Attic find--original violin from 1910 handmade in Boston, MA by Charles E Farley

[Salura]

While going through attic items my room mate came across her father's violin.

Is it worth selling on ebay?

Here is a bunch of pics of the violin, case, and bows. All original. One bow has never been used. Also is a picture from 1933 of her dad playing it (cute! I love the knickers.)

It is an original violin from 1910 handmade in Boston, MA by Charles E Farley. It is number 240 that he made and has his original signature inside on the tag with his picture and #240.

Imprinted on tag is "CHAS E FARLEY 1910 BOSTON•MASS•USA Signature here. No. 240"

Any guidance would be helpful. We don't have the money to buy a pricing guide or to pay an appraiser.

Thank you for your advice.

 

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[NHBandit]

Free appraisal. Information on Charles Farley, violin maker in Concord, United States Google is your friend.

 

[Salura]

Thank you NHBandit, we'll contact them.

Have you dealt with them and found them reputable?

 

[NHBandit]

Never heard of them before this morning when I did a Google search for "Farley violin" Seems there was another Farley also making violins in Concord NH as well. A son maybe ? At some point your guy must have moved to Boston.

 

[FFARL]

Man, that's cool. Nice find!

 

[gino22]

Certainly worth selling on eBay. Not sure how the cosmetic issues (spots on the wood, etc) will influence value, but if $200 + ~ $35 shipping is worth it to you, you can't go wrong with that as a starting bid. Advertise it as an antique violin - desirable to musicians because of how the wood ages - and there will be plenty of interest. A quick Google on the maker yields a high end value of $1600 (Christie's auction, older great condition violin) and a few estimates floating in the $400-$600 range, also for older instruments.

I just sold a fairly common mid century Stradivarius copy in good (but not great) condition for more than I was expecting, more quickly than I was expecting. So there are definitely buyers out there.

If I can't find any mind bogglingly valuable examples of an item I have online, I use eBay + a competitive opening bid as my appraisal service. I am almost always pleasantly surprised. You should do well with this

 

[Salura]

Found out this is actually a pretty rare item. Got a few collectors looking at it. Will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks

 

[Gold Maven]

Reminds me of a joke about a Chuck Farley......I think his middle initial was U.

 

[gino22]

Found out this is actually a pretty rare item. Got a few collectors looking at it. Will let you know how it turns out. Thanks

Rare because of production date or for other reasons?

 

[Salura]

Not so much the violin, but the bow. Seems that good antique bows in good condition are hard to come by.

We're meeting a local collector tomorrow to show him what we have.

I did learn a lot about violins and this violin maker. It's been fun researching it.

 

[Salura]

Room mate just sold it for $700 to a violin repair and sales person who is going to rehab it and sell it to a collector.