Jacques Francais, a dealer in classical string instruments who with a glance could authenticate a Stradivarius worth millions and then often match it with its next player, has died in Manhattan at 80.
He died Wednesday of complications of Parkinson’s disease, according to his wife, Beatrice.
Mr. Francais’ accomplishments included assembling, in 1971, an exhibition at Lincoln Center of antique French violins that had not been seen there in public since the Exposition Universelle in 1900.
In 1985, he completed a 20-year hunt for two violins, a viola and a cello that Antonio Stradivari had made to be played together but that had been sold separately. And in 1996 he brokered the $4 million sale of the cellist Emanuel Feuermann’s instrument, made by Stradivari in 1730.
For years Mr. Francais presided over a workshop near Carnegie Hall, complete with fireplace, paintings, an enormous window and almost priceless violins scattered about.
But he knew that every violin had a price, and he knew what that price was, or at least the price he wanted to pay or receive. Each year in the 1980s and ’90s he negotiated the sale of 6 to 10 violins made by the great masters Stradivari and Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu. That number was estimated to be as many as half the world sales.
He also brought a marksman’s eye to spotting the fakes that so many people showed him in hope of receiving his prized certification. After a brief look, Mr. Francais almost always said no, at no charge.
“Then I am free to tell them that my opinion is final, and they cannot ask questions,” he said in 1977.
Isaac Stern wrote on a photo on Mr. Francais’ desk: “For Jacques–whose vast knowledge is matched only by his compassion for fiddlers’ foibles–he ministers lovingly to our needs and we are grateful.”
Born in Paris, he went to New York in 1948 on a one-way ticket with 20 violins, four cellos and 24 bows to sell on consignment, as well as fine etchings, also on consignment, and $50.
He went on to own Jacques Francais Rare Violins Inc., which employed a dozen top experts. People brought more and more important instruments to be inspected or repaired by the company’s experts, which further sharpened their expertise.
He said he believed that the secret to the great Italian violins was a slow-drying varnish used in the 17th Century.
