Musical instruments played by a cruise ship musician in the 1960s struck a chord with buyers at a Nantwich auction.
The old instruments raised almost £30,000 when sold at Peter Wilson auctioneers, on Market Street.
Auctioneer Chris Large, who plays double bass in a dance band, said: “The two violins and three saxophones were the Manchester man’s working instruments and they showed the signs of it.
“They had not been used for many years and indeed the saxophones were brought in wrapped in newspaper with headlines about the Vietnam War.
“But particularly the violins were fine pieces by important makers and they created huge interest.”
The more valuable violin had a label dated 1956 and signed in pen for “Vittorio Bellarosa Via Michele Cammarano No10”.
It sold for £14,500 against an estimate of £3,000-4,000. It is believed the price is an auction record for a Bellarosa violin.
It was bought by a buyer in the room who beat off competition from multiple phone and internet bidders.
The other violin was by Manchester maker Thomas Earle Hesketh (1866-1945), which sold to a trade buyer for £3,800, the same buyer paying £9,400 for a violin bow by the important Paris makerEugène Sartory (1871-1946).
Entries are now invited for Peter Wilson’s next sale of fine art and antiques, on November 7-8, and for the weekly gallery sales held every Thursday.
For details contact the auctioneer on 01270 623878 [email protected]
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