BOSTON, Mass. – October 1, 2002 - www.skinnerinc.com - -- Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, and a major force in the sale of fine musical instruments at auction, announced today that it will hold an auction of Fine Musical Instruments on Sunday, October 13th at 11:00 a.m. in its Boston gallery. The sale will feature several extraordinary violins, a very rare 1923 Lloyd Loar Gibson F5 mandolin, an array of fine guitars, and a S.K. Kamaka ukulele. The excellent condition of the auction’s top lots makes this one of the highest quality musical instruments auctions ever held at Skinner.

Topping the list for violins is Lot 38, a 1730 instrument by Gennaro Gagliano, the foremost maker from this Neapolitan dynasty of violinmakers. Gagliano instruments have long been considered the most desirable instruments for aspiring professionals and concert violinists seeking sound and quality at a reasonable price. This piece is a truly outstanding instrument from the maker’s recognized best period (1730-1750). Possessing a sound that is full of body, overflowing with rich lower overtones. Its varnish is of subdued radiant red-amber color, in plentiful supply. This is an A-1 concert instrument estimated at $140,000-180,000.

In the late years of the golden age of violinmaking, the instruments of Cremona had already been eclipsed by those of Venice, and the most prolific Venetian maker of the time was Michele Deconet. Lot 31 is a violin of Deconet dating from 1759, with a golden varnish reminiscent of Venetian gold. As a specimen of Deconet's work, this one rates at the top for sound and condition, and was once in the prestigious collection of Rembert Wurlitzer. It carries a Wurlitzer certificate signed by Simone F. Sacconi. The back is of one piece of deeply flamed maple. It is estimated at $80,000-120,000.

Skinner repeats its fabulous mandolin offering of November 2002 with another Gibson F-5 mandolin, dated May 1923, and signed by Lloyd Loar. The F-5 Loar is the paramount instrument for serious Bluegrass musicians, and this one is exceptional for its sound and condition. It has a deep, chunky rhythm sound, a very responsive bass, and a strong, carrying melody voice. Discovered in a collection of a musician who played in Klezmer bands in New York City, Lot 11 is sold with songbooks from the Jewish Music Alliance and organized labor associations. The Gibson F-5 is estimated at $65,000-75,000. ind stem, millegrain accents, platinum mount, Austrian hallmarks. Estimated $4,000-5,000.

Interesting fretted lots include Lot 20, a Gibson "Army-Navy Special", circa 1918. Launched in WW1 as a patriotic gesture to America's fighting troops, it may well be the first flat-top guitar produced by Gibson and has an extremely unusual design, including the crescent-moon sound holes in the upper bouts, a forerunner of many contemporary designs. This guitar is estimated at $4,500-6,500. Another lot of interest is Lot 2, an S.K. Kamaka Ukulele, made in Honolulu circa 1930. It is the famous "pineapple" model with fancy binding and inlay, made of exotic Hawaiian Koa wood. In virtual mint condition, it is a "Hall of Fame" collector's item and is estimated at $300-500.

Modern Italian Cellos include Gaetano Pareschi 1940, (Lot 22) and Riccardo Antoniazzi, 1906 (Lot 24). French bows include examples by Sartory, Maire, Simon, Vuillaume, Maline, Voirin, and Vigneron. Also featured is an outstanding violin bow by the late and beloved Arnold Bone of Needham, (Lot 132).

Previews for the sale are Friday, October 11, 12 to 5 p.m.; Saturday, October 12, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, October 13, 9 to 10:30 a.m. Illustrated catalog #2180 is available for $29 by mail ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at Skinner/Bolton (978-779-6241 ext. 240). View lots in color, order catalogs, place absentee bids, and check prices realized in real-time during the auction at www.skinnerinc.com. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or fax 978-779-5144.

Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.

About Skinner:
With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a one of the nation’s leading auction houses. As a full-service auction house, Skinner provides auction and appraisal services for all manner of antiques and fine art, and its appraisal experts are regularly seen on the PBS series, The Antiques Roadshow. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.