<p>I might suggest the purchase of a Cremonese stringed instrument of documented lineage as an investment vehicle.</p>
<p>Realizing fully that your own progeny will never have the joy of playing it at it’s potential, these quite worthless pieces of wood made by lowly artisans now long deceased tend to increase exponentially in value.</p>
<p>These tend to be far safer investment vehicles than the stock or bond markets, as the recent economic meltdown might suggest.</p>
<p>Resale is fairly easy, and there is a willing market for purchase. </p>
<p>I do want to warn you that these may well be re-purchased by philanthropic foundations or misguided individuals that actually put these in the hands of promising (but marginally employed and often emaciated) musicians who only serve to follow their Muse.</p>
<p>I do realize that this investment strategy may present philosophical issues in your case.</p>