A Good Violin By Albert Knorr for Heberlein, Circa 1925

Heinrich Theodore Heberlein Jr (1843-1909) studied with his father, Carl August Heberlein (1805-1879) before moving to Leipzig to work under the auspices of Ludwig Bausch. After which, he entered the employ of August Reicher in Hannover before opening his own atelier in Markneukirchen. Heinrich Theodore Jr was the third luthier of the family dynasty which began with Johann Gottlob Heberlein (1782-1856) and led his workshop to great commercial success, with Rembert Wurlitzer as his sole distributer to the United States. He taught at the violin making school in Markneukirchen and passed leadership of the family workshop to his two sons, Paul Wilhelm and Albert Theodore Heinrich Jr. The family workshop continued producing excellent instruments that remain highly desirable till the onset of World War II, with the younger brother continuing to work independently into the 1970’s.

Dated 1925, This label in this violin attributes it to Gustav Fedor Heberlein Jr. No such maker existed. Rather, this violin was made by Albert Knorr for the Heberlein atelier and given an off-brand trade name to satisfy exclusivity agreements in export. Excitingly recognizable, it features a lovely one piece back and charming antiquing, commanding commendable projection and well defined depth of sound with a flexible core.