Violin Collector Herbert Axelrod Appeals Extradition

Classic Arts News Violin Collector Herbert Axelrod Appeals Extradition

Oct 13, 2004

Herbert Axelrod's return to the United States has been postponed because the violin collector has appealed his extradition from Germany, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.

Axelrod, who sold a collection of suspect string instruments to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra last year, has been indicted on unrelated tax fraud charges. He was arrested in June in Berlin, and was expected to make a court appearance on Friday, October 16, in New Jersey.

The orchestra, the FBI, the IRS, and the U.S. Senate are examining the former pet-care book publisher's sale of 30 rare string instruments to the NJSO. Some of the violins and cellos are now believed to be fakes.