Leipzig School
Albin Wilfer
Leipzig, 1870–1939
Albin WILFER (1870-1939) was a German luthier born in Bad Elster and active in Leipzig. Trained by E./Friedrich Weller in Markneukirchen, he gained extensive experience working as an assistant for various masters before heading J. H. Zimmermann's workshop in Moscow from 1897. He established his independent business in Leipzig in 1898, where he became known for crafting string instruments based on classical Italian models, his own distinctive pattern, and sometimes. Grossmann's theory. His work is characterized by professional workmanship, good materials, and the use of both spirit and oil varnishes.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.8 cm Leipzig, 1922 | November 2011 | £813 |
| Cello | 1913 | November 2000 | £6,900 |
| Violin | 1931 | June 1991 | £2,310 |
Maker Overview
Life
Albin WILFER (1870-1939) was born in 1870 in Bad Elster and passed away in 1939 in Leipzig, Germany. He was descended from a line of luthiers;, his family included amateur luthiers, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were trained violin makers who did not practice the art. Albin Wilfer was a pupil of E. Weller, also known as Friedrich Weller, in Markneukirchen. He worked as an assistant for Carl Wilh. Weller, Hans Jäger, Wilh. Ficker, Liebich in Breslau, and A. Hermer in Leipzig. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the establishment of his first independent business; Lütgendorff states he founded his own business in Markneukirchen in 1891. Subsequently, in October 1897, he took on the role of head of the workshop, or first master, at J. H. Zimmermann in Moscow. After approximately one year, he returned from Russia, as he did not feel comfortable there, and established himself independently in Leipzig. He opened his business in Dufourstrasse, Leipzig, on October 1, 1898.
Characteristics
- Models
- Albin Wilfer crafted all string instruments, utilizing classical Italian models and his own personal pattern. His own model is characterized by being somewhat longer than usual, a bit wider in the breast, and having ribs that are not very high. He also made violins. Grossmann's theory.
- Varnish & Materials
- He was known for using good varnish and materials. He primarily employed spirit varnish but also utilized oil varnish.
- Workmanship
- His instruments exhibited professional workmanship.
- Branding
- Instruments produced by Albin Wilfer were branded '*A*W*' Albin Wilfer / Geigenbauer in Leipzig / 1899. In addition to his label, he also used a brand stamp: * A. * W. *, with the year written entirely in ink.
- Branded: ‘*A*W*’ Albin Wilfer
Geigenbauer in Leipzig
1899John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Albin Wilfer received his training as a pupil of E. Weller, identified as Friedrich Weller, in Markneukirchen.
- Mentorship & Employment: He gained experience working as an assistant for several masters, including Carl Wilh. Weller, Hans Jäger, Wilh. Ficker, Liebich in Breslau, and A. Hermer in Leipzig. He also served as the head of the workshop for J. H. Zimmermann in Moscow from 1897.
- Family Continuity: Albin Wilfer came from a family with a tradition in lutherie; his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were trained violin makers, though they did not actively practice the craft.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
Albin Born 1870 Bad Elster, died 1939 Leipzig Germany. Descended from a line of amateur luthiers. Pupil of E. Weller in Markneukirchen. Subsequently head of the workshop of J. H. Zimmermann in Moscow from 1897. Established independently in Dufourstrasse, Leipzig from 1898. Classical Italian models and his own personal pattern. Good varnish and materials. Professional workmanship. Branded: ‘*A*W*’ Albin Wilfer / Geigenbauer in Leipzig / 1899
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Friedrich Weller in Markneukirchen. Er arbeitete als Gehilfe bei Carl Wilh. Weller, Hans Jäger und Wilh. Ficker, dann bei Liebich in Breslau und A. Hermer in Leipzig, bis er 1891 in Markneukirchen sein eigenes Geschäft gründete. Im October 1897 übernahm er die erste Meisterstelle bei Jul. Heinr. Zimmermann in Moskau, kehrte aber nach einem Jahre wieder zurück, da er sich in Russland nicht behaglich fühlte, und liess sich in Leipzig nieder, wo er am 1. October 1898 sein Geschäft eröffnete. Er macht alle Streichinstrumente nach italienischem und nach eigenem Modell; letzteres ist etwas länger als die üblichen, in der Brust etwas breiter, die Zargen nicht sehr hoch. Auch nach Dr. Grossmann’s Theorie macht er Geigen. Er verwendet meist Sprit-, aber auch Öllack. Vater, Grossvater und Urgrossvater waren gelernte Geigenmacher, übten aber die Kunst nicht aus. Ausser seinem Zettel verwendet er auch einen Brandstempel: * A. * W. * (Die Jahreszahl ist ganz mit Tinte geschrieben.)
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 Leipzig at the same time
Anton Hermer worked 1880–1900
Ernst Richard Jacob 1879–1939
Franz Hans b. 1890
Franz Kohl 1873–1939
Frederick Wilhelm Weller b. 1854
Gustav Wunderlich 1872–1937
Hans Franze 1890–1950
Heinrich Adolf Kessler b. 1865