Violins at R. Kim Tipper & Associates Fine Violins

Violins over $50,000	Click on the image for more detailed photos
Angelus Soliani, Modena, 1807 Instruments by Angelo Soliani (1752–1810) are comparatively rare, though well regarded. This example of interesting and beautiful wood shows some skillful restorations done in the Hill Shop circa 1967. It is a wonderful violin to play and is sold with a certificate from W.E. Hill & Sons
Violins $20,000 to $50,000
Unlabeled Italian Violin, circa 1875 The energy of the edgework and richly coloured varnish give this violin much character and appeal. It is made of native Italian wood with some visible worm damage, extensive wear from playing, and much good restoration. It has all the openess one hopes for in an older violin and a strong expressive tone.
Elophe Poirson, Lyon, 1891 Elophe Poison was an eccentric and skilled maker known for his high ideals. This violin is a particularly beautiful example of his work with a one-piece back and rich red varnish. Its voice is French in character and has been praised for clarity and warmth. There are two well repaired cracks above the saddle, otherwise it is in very good condition.
J.H. Schult, 1928 ~ SOLD ~ Branded “JH SCHULT Hof-Geigenbauermstr. 19 Lubeck 28” Born in 1866, J.H. Schult was appointed maker to the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg in 1907 and won prizes for his instruments at Turin and Schwerin. This violin was made in 1928, a time when he was likely being assisted by his son, Ernst Friedrich. It is a substantially built instrument of which the makers could be rightly proud in every way. It has been thoroughly restored in our shop and is in excellent condition.
Marengo Romanus Rinaldi, Turin, 1898 ~ SOLD ~ A fine playing instrument from a maker of the Pressenda school.
Violins $10,000 to $20,000
Unlabeled English violin by Peter Wamsley, early 18th C Branded “Wamsley, 204 STRAND” below button of back. Peter Wamsley (worked in London circa 1715 – 1751) trained Joseph Hill, patriarch of the famous Hill family. This violin came to us with the evidence of centuries of playing and many different repairs and resorations. The back is in excellent condition, though the button was replaced long ago. The middle bouts of the treble side have the initials 'W.R.' scratched into them. The front shows a small amount of worm damage and a number of repaired cracks, though the sound post area is quite healthy. The sound of this violin is lovely, even and transparent.
BRAD JANZEN, Toronto 2007 Brad Janzen grew up near Saskatoon, graduated from the Violin Making School of America and has worked for fifteen years in Toronto. This present violin is a typical example of his instruments with beautiful wood, antiqued orange/brown varnish and tool marks that point to the skill of the maker. With a rich woody voice, this is one of the better playing new instruments we have to offer.
Guy Harrison, Fecit Ottawa Anno 2001 Also branded on middle of back “Guy Harrison, Ottawa”. Guy Harrison trained at the Newark School before establishing himself in Ottawa and has become one of the best makers in Canada. This present violin is perfectly made in a French style of the best materials and covered in a rich brown varnish. The varnish shows some crackle and wear from nine years playing but there are no visible repairs. The bass bar was replaced by the maker in 2009. The tone is rich and dynamic. See www.guyharrison.com.
Charline Dequincey, Fait á Ottawa, Canada. Anno 2008 Charline Dequincey is a young French luthier who began her training at the age of 15 in Mirecourt and now works for Guy Harrison in his Ottawa studio. This finely made new instrument shows a careful hand and a beautiful antiqued varnish. It is very rich both visually and tonally.
Geoffrey Ovington, New York, 2009 Geoffrey Ovington continues to explore ways his instruments can delight the player. This instrument is light in the hand with an easy response and a particularly full dark sound, surprising in a new instrument. See www.ovingtonviolins.com.
Gregory T. Walke, Paisley, Ontario, 2008 Canadian maker Gregory Walke and his wife Sibylle Ruppert have been established in their shop in Paisley Ontario since 1988. This instrument is new from the maker and is typical of his work, with a one piece maple back and covered in rich brown varnish. Gregory’s instruments are well regarded for their full, open sound and easy response.
George Craske, circa 1850 George Craske lived from 1795 to 1888 and worked much of the later part of his life in complete seclusion. In his early years he was a student of William Forster. He was extremely productive and according to William Henley his “workmanship betokens the unerring accuracy of eye and hand.” Like many Craske instruments there is no date or label from the maker, instead a facsimile Panormo label and handwritten repair inscription “T. Edmundson, Blackburn, Lancs. 1970.” This instrument is in Craske’s typical personal style and is in good condition with some repairs to the front and the neck has been re-set.
Unlabeled German violin, circa 1800 This highly arched old German violin bears a fairly convincing hand-written facsimile of a Jacob Stainer label. There are a number of repairs to the front and the string length has been shortened with an extended nut at the pegbox. It offers a very pleasant sound and easy response.
R. Kim Tipper, Saskatoon, 1994 # 12 ~ SOLD ~ A rare violin from this Canadian maker. Modeled after Guarneri del Gesu and made of spruce and maple from British Columbia. Dark orange/red varnish, fancy fittings. Initialed, stamped and labeled by maker. Full, charming sound.
Guy Harrison, Ottawa, 2006 ~ SOLD ~ Australian-born Guy Harrison trained at the Newark School of Violin Making. He has won awards internationally and is among the best makers working in Canada today. We are proud to offer for sale this instrument which was made in a French style and covered in a rich red-brown varnish. It is in new condition with a full open sound. See www.guyharrison.com.
Geoffrey Ovington, New York, 2008 ~ SOLD ~ A new violin from one of our favorite American makers. Made on the “G” pattern of Stradivari’s maturity, it is full bodied, well balanced and loud. Geoffrey’s work has developed nicely over the years and we are pleased to have another for sale. See www.ovingtonviolins.com.
John Newton, Toronto, 1986 ~ SOLD ~ John Newton is a well known and active Canadian maker who apprenticed with Otto Erdesz almost 30 years ago. This instrument has been played very little and is in excellent conditon with a rich brown varnish showing some original shading and antiquing by the maker.
Violins $5,000 to $10,000
Otto Migge, Eastbourne 1902 This German born violin maker moved to England in the late 1890’s and was established at Eastbourne circa 1900. He wrote a treatise on Cremonese varnish and produced good looking and well made violins. William Henley writes favourably of his work though he observes that it does not look Cremonese. This is an attractive instrument with minimal repairs. It is robust, open and beautiful to play.	photos soon
John Newton, Fecit Toronto 1986 When this violin came to us it clearly showed the effects of over twenty years in the Canadian prairies. Fortunately there is only one small crack in the front which has been well repaired and the marks in the varnish have been restored. This easy playing violin has aquired an open sound, popular with players from its first arrival. The attractive dark brown varnish was slightly antiqued by the maker and now has aquired some honest wear with time.	photos soon
John Juzek, Violinmaker in Prague, No: 256, Yr: 1939, Master art, Copy of Strad. “Made in Czechoslovakia” Although this violin is from a commercial production shop it is fairly well made of beautiful wood and has a very open and rich sound. It has been restored and setup in our shop and all work is unconditionally guaranteed. There is a repaired crack at treble side of saddle; otherwise it is in very good condition.
Unlabeled Eastern European violin, circa 1950 This is a solid and substantial instrument with a surprisingly full and satisfying sound. It has been recently set up in our shop and has only one small repaired crack at the lower eye of the treble sound hole. The varnish has been overpolished in the past and we have re-shaped the neck and fingerboard to better dimensions. Good looking one-piece back.
Auguste Delivet, Paris/Toronto circa 1920 Labeled “A. Delivet, No. 234 Année 1917, Paris” Auguste Delivet is well known in Canada as he worked for the R.S. Williams Company in Toronto from 1920 until his death in 1927. Born in Mirecourt in 1861, he was a student of H.C. Silvestre in Paris and was awarded gold medals for his violins at Nantes (1904) and Liége (1905 and 1906). This present violin is a good example of his later work and comes to us in good condition. While the label appears to be dated 1917 we believe this violin was made after Delivet’s move to Canada. There has been a repair to the lower back centre joint and some re-touching of the varnish. We have bushed and re-fit the original pegs. There are no other repairs and it plays very well.
John Smith, Winnipeg, 1938 John Smith was born 1859 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland, and immigrated to Winnipeg circa 1919 where he became one of the most important makers in western Canada. Like our other Smith violin this instrument shows beautiful wood, though it is clear the maker was feeling his age. Nonetheless it is just as pleasant an instrument to play. It comes to us from the original owner and is in excellent condition.
Old Tyrolean violin Old violin with an indistinct label dated 1730, handwritten in German or Austrian. This violin has just undergone a complete restoration including the re-setting of the neck. The neck and string length are slightly smaller than modern convention.
H. A. Kretzschmar, Chicago, 1914 Beautiful and well made violin by an important German-American maker, in an excellent state of preservation. Born in Bavaria in 1876, Kretzschmar won the prize for a violin exibited at the Convention of the American Guild of Violinists in Chicago in 1912 and became established there soon after. Noted for his varnish and workmanship.
Jan Karon, Houston, Texas, 1994 A beautiful old Ruggeri copy violin completely restored by Jan Karon, a respected maker and restorer in Houston, Texas.
John Smith, Winnipeg, 1936 John Smith was born 1859 in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, Scotland, and immigrated to Winnipeg circa 1919 were he became one of the most important makers in western Canada. Very productive, he was known for the beautiful wood he used, his rustic personal style and rich brown varnish. Died 1941. This violin is in very good condition with a clear sweet tone and a particularly beautiful one piece back.
Ernst Heinrich Roth, Markneukirchen, 1929 ~ SOLD ~ Ernst Heinrich Roth is one of the most respected names in German violin making. This exquisite example comes from the best period in that firm’s history and is accompanied by the original certificate of authenticity. The label indicates that it is built on a Stradivari pattern of 1714. The wood and the workmanship are without defect and the instrument has never been opened nor needed repair. Only the fittings have been replaced and there are a modest number of scratches from playing. See www.roth-violins.de.
Ch. J.B. Collin-Mezin, 1931 ~ SOLD ~ Labeled “CH. J.B. Collin-Mezin, 1931 Luthier 24, Grand Prix - Exposition Universelle, PARIS” Although bearing a Parisian label, history states this violin was produced in Mirecourt. It is in very good condition with a small crack repair to the front and has been much played and cherished for many years by its present owner.
Ernst Heinrich Roth, Guarneri copy, 1927 ~ SOLD ~ Labeled “Ernst Heinrich Roth, Markneukirchen 1927, Reproduction of Joseph Guarnerius 1734” This is a fine example of this shop’s work from the most sought after period. It is made of choice woods including a one-piece back of finely flamed maple. Though is has been played extensively it is in excellent condition after a careful restoration in our shop.
C. S. Hartwell, Lewiston, Maine, No. 12, 1904 ~ SOLD ~ An interesting well made Guarneri copy violin by a little known American maker in very good condition. One repaired crack by the treble sound hole. This violin resembles the work of Nathan S. Taylor also of Lewiston, Maine, 1841-1923.
Jerome Carter, Omaha, Nebraska, 1915 ~ SOLD ~ An interesting violin by an early American maker. Carter was first a farmer who made violins as a hobby, but established his full-time shop in Omaha in 1915. He worked there until about 1940.
Sibylle Ruppert, Paisley, Ontario, 2006 ~ SOLD ~ A fine playing instrument. It has a very open sound and a beautiful complex tone.
Violins under $5,000
Petko Stoinov, Kazanlak, 2010 This is our second violin from Petko Zlatev Stoinov of Kazanlak, Bulgaria. It is patterned after the ex-Kochanski Guarneri del Gesù violin of 1741 which until recently was the concert instrument of Aaron Rosand. This violin has richer colours, is slightly antiqued and shows as much promise as the previous instrument. It is also made of local Balkan wood and varnished with the method described by the late David Rubio. See www.violinstoinov.com.
Hugo Willner, Victoria, B.C., 1944 Another interesting violin by Hugo Willner, a local Victoria maker and repairer of note. This violin comes to us from the estate of the original owner who played it in the Victoria Symphony circa 1945 to 1953 and the Edmonton Symphony 1958–59. Although it has the same date as our last Willner violin it is a much darker colour and has a richer sound. It has never needed repair and is in excellent condition.	photos soon
Louis Lowendall, Berlin, 1907 The Lowendall shop produced dependable, well made instruments in many price ranges. This example from 1907 has attractive wood and the varnish is lightly antiqued. Besides the label there is a large Lowendall signature on the wood of the back. There is a long repaired crack in the front below the treble sound hole.
Valentinus De Zorzi, Cenetensi Venetum fecit, Pistorii, A.1882 ~ SOLD ~ Maker unknown (country uncertain) This older violin is made of very fine and beautiful materials and shows some features of excellent workmanship. While the experts do not agree that this violin was made by De Zorzi it is still a very fine playing instrument with a smooth and beautiful sound and one of the finest scrolls in our collection.
Joh. Bapt. Schweitzer, fecit ad Forman, Hieronym. Amati Pestini 1814 ~ SOLD ~ A lovely older student violin in pristine condition with a typical commercial Schweitzer label. Although it is not perfectly symmetrical it is very attractive and enjoyable to play. The one piece back shows light figure in the wood, the material of the sides is well matched and the spruce of the front is particularly fine. There are no apparent cracks or repairs. The red/brown varnish is nicely shaded and lightly antiqued.
Thomas Hulinzky, fecit Pragae, Anno 1770 ~ SOLD ~ This older Czech instrument has a number of well repaired cracks in the front and back and a replacement neck. It is quite lightly built with very low sides and has a dark open sound. The repairs to the body were recently re-done in our shop and are completely guaranteed.
John B. Wells, Violin Maker, Westbank, British Columbia, Fecit anno 2000 ~ SOLD ~ John Wells is a cellist in the Okanagan symphony and an active instrument maker. This is a good example of his work made of local maple and spruce. The flame of the maple back and sides is particularly attractive. It is a good sounding violin that has not had any serious repairs, though the varnish has been extensively retouched. The tone is well balanced and clear.
Petko Stoinov, Kazanlak, 2008 ~ SOLD ~ Petko Zlatev Stoinov has been established as a violin maker since 1993 and is a founding member of the first Regional Luthier Association in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. His violin exhibits flawless workmanship and is made of local Balkan wood. He follows the varnishing processes published by the late David Rubio and feels this contributes to the rich, open sound of his instruments, even when relatively new. See www.violinstoinov.com.
Lud. Heberlein, Leipzig ~ SOLD ~ This is a very nice commercial German violin circa 1930 from the Leipzig shop of Fritz Ludwig Heberlein. It is branded inside with his name, but not labeled or dated. It is substantially built with moderate arching and produces a warm sound. The centre joint near the saddle has been repaired and the bottom block replaced, otherwise very good condition including the original decorated pegs and endpin.
Sig. Hoibakke, Victoria, 1958/61 ~ SOLD ~ A typical and good sounding violin by Sig. Hoibakke, a self-taught violin maker and machinist who came to Victoria from Norway after World War II. He was an important maker in our area in the 1950’s and this violin is one of his later productions. According to a family member who is still the original owner, the date of 1958/61 on the label indicates that he made it in 1958 and re-varnished it in 1961.
Sig. Hoibakke, Victoria, 1967 ~ SOLD ~ An example of this local maker’s work from his later period. It is in like-new condition from the original owner, who played in the Victoria Youth Symphony circa 1968. Typical ivory decoration and a more personal style of arching and edgework.
William A. McAdams, Seattle, 1984 ~ SOLD ~ A pretty violin from a prolific American maker in like-new condition.
Hugo Willner, Victoria, B.C., 1944 ~ SOLD ~ An interesting violin by a local maker of note with a front made of yellow cedar. Excellent condition.
Violins in 7/8 size
Paul Knorr, Markneukirchen, 1955 This is an excellent small instrument of good materials and workmanship. The body is fairly substantial for a 7/8 size violin and produces a full sound. The rich varnish makes this instrument particularly appealing. Inside the instrument is the P*K brand which was applied to his best work.
Wolff Bros. ~ SOLD ~ “Violin Manufacturers, No. 432 1888, made abroad” A charming little violin with a sweet sound in near perfect condition.
Violins in 3/4 size
Unlabeled 3/4 size Bohemian violin, circa 1920 This is an appealing older child’s instrument in good condition with no cracks other than some flaws in the head and marks on the edges. It has been recently setup in our shop to professional standards. This instrument has a pretty one piece back of bird’s eye maple and figured sides and has the voice of an older instrument.
Violins in 1/2 size
Longman & Co., 26 Cheapside, LONDON 1770 ~ SOLD ~ The finest sounding small violin we have ever had in our shop. The front is much repaired, the sides, back and original transition-era neck are very sound. This instrument also retains its original bass bar and boxwood pegs. A gem to play upon.