, sold for $47,000. An extremely fine violin bow by Domenique Peccatte, researched and paired with a contemporary certification from Bernard Millant of Paris, sold with a later replacement frog for $28,200.
Bonsey attributes the high sale rate of this and other Skinner Musical Instrument auctions (a consistent 90% or better over the last three years) to good international marketing and a loyal clientele which finds the Boston location the best in the world for the social atmosphere and the opportunity to make business contacts. “We have built a community of dealers, collectors and musicians that can depend on Skinner to deliver quality instruments and bows, selected with a maker’s and musician’s point of view,” he says. “More and more people each year are finding how exciting it can be to try instruments and learn more about the market.”
Upcoming Auction Information
Consignments are currently being accepted for Skinner's next auction of Fine Musical Instruments, which will be held in the fall of 2005. Prices realized at the May sale are available at www.skinnerinc.com. For more information, call 617-350-5400, or visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
###
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com