Tarisio, internet auctioneer of fine instruments and bows, is proud to announce the 'Amaryllis Fleming' Stradivari cello as the star lot in its fall sale. The instrument has an estimated value of 1.75-2.3 million USD and is expected to break the world record for a cello sold at auction. Bidding occurs exclusively online at www.tarisio.com from October 1, 2008 to October 31, ending approximately at 1 PM ET. The cello is being sold by Fleming's family to benefit the Royal College of Music in London, where Amaryllis Fleming studied and later taught.

Made in Cremona in 1717, the Fleming cello is one of only around 60 surviving Stradivari cellos. Few of these come up for auction due to their rarity, and this example, which dates from Stradivari's famous Golden Period, is the first in almost ten years.

Tarisio is selling the cello in association with London violin dealership J.&A.Beare Ltd. The firm's world-renowned expert Charles Beare describes it as "originally one of Stradivari's greatest." It was made on the B-form pattern--Stradivari's most successful cello model--which was used to make some of the finest cellos in existence including Yo-Yo Ma's 'Davidoff' and Mstislav Rostropovich's 'Duport'.

The cello has an outstanding tone quality and Stradivari used particularly beautiful maple for the back and ribs, which are in an exceptionally fine state of preservation. The front and scroll, although not original, were made of fine materials in the mid-18th century by the Spanish luthier José Contreras, whose own instruments are highly prized today.

The instrument bears the name of the British cellist Amaryllis Fleming (1925-1999), who bought it in the 1950s. Daughter of the artist Augustus John and half-sister of James Bond author Ian Fleming, she was taught by Pierre Fournier and became one of UK's top-rank cellists, particularly admired for her performances of Bach.

The cello will be on display for public viewing at Tarisio's New York office at 244 West 54th St, 11th Floor from October 8-9 and in Boston at the Park Plaza Hotel, 64 Arlington Street from October 11-12. Private viewings are also available by appointment at the New York office from October 8-31, excluding the Boston dates.

Tarisio Digital Press Kit

Tarisio Auction Guide

About Tarisio

Tarisio is one of the world's leading sources of fine and rare stringed instruments, and the only major company in the instrument market to use the internet as its primary auction platform. Launched in 1999 by three partners, Dmitry Gindin, Jason Price and Christopher Reuning, it brought a fresh approach to the instrument market, combining the excellent reputation and services of a traditional auction house with the efficiency and accessibility of online sales. Offering first-class expertise and guaranteed cataloguing, Tarisio quickly earned the respect of musicians, collectors, restorers and dealers the world over. Tarisio has had an annual turnover of more than $10 million since 2006, more than either Sotheby's or Christie's, and is the largest instrument auction house in the world with over 3, 000 violins, violas, cellos and bows sold each year.

Tarisio has overseen many prestigious sales including the Isaac Stern collection in 2003, grossing $2.3 million.

Tarisio has offices in New York and London, and recently opened a fretted strings department.