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A rare 1715 Stradivarius violin has set a new world record, selling for an astonishing $23 million in a private sale. The "Baron Knoop" Stradivari shattered the previous high of $15,875,800, set in 2011 by the 1721 "Lady Blunt" Stradivari violin.
Crafted by master violin maker Antonio Stradivari during his famed "Golden Period," the Baron Knoop violin is named after Baron Johan Knoop (1846–1918), a well-known collector of fine stringed instruments. This remarkable violin had been in the possession of American collector David Fulton for 33 years. Fulton originally purchased the instrument in February 1992 for $2.75 million.
"The Baron Knoop is my absolute favorite among the many great violins I’ve owned," said Fulton, now 80 years old. "It was also the favorite of old Baron Knoop himself. I’ve owned the Knoop for more than 33 years. It seems optimistic to imagine I could own it for another 33 years … and I can’t take it with me."
The sale, facilitated by Peter Biddulph, Lilly Camden, and Joe Bein, marks the near completion of Fulton's legendary collection dispersal. Over four decades, Fulton amassed a world-class assembly of 28 fine violins, violas, and cellos, including eight Stradivaris and eight instruments by the revered Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù. His collection also featured works by Bergonzi, Guadagnini, Amati, Montagnana, and Pietro Guarneri, among others.
Since 2010, Fulton has gradually been parting with his collection. In 2022, he chronicled his journey in The Fulton Collection: A Guided Tour by David Fulton. By October 2024, he had transferred the Baron Knoop violin, along with other prized instruments and bows, to his charitable foundation, the David and Amy Fulton Foundation.
Now, Fulton retains just one violin—his first purchase, the 1698 Peter of Mantua Guarneri, which he lovingly refers to as his "Little Petrus." "It began with my ‘Little Petrus’ and is ending with my ‘Little Petrus,’" he reflected. "There’s been a ton of amazing stuff in between."
The new owner of the Baron Knoop violin remains anonymous, but with its sale, the legacy of this extraordinary instrument continues into a new chapter.