As a copy of a transitional period Stradivarius, hints of his “grand” style instruments begin to emerge from the long pattern of his Golden Period. Though not completely transitioned, at an age of 81, Stradivarius began moving towards the wider and shorter pattern shift that begins to become evident in the rich, orange-red varnished original that this instrument mimics. The Duke of Cambridge, named after one of its owners the Duke himself, is also well known for other historical reasons as this violin was stolen from the Bott Family in 1894 and resurfaced years later after being bought from a pawn shop for only $4