When Antonio Stradivari of Cremona, Italy, started making violins in the 1660s, Newton had not yet discovered the principles of modern physics and the first piano had not yet been manufactured.

By the time of Stradivari’s death in 1737, his violins were already some of the most prized in the world, the product of a fine hand and an almost occult science. About 600 of perhaps 700 survive. And now, a select few people will have the special treat of playing one of these rare and expensive musical instruments.

On Monday, in the hushed auction room of Christie’s in Midtown Manhattan, a Stradivarius made in 1729 will be put up for bid at a minimum asking price of $1 million.

One little-noticed part of the auction: in theory, anyone without butterfingers can take out the Stradivarius for a test play. And so yesterday, a few did.