NPR - Sale of rare Stradivarius

Marco Coppiardi, the only U.S. violin-maker working exclusively with the materials and techniques used by the violin-making masters of 16th-centruy Cremona, Italy, announced today the sale of an original, early Stradivarius violin priced over $1 million. Coppiardi served as broker between the instrument's seller, and buyer.

The sale, the first by Coppiardi of a Stradivarius, represents a unique fusion of the violin-making/restoration profession, and the brokerage of collectible instruments. A native of Cremona, Italy, where Stradivari ran his shop, Coppiardi has been studying, restoring, and producing exact replicas of Stradivarius instruments throughout his 31-year career. His thorough understanding of their characteristics, their sound and their value make him an ideal intermediary in this type of sale. He has previously brokered the sale of several other vintage, Cremonese violins.

"I am honored to have been entrusted with the sale of this early Stradivarius violin, and pleased to announce that the transaction is complete. As a violin-maker, I regularly handle some of the world's finest instruments and am in touch with many musicians and collectors around the globe, so I often find myself in a position to match buyers with sellers. In these difficult economic times, both buyers and sellers seem to be more eager than ever, whether for liquidation or investment purposes. It is extremely gratifying to see this arrangement come to fruition, and I look forward to implementing similar deals in the future," said Coppiardi.

The violin, circa 1671, is one of a small handful produced by celebrated violin-maker Antonios Stradivari over the course of that year and one of only about 700 Stradivarius instruments in existence. Early Stradivarius violins have long been favorites of soloists including Joshua Bell and David Oistrakh.

The seller and the buyer both wish to remain anonymous.