Anyone who's in the market for a Stradivarius violin, or looking for an absurdly pricey musical gift for the holiday season, will be in luck come December 18: Violinist Min-Jim Kym will be selling hers at auction. This instrument is particularly noteworthy because of the international attention it drew when it was stolen at a train station during 2010.
The instrument will be sold through stringed-instrument specialist Tarisio, and is expected to bring in up to $3.25 million.
Kym was reportedly eating at a cafe in London's Euston Station when someone made off with her instrument. How anyone that owns an instrument worth $3.25 lets it out of their sight, or takes their hands off it, is beyond us, but the instrument remained in limbo for nearly three years until it was found in July of 2013, long after the initial thieves were arrested during 2011. Other items stolen were two bows worth -get ready for it- $100,500 and $8,100 respectively. Kym replaced her instrument with another Stradivarius (because with around 600 remaining in the world, they're easy to come by), and decided then to auction her former instrument when it was recovered.
"This violin was a faithful friend for many years and I was devastated by its loss," Kim said about the 'Ex-Kym' Strad (the instruments are typically named after their most renowned owner). "Its recovery is an absolute relief. I am eager to hear the violin onstage once more and I wish its next owner all the best of luck and success."
The instrument at auction was made in 1696 by the Stradivari family. Many claim the instruments to have an unmatchable tone that science has yet to explain. Needless to say, the rare remaining instruments are highly sought after by world-class players. The most expensive violin auction ever was the sale of the "Lady Blunt" Stradivarius for nearly $15.9 million in 2011.
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