From my private collection. This a rare early violin from Klingenthal, possibly Casper Hopf but not verified. The label is written in Old German and was shown to a notable German violin maker/dealer who could not translate it perfectly but determined it was the real thing. All the modifications on it, neck graft, button repair, are consistent with what an early violin would have done. There is a certificate number stamped into the end of the fingerboard which means this instrument was once sold through Hill and Sons of London. I do not have a current certificate. The date on the label is somewhat readable and could be 165? which I originally misinterpreted as 185? because of the fading. A pic of the label is included. This is not a factory made Hopf fiddle of the type that are so prevalent and were sold through catalog companies in the USA. I bought it years ago from the family of a local symphony player.
It is possible that this violin is worth quite a bit more and maybe substantially more but without a current certificate I can not expect the highest value.
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