The "King Joseph" Guarnerius del Gesu is one of the stars of the Fulton collection - a 1737 instrument so famous that it is the subject of a monograph by Chicago violin experts Bein & Fushi. This instrument was reported to be the first Guarnerius del Gesu to come to America. This amazing violin is considered one of the nine finest Guarneris in existence. The 1737 King Joseph is unusual as it has a one-piece back made of slab cut wood. It is similar in shape to the "Stern" and "Joachim" which were made in the same year, but the King Joseph's workmanship is more disciplined.
