'Lipiński' Stradivarius: quick facts
The 'Lipiński' is a golden-period Stradivari violin made in 1715. It is named after Karol Lipiński, the 19th-century Polish virtuoso who owned it; before him it was linked to Giuseppe Tartini. The instrument drew global attention in 2014 when it was stolen at gunpoint from a concertmaster in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Police recovered it within days and the case made headlines as one of the most dramatic instrument thefts in recent memory. As a 1715 violin, it dates from the very heart of Stradivari's golden period, which adds to its reputation among players and collectors.
Sources: Tarisio — Cozio Archive of stringed instruments; Library of Congress — Stradivari instruments / Whittall Collection; The Metropolitan Museum of Art — musical instruments collection; Smithsonian — National Music Museum / NMAH string instruments. Educational information only — not financial, investment, or appraisal advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.