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Caspar da Salo

Instruments: I have a Caspar da Salo in Brescia 1595 and i am wondering how much it is worth.

From Steven Burk
Posted February 8, 2007 at 06:26 AM

I have a Caspar da Salo in Brescia 1595 and I am wondering if anyone has any information on how much it is worth.

From Jim W. Miller
Posted on February 8, 2007 at 07:16 AM
It's worth 5 - 10 million dollars. I hope you didn't pay more.
From Duc Phan
Posted on February 8, 2007 at 06:43 PM
don't we all wish we own that million dollar violin? or accidentally bought one off ebay for $100?

I wonder how does one tell which one is fake and which is real without going to a luthier? are there certain characteristic on the scroll, f hole, button, peg box, etc. that can distinguish a priceless violin from a paperweight?

From Christian Vachon
Posted on February 8, 2007 at 06:59 PM
Hi,

I would go to a reputable dealer and see if the violin is the real deal (could be a fake label or copy). That said, I think the price tag on Gaspar da Salo instruments is in the 500K to 1 million category - Gennady would know this better than me.

That said, only someone qualified can authenticate the instrument, its value or other matters.

Cheers!

From Duc Phan
Posted on February 8, 2007 at 11:59 PM
do we have any luthier around here that can provide some guidance?
From Andres Sender
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 05:54 AM
You don't need an expert for the first phase of guidance here.

Usually in situations like this (apparently) is, when someone says they have a violin by a famous maker it's not one.

There are several sites on the web which discuss the "Stradivari in the attic" situation, this is the same sort of thing.

If Mr. Burk would like to take this a step further he can tell us what makes him say it's a Da Salo--if it's the label the answer is: labels don't really mean anything. If Mr. Burk would like to post a few pictures someone may be able to tell him approximately what he is (and is not) in possession of. :-)

Ah, the subject has come up before I see: http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=6637

From Duc Phan
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 06:02 AM
Here is one I'm eyeing.
joh. bapt. schweitzer, feeit at foreman
hieronymi amati pestini 1821 made in germany
Also there is a repair label in it
Repaired by Fred W Somner 10/22/1913
violin maker
fort worth TX

There's a signature under the button, which kinda make me think it's "real" but I highly doubt it... What does everyone think??
He's taking it to a luthier to appraise it and so there goes my chance of getting it for next to nothing if it's "real"
here are a lot of pics. for those who are more knowledgable.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v205/snowball_2020/violin/

From Michael Darnton
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 06:14 AM
The most common fake Schweitzer label is 1813, but you don't need to know that because nothing made before about 1895 would be labeled "Made in Germany".
From Duc Phan
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 02:18 PM
"The most common fake Schweitzer label is 1813, but you don't need to know that because nothing made before about 1895 would be labeled "Made in Germany".
Hi Michael,
can you elaborate on this? What do you mean nothing made before 1895 would be labeled as "Made in Germany"?
I saw several Schweitzer 1813 on ebay for about $100 that was resently sold. so you are right about the 1813 label. any thoughts on my 1821?
From Michael Darnton
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 02:32 PM
The "Made in Germany" label is a US Customs requirement that was instituted in the 1890s--before that there was no reason to include that, and the concept hadn't even been thought of. If the Germans had been doing it on their own account, they certainly wouldn't have done it in English!

Here's an article about the British law--a bit later the Americans did the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_Germany

From Duc Phan
Posted on February 9, 2007 at 06:16 PM
that is a VERY IMPORTANT piece of information!! Thank you so much!
From felipe parra
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 03:53 PM
I have one but I'm not sure if it's authentic. this link ( http://yardsale-101.blogspot.com/2012/01/caspar-da-salo-in-brescia-1586.html) can view photos and video of the interior (caspar give mark salo). I have no information of its origin. it is part of an inheritance from a relative.
From Carlo Ballara
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 04:00 PM
@Filipe. In my opinion it is a German trade fiddle made around 1900. Worth maybe £500.
Cheers Carlo
From Tom Holzman
Posted on April 27, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Michael's point is a good one about made in Germany. However, there is another one which is equally telling. Germany did not exist as a nation until the 1860s or so. It was a collection of kingdoms, the largest of which was Prussia. So, it is not likely that an 1813 violin would have a label saying made in Germany.
From Peter Charles
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 07:09 AM
I have a Gaspar da Salo made in 1695 if I remember correctly. It's a big fiddle - nearly 8mm bigger than average. Nice sound. Has a date carved in the back - very small and lovely - of 1841. I'll accept £1 million for it - buyer pays postage ...
From Lyndon Taylor
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 07:14 AM
do you accept old pesos?
From Peter Charles
Posted on April 28, 2012 at 07:46 AM
Only if she's under 35 ...
From leyland dias
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 03:02 AM
My ansistors all played the Violin and were very fond of it.Just recently i opened an old trunk which was kept in the loft and found a very old Voilin in it.When i checked it up it was a Casper da sale in Brescia,1552.It requires repairs,as the neck is seperated from the box.How Can i know if its Original and what must be its value.I live in Bombay and is there is anyone who can repair it.
Thankyou,
Leyland Dias
From Mattias Eklund
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 03:38 AM
1552? Then it must be his first ever made violin :)
From Carlo Ballara
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 06:21 AM
@Leyland. Almost certainly a fake but post some photos, or a link to photos, and we'll let you know.

Cheers Carlo

From John Cadd
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 11:01 AM
All those violins found in lofts seem to survive very well when you think how hot a loft can get in the summer. They have probably not had the benefit of loft insulation for many years . I found recently that fibre glass wool will keep the loft warmer in winter (if it`s above the loft ) , but the sun`s heat will penetrate through the fibreglass without a layer of silver foil . So , warm in winter and very hot in summer. Don`t stick your old violins in the loft . Did old violins hang in living rooms as decorations ? In a place like Italy a house is designed to keep the heat out as much as in . Smaller windows are more violin friendly .
From leyland dias
Posted on June 13, 2012 at 09:41 PM
Hello Mattias Eklund,&Carlo Ballara,&John Cadd,
Thanks for the interest taken reguarding my Violin
Send me a test mail and i will send all three of you photos of my Violin so that you all can get an idea of it.Thankyou,
Leyland Dias
From Carlo Ballara
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:10 PM
@Leyland. You can send us email through this website. I never give out my email on a public forum. You would be wise to remove your email from the previous post as you will get hit with spam. I know this the hard way.

Cheers Carlo

From Lyndon Taylor
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 03:33 PM
in my opinion its worth 300usd to 1millionusd, most likely around 500
From Lisa Van Sickle
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 05:58 PM
Wasn't Caspar da Salo the friendly ghost of Gaspar da Salo?
From N.A. Mohr
Posted on June 14, 2012 at 06:28 PM
No...that Casper was spelled with an 'e' and didn't have a last name, at least not one he shared with anyone...

Unless there are a herd of friendly ghosts out there...then maybe! ;)

From John Cadd
Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:55 PM
They may play well as violins even if not genuine. Strange that the word Fecit sounds exactly the same as Fake it.
It was putting naughty ideas in our heads whoever first thought of putting that on the labels.
From Marsha Weaver
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 01:03 AM
John is right about them (at least some of them) playing well, even if not the "genuine article". My teacher has one -- I'm reasonably sure a copy -- and it's a totally lovely violin -- in looks and "voice". That double-row of purfling is quite an eye-catcher! :)
From Lyndon Taylor
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 02:27 AM
the majority of gasparo da salo or maginni model violins are really cheap, on par with a stradivari label made in germany violin, however there are some better ones including some made in france that are worth several thousand dollars

usually the wood is too thick and they have no corner blocks, carved in bass bar etc

of course an original is priceless but i would guess there are only about 100 left out of maybe 100s of thousands of copies.....you do the math on that

From Carlo Ballara
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 05:41 AM
Maggini violins have gone somewhat out of fashion. There were many soloists using them in the late 19th Century who liked the darker, warmer, almost viola like sound.

Priceless? No. From about $300K for an original Maggini in mint condition.

Cheers Carlo

From Nate Robinson
Posted on June 16, 2012 at 05:58 AM
I tried a da Salo violin and a viola. Great sounding instruments. They have very high arching typical of the Brescian school and also similar to my Andrea Amati (who was inspired by da Salo in someways).

I recall the da Salo viola I played on sold for well over 7 figures at auction.

From Bill Walderman
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:38 PM
"Strange that the word Fecit sounds exactly the same as Fake it."

Like the Praeneste fibula, an object that has a history similar to that of Le Messie. This has nothing to do with violins, except that it involves a very old artifact of suspicious provenance. If you're interested, copy these into your browser and be sure to read the inscription on the fibula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praeneste_fibula

http://ancientstudies.fas.nyu.edu/docs/CP/963/EtruscanNewsVol14_2012_winter.pdf

Notwithstanding the "scientific" evidence, I still have my doubts. Helbig supposedly knew English, and maybe he had a sense of humor, too.

From felipe parra
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 05:57 PM
http://yardsale-101.blogspot.com/2012/01/caspar-da-salo-in-brescia-1586.html


violin for sale, is in the north of Bogotá, Colombia, if anyone is interested in seeing it, and maybe buy it at a good price. If anyone is interested but can not come by, it could arrange a shipment (DHL) and a rotation by western union service. I would like the buyer will take good music, because I do not play.

Mail: amoeldinero@yahoo.es

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