Luby School
Josef Muller
Luby, c.1850–1925
Josef Muller (1850-c.1925) was a distinguished flautist and instrument maker from Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic. Initially trained in wind instrument making under his father, he expanded his business in 1880 to include the production and repair of stringed instruments. He created commercial copies of renowned makers like Stradivari and Guarneri, alongside experimental models, and pursued innovations in wood treatment and varnish. Muller held several patents, including one for a "double soundboard," and received numerous exhibition medals. He was succeeded by his son, Andreas.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1888 | February 1990 | £220 |
| Violin | 1906 | March 1986 | £237 |
Maker Overview
Life
Josef Muller (1850-c.1925) was born in 1850 and died around 1925 in Luby (Schönbach), Czech Republic. Sources contain conflicting information about Josef Muller's father. in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was the son and pupil of Andreas Müller, a wind instrument maker and dealer. Conversely, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart states he was the son of the brass instrument maker Vincenz Müller. Josef Muller was a distinguished flautist and maker and repairer of brass and woodwind instruments. He succeeded to his father's shop in 1873 and expanded the business into the making and repair of stringed instruments from 1880. He was succeeded by his son, also named Andreas.
Characteristics
- Instrument Production
- Josef Muller produced or retailed generally inexpensive commercial copies of instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer.
- Models
- He worked after models by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Caspar da Salò, as well as his own experimental models which differed in outline.
- Materials & Treatments
- He selected good wood and attempted improved varnish formulations and wood treatments, principally water-seasoning the timber and sometimes using lime-water.
- Innovation
- He invented a "double soundboard" (Doppel-Resonanzboden) "to improve the tone" and held a series of patents.
- Bows
- He also made bows of good commercial quality.
- Böhm:
K.K. ausschl. privilegierte
Musikinstrumenten- & Saiten-FabrikationJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information about Josef Muller's father., he was the son and pupil of Andreas Müller, a wind instrument maker and dealer. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, however, identifies his father as Vincenz Müller, a brass instrument maker.
- Musical Training: From the age of twelve, he was trained as a musician, primarily learning the flute, but also brass and string instruments. As a musician, he traveled through Bohemia and a large part of Germany.
- Awards: Josef Muller received medals from all major exhibitions since 1881.
- Family Continuity: He was succeeded in his business by his son, Andreas.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MÜLLER, Josef Born 1850, d.c.1925 Luby (Schönbach) Czech Republic. Violin and bow maker. Son and pupil of Andreas Müller, wind instrument maker and dealer. Distinguished flautist and maker and repairer of brass and woodwind instruments, succeeding to his father’s shop in 1873. Expanded the business into making and repair of stringed instruments, producing or retailing generally inexpensive commercial copies of Stradivari, Guarneri, and Stainer. Some experimental models, and various attempts at improved varnish formulations and wood treatments, principally water-seasoning the timber and sometimes using lime-water. Succeeded by his son Andreas, above. Bows of good commercial quality. Josef Müller, Schönbach b.Eger i. Böhm: / K.K. ausschl. privilegierte / Musikinstrumenten- & Saiten-Fabrikation.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn des Blechinstrumentenmachers Vincenz Müller. Seit seinem zwölften
Jahre wurde er zum Musiker ausgebildet, erlernte hauptsächlich das Flötenspiel,
nebenbei aber auch Blech- und Streichinstrumente. Als Musiker kam er durch
Böhmen und einen grossen Theil von Deutschland und übernahm 1873 das
väterliche Geschäft, welches er seit 1880 durch Einführung des Baus von
Streichinstrumenten erweiterte. Er wählt gutes Holz und arbeitet nach Stradivari,
Guarneri, Caspar da Salò, sowie nach einem eigenen, in den Umrissen
von anderen abweichenden Modell. Er erfand, «um den Ton zu verbessern«,
einen Doppel-Resonanzboden und besitzt eine Reihe von Patenten, sowie Medaillen
von allen grösseren Ausstellungen seit 1881. — Ausser ihm sind in Schönbach noch als Geigenmacher mit dem gleichen Familienamen thätig:
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Sell your instrument with Amati
Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.
Working in Luby at the same time
Alban Himmer worked 1895–1939
Andreas Bitteren 1858–1954
Andreas Heinrich b. 1858
Andreas Kliebhahn worked 1908–1915
Andreas Kutzer worked 1897–1925
Andreas Placht worked 1921
Anton I Fischer worked 1890–1914
Anton Kreuzinger 1840–1885