So I get a chance to do an appraisal on an old violin. Very old, with an Italian label. That automatically justifies due diligence. Reputedly made in 1757 by one Carlo Bergonzi. Carlo has some published work in the Smithsonian. Turns out he was a student of Stradivarius. Hmmm. Interesting. So I check out the pictures at the Smith. Lovely florentine violins. One piece flamed maple back. Then I look at mine. German fittings - with a two-piece back. The fittings may have been replaced but the back wasn't. The shape wasn't. It's a German violin - or a copy of the Germans impersonating Mssr. Bergonzi. The piece de resistance - Carlo died in 1747. Considering it's been cracked a few times - probably worth about the twenty bucks I bought it for.

I'll have it sold next week. Fifty bucks. The crazy man who rides by on his bicycle every week looking for strads... As soon as I mention Smithsonian he'll be drooling. Nah, first I think I'll taunt him with it for a while. Nice violin, eh? It's not for sale at any price. Well, maybe it is. How much you got in the bank?