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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/55136
DougBrock - Posted - 04/23/2021: 16:24:17
Have you run across anything like this before? I’m not finding anything similar on the Internet.
ChickenMan - Posted - 04/23/2021: 17:45:48
Looks like a factory stamp. Sometimes they say "conservatory"
DougBrock - Posted - 04/23/2021: 19:26:52
quote:
Originally posted by ChickenManLooks like a factory stamp. Sometimes they say "conservatory"
My search did find several that said "conservatory" on the back, but I didn't find anything remotely similar to this one. The guy selling it lives quite a ways away; if he were closer, I'd try to meet him just to take a look at the violin. Unless I find something extra interesting about it from the info on the back of the scroll, I'm not likely to actually ever play this violin.
ChickenMan - Posted - 04/23/2021: 20:26:34
Here's some info on "artist" stamped fiddles with some links. I saw a couple of threads here about that subject
Mark Ralston - Posted - 04/24/2021: 04:20:35
FWIW, here's a (German?) workshop 7/8 "Ladies Violin" that was regraduated (and letter designations carved into the pegs) by Sol Roach of Windber, PA ca 1925. Roach liked to record the regraduation dimensions (in 64ths of an inch) inside his regraduated instruments. It's a well-made, comfortable, good-sounding instrument.
solroachviolinhistory.com/
JonD - Posted - 04/24/2021: 16:53:48
Hi Doug, I enjoy instrument mysteries... Tulsa Strings has for sale an instrument with the same stamp, to all appearances -- it is stated as being made in Eisleben, Germany in 1892 (mis-typed in the description as 1982). tulsastringsviolinshop.com/100...erer-1892
Someone knowledgable about violin makers might be able to say whether this provenance is a good one...
Cheers,
Jon
DougBrock - Posted - 04/24/2021: 20:54:57
quote:
Originally posted by JonDHi Doug, I enjoy instrument mysteries... Tulsa Strings has for sale an instrument with the same stamp, to all appearances -- it is stated as being made in Eisleben, Germany in 1892 (mis-typed in the description as 1982). tulsastringsviolinshop.com/100...erer-1892
Someone knowledgable about violin makers might be able to say whether this provenance is a good one...
Cheers,
Jon
Wow! Exact match!
DougD - Posted - 04/25/2021: 05:12:47
Would the price they're asking in Tulsa be the "something extra interesting" that would make you take a look at this one?
DougD - Posted - 04/25/2021: 06:06:45
BTW, if you Google "Wilhelm Duerer violin" you'll find more information about these instruments and this "maker."
brooklynbanjoboy - Posted - 04/26/2021: 07:57:44
A while back, I purchased a nice fiddle attributed to Duerer and did some digging on the internet. At that time, Brompton's Fine and Rare Instruments online reference library showed 7 violins dating from 1899 to 1905 bearing Duerer's name, and two violoncellos, both originating in Eisleben, on in 1904 and the other in 1926. Three of the violins were listed as having originated in Eisleban (in 1899, 1901, 1902, and 1925, and both violoncellos were noted as having originated in Eisleben, though four violins (dating from 1901 to 1905) were said to have been made in "Germany," suggesting that - if Duerer were an actual builder - that he moved shop from time to time. It is also possible that, if he was just a jobber who managed several shops and presided over production by several violin makers, that he had a range of factories under his supervision. See: bromptons.co/reference/makers/...erer.html
DougBrock - Posted - 04/26/2021: 09:59:47
quote:
Originally posted by DougDWould the price they're asking in Tulsa be the "something extra interesting" that would make you take a look at this one?
Actually it does! I'm still skeptical about the Tulsa price - it seems so far from the many experienced words of advice, that good violins don't have this kind branding. BUT, based on the fact that one store thought so highly of an apparently similar violin, I will be seeing this one on Thursday afternoon. I'm hoping the sound is meh so that I can pass!
(We're getting new kitchen countertops today and we just ordered floors for the kitchen and dining room, so another violin purchase isn't great timing.)
I have an old German violin that has a lot of varnish damage on the top plate, but it does play well and is very resonant. This violin with the shield LOOKS better. If the sound is significantly better, then I don't mind the branding. Sort of a conversation piece?
Edited by - DougBrock on 04/26/2021 10:04:08
DougD - Posted - 04/26/2021: 12:19:02
If you Google the name you'll find that other shops have sold, or are offering, similar instruments, in a range of prices. That marking is different from what you see on cheap violins, which are usually more like what Mark posted.
DougBrock - Posted - 04/26/2021: 12:52:27
quote:
Originally posted by DougDIf you Google the name you'll find that other shops have sold, or are offering, similar instruments, in a range of prices. That marking is different from what you see on cheap violins, which are usually more like what Mark posted.
Having a likely name is great info!
KCFiddles - Posted - 05/04/2021: 17:07:44
As it turns out, Doug and I were conversing, and I remembered that I had at least one Duerer stored away in boxes from when I closed my brick and mortar shop and moved everything to my home two years ago. When I dragged it out to look at it, it's got a near-identical design on the back of the pegbox. Same pattern, more subdued, and not nearly so noticeable. Carved by different hands in different years. Mine was dated 1914. It's definitely well made and after I had been through it, it sounds pretty good, if I may say so myself.
The price tag I had on it said $1600. I still say the stuff on the back adds nothing to the value and IMHO decreases the value in present times. So, all in all, not a bad fiddle. I price everything in my shop in comparison with instruments of established value, because I figure my customers are going to want to SEE and hear the differences in value to justify the differences in price. My prices start around $300 and go to $9,000 plus, so there has to be clear differences in value to justify price differences, and this Duerer carries the price I had on it pretty well in comparison to the others. I had just spent a good part of the weekend with a customer comparing violins so my memory was pretty fresh. This one. without the shield was in the $2000+ range for quality and sound.
Edited by - KCFiddles on 05/04/2021 17:19:18
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