Review: Appraisers Reference Manual of Authentic String Instruments and Bows by Thomas E. Florence

Reviewed by George J. Manno

Originally published in American Lutherie #11, 1987 and Big Red Book of American Lutherie Volume One, 2000



Appraisers Reference Manual of Authentic String Instruments and Bows
Thomas E. Florence
M & M Distributing Company
2465 South Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
$175, and $30 for yearly supplements
The author’s death has put the continuation of this book in doubt (1999).

If there is one book that will be useful to any violin shop or maker who does appraising, this is it! Thomas Florence has compiled a complete sectional directory of authentic violins, violin bows, violas, viola bows, cellos, and cello bows that have been sold in the major auction houses in the United States and England since 1980. Each section is in alphabetical order according to the maker for easy reference. Every entry informs the reader of the catalog lot number, type of instrument, maker’s name, year the instrument was made, selling price (in U.S. dollars), date of sale, and what auction house sold the instrument. The manual can also be used as a price guide for collectors. Yearly supplements will include information concerning that year’s past winter, spring, summer, and fall sales, keeping the manual current at all times.