Other Selected Writings
Violin Fraud: Deception, Forgery, Theft, and Lawsuits in England and America
by Brian W. Harvey and Carla J. Shapreau, Second Edition, Clarendon Press/Oxford University Press
“Frauds, forgeries, and thefts in the world of valuable antiques are recurring more and more. Easy money can be made by a clever crook. What should the seller, buyer, or owner of a violin (or other string instrument) look out for? What are one's options when a label is wrong or there is a dispute as to correct attribution? What sensible precautions should sellers take? What can be done when a violin is stolen? All these matters (and more) are dealt with in this book. This new edition includes a discussion of American Law as it relates to violin commerce, including a discussion of violin theft, fraud, contract and consignment issues, product disparagement, slander, auction issues, tax issues, secret commissions, ethics, and intellectual property theft.” Oxford University Press
Reviews:
"In their comprehensive summary of the laws in England and the United States pertaining to the advertisement and sale of violins, the authors provide an excellent compendium of information sure to be useful to dealers, buyers, and forgers alike. The book features sage advice ("The forger ... needs to bear in mind that the varnish is likely to be worn at the top . . . ." (p. 58)), historical anecdotes (in i882, a fraudulent dealer of- fered the affirmative defense that the mislabeling of violins was cus- tomary in the trade (pp. I4-I5)), and modern mysteries ("The world will never know ... whether the Alcantra Stradivari was stolen or lost when it disappeared . . .." (p. II2)), all offered as spoonfuls of sugar to make the legalities go down. Take note of this composition.” -- Harvard Law Review, Vol. 112, No. 7 (May, 1999)
"Violin Fraud provides an excellent overview of the pertinent legal issues for anyone contemplating the purchase or sale of a fine instrument."-- Notes, Journal of the Music Library Association
"With this book, Brian Harvey...and Carla Shapreau...have given us much needed information pertaining to fraud--information applicable to all musical instruments, not just the violin family....This volume should have something of interest for everyone....The entire book should prove invaluable as a guide to legal and ethical practices in our field."--Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society
