List of the known missing Strads. #119 The 1727 Davidoff-Morini.

• ID: 119
• Type: violin
• Maker: Antonio Stradivari
  
• Year built: 1727
• City: Cremona
• Name: Davidoff-Morini
• Back: Two-piece

                                                      

                                                                  Erica Morini died on October 31, 1995, at the age of 91.


 The theft of this violin is thought to have been an "inside job," perpetrated while the owner was dying in the hospital in New York City in November, 1994.  A reward of $100,000.00 has been offered for information leading to the recovery of the 1727 Davidoff-Morini Stradivari.  Contact William F. Smith in New York, 212-719-3939.

The violin that belonged to Ms. Morini, who died a short time after the theft, was made in 1727 and bought for her by her father, a Viennese music teacher, more than 80 years ago. It has not been recovered. 

"An Upper West Side Mystery: The Vanished Stradivarius", William K. Rashbaum, The New York Times.

"In November 1994, someone swiped the Davidoff Strad, built in 1727 and valued at $4 million, from the Fifth Ave. apartment of Erica Morini in the last days of the violin virtuoso's life. Her relatives concealed the theft from her."

"She died at age 91 cradling a copy of her precious Stradivarius, which had been a gift from her father when she was just 21."

"A Fiddle Found", David Krajicek, The Daily News.

"The 'Davidov' Stradivari violin, owned by Erica Morini, was stolen just before her death from her Manhattan home. However, it seems that this was no break-in by casual looters, but a planned theft by a small circle of those who had access to the apartment and to the key of the wardrobe in which she kept the instrument. When a friend went to check on the violin, all she found was an empty case, with no trace of forced entry or exit to the flat. Last valued at $3.5m/£2.2m, the 'Davidov' may well provide a lucrative private deal for the thief. But any new owner will have to keep it well hidden from violin experts for many years if they wish to remain anonymous.

Opinions vary on the date of the 'Davidov'; while it is labeled 1724, experts including Simone Sacconi have put a later date of 1727 on it. Morini's father purchased it around [1923] for his daughter from Paris dealers Maucotel & Deschamp, and Morini used it as her concert instrument throughout her life."

"Morini's 'Davidov' Strad vanishes",  The Strad, January, 1996, 1996

                                                                                         erica morini

"For much of her concert career she performed on the 1727 ‘Davidoff’ Stradivarius – purchased by her father in Paris in 1924.

"Tragically the ‘Davidoff’ and a number of precious paintings, letters and scores were stolen from Ms Morini’s New York City apartment in 1995 – just days before her death.

"Police believe the thief was in possession of Ms Morini’s apartment and lock-safe cabinet keys.

"Humanely she was never told about the robbery – and passed away in hospital unaware.

ERIKA MORINI | BRUCH | VIOLIN CONCERTO NO.1 | 3RD MVT | DONALD VOORHEES & THE BELL TELEPHONE HOUR ORCHESTRA | 1963

"Today the crime remains unsolved and is listed on the American Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s ‘Top Ten Art Thefts’.

"If you have any information in regard to the whereabouts of the 1727 ‘Davidoff’ Stradivarius, please contact the FBI on (202) 324-3000.

Please share widely."