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VIDEO: Quint plays the “Vieuxtemps, Stoutzker” del Gesù
Dear Friends
Sales of both modern and rare, antique stringed instruments are continuing to grow both in the U.S. and internationally as the world economy slowly improves. We have been seeing the highest increase in sales of great Italian instruments, with ten Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù violins sold through our shop in the last year.
The worldwide market for other types of rare, antique instruments has also been thriving in recent years. The guqin is the most revered of ancient Chinese instruments. On December 7, 2010, a guqin that had been the personal instrument of Emperor Qian Long, who ruled from 1730 to 1796, was sold at auction in Beijing at a stunning world record price for any kind of musical instrument: $25,000,000.
An event that was expected to have a major impact on our field and was watched closely by all who have a keen interest in rare, antique Italian violins was the recent auction of the “Lady Blunt” Stradivari of 1721 in London. The “Lady Blunt” is one of the most perfectly preserved violins by the master maker and is considered to be on the level of the “Messiah” Stradivari of 1716. The 1971 sale of the “Lady Blunt” by Sotheby for $201,000 was not only a record price at the time, but it was also triple the price of any Stradivari previously sold and changed the market dramatically for great antique violins. On June 20, the “Lady Blunt” once again set a new record at auction when it sold for $15,894,000. In an extraordinary act of generosity, the Nippon Music Foundation offered the “Lady Blunt,” considered the finest instrument in its collection, at auction and will donate the full proceeds to the foundation&rsquos Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Another notable sale is the recent aquisition by the Russian government of six magnificent instruments from a major American collection for about $42,000,000. These instruments are all, of course, at the pinnacle of achievement, but show just how strongly the market for antique stringed instruments has come back since the darkest days of the recession.
New Additions
Our extended family has had some important additions recently. Congratulations to Joe and Nancy Bein on the birth of their second child, Haley Allison Bein, on February 21 and to their son, Jack Bein, on gaining a sister!
Our best wishes also go to violinist and Stradivari Society recipient Yang Liu and his wife, pianist I-Hsuan Tsai, on the birth of their second son, Isaac. Their first son, Julian, is already following in his parents' footsteps as he begins his violin studies.
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| Haley Bein | Julian Liu |
Whether you are a collector, student, or professional with an interest in the acquisition of stringed instruments, this is the perfect time to begin to build or add to your collection or upgrade your current instrument or bow. We have a superb and wide-ranging collection of great antique and modern violins, violas, cellos, and bows now in our inventory. You can view a great selection in this newsletter and at www.beinfushi.com. Our staff of experts-Gabriel Ben-Dashan, Alec Fushi, Joe Bein and John Gerson—is ready to help you find the ideal bow or instrument at our shop in Chicago or anywhere worldwide.
With Affection and Appreciation,
Shop Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm