Mysterious Violin

August 17, 2011 at 9:27 PM

I bought this violin from an auction two years ago for a hundred dollars. I knew it would be worth it because the violin was in great condition, beautiful, and obviously old. Turns out, once i clean him up, this violin sounds better than any I have ever played. In these two years he has continued to suprise me with the ever changing tone.

So, the only information I have been able to find anywhere on the maker was a snippet online somewhere that said, "It is estimated that Caralos Helmer died around 1811." I haven't found anything else... can I believe that he is really that old? does anyone know anything about this Helmer, or know of a better way to search for information?

From Tom Holzman
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 8:59 PM

I assume that your comment about the maker is based on a label in the violin. In many cases labels are placed in violins made by someone else to increase the value. You can't necessarily trust them. You would have to take the violin to a luthier to be sure of authenticity. That said, if the violin is by Helmer, you can get an idea of value by looking on line at Tarisio auction prices, assuming they auciton these off. This is not a maker of whom I have heard, but some of the luthiers on this site might be able to give you more information.

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