Josef Urban
1821–1893
Josef URBAN (1821-1893) was a Czech violin and guitar maker known for his wandering disposition, working in New York, San Francisco, Vienna, Sopron, and Prague.
A pupil of Emanuel Homolka, his craftsmanship was generally good, though his production was limited due to frequent relocations.
His instruments often featured a red oil varnish and were sometimes branded with 'JU'.
Maker Overview
Life
Josef URBAN (1821-1893) was born in Cernuc, Czech Republic, and died in San Francisco, California, USA.
's Critical & Documentary Dictionary Of Violin Makers Old & Modern, Urban was an excellent craftsman of a wandering disposition who established himself in New York in 1847, transferred his workshop to San Francisco, and then returned to Prague in 1863 for a short time before going back to the New World, where he eventually died in San Francisco.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart states that after his apprenticeship, he went to Vienna and Ödenburg, then to New York in 1847, and to California in 1852, where he remained for 11 years.
Lütgendorff further notes that Urban returned to Prague in 1863, opening a workshop at Jungmannovo n. No. 764, but did not stay long before returning to San Francisco, where he died.
John Dilworth, in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, corroborates his birth and death dates and locations, stating he worked in Vienna and Sopron, Hungary, before emigrating to the USA in 1847, establishing himself in New York.
Dilworth indicates he moved to Los Angeles in 1852, returned to Prague from 1863 to 1876, and finally settled in San Francisco in 1876.
Sources contain conflicting information regarding the exact dates and duration of his returns to Prague and final settlement in San Francisco.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Henri Poidras describes him as an "excellent craftsman" whose production was "not very important on account of his successive removals."
- Quality
- Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that he "was not ungeschickt, and if he wanted, could work very sauber."
- Characteristics
- , his instruments featured "various models," often displayed "undistinguished workmanship," with some being of "commercial trade quality."
- Varnish
- John Dilworth specifies a "red oil varnish."
- Labeling
- Henri Poidras mentions a label: "Joseph Urban violin and guitar maker San-Francisco 18.." John Dilworth notes a brand below the button: 'JU' and a label: "Joseph Urban / Violin and Guitar Maker / San Francisco. 1860."
- Branded below button: ‘JU’ Joseph Urban
Violin and Guitar Maker
San Francisco. 1860John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Teacher: Josef URBAN was a pupil of Emanuel Homolka in Prague.
Henri Poidras also identifies Homolka as his teacher.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff adds that he was also musically trained by Em. A. Homolka.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
URBAN, Josef Born 1821 Cernuc Czech Republic, died 1893 San Francisco, California USA. Pupil of Emanuel Homolka in Prague. Worked in Vienna and Sopron, Hungary before emigrating to the USA 1847. Established in New York. Moved to Los Angeles 1852. Returned to Prague 1863-1876 and finally settled in San Francisco 1876. Various models. Often undistinguished workmanship, some of commercial trade quality. Red oil varnish. Branded below button: ‘JU’ Joseph Urban / Violin and Guitar Maker / San Francisco. 1860
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Em. A. Homolka, bei dem er auch musikalisch ausgebildet wurde. Nach beendigter Lehrzeit ging er nach Wien und Ödenburg, 1847 nach New-York und 1852 nach Kalifornien, wo er 11 Jahre blieb. 1863 kam er nach Prag zurück und eröffnete hier am Jungmannovo n. No. 764 seine Werkstatt. Er hielt es nicht lange aus und ging wieder nach S. Francisco, wo er auch starb. Da er in Europa nur wenig selbstständig arbeitete, kommen Geigen von ihm äusserst selten vor; er war jedoch nicht ungeschickt, und wenn er wollte, konnte er sehr sauber arbeiten.
Henri Poidras+
New-York and San Francisco 1821-1893. Born at Cernuch. Pupil of Homolka. Excellent craftsman of a wandering disposition, who established himself in New-York in 1847, transferred his workshop to San Francisco, leaving there to return to Prague in 1863. Remaining there for a short time, he eventually went back to the New World, dying in San Francisco. His work is good but his production not very important on account of his successive removals. Label : Joseph Urban violin and guitar maker San-Francisco 18. .
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