PLEASE Help me find stolen Becker Viola!

August 4, 2008 at 11:14 PM

Please help me put the word out!
Last week my home was burglarized and they stole my 16 1/2 inch Viola made by Carl Becker & Son (Chicago Luthier) in 1992. It was made to order, and I had him tone down the usual bright orange tint. It is still orange, but not as dramatic as some of his other creations.
The viola was in a baby blue silk bag with drawstring and inside of a rectangular case. THe inside of the case was royal blue plush. This was the usual case they use at Beckers, including a humidifier tube.
There were two bows in the case. One very good one, and one left over from student days as an emergency back up.
There were several strings and rosin in the case also.
The outside of the hard case had a water-proof royal blue cloth cover with a zipper around it, and a zipper pocket on top in which you could fit orchestra music. There may be a copy of the Viola part of the Messiah in that.
There may be a scratch on the front right side going from the finger board down to below the F hole. This was made by a violinist who asked to see the instrument, who had very long fingernails. She scratched it somehow when she handed it back to me.
Please help me get my viola back.
If you have ANY leads, please contact me.
Vicki Urban
567 Aberdeen Road
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-469-8722
vandcurban@aol.com
CARL BECKER & SON
1-773-348-5698
1416 W. Belmont
Chicago, Il. 60657
1992 16 1/2" Viola - 48 cm
I believe these strings were inside:
? Jargar A I la (10.36)
137Perlon Dominant (D) II re (9.84)
138Perlon Dominant (G)III sol (13.68)
139Perlon Dominant Viola (C)IV do(23.60)

From Terez Mertes
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 6:32 PM

Awful news. Good luck to you.

From Bob Reese
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 7:30 PM

I'm very sorry to hear of the theft of your viola. I will pray for it's safe return to you, and that the individual(s) responsible will be brought to justice.

From Maria Weronika
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 7:47 PM

Hi,
Do contact every major violin shop in the country. They have some system also in which you could probably advertise. The Beckers are so distinct that no one could buy or sell one without asking the question. lso scout antique / pawn shops in the Chicago area and fast! If you see it call the police if they are unwilling to be resonable since you can document that it is yours. However do not leave the viola alone with the shop people. Stay right there and make sure that it does not get "sold" before you come back.
Good luck. Just to make you feel bettter it is difficult to sell a decent stolen instrument.

From Ray Randall
Posted on August 5, 2008 at 11:07 PM

Agree, contact the local shops ASAP and ask them to help put the word out.

From Dimitri Adamou
Posted on August 6, 2008 at 1:46 AM

That is very unfortunante to hear! Unfortunatenly I have nothing to give you but only some advice - I think you should atleast only keep your email address on this website and remove your home address and phone number.

From Anthony Chi
Posted on August 6, 2008 at 2:13 AM

hope this link helps

http://vdgsa.org/pgs/lost.html

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