Irreplaceable Violin Lost...And Found

Here’s a story that will reaffirm your faith in the goodness of your fellow New Yorkers. Sure, we steal stuff from unsuspecting straphangers. But we return it, and that’s what counts. On his way home from a performance on June 27, Brooklyn concert violinist Tom Chiu, 36, fell asleep on the platform inside the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights. When he awoke, his backpack, laptop and antique [Scarampella violin were gone]. Dun, dun, dunnn. Chiu appealed to the press and, lo and behold, his items were return unharmed about a week later, via the MTA Transit Lost-and-Found.

The violin, which Chiu has played for 13 years, was made by Stefano Scarampella, one of the most reknowned violinmakers from the early 20th century in Italy. While Chiu didn’t include the cost of the rare instrument, saying only that it had immense sentimental value to him, various news outlets are happy to provide us with a range. The [Daily News] and [amNY](http://www.amny.com/news/local/newyork/ny-viol0705,0,5896036.story?coll=am-topheadlines) report that it goes for $80,000, and [The New York Sun](http://www.nysun.com/article/57825?page_no=1) writes that Peter Zaret & Sons Violins, is selling a certified Stefano Scarampella violin manufactured in 1903 for $125,000 and other Scarampella violins have recently sold at auction for between $75,000 and $100,000.

The Juilliard School graduate and founder of the avant-garde ensemble [Flux Quartet] says he is “overjoyed” and “a lot of people were very thankful.” We assume he’s referring to his adoring fans, but all New Yorkers can appreciate what this means for our nasty reputation.