The stolen 1723 ‘Ames’ Stradivarius, taken from violinist Roman Totenberg after a concert at the Longy School of Music in 1980, has been recovered.

At the time, Mr Totenberg told authorities he believed the instrument was stolen by a young violinist, Philip Johnson, who was seen in the vicinity of the crime – however police insisted there was not enough evidence to demand a search of the man’s apartment.

The violin surfaced on June 26th of this year when Johnson’s former wife brought the instrument, she claims she inherited from her now deceased ex-husband, to Pittsburgh violin dealer Phillip Injeian for appraisal – and it was identified and reported to the authorities.

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STRADIVARIUS VIOLIN RECOVERED AFTER 35 YEARS | CBSN NEWS

Mr Totenberg died in May 2012 – aged 101.

The instrument is to be returned to his three daughters in a formal ceremony at the US Attorney’s Office today and then taken to Rare Violins of New York for a full restoration.

Police have indicated that no charges are expected to be brought in connection with the case.

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