August Martin Ludwig Gemunder
Astoria, Ingelfingen, New York, 1814–1895
August Martin Ludwig Gemunder (1814-1895) was a prominent German-American violin maker, born in Ingelfingen and trained by his father. After working in Regensburg, he emigrated to the United States in 1846, initially working as an organ builder before resuming violin making in New York. He gained a significant reputation as a skilled copyist and restorer of master instruments, establishing the firm of August Gemünder & Sons in 1890. His instruments, known for their quality wood and varnish, were highly regarded, with one notable copy of a Sarasate Amati being deemed equal to the original.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
17 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin Bow | S/E 56.5 g. with partial hair Probably "Knopf Workshop" | — | October 2011 | £2,614 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. Firm of | — | December 2010 | £380 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm New York, 1893 Firm of | — | December 2010 | £836 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm New York, 1885 | — | April 2010 | £5,342 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 47.2 g. | — | August 2008 | £282 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm New York, 1880 c. | — | June 2008 | £1,060 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm labeled "Gemunder, Art violin…" (neck spot glued) | — | June 2008 | £1,060 |
| Violin | New York, 1880 | — | May 2005 | £998 |
| Violin | New York, 1874 | — | October 2004 | £3,499 |
| Violin | New York Made for the firm of | — | July 2004 | £498 |
| Violin | Astoria, 1882 | — | May 2004 | £6,434 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 52 g. | — | April 2003 | £971 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | June 2002 | £1,971 |
| Violin | — | May 1998 | £353 | |
| Violin | 1882 | — | November 1997 | £3,062 |
| Violin | 1894 | — | June 1980 | £257 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 | — | June 1980 | £362 |
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Maker Overview
Life
August Martin Ludwig Gemunder (1814-1895) was born in 1814 in Ingelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and died in 1895 in New York, USA. He was the son and pupil of Johann Georg Heinrich Gemünder. He worked in Regensburg before emigrating to America in 1846. Initially, he established himself in Springfield, Massachusetts, as an organ builder with his brother Albert. In 1859, he moved to New York to work with his other brother George until 1866. From 1864, he worked independently as an organ builder, but resumed violin making in 1866 and established the firm of August Gemünder & Sons in 1890. He achieved a very fine reputation as a copyist of individual master instruments and as a restorer., he published a self-biography.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- He was a skilled copyist, working after models by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Maggini.
- Materials
- The wood he selected was well-chosen, and his varnish ranged from gold-yellow to dark-red.
- Notable Instruments
- At the Vienna World Exhibition in 1873, he exhibited a violin he named the "Kaisergeige" (Emperor's Violin), for which he demanded 10,000 Dollars.
- Reputation
- His instruments were much used for solo playing.
- Accuracy
- He made such an exact copy of the Amati violin belonging to Señor Sarasate that it was pronounced to be equal to the original.
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: He was the pupil of his father, Johann Georg Heinrich Gemünder.
- Early Career: He worked for several years as an assistant in various German cities.
- Firm: He established the firm of August Gemünder & Sons in 1890.
- Reputation: He was considered perhaps the best American violin maker of his time.
- Exhibitions: He exhibited the "Kaisergeige" at the Vienna World Exhibition in 1873.
- Publications: He published a self-biography.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GEMÜNDER, August Martin Ludwig Born 1814 Ingelfingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany, died 1895 New York, USA Son and pupil of Johann Georg Heinrich Gemünder, below. Worked in Regensburg. Emigrated to America 1846. Established first in Springfield, Massachusetts, as an organ builder with his brother Albert. Moved to New York 1859 to work with his other brother George until 1866. From 1864 worked independently as an organ builder, but resumed violin making in 1866 and established the firm of August Gemünder & Sons 1890. Achieved a very fine reputation as copyist of individual master instruments and as a restorer.
Cecie Stainer+
b. 1814, Wurtemberg; d. Sept., 1895, New York. Pupil of his father, who was also a maker. Went to the United States, and settled in Massachusetts in 1846. He made excellent instruments, much used for solo playing. He made such an exact copy of the Amati violin belonging to Senior Sarasate that it was pronounced to be equal to the original.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler seines Vaters, arbeitete einige Jahre in verschiedenen deutschen
Städten als Gehilfe und begründete 1839 seine eigene Werkstatt in Regensburg,
ohne es dort zu etwas zu bringen. Er wanderte daher 1846 nach Amerika aus
und liess sich zuerst in Springfield (Mass.) nieder und ging 1860 nach New-York.
Hier kam er bald zu grossem Ansehen und galt vielleicht als der beste amerikanische
Geigenmacher seiner Zeit. Er war ein geschickter, freilich auch von
sich sehr überzeugter Copist und arbeitete nach Stradivari, Guarneri und
Maggini. Das Holz ist gut gewählt, der Lack goldgelb bis dunkelroth. Auf
der Wiener Weltausstellung 1873 hatte er eine Geige ausgestellt die er »Kaisergeige«
taufte und für die er 10000 Dollars verlangte. Wenn der Preis auch
allzuhoch gegriffen war, so war die Geige doch so gut, dass vielfach behauptet
wurde, Gemünder habe eine echte alte Geige einfach mit seinem Namen versehen.
Die echt amerikanische Reclame, die er betrieb, hat seinem Ruf in
Europa jedenfalls mehr geschadet als genützt. Er veröffentlichte auch eine
Selbstbiographie.
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