Violin identifying

[albrown_18]

Hello! 
 

I have had this violin for a little while and I would like to know more about it. On the inside it says “Tone ____ and Repaired by A.W Van Dorsten, No. 542 Maker Dec. 1916” 

I also am really interested in the design on the back, and would like to know more about who could have put the design on it, and if it was common to have that design. 

Thank you! 

[Brad Dorsey]

48 minutes ago, albrown_18 said:

...I...am really interested in the design on the back, and would like to know more about who could have put the design on it, and if it was common to have that design...

Since most violins were/are made without this type of design, or any design at all on the back, it is quite uncommon.  But designs like these, and also much more elaborate designs, are occasionally seen on the backs of this type of cheap, commercially mass-produced, German violin made around 1890 to 1930.  Your design is made of purfling inlaid in grooves, in the same fashion as the purfling inlaid just inside the edges of the top and back.  It was put on by anonymous production workers when the violin was made.  It was not put on by Dorsten, who repaired -- not made -- the violin.

[albrown_18]

5 minutes ago, Brad Dorsey said:

Since most violins were/are made without this type of design, or any design at all on the back, it is quite uncommon.  But designs like these, and also much more elaborate designs, are occasionally seen on the backs of this type of cheap, commercially mass-produced, German violin made around 1890 to 1930.  Your design is made of purfling inlaid in grooves, in the same fashion as the purfling inlaid just inside the edges of the top and back.  It was put on by anonymous production workers when the violin was made.  It was not put on by Dorsten, who repaired -- not made -- the violin.

Okay, thank you! so you would guess it was made from 1890-1930? 

[Brad Dorsey]

Yes.  But perhaps someone else here more knowledgeable than me can give you more information.

[albrown_18]

2 hours ago, Brad Dorsey said:

Yes.  But perhaps someone else here more knowledgeable than me can give you more information.

Okay, thank you so much for your help!!! 

[Guido]

I'd narrow down the time frame for this particular violin to the earlier part of the period stated for the design/ pattern to be common in German trade violins. I imaging a repair in 1916 could make sense.

[Brad Dorsey]

On 10/24/2021 at 8:26 PM, albrown_18 said:

..I also am really interested in the design on the back...

 

A violin with a very similar design on the back is pictured in a catalog published by the Rudolf Wurlitzer Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1898.  The price was $6.

[albrown_18]

On 10/27/2021 at 7:22 AM, Brad Dorsey said:

 

A violin with a very similar design on the back is pictured in a catalog published by the Rudolf Wurlitzer Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1898.  The price was $6.

That’s very interesting! Can you attach the catalog? 

[Violadamore]

2 hours ago, albrown_18 said:

That’s very interesting! Can you attach the catalog? 

The Cincinnati Public Library has digitized a nice selection of them:  https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/digital/collection/p16998coll22/search/searchterm/rudolph wurlitzer company -- catalogs!Wurlitzer/field/subjec!all/mode/exact!all/conn/and!and/order/title 

[albrown_18]

1 hour ago, Violadamore said:

The Cincinnati Public Library has digitized a nice selection of them:  https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/digital/collection/p16998coll22/search/searchterm/rudolph wurlitzer company -- catalogs!Wurlitzer/field/subjec!all/mode/exact!all/conn/and!and/order/title 

Thank you! I haven’t found one from 1898, but I’ll keep looking! 

[Violadamore]

2 hours ago, albrown_18 said:

Thank you! I haven’t found one from 1898, but I’ll keep looking! 

Try this one.  https://digital.cincinnatilibrary.org/digital/collection/p16998coll22/id/1160/rec/1

[Brad Dorsey]

22 hours ago, albrown_18 said:

...Can you attach the catalog? 

[albrown_18]

On 10/29/2021 at 9:27 AM, Brad Dorsey said:

Thank you! It does look like mine! 

[albrown_18]

On 10/27/2021 at 2:12 AM, Guido said:

I'd narrow down the time frame for this particular violin to the earlier part of the period stated for the design/ pattern to be common in German trade violins. I imaging a repair in 1916 could make sense.

Yeah, I think so too!