Featured question regarding old violin

photo 1 by mark peters posted Jan 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM

photo 2 by mark peters posted Jan 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM

photo 3 by mark peters posted Jan 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM

photo 4 by mark peters posted Jan 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM

photo 5 by mark peters posted Jan 26, 2026 at 9:38 PM

Hi there,

This is my first post on the forum, apologies in advance if this is not the right place but I could not find a sub-forum for instruments.

Can you please let know what your estimation is of the year this violin was built, the quality of the wood and possibly the monerary value?

much appreciated,

Mark

 

German makers, does the inner label say 1869?
I would take it to a violin specialist.
Did it come with a bow? They can often be worth more than the violin.

 

Looks like a better than average violin, and this could be one case where the label is legitimate. You really need to have it inspected in-hand by an expert.

 

Maker: Gebrüder Placht
Quick googling indicates they were established in 1870, but your violin's label says 1860-something...?

 

Placht Brothers in English. Pest is half of Budapest, which was two cities before the Chain Bridge went in. From one source in the Eurozone, they were a big outfit who opened in the 1820s and made instruments in both Vienna and Budapest. This dates before 1873 when the company started using Budapest on its labels. That fits with the 1860-something on the label. I'm no violin expert, but the value of a violin is in how it sounds rather than the age.

 

They produced instruments of "various grades" so definitely worth getting an expert opinion.

 

Hi, thank you! the label appears to state '186y'

 

Thank you! The label appears to state '186y'. I added a picture of the bow and case in the album but it does not show up in the post.

 

As others have said, the only way to evaluate it is to go to a reputable violin shop. In the US, American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers - American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers has a directory of accredited shops.

 

i agree a better than average violin, and that the label looks at least not meant to fool anybody. Also the date looks to add up, as usually its 1700s stated with the copies.

its got a nice 1 piece maple back as well, which i always think has got to be a good sign. As you can imagine harder to find than just piecing 2 bits together

if you look at the scroll as well, on cheap violins they don't cut all the way back to complete the circle

so yours looks nicely full carved

i get the impression by the label a more budget/standard instrument of its time, but compared to the budget/standard violins nowadays............(wink)

so i don't think it would have mega value........but value

 

Gebrüder Placht began their workshop in Luby, Bohemia, which was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. From there they branched out to Vienna and Pest (oldest part of Budapest), both Austro-Hungarian capitals:

https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/browse-the-archive/makers/maker/?Maker_ID=550

https://gregboyd.com/product/gebruder-placht-violin/

 

Video of someone playing a Placht violin, very nice sound:

 

I know! Not just a beautiful sound, but also a beautiful traditional fiddling technique. The tune sounds Scottish but I can't put my finger on it.

 

That is Ashokan Farewell composed by Jay Ungar and used in the 1990 Ken Burns film about the U.S. Civil War. It makes me cry every time I hear it.

Linda

 

yeah she's marvellous at that technique of blending single string notes with some double string notes thrown in (not easy at all i would think as it needs to be fluid)

what a quality sound as well !