Charles Beare, who has died aged 87, was an international stringed instrument expert and dealer, his name synonymous with an unrivalled knowledge of fine instruments and bows. His expertise was unmatched in the arcane world of violin authentication.
Once seen, an instrument corner, an f-hole, or glimpse of a scroll would often be enough to enable recognition in Beare’s uncanny eidetic memory. He did not need measurements to be able to identify an instrument or bow. “The only way in which you can learn is by seeing instruments with original labels and if people hadn’t taken so many of them out it would be a lot easier,” Beare recalled in an interview.
