Proms musician in desperate plea after 300-year-old violin is taken from train

Appeal: Jane Gordon accidentally left her violin on an overhead luggage rack
British Transport Police
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A violinist spoke of her devastation today after her 300-year-old instrument was taken from a train just a week before she is due to play in the Proms.

Jane Gordon, 37, accidentally left her violin on an overhead luggage rack as she travelled home from Waterloo station after a rehearsal this week.

CCTV footage shows that the violin, believed to be worth tens of thousands of pounds, remained there for three hours before being removed by a passenger at Queenstown Road station, according to British Transport Police.

Ms Gordon, an award-winning Royal Academy of Music graduate, today appealed for its return. She said it was “much loved” and that she was “desperate” to be reunited with it.

Heartbroken: Jane Gordon has launched a Twitter campaign for her violin to be returned

She told the Standard: “When I realised it had gone my heart was just racing. It is like losing a member of your family or losing your voice. The bond you have with an instrument is incredibly personal and central to my career.”

Ms Gordon said she was prepared to offer £500 for any information leading to its return.

She has been lent an instrument to practise on ahead of her performances on September 4 and 9 with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at the Royal Albert Hall.

She said: “I would like the violin back — I am due to play in the Proms concerts next week. I have had it for about four years and it’s like a member of my family, and the sound it makes is like a human voice.

“It is old and holds a lot of sentimental value. I am willing to offer a reward for the instrument if it is found. Please return it safely.”

Ms Gordon is a renowned soloist in the Rautio Piano Trio, and a specialist in performances of Baroque music on historical instruments.

CCTV footage shows a passenger taking the violin from the train at Queenstown Road station

The violin is described as a Maggini in a black case with a label reading “Gewa” on the outside. There is an external pouch which contains a blank envelope with strings inside, labelled La Folia. The violin also has a distinctive wooden chin rest. There are four bows, two of them Baroque, and a pouch at the end of the case containing asthma medication.

The incident took place on Monday evening as Ms Gordon headed to St Margarets station.

Detective Constable Anthony Steaman, from BTP, said: “I am keen to speak to the two people in the CCTV images as I believe they may have vital information that could help with the investigation. Anyone with any information should contact British Transport Police as soon as possible. I would urge anyone who may have the instrument to hand it into their local police station.”

Last month, Krysia Osostowicz, 56, a friend of Ms Gordon, had her £200,000 violin snatched when she put it down as she was unlocking her bike outside Brixton station. She retrieved it after a woman tried to pawn it for £50.

In 2010, London-based musician Min-Jin Kym’s £1.2 million Stradivarius violin was taken from a cafe at Euston station. Thieves tried to sell it for £100 and it was eventually found in the Midlands. In 2011, John Maughan, then 30, was jailed for four and a half years at Blackfriars crown court for the theft. Two teenage boys were also sentenced for their involvement.

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