Rare violin sets world auction record

NEW YORK, May 17 (UPI) -- An Antonio Stradivari violin sold for more than $3.5 million, the highest price ever recorded for an instrument sold at auction, Christie's of New York said.

The violin, called "The Hammer," was created in 1707, during Stradivari's so-called golden period, Christie's said in a news release.

The winning bid of $3.544 million at Tuesday's auction broke the previous world record of just over $2 million -- paid for The Lady Tennant Stradivari during a 2005 auction at Christie's New York.

There are only 620 Stradivari violins in existence, Christie's noted. "The Hammer" was named for 19th century Swedish collector Christian Hammer.