Rare violin, stolen in 1986, is returned to US owner
NewsAn 18th century violin, stolen from a parked car in California 35 years ago, has been identified in an online auction by a unique carving in its scroll. It was the rightful owner’s daughter who recognised and recovered it.
Loal Davis was just 14 at the time. He’s now 49.
Video news report here.
What was anyone doing leaving anything that priceless in a car?
Have you never made a mistaken your life?
Many. Not like this.
Have you read SD long enough to see the continuous litany of “stolen” violins (in particular — the odd other instrument also goes walkabout)? The majority of the “stolen” ones are left on trains, where some passing opportunist has boosted an unclaimed instrument. Next-most frequent occurrence is “left in cars.”
Memo to musicians: not everyone is as honest as you. We do not hear the stats on the number of violins found on trains that are handed in to authorities by a passerby who realises it has been forgotten but its not dishonest.
And one more thing: the majority of valuable violins are not owned by their players: they are lent by wealthy music-loving owners to talented players, from the famous (the James Ehnes class) to the promising. Did this 18-year-old own an 18th century violin?
I’ve had enough stolen from me in my lifetime to be very bitter about thieves. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint, my home has been broken into twice, I’ve had jewellery and cameras stolen from a hotel room, but I have never left anything of value behind, or left something belonging to someone else unnguarded. I have limited patience with the plethora of musicians, some carting things more valuable than I have ever owned, who seem to leave them about.
Many. Not like this.
Have you read SD long enough to see the continuous litany of “stolen” violins (in particular — the odd other instrument also goes walkabout)? The majority of the “stolen” ones are left on trains, where some passing opportunist has boosted an unclaimed instrument. Next-most frequent occurrence is “left in cars.”
Memo to musicians: not everyone is as honest as you. We do not hear the stats on the number of violins found on trains that are handed in to authorities by a passerby who realises it has been forgotten but its not dishonest.
And one more thing: the majority of valuable violins are not owned by their players: they are lent by wealthy music-loving owners to talented players, from the famous (the James Ehnes class) to the promising. Did this 14-year-old own an 18th century violin?
I’ve had enough stolen from me in my lifetime to be very bitter about thieves. I’ve been robbed at gunpoint, my home has been broken into twice, I’ve had jewellery and cameras stolen from a hotel room, but I have never left anything of value behind, or left something belonging to someone else unnguarded. I have limited patience with the plethora of musicians, some carting things more valuable than I have ever owned, who seem to leave them about.
It’s funny, nobody talks like that when someone forgets their child somewhere. Understandable though, really: you can replace a child.
The expression on the face of the violin makes one suspect that it escaped on its own accord and is now quite disappointed that it has been caught again.