Amati — Free Instrument Valuation and Appraisal

What is it?

Just the basics to begin with. If you are not sure of something, leave it — the photographs will tell us most of what we need.

Type of instrument Is there a label inside, or a stamp or brand? (optional)

Copy it out as closely as you can, including the date — spelling and all. Look through the left-hand f-hole with a torch. If there is no label, say so.

Anything you have noticed about its condition? (optional)

Photographs

This is the part that matters. With three good photographs we can usually value an instrument accurately. Without them we cannot, and we will only have to write back and ask.

Getting them right. Daylight, near a window, no flash. Lay the instrument on a plain sheet or a wooden table. Fill the frame — the whole instrument, straight on, not at an angle. Hold the camera still. A modern phone is perfectly good; send the photographs at full size — we shrink them for you as they upload, so a poor signal is no obstacle to email.

Where has it come from?

Family history is not sentiment — it is evidence. Knowing that a violin came back from Germany in 1946, or was bought from a named shop in the 1960s, genuinely changes what we can say about it.

How did it come to you?

Anything at all: who owned it, roughly when, where it was bought, whether it has ever been repaired or valued before.

Do you have any paperwork? (optional)

A certificateFrom a dealer, expert or auction house A receipt or bill of saleHowever old A previous valuationInsurance schedule, probate valuation, anything similar Nothing at allVery common — not a problem

And what are you hoping to do?

I am thinking of selling itWe will tell you what it might make and how we would go about it I need to sell it fairly soonProbate, a house move, or a deadline of some kind I need a figure for insurance or probateWe will need a word on the telephone about this one I am simply curiousPerfectly welcome — a great many people are

How do we reach you?

One of our valuers will look at this personally. We aim to come back to you within two working days.

Your name Email Telephone (optional, but quicker if we have a question) Town and country

So we can tell you if we are holding a valuation day near you.

Postcode district (optional — just the first part, e.g. SW1 or M20) How would you prefer we reply?

Email WhatsApp A telephone call

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That has reached us

Your reference is . One of our valuers will look at it personally and come back to you within two working days. If we need a better photograph we will say so — it happens often and is nothing to worry about.