Its initial craftsmanship and resulting sound, in addition to its well-documented provenance and careful maintenance, has led it to a steady increase in price over the years.
It has often been viewed as an investment, leaving some to criticize the overall trend of musical instruments gathering dust in a museum rather than being played as intended.
[2] [3] In 2012, J&A Beares Ltd sold the instrument, in collaboration with Paolo Alberghini and Julie Reed Yeboah, for an undisclosed sum to an unnamed client.
The undisclosed sum was reported to exceed that of the earlier world record price for the "Lady Blunt" violin.
The purchaser subsequently provided lifetime use of the instrument to American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for performance.