To: From: William DeRoa Subject: Re: Soffritti cello provenance Hi Wanted to update appraisal question. Julian Hersch of Darnton & Hersch has committed to appraise the cello at the figure of 200k. Darnton & Hersch is a high end violin shop in Chicago that handles Stradivari and very rare instruments. He knows the Soffritti cello and has no trouble with authenticity or value . However , he must physically inspect cello before writing to make sure it still exists and is not in splinters . He will be in NYC from the 1st of Feb until the 6th , staying at the Empire Hotel. Since I have no affiliation nor Eric Henning with Julian , this would be about the most Independent one could get . I have never spoken nor met him before , only know him by reputation as a stellar shop. The owner Mary Horoschevitsky , will not allow instrument to leave State of Ca. until purchased and is beginning to get testy , she is quite elderly. Anyway , as I mentioned before there us also another example of Soffrittis work available in Europe at a higher figure. That cello is not in the same league as the example I have recommended for Jeffrey. I will copy some more info on Soffritti , various books and forward certificate on separate cover for JE pleasure . Thanks W EFTA_R1_00480026 EFTA01988261