Sydenham Man Loses £250,000 Violin

[Howard Staunton]

Local man leaves 310 year old violin on train at Penge East last Tuesday evening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50195591

[chrisj1948]

The loss made it onto the BBC1 ' News were you are' last night as a brief item.

[mosy]

Given it wasn't a mugging or theft, I imagine an insurance company would deem it negligence thus excluded. We all have bad days, but... Maybe good Karma will emerge in some unforeseeable way and maybe in a totally different direction. Can only think positive.

[monkeyarms]

I know this is a deeply uncharitable thing to say but... I can't understand why he was taking it on the train anyway without, say, handcuffing himself to it.

I mean, I don't take my treasured mahogany acoustic guitar (which "only" cost me £350) outside much as it is very easily marked; I have a £100 knockabout cheapo guitar for pub gigs where it doesn't matter if anyone were to drunkenly step on it or anything.

I guess said violinist does have the possible consolation that it will be near impossible for anyone to sell that guitar without it being noticed.

[Parker1970]

Update:-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50234925

[Howard Staunton]

I know this is a deeply uncharitable thing to say but... I can't understand why he was taking it on the train anyway without, say, handcuffing himself to it.

I mean, I don't take my treasured mahogany acoustic guitar (which "only" cost me £350) outside much as it is very easily marked; I have a £100 knockabout cheapo guitar for pub gigs where it doesn't matter if anyone were to drunkenly step on it or anything.

I guess said violinist does have the possible consolation that it will be near impossible for anyone to sell that guitar without it being noticed.

I suppose handcuffing the case to his wrist might draw unwanted attention.

At least the updated BBC story shows it was actually left on the train and then stolen. Now the insurance company know he's not on the fiddle.

[Parker1970]

Now the insurance company know he's not on the fiddle.

[Syd_Stone]

Good news!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50275613

Love to know more about the 'secret negotiations'...

[Parker1970]

Good news!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50275613

Love to know more about the 'secret negotiations'...

I just came to post a link to the BBC thread. Secret Negotiations indeed.... and a waitrose carpark of all places!

[alywin]

I'm very relieved for him. But yes, Beckenham Waitrose is a rather odd place to select! No alternative exit, for a start.

[maestro]

But yes, Beckenham Waitrose is a rather odd place to select!

Considering the value of the violin, an Aldi would hardly have been appropriate.