Posted by Ned on February 13, 2004 at 22:03:51:
Recently I bought a violin with the inscription:
Joseph Guarnerius fecit
Cremona Anno 17__**this space appears to have been scratched off
to the right of this inscription are two crossed lines, simalar to a compass rose, and slightly illegible letters that appear as IIIS, IHS, or HHS
If you have any information at all about whether or not this piece is authentic, the scratched off date, etc, then please e-mail me.
Also, I should admit that while I have by no means authoritative knowledge on the subject, I would assume that 700 euros (what i bought it for) is a bit inexpensive for a 300 year old violin. Then again, with my knowledge, it might have been a rip off.