Prospectus

CO NSI G N O R
Prospectus
LONDON
NEW YORK
tarisio.com
Table of Contents
About Tarisio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Why Tarisio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Why Auctions? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Our Lot Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Notable Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Three Easy Steps to Consign. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Tarisio Auctions
244-250 West 54th Street
11th Floor
New York, NY 10019 USA
+1.212.307.7224
info.newyork@tarisio.com
Tarisio Europe
51 Queen Anne Street
London W1G 9HS, UK
+44 (0)20 7354 5763
info.london@tarisio.com
In June 2011 Tarisio sold the ‘Lady Blunt’ Stradivarius of
1721, the most well-preserved and beautiful violin ever
auctioned. It sold for a for a world record $15.9m. Let us
deliver records results for your instrument or bow today.
About Tarisio
Tarisio is the world’s leading auction house for fine and rare stringed instruments. Launched
in 1999, it revolutionised the instrument market by combining first-class expertise, the
efficiency of Internet bidding, and a firm commitment to ethics and professionalism.
We work with the goal of expanding accessibility for buying and selling instruments for
musicians, collectors and members of the trade.
Fine Auctions
Featuring valuable, highly interesting items
by the finest makers and workshops.
London
New York
March, June, October
May, October
Speculative, Restorable
& Trade (SRT) Auctions
Featuring less expensive items that are
in need of restoration, have uncertain
attributions or are from a trade workshop.
New York
February, June, August,
expanding accessibility for
buying and selling instruments
Why Tarisio?
Dedicated to Instruments & Bows
Tarisio is designed to efficiently broker the sale of
fine violins on a global scale. As a specialized firm,
we cater to the specific requirements of instruments
and bows, and of course their owners.
Exclusive Format, Wider Reach
Tarisio is the only auction house to support live
bidding in an exclusively online format. Our sales are
globally accessible to clients and the guarantee of
anonymity encourages competitive bidding.
Current Customers
Having sold highest-profile instruments in recent
years, Tarisio has an excellent reputation with today’s
top customers. Consignors benefit from an everwidening pool of prospective customers, whether
they bid in an auction or buy from Tarisio privately.
Transatlantic Presence
New York & London have long been centers of the
fine instrument trade, and Tarisio is the only firm
with established offices, permanent staff and a
widely advertised presence in both cities. A strong
presence in both markets creates more opportunities
to connect instruments and clients. Indeed, with the
reach of the Internet, each office serves its respective
continent and a wider global audience.
Transparency
Tarisio auctions are known for transparency in an
otherwise intimidating market. Bidders enjoy free and
instant access to condition reports, certificates, bidding
histories, high-resolution photographs and cataloging
expertise. Consignors benefit from the openness of
online sales, watching results in real time, and the
security of pre-vetted bidders.
Viewings
Besides our galleries in New York and London, auction
highlights are shown in-person to an extensive
clientele in Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and
Cremona. More exposure means more bidders, which
leads to higher sales.
Lowest Seller Premiums
Tarisio continues to offer the lowest published premiums
for sellers, with absolutely no commissions after $50,000.
(Please see the back cover for complete details.)
the only auction house to support live bidding in an
exclusively online format
9
Why Auctions?
Responsibility to the Seller
As an auction house, Tarisio is the exclusive agent of sellers.
Each consignment agreement outlines a real fiduciary
responsibility to maximize proceeds to consignors, and our
incentive for higher prices is aligned with yours. There is no
competing duty to secure the best ‘deal’ for bidders.
Opportunities to Sell
With as many as 10 auctions annually, Tarisio makes it
convenient and easy to consign. Consignors have more
opportunities to sell, in more types of auction, in more places
than with any other firm.
Assured Results
Tarisio averages 90% sold in each auction. With results like
these, consignors have every fair expectation of a sale. Please
ask for a list of comparative results from any other auctionhouse.
our incentive for higher prices is
aligned with yours
Why Auctions?
Responsibility to the Seller
As an auction house, Tarisio is the
exclusive agent of sellers. Each
consignment agreement outlines
a real fiduciary responsibility to
maximize proceeds to consignors,
and our incentive for higher prices
is aligned with yours. There is no
competing duty to secure the best
‘deal’ for bidders.
Opportunities to Sell
With as many as 10 auctions annually,
Tarisio makes it convenient and easy
to consign. Consignors have more
opportunities to sell, in more types of
auction, in more places than with any
other firm.
Assured Results
Tarisio averages 90% sold in each
auction. With results like these,
consignors have every fair expectation
of a sale. Please ask for a list of
comparative results from any other
auction-house.
our incentive for higher prices is
aligned with yours
Our Lot Page
Our lot page is designed to ensure that
bidders have all necessary information about
lots and bidding at their fingertips.
Ask a Question
Tarisio responds personally and promptly when a
bidder has a question about your consignment.
Condition Reports
Condition reports are available free and instantly to
bidders.
Ending Times
Ending times are staggered throughout the last day of the auction.
Auto-Extend
If a bid is placed within 10 minutes of closing, ending times extend by 15 minutes.
Bidders will never be out-bid without have a chance to reply, and consignors have
their items sold for the highest price.
Lot Number
A lot number is given to your item before the sale.
Sellers receive notice of these catalog numbers at the
beginning of the auction.
Descriptions
Consignments are described and sold with care, using
deliberate catalog terms. Tarisio’s solid expertise has
earned the trust of bidders worldwide.
Records
Previous auction records are shown for known makers.
Certificates
Bidders can view accompanying certificates
and documents while they bid.
Estimates & Reserve
While the reserve is confidential, a range of pre-sale estimates is shown for
each lot. The reserve will never be higher than the low estimate.
High Bid & Bidder ID
The current high bid is always shown with an anonymous bidder ID.
Bidding History
A list of placed bids shows who bid what amount, and when.
Photos
High-resolution, color photographs are shown for each
Lot. As many as 10 pictures are shown for the best lots.
Reserve Met/Not Met
It’s always clear if bidding has met the
Reserve and whether an item will be sold.
Notable Sales
intense bidding for a
record $3.6 million
The ‘Lady Blunt’
Stradivarius of 1721
In June 2011 Tarisio conducted the sale of the most wellpreserved Stradivarius violin in private circulation and set
a new world record of $15.9 million. Confronted by the
tragic events of the March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami
and resulting nuclear crisis, The Nippon Music Foundation
made an extraordinary offer to assist in the recovery efforts
of their native Japan. The Foundation pledged the entire
proceeds of The ‘Lady Blunt’ to their Northeastern Japan
Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. Tarisio was the only
house considered for such an important and unique sale
which was conducted in as little as 100 days.
a new world record of
15.9 million
$
The ‘Molitor’
Stradivarius of 1697
As the highlight of our October 2010 sale, The ‘Molitor’ Stradivarius
of 1697 generated interest from collectors, international
foundations, orchestras, and world-class soloists. This beautifully
preserved violin is thought to have been owned by Napolean
Bonaparte. It was subsequently in the collection of the Curtis
Institute of Music and later owned by the distinguished American
violinist Elmar Oliveira. Offered with a low estimate of $2 million, it
was bought by premiere American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers after
intense bidding for a record $3.6 million. The October 2010 sale was
also the highest grossing musical instrument auction of all time,
totaling $9.04 million.
Other Stradivarius violins auctioned at Tarisio
c.1705, the ‘Baron von der Leyen’ sold for $2.6 million
1696, ex-Min-Jin Kym sold for $2.27 million
1687, the ‘Kubelik’ sold for $949,000
Notable Sales
We were delighted to
make this wood available
The Isaac Stern Collection
to today’s great makers
After the death of virtuoso Isaac Stern in 2001, his estate
approached Tarisio to sell his entire collection of instruments,
bows and musical ephemera. The sale, held in May 2003,
attracted huge interest from bidders around the world eager
to obtain items connected with the legendary New York
violinist.
!
Among the many world record prices seen in the sale was an
astonishing $130,000 paid for a modern copy of one of Stern’s
Guarneri violins by Brooklyn maker Sam Zygmuntowicz.
René A. Morel
Morel & Wurlitzer Rare Tonewoods
Other items included bows by Tourte, Peccatte, and Sartory,
Stern’s correspondence, inscribed photographs, and even his
humidor. Overall the sale grossed $2.3 million, helping to make
the sale at the time the second highest grossing violin auction
of any auction house.
Isaac Stern
the second highest
grossing violin auction
The Morel Family
In a special auction held in March 2013, Tarisio sold rare and vintage tonewoods
from the collections of René A. Morel and Rembert Wurlitzer, Inc. Over 380 lots
of excellent quality pernambuco, maple, spruce, ebony, willow and bridges were
sold to violin and bow makers around the world.
Trained in Mirecourt, France in the 1940s, Morel worked in New York for
luminaries such as Rembert Wurlitzer, Simone Fernando Sacconi, Jacques
Francais and finally for himself before passing away in 2011.
Notable prices included $25,200 for a pair of cello backs, and and a third for
$15,600. A member of the Morel family said of the sale, “The level of talented
making is higher now than ever before, with many makers even taught or
inspired by our father. We were delighted to make this wood available to today’s
great makers with this auction.”
Notable Sales
The ‘Dorothy DeLay’
Four bidders vied for
this iconic instrument
The ‘Maazel’
Guadagnini of 1778
The violin Dorothy Newhouse chose from Rembert Wurlitzer
is a strong example of the late-Turin Guadagninis that are so
highly prized. It is typical of the period with a low, flat arch
emphasized by wide edges, broad corners and thick, red
varnish. Bidding for the violin lasted 26 days and engaged three
player-bidders. The final sale at $1.39 million established a new
world record for the maker.
Guadagnini of 1783
Owned by the Maestro Lorin Maazel for over
66 years, the violin was sold to benefit artist
development programs at the Maestro’s own
Castleton Festival. Four bidders vied for the iconic
instrument in an auction that topped $1 million
and was later featured on the cover of Strings
Magazine as “The Million Dollar Guadagnini.”
a new world record
for the maker
Notable Sales
The ‘Primrose’
The Moennig Collection
Guarneri viola of 1697
One of roughly six violas from the Guarneri family and the
last extant to be made, the ‘Primrose’ is praised for excellent
proportions and craftsmanship in a time when violas were still
significantly evolving. The instrument, owned by Britain's own
William Primrose from 1954–1974, was sold by Tarisio in 2012 in a
private auction that fetched more than $4 million.
In December 2009 the firm of William Moennig & Son in Philadelphia
closed after a hundred years in business. As one of the finest and oldest
American violin shops, the firm built a reputation of service, quality, and
tradition. In June 2010, Tarisio auctioned the entire contents of the firm.
This sale included over 600 lots of instruments, bows, photographs,
books, ephemera and tonewood, with a remarkable 100% of lots sold.
The three-day sale included a stunning collection of bows, historical
photographs, furniture, and unimaginable novelty and ephemera.
Topping the list of historical instruments was a pristine 18th Century viola
d’amore by Ferdinand Gagliano which sold for $60,000.
many … declare it to be
the finest viola extant
!
William Primrose
We came to know them as both
experts and friends.
!
The Moennig Family
2
Contract
An agreement is made for
estimates and reserves.
3
1
Delivery & Evaluation
Ship or deliver your item to Tarisio.
We will make recommendations for
market value.
3
Easy Steps
to Consign
Auction
Tarisio works to sell your item to
the highest bidder. Auctions are
conducted online and consignors
are paid 30 days later.
Do I need an appraisal before I sell?
Tarisio will perform an appraisal of market value
when you present your item for consignment.
You do not need a separate appraisal before
consignment.
I'm not in New York or London. What do I do?
Submit pictures of your item to info@tarisio.com.
Please include your name, location and previous
appraisals, documents or certificates. If suitable
for consignment, you may ship or deliver your
consignments.
Can I set a reserve?
Yes, Tarisio will work with you to set a reserve
(minimum acceptable bid).
Can I watch my violin sell?
Yes, you can watch live bidding throughout the
auction. Most bidding happens on the last day of
the auction.
How do I get paid?
Proceeds are paid by checks, mailed 30 days
after the sale. Wire transfers can be made for a
$40 fee, deducted from your proceeds. Special
instructions for payment can usually be honored.
Please forward your requests after the auction.
Frequently-asked
Questions
What happens if my violin does not sell?
There are no commissions if your violin does not sell. You
may reconsign with lower estimates or arrange for it to be
returned.
Should I expect my item to sell?
Yes! Our auctions are remarkably efficient with an average of
90% of items sold in each auction.
Is my item Insured?
Yes. Your item is insured under a global policy the moment it
arrives in our New York or London offices, or once a contract
is signed.
What commissions do I pay as the seller?
9 % of the first $7,000 (£4,000), 2.5 % on each dollar between
$7,000 and $50,000 (between £4,000 and £25,000), and 0 %
thereafter.
Will my item be played and viewed?
Yes, in our galleries and sometimes at viewing locations like
Cremona, Boston or Los Angeles. Auction viewings last 30
days or longer to allow bidders plenty of opportunity.
What other fees should I expect?
There is a $90 (£50) minimum commission for items that
sell for of $1,000 or less. There is a 1% insurance fee.
How will my violin be handled?
A qualified team of property handlers and luthiers ensures
your item is presented at it’s best. We handle over 2,000
instruments and bows yearly.
Are there any other fees?
There are no photography, cataloging, or unsold fees.
Small charges for new strings, open seams, rehaired bows
may be applied.
0
%
seller’s
commissions after
$50,000 (£25,000)
Tarisio offers the lowest
published rates for sellers.
New York
9% of the first $7,000, 2.5% between $7,000
and $50,000 and 0% thereafter. There is a
minimum commission of $90 per lot.
London
9% of the first £4,000, 2.5% between £4,000
and £25,000 and 0% thereafter. There is a
minimum commission of £50 per lot.
There is an additional 1% insurance fee, but no
fees are charged unless the item sells. There
are no listing, photography or unsold fees.
Inquiries
Coming events and deadlines can be
found on our website, and we welcome
your inquiries at info@tarisio.com
CO NSI G N O R
Prospectus
tarisio.com
info.london@tarisio.com +44 (0)20 7354 5763
info.newyork@tarisio.com +44 (0)20 7354 5763
LONDON
NEW YORK
tarisio.com