Appeals in selected category

Italiam cello, not later than 1690, last seen Birmingham September 17 1992

• Large and of a deep golden colour
• One piece back with a a sound post crack repaired many years ago this is visible of some 8-10"
• Unique - a resonating bar runs from the ebony button in the base of the cello (marked Sprengel of Stuggart) which has meant the addition of an extra hole for the end pin which is a brass & rosewood W. E. Hill model.
• Bridge stamped 'Kudanowski'

Joseph Gagliano crafted in 1769 Violin last seen May 11 1991

• Bears original label 'Joseph Gagliano Filius Nicolai fecit Neap. 1769' or similar.
• Two piece back marked by a medium width figure ascending slightly from the joint.
• Varnish - golden brown colour
• On the back of the violin there is a badly repaired small crack running from the joint up to the shoulder - small but obvious.
• Length of body - 14"

Francesco Guadagnini violin crafted in 1909 last seen on January 26 1994

• Labelled: Francesco Guadagnini 1909
• Orange/Red varnish
• One piece back
• Pegs inlaid with mother of pearl
• Gold E adjuster

Violin by Giulio Degani crafted in 1934, last seen in Greenwich on December 21 1993

• Labelled: Giulio Degani Venezia 1934 and inscription dated Atlantic City 1934.
• Back: Two pieces of quarter cut maple showing broad flames descending from centre joint.
• Sides & scroll: similar maple to back.
• Top: 2 pieces of spruce of narrow to broad grain.
• Varnish: brownish red. Length of back 35.8cm.

Violin by Joseph Hel, 1886; last seen at the Ibis Hotel, London NW1 on Feb 23 2000.

The front of the violin is of medium grain broadening in the bouts, the two-piece back of medium curl, the ribs and head similar. The varnish is of a red/orange colour over a golden ground. Length of back 14 & 1/8"". Middle of lower right front varnish thin/lost where cracks in the wood were repaired in the mid 1950's - unmistakeable."

Labelled: Fair par J. Hel. No 95. Lille 1886.

The viola is by MARINUS CAPPICCHIONI with original label dated Rimini 1966 and was stolen on March 2nd 2000

The colour is deep yellowy-orange with the back darker than the front.

There is a wood defect on button, several knocks on the back line, shoulder rest markings, fingernail damage, faint scratch pattern, inner bout worn, corner worn front right hand side.

The bridge stamped 'COLIN NICHOLLS'. It has an unusual chin rest.

A Carlo Guiseppe Testore of Milan crafted in 1710 was lost in Estoril, Cascais, Portugal on April 28th 1999.

The violin is labelled Carlo Giufeppe Testore in Contrada Larga di Milano al signo dell Aquila 1710.

Measurements: Body length - 354mm. Across the back the upper bouts - 162mm, middle bouts - 105mm & the lower bouts - 203.5mm.

The violin has been skillfully lengthened at the lower bouts and is only visible on the table.

The bridge is marked ''D Kessler''.

On April 24th 1999 a violin by Ageidus Klotz, Mittenwald was stolen from a church in Hove, East Sussex.

The instrument has a spruce front with two piece maple back and chestnut brown varnish. The bridge bears the name ''VOIGT''. Small mark (patch) by the F hole on right side.

In January 13th 1999 at approximately 12:00AM a violin by Stefano Scarampella was taken in a house burglary in london SW16.

The Stefano Scarampella violin is light tan in colour with makers original label bearing the date 1911. It has a two piece maple back with the bridge stamped ''Ealing Strings'' and the number 3217 branded into the end of the fingerboard.

The image is for illustrative purposes only: it is of different Stefano Scarampella violin (circa 1903).

This violin was stolen from private home in Churcham, Gloucestershire.

It was made by Harris and Sheldon The label reads HARRIS and SHELDON makers London. 2000. No: 190.

The back length of the instrument is 14 1/16".

The table is of Italina red pine with a strong reed with a medium width, fairly even, grain across the side.

It has a one piece maple back with a light & narrow curl descending from left to right.

The finish ia a brownish-red varnish.

At the time it was in a Gordge de Luxe violin case.

A  cello was lost when a car was in Barking, East London.

The instrument was made by David Rubio of Cambridge, 1987, and was a Montagnana copy.

It was finished with a reddish/brown varnish.

The right hand edge of the front upper bout shows signs of being sanded down - there are blue stains on the back edges and a trace of white staining on fingerboard and tailpiece from cleaning agent.

it was in a Paxman cello case, which was British racing green, with a blue/mauve lining.

A viola has been stolen from Alte Oper, Frankfurt, Germany.

The viola was made by John Betts in the 18th century.

The instrument is 15 3/4", stamped I Betts and labelled 'John Betts, Royal Exchange, London'.

A modern English violin by luthier Martin Hilsden has been stolen from the boot of car in Kentish Town, North London.

The instrument is labelled ''Martin J. Hilsden / maker / Oxford / 1987'' (with makers signature). The length of the back is 14" (355mm).

It has a two piece back with narrow flame; ribs and head of similar wood. The table is of straight medium grain.

It is finished with an orange brown varnish on a golden ground - there are some marks on varnish.

A house in Broomhill, Sheffield was burgled and a violin by Gabriel Adolph Thibout was taken. 

Items were being packed into a vehicle outside the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The case containing the violin and bows were stolen from the side of the vehicle.

The violin stolen was by Charles Boulangier. The instrument has a label inside ''Charles Boulangier London 1889".

It is red in colour, had repairs to cracks done in 1997, 4 on the front and 2 on the back.