The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-10
sTRADIvARIUS FOR 81.
Barber Got It in Pawnshop- Offer OF
$500 Refused.

James Window, a Lynn barber, visit
ed one of Boston's pawnshops a short
time ago and bought a violin for S4
Today Mr. Window has a standing
offer of $500 for the instrument. with
which he refuses to part at any price
Mr.. Window is an old violinist. Years
ago he used to play the VIOLIN but for
more than ten years he did not draw
bow across ones bridge. AS he looked
about the Boston store his eyes fell
upon q violin almost completely buried
beneath a lot of old books and other
articles and when he inquired the price
he was Informed that he could have TX
for 81. The paWnbrokef- advised him not
to take 1t, Offering better one in its
stead The price of this one SO.
but Mr.. Window. who thought he was
taking chance on the purchase Of
either, concluded to buy the 81 one He
took 1t home and hung it on the wall Of
his shop, which is located on South
Common street. and there it remained
until recently. o. 3. Bruce, former
superlntencent OF schools who IS a
customer al the shop, picked up the
violin and began to inquire about it.
He was impressed with the model of the
instrument. for it resennbled the violins
that the great masters used to play
upon. When he learned that Mr.. Win
dow had got it in a paWnshOp and paid
"a for it. his curiosity was excited ana
of It.
The instrument appeared dilapidated
and much used. The inside was covereH
with dust and huge layers of resin were
/ in evidence. Removing the resin. Mr.
Bruce found there the following in
scriDtiOn;
Antonius Stradivarius Cremonae.
Faciebat Ammo 1735.
.'-.....-. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
You've got a stradivarius violin
here." exclaimed Mr.. Bruce, who is
posted on the subject of rare old vio-
Inns, land if it is the genuine article
you've got prize It's worth from
$1,000 to 1900 at the very lowest"
Mr.. Window almost severed the jug
ular vein of the man he was shaving
when he heard this, but he finally con-
cluded that it must be an imitation.
Mr.. Bruce was SO sure that the instru-
ment was genuine that he looked up
the description of the Stradivarius and,
comparing it with the Window violin
was more convinced than ever that the
instrument was a real Stradivarius
! In few DAYS a stranger appeared a
Mr.. Windows shop and asked to be
shown the violin. He claimed to be
/ cOnnoisseur and said that he had heard
4 that Window had a rare Instrument in
/ his possession. After he looked it over
he made an offer of 800 and then raised
it to 5000 when the first offer was de-
cilned, but Mr.. Window would not &C
cept either
A week ago another stranger visited
Mr.. Windows shop and. after he had
examined the violin. offered him $500
for it Mr. Window said he did not
know whether the instrument was a
genuine Stradivarius or not and if IT.
was he did not want to sell it for $500
and if it wasn't, he did not think it was
right to take that for it.
The stranger, however. said that he
was willing to take all chances and
repeated his willingness to pay $500 for
the violin. Mr.. Window was Obdurate,
however. and the stranger left the
shop. leaving behind a standing offer of
$500. 1t is said that this man is con-
nected with the Museum Of Fine Arts
in Boston.
Mr.. Window has in his possession
books and pamphlets dealing with the
subject of rare violins and in them are
descriptions of the Stradivarius. They
all go to bear out the belief that the
violin which he bought for 81 is the
genuine article and this idea is
Strengthened by reason Of the fact that
men who are supposed to know about
the genuineness of these instruments
are willing to pay $500 and take chances,
Mr. Window is a man of only ordinary
means to whom $500 would mean a
great deal. but he prefers to ignore the
opportunity Of making 1926 rather than
dispose of the violin, which, If it be the
real article. is worth not less than $500
He proposes to have reliable expert
pass upon the violin and try to learn
beyond any question the exact truth
y about the matter Only a few years age
a Stradivarius violin brought $4,000
Boston Herald
city Ticket once. Union Pacific
4 Do avenue.