Christie’s in New York is auctioning off a Stradivarius violin today and, the N.Y. Times realized, violinists who attended the public viewing last week actually had the unique opportunity to play this prized instrument. They first had to pass muster with Kerry Keane, overseer of Christie’s musical instruments in New York or Benjamin Hebbert from Christie’s London office. No one was rejected, though Hebbert wished he had turned down a few of the bad players. Hebbert also admitted to checking for “the telltale bruise under the jaw” that violinists often have. (I’ve never heard it referred to as a bruise. Those of us in impolite musician circles call it “the violin hickey”.) The Strad, named the “Solomon, Ex-Lambert” after two previous owners, has an auction estimate of $1 million to $1.5 million. Christie’s sold ‘The Hammer’ Strad last year for over $3.5 million. Let’s hope it goes to someone who will play it or lend it.