The viola's back bears the painted crest, or coat of arms, of the House of Borghese, which originally commissioned it.
The sale price was C$20,000 (equivalent to $205,000 in 2023), considerably less than their 1959 value, but both men held the deep desire that the instruments be shared with the people of Saskatchewan.
Later that same year, Robert Klose was named second violin and Norma Lee Bisha replaced Michael Bowie.
The personnel remained stable until the group was supplanted in 1971 by the Canadian Arts Trio after fewer than 10 formal concerts.
[14] The musicians were her husband Geoff Cole (viola), Rudy Sternadel[15] (violin), Terence Sturge[16] (cello) and violinist Sam Milner.