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January 2014 rare-string instrument intelligence

22 headlines

22 headlines

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22 headlines

Lipinski Stradivarius violin theft, Milwaukee: Police Chief says these are wildly valuable to a tiny slice of the art world

art-crime.blogspot.com

The Lipinski Stradivarius violin, stolen from Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Frank Almond, was discussed by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn at a press conference. The theft occurred after a performance at Wisconsin Lutheran College, with two suspects and a maroon/minivan vehicle described. The case involves cooperation with the FBI Art Crimes Team and Interpol, and the violin is noted as valuable to a very small group of people.

Violinist to oppose $120k Canadian border fine

classicfm.com

The article reports that violinist Yosuke Kawasaki, a Japanese-American, is opposing a $120,950 fine from Canadian Border Services Agency after failing to declare instruments worth nearly half a million dollars. Kawasaki carried a violin valued at $385,000 and three bows valued at $90,000, $6,800, and $2,000; he had previously paid a $20,000 partial fee to secure release. He is applying to have his deposit refunded and the fine revoked, and he contends his entry into Canada as a settler was lawful.

International alert for 100+ string instruments valued at over $200,000 stolen from Bremen, Germany

theviolinchannel.com

The Violin Channel reports an international alert for more than 100 string instruments stolen from a private dealer's home in Gröpelingen, Bremen-Oslebshausen, Germany. The collection, valued in excess of USD 200,000, includes violins, violas, viols, gambas, cellos and bows, with instruments by Leopold Widhalm, Emile Laurent and Emily Germain, and a distinctive Viennese cello with an angel's head. A €20,000 reward is offered for their return.

Skradziono skrzypce Stradivariusa

wroclaw.pl

The article reports that the Stradivari violin was stolen from a musician on a parking lot by an attacker armed with a Taser, who grabbed the instrument case and fled. The instrument was lent by an anonymous American family to Frank Almond, principal concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and not owned by him. The Stradivari was made in the first quarter of 1700, and the article traces its provenance through Giuseppe Tartini, Lipiński, and other owners, with a note about its time in Havana.

Who Stole the Lipinski Stradivarius? – Huff

huff.blog

The article discusses violinist Frank Almond of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the theft of the Lipinski Stradivarius from a Milwaukee venue. It covers the instrument’s historic ownership lineage, including Karol Lipinski, Giuseppe Tartini, Franz Liszt, Nicolò Paganini, Robert Schumann, the Röentgen family, and Evi Liivak, as well as Almond’s Kickstarter project about the violin’s history. The author contemplates who may have stolen the Stradivarius and notes sparse details about the crime.

Stradivarius violin stolen in Milwaukee armed robbery

cbsnews.com

The Stradivarius violin owned by Frank Almond of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra was stolen during an armed robbery at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee on January 27. Almond was tased during the incident, and the suspect fled in a maroon late 1980s or early 1990s minivan. The violin is described as worth millions, and investigators are collaborating with federal and international agencies to recover it.

Centuries-old Stradivarius violin stolen from musician

nbcnews.com

A 1729 Stradivarius known as the Solomon, Ex-Lambert, was stolen from violinist Frank Almond of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra after a performance in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Almond was subdued with a stun gun, and two suspects fled in a minivan; the instrument is valued at millions of dollars and is listed in the FBI’s international art theft database.

The Mystery of the Stolen Violin

urbanmilwaukee.com

The piece discusses the Lipinski Stradivarius stolen from Frank Almond, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster, and outlines ownership questions tracing the instrument from its early owners to the present loan tied to Almond.

Stradivarius violin worth millions stolen from musician during armed robbery

the-independent.com

The article reports that a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin worth millions of pounds was stolen from musician Frank Almond, lead violinist of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, after an armed robbery following a performance at Wisconsin Lutheran College. The instrument, a 1715 Lipinski Stradivarius on loan to Almond, was valued by Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn in the high seven figures; previous owners include Giuseppe Tartini and Karol Lipinski.

Stolen Stradivarius violin will be tough to sell

wisn.com

The article discusses a stolen 300-year-old Stradivarius violin in Milwaukee. FBI art crime expert Robert Whittman says thieves are typically bad at selling such items, making the violin hard to move. Local stores and officials note the provenance and limited buyers as obstacles to reselling the instrument.

Where is the stolen six million dollar Stradivarius violin

fox6now.com

The stolen Stradivarius violin, valued at about $6 million and belonging to a Milwaukee Symphony violinist, remains missing after a heist during a concert at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Police and investigators note the difficulty of unloading such a rare instrument and cite possible leads from online videos and schedules; a police source mentions the case’s GPS-equipped case was discarded near Washington Park, and suspects fled in a maroon minivan.

Bienen lecturer’s nearly 300-year-old violin stolen in Milwaukee

dailynorthwestern.com

The article reports that a nearly 300-year-old Stradivarius Lipinski violin, on loan to Bienen lecturer Frank Almond, was stolen in Milwaukee after he performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Police and officials commented on the value and rarity of Stradivarius violins, and Almond’s career notes are provided.

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