A FAMOUS VIOLIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9194, 25 March 1908, Page 2

A FAMOUS VIOLIN.

IT MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS. The violin stolen from. M. Ysaye at the opera, St Petersburg, was a priceless Stradivarius, which he left in his dressing-room while playing a piece on another violin, an excellent Guarnerius. Returning to the room after acknowledging prolonged applause, and being told that his Stradivarius had. been stolen, M. Ysaye, in despair, bur^fc into tears. The police were immediately informed, and every nooic and corner was searched. A watch was set at the railway stations, the information was telegraphed everywhere inland and abroad, and all music-shops and pawnbrokers were notified. The police had conferences with M. Ysaye and his lawyer. M. Ysaye, through the Belgian Consulate, has lodged a claim for a heavy indemnity for the loss. It is commonly believed that the thief either did not' know the value of the instrument, which is absolutely unsalable, or means to restore it after obtaining blackmail. M. Ysaye purchased the instrument for £2400, but experts value it at £6000 or £7000. It is a universally known violin, has the. inscription " Anno 1732," and bears the name ot the Hercules. It is one of the few authentic specimens of the famous Cre. mona violin-maker's are. The number of the instrument is unknown. A violin is, perhaps, the last thing that the average person would\ think likely to attract the attention of a thief (says the London "Daily Mail"), as hardly an instrument of note now exists which is not known to one or other of the great dealers in London, Paris and Berlin, and whenever it changes hands it is likely to come before them for inspection and verifica- | tion. Many famous " Strads " are 'known by names, such as " The Messiah," "'La Pucelle," and " The Dolphin," and M. Ysaye's instrument is well known in the violin world, having been on exhibition at South Kensington Museum in 1885. The j>resent theft is not unique. Several of the famous "Strads" at the Spanish Court have vanished no on© knows where, and a famous Strad, from the Plowden collection, while in the possession of one of our diplomats at St Petersburg disappeared and has never been traced 1 . The great Sarasate, when he visited America, heavily insured his violin, and nearly all owners of valuable instrument similarly insure their treasures while on professional tours. _