Made by Ernst Martin sometime around 1900. Local luthier Mark Bluett estimates its value somewhere between $1800 and $3500, so I'm asking $2500. I'd rather sell it relatively locally so that I don't have to worry about it being damaged in shipment.
Mix:
A) I didn't say I refused to ship it, only that I'd rather.
B) I'm driving distance (and perfectly willing to make said drive) from Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C and Philadelphia, PA, none of which would be served by a local newspaper. Because of this site's demographic, the odds are that I'm more likely to be seen by someone interested and local here than in something like the local paper.
C) Does anyone even use newspapers to buy something like a musical instrument anymore??
D) What makes you think this is the only place I'm trying to sell it?
At the moment, the only picture I have was taken with my cell phone: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2987624585_7bcc878aaf_d.jpg
When I get home, I can take more with a better camera, and I'll be sure to get one of the label.
I'm not positive which "E. Martin" was the maker. Searching around the web, I found one description of the label attributed to E. Otto that seemed to match the label in this instrument. But other sites placed the age of violins with similar label text at 1900, which would be before E. Otto was making instruments; it's my understanding that he didn't start until 1907 at the earliest. Thinking about it, I kind of lean towards E. Otto, which would be my earlier "around 1900" a little early. "Around 1925" might be closer.
Again, I'll post a link to more pictures this evening. Is there anything in particular you think might be telling regarding the maker?
Thanks for those hotsauce. Based on the label, it looks like your fiddle is an Ernst Otto Martin, most likely from the 1920s or later (E. Otto lived till 1955).
Decent looking fiddle, though, and if it sounds and plays well, you've priced it fairly.
If no one snaps it up right away, you might contact David Bromberg (yes, the great guitarist), who sells fiddles from a shop in Wilmington, DE (see http://www.davidbrombergfineviolins.com/) to see if he'll buy it or carry it on consignment.
hotsauce - thanks for your very detailed (A,B,C,D) reply to my earlier post, but I don't think you spotted that my response was rhetorical ... I should have included a smiley ....
... and you shouldn't assume that everyone knows that "York, PA" is in the USA ...!
Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Made by Ernst Martin sometime around 1900. Local luthier Mark Bluett estimates its value somewhere between $1800 and $3500, so I'm asking $2500. I'd rather sell it relatively locally so that I don't have to worry about it being damaged in shipment.
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
You want to sell it locally, but yet you are advertising it internationally?
Do you not have local newspapers or local websites over there in York, PA then?
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
I thought you menat York, England for a sec there, dang it!
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by D.J.F.
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Mix:
A) I didn't say I refused to ship it, only that I'd rather.
B) I'm driving distance (and perfectly willing to make said drive) from Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C and Philadelphia, PA, none of which would be served by a local newspaper. Because of this site's demographic, the odds are that I'm more likely to be seen by someone interested and local here than in something like the local paper.
C) Does anyone even use newspapers to buy something like a musical instrument anymore??
D) What makes you think this is the only place I'm trying to sell it?
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Hotsauce, do you have pix, including of the label?
Is this a fiddle by Wilhelm Ernst Martin or his son, Ernst Otto Martin?
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
At the moment, the only picture I have was taken with my cell phone:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2987624585_7bcc878aaf_d.jpg
When I get home, I can take more with a better camera, and I'll be sure to get one of the label.
I'm not positive which "E. Martin" was the maker. Searching around the web, I found one description of the label attributed to E. Otto that seemed to match the label in this instrument. But other sites placed the age of violins with similar label text at 1900, which would be before E. Otto was making instruments; it's my understanding that he didn't start until 1907 at the earliest. Thinking about it, I kind of lean towards E. Otto, which would be my earlier "around 1900" a little early. "Around 1925" might be closer.
Again, I'll post a link to more pictures this evening. Is there anything in particular you think might be telling regarding the maker?
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by hotsauce
Forgot to mention
In the picture linked above, it's the instrument on the right.
# Posted on November 13th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
The label will tell a lot.
I'd be curious to see a pic of that. Thanks.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Here are the pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=violin+for+sale&d=posted-20081113-20081113&ct=0
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Thanks for those hotsauce. Based on the label, it looks like your fiddle is an Ernst Otto Martin, most likely from the 1920s or later (E. Otto lived till 1955).
Decent looking fiddle, though, and if it sounds and plays well, you've priced it fairly.
If no one snaps it up right away, you might contact David Bromberg (yes, the great guitarist), who sells fiddles from a shop in Wilmington, DE (see http://www.davidbrombergfineviolins.com/) to see if he'll buy it or carry it on consignment.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Will Harmon
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
hotsauce - thanks for your very detailed (A,B,C,D) reply to my earlier post, but I don't think you spotted that my response was rhetorical ... I should have included a smiley ....
... and you shouldn't assume that everyone knows that "York, PA" is in the USA ...!
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
that's not rhetoric - that's a leading question (sorry)
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by airport
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
No need to be sorry, Airport!
Such a refreshing change to encounter an American who can appreciate the kind of humour (humor) more commonly found on this side of the Atlantic ...
You say in your profile that you are an Aries....
... I'm a "Scorpio" myself - but Scorpios don't believe in astrology ...
(think about it!)
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Mix,
Ah, well, there's the problem. I had my sense of humor surgically removed a few years back. It's the only way I could make Mr. Bean tolerable.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Will:
Thanks for the info and advice.
# Posted on November 14th 2008 by hotsauce
Re: Fiddle for sale in York, PA
Sorry to hear about your op, hotsauce. Trust that it didn't hurt too much? Perhaps only when you laughed!
Now, joking aside, the best way to sell that fiddle of yours would be to demonstrate to a potential buyer by playing a really good tune tune on it ...
'... I would suggest the "Flogging Reel"
(Perhaps I should explain: "to flog" = (UK) English slang for "to sell").
# Posted on November 15th 2008 by Mix O'Lydian