RARE Vintage Charles E. Herbrig St. Paul Minnesota Maker Hand Crafted 4/4 Violin

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RARE Vintage Charles E. Herbrig St. Paul Minnesota Maker Hand Crafted 4/4 Violin:
$1027.00

RARE Vintage Charles E. Herbrig St. Paul Minnesota Maker Hand Crafted 4/4 Violin RARE Vintage Charles E. Herbrig St. Paul Minnesota Maker Hand Crafted 4/4 Violin

Please see many (27) images below the description

Offered in this listing is a very scarce full-sized (4/4) violin hand crafted in the 1940s by St. Paul, Minnesota luthier Charles Edward Herbrig (1884-1959). Herbrig, who was born in Montgomery to German immigrant parents but later moved to St. Paul in the 1920s, was known to have made only 75 violins in his lifetime. According to the Amati website, his instruments exhibited \"fine craftsmanship.\" His early finishes tended to be pale yellow, transitioning to darker hues later in his career. The sale high for one of his violins, made in 1956, is approximately $2,880 (against an estimate of $3,000-5,000). Dealer prices would likely be quite a bit higher.

I must state that I do not play the violin, but I try to acquire well made examples in my quest for vintage guitars and other items. Thus, I cannot comment on playability of this instrument. It is in need of a setup and it should receive some TLC from a luthier, as it is fresh from an estate and has in all likelihood not been played for many years.

The label (pictured) indicates that it was made by Herbrig in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1943. It appears to be in quite good condition for its age. The finish shows some expected age and use wear. There is a longitudinal crack near the center of the one-piece back. The crack is very tight and was very difficult to photograph, so I showed the location in an image with some arrows. Someone has informed me that this is a sound-post crack, which is quite common. It has been professionally repaired with an oval patch inside the back where the sound-post meets the back. The top appears to have separated ever so slightly from the side in the vicinity of the bottom of the upper bout, also visible in an image or two.

I have not attempted to polish the violin or do anything other than lightly brush off a bit of surface dust and detritus from the old cloth case lining.

The instrument comes in a tattered old case that, at best, will help serve to protect it during shipment. No bows are included with the violin.

An old list of American violin makers from \"The Violinist\" in 1920 states that his parents moved to the U.S. from Saxony, Germany, and that his father built organs and violins. Herbrig\'s listing notes that he studied the art of violin making and repair for 15 years, and that his varnish is amber-red, with an Italian finish. According to the ad, he \"specializes in restoring Old Master violins,\" and crafts \"(h)andmade chin rests of rosewood, original, artistic designs.\" His address was listed as Fourth and Wabasha, St. Paul, Minn.

Ships well packed and fully insured at $35.00 to locations within the lower 48 states of the U.S.

If you do not like the asking price, please feel free to make an offer.

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