A Violin From Voit & Geiger, Chicago 1927.

Anton D Voigt, Americanized to Voit, is one of the “Voit Brothers” referred to in several footnotes about the craft in Chicago during the 1930’s. He was a German trained immigrant and the son of Karl Voigt, who never left the fatherland. This American branch of Chicago based Voigts (Voits) represented only a small branch of a mighty violin making dynasty, whose family tree dated back to the 18th century and spread outward from Neukirchen. He partnered with the American luthier, Leroy F. Geiger (1900-1959) in 1924. Whereas little else is written about ‘Voit,’ Geiger studied with John Hornsteiner III, who’s lineage of training stretched from his own mentor, Joseph Kriner, all the way back to a forefather and dynasty patriarch, Georg Hornsteiner in early 18th century Mittenwald. Geiger was a contemporary of Frank Sindelar and Carl G. Becker, both of whom also studied with John Hornsteiner III. He worked with Becker from 1919-1924 at William Lewis & Son, until Hornsteiner’s, after which, he partnered with Voit. Though both Voit and Geiger were accomplished makers in their own right, they imported a wide variety of products and both student instruments as well as selections of greater artistic merit.

Patterned after Balestrieri, it bears an original label from Voit & Geiger in Chicago, numbered 5030, and dated 1927. Presenting in mint condition, less a wing crack ascending from the lower eye of the treble f-hole, this violin boasts attractive wood choice which features a one piece back of irregularly flamed maple, measuring 357mm in length. Beautifully crafted with fine attention to detail - deeply fluted f holes, and finished in a richly shaded and tastefully antiqued varnish. Its voice, commanding, clear, and powerful, with a brilliant quality, ample resistance and when desired, an impressive bite to articulations.