Contacts:

	David Bonsey, Director	Catherine Riedel
	Fine Musical Instruments	Director of Marketing
	978-779-6241 ext. 224	978-779-6241 x231
	dbonsey@skinnerinc.com	criedel@skinnerinc.com

SKINNER TO AUCTION FINE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
IN BOSTON MAY 7th

BOSTON, Mass. - April 24, 2006

- www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's foremost auction houses, will host an auction of fine musical instruments in Boston on Sunday, May 7, 2006. The sale, which will begin at 12 noon, features over 375 lots of musical instruments and books relating to string instruments and violin making, with an unusually large number of fine classical and modern Italian violins.

Fretted Instruments

Outstanding among the fretted instrument offerings is the Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1959, Serial Number 9-1951 (lot 44, est. $120/140,000). From America's Heartland, it comes from the original owner's family, and has only passed hands from father to son. The guitar boasts a curly maple top with a very tight figure, and a faded sunburst finish. All parts including the frets are original, save for the replaced jack cover plate.

Additional highlights include two extremely rare and unusual instruments from the hands of John D'Angelico, one of America's most esteemed guitar builders of the 20th century. The first, a scroll-body mandolin, c. 1940, of curly maple and a spruce top, with a natural "blonde" finish, is one of less than a handful of examples known to exist (lot 40, est. $12/15,000). The second is an Excel Special Guitar (sometimes called a "New Yorker" Excel) with an extra wide body of 17 1/2 inches and a cutaway body for easy playing in the upper positions. It was lovingly restored by John Monteleone and also is finished in the natural "blonde" color (lot 41, est. $18/22,000). A standout among the several Martin guitars offered is the Model 000-28 Flat Top guitar from 1926, another rarity of which very few were made, with a heavier bracing system built to take the tension of steel strings. The instrument survives in very good condition with its original case (lot 47, est. $20/24,000). Additional offerings include vintage American guitars by Martin, Gibson, and Guild, as well as a selection of Gibson mandolins and mandocellos in the A and F model categories.

Italian Violins

Fine and rare Italian violins being offered include an excellent violin by Nicola Gagliano, c. 1750, a true concert instrument by the most esteemed member of this dynastic family. This superlative example is built on a broad pattern with a low and full arch for maximum power and projection. Maintained in very good condition, it has been the concert violin of its professional owner since 1960 (lot 98, est. $120/160,000). From c. 1700 is the violin by Pietro Giacomo Rogeri of Brescia, in excellent restored condition (lot 109, est. $65/85,000). Lot 66 is a violin of Enrico Ceruti, known as the last of the great line of violinmakers of Cremona. This example from 1855 has been documented in books, and survives in excellent condition, and is expected to realize $85,000-100,000. After Ceruti's death, violinmaking entered its own Modern period, and one of the most sought after (and most highly faked) makers from the 20th century is undoubtedly Stefano Scarampella. The Skinner auction features an example by this maker dating from 1900 (lot 81, est. $40/60,000). "This is the third fabulous Scarampella violin we have offered in the last five years, and possibly the best many of us will ever see," notes department director David Bonsey. Dating from 1900, it is most unusual for its highly figured and irregular curl on the back, ribs and scroll, which comes from near the roots of the tree. Adds Bonsey, "Scarampella is also widely known for his workmanship which evolved over his career into a very rustic, rough-and-ready style, but this one shows very careful, painstakingly clean work, covered with a rich and generous supply of soft red-brown varnish." Other Italian violins offered are two from the Carcassi family in Florence (lot 97, est. $28/32,000 and lot 107, est. $35/45,000), an Antonio Gragnani violin from 1778 (lot 100, est. $50/70,000), a Joseph and Antonio Gagliano violin, c.1800 (lot 105, est. $25/35,000), a Bisiach workshop violin, c. 1890 (lot 110, est. $25/35,000), and Evasio Emilio Guerra violin, 1951 (lot 79, est. $25/35,000).

Additional Highlights

The auction also features a fine selection of Italian, English, and French violoncelli, including a modern example by the Carletti family of Bologna, c. 1930 (lot 33, est. $16/22,000) and an 18th century instrument, probably made in Milan (lot 22, est. $8/12,000). French selections are led by a violoncello possibly by the Silvestre family c. 1870 (lot 21, est. $10/12,000); and from England, offerings include a work ascribed to A. Pretts, c. 1850 (lot 23, $2/3,000).

Over 75 lots of bows will be offered, many by renowned French and English makers. Highlights include a French silver mounted violoncello bow by Etienne Pajeot, c. 1820 (lot 145, est. $15/18,000), and a silver mounted violoncello bow by the Pecatte School (lot 146, est. $4/6,000), as well as an English gold and ivory mounted violin bow by James Tubbs, c. 1870 (lot 84, est. $10/12,000). A varied selection of 19th and 20th century violins, and wind instruments by Selmer, Berteling, and Conn round out the sale.

For details on these lots, and complete listings and condition reports, contact department director David Bonsey at 978-779-6241 ext. 224, or at dbonsey@skinnerinc.com.

Catalogue and Preview Information

Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 5th, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 6th, and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, May 7th. Illustrated catalog #2318 is available by mail for $29 ($35 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $26. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit www.skinnerinc.com.

About Skinner

Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty 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. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site www.skinnerinc.com.