A VALUABLE STRAD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 30 November 1927, Page 5

A VALUABLE STRAD

AUCKLANDER’S OLD VIOLIN. A PRESENT FROM A FRIEND. (Per Press Association). Auckland, November 29. Although he always knew it was valuable, Mr Hugh Smith, of Cooper street. Grey Lynn, did not realise that the violin he had owned for the last 50 years was possibly worth thousands. Half a century ago when he was a young,fellow on Kawan Island, lie had ft friend named Wallace who had a violin with a beautiful tone. Young Smith had 'always admired the instrument, and when he was going away Wallace made him a present of it. 'Not wishing to accept it for nothing, Mr Smith offered him a £5 note, but this was refused, the only stipulation the donor insisted upon being that the violin should not be sold. Both young fellows were fond oi cricket, and 1 Mr Smith at fast got his friend to accept a favourite old cricket bat. Ever since Mr Smith has played and treasured his violin. If you look through the left-hand “F” you can see stamped on the inside of the back the inscription “Guiseppe Guarnerius. 1702. Fecit Cremona. J.H.5..” and' just above '.he “J.H.S.’’, is a cross. . Mr Smith thought of this inscription when he read recently about the remarkable discovery of a valuable violin in Christchurch “which might be worth £2500.”