Peter Mandell is a Los Angeles based philanthropist, rare musical instrument collector, and USC alumni. In 2005, Mandell's name made headlines when a 1742 Sanctus Seraphin violin, as well as an 1830 Francois Tourte bow, valued at $350,000 and $160,000, respectively, were stolen from the car of a 20 year old well known violinist, Lindsay Deutsch. The violin and bow were later recovered.