Katyintexas - Posted - 02/01/2025:  11:02:46

I learned to play the violin in elementary school and into middle school then I stopped. I was never very good at it and practicing at home was difficult at the time. As an adult, I am picking it back up to try again.

I would appreciate more information about the violin that was passed down to me from my grandmother. She lived her life in northeastern Washington state, played often (and well!), and referred to it as a fiddle.

The interior label reads: "William Lewis and Son, Chicago, Illinois in Mittenwald, Germany." Another label has the number 2420. Any information about it's age or replacement value would be appreciated. As a family instrument, it is irreplaceable but I would like to know how much to insure it for, if needed. Thank you.

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 02/01/2025:  15:48:50

I don’t know about the model names because I can’t remember, but I used those in the 70s as rental instruments,

wrench13 - Posted - 02/02/2025:  17:43:00

A German trade violin, imported by the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands. Like any thing made in volume, some are pretty awful and some, more then some, can be decent. A few, with tweaking maybe some back-off shaving, individuals can be quite good. But insuring it? Not likely to be worth that.

Katyintexas - Posted - 02/02/2025:  18:09:18

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it. :-)

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 02/02/2025:  18:19:18

William Lewis & Son was one of the biggest shops in the country in the first half of the 20th century. They imported violins at all levels, from student level to the highest professional level. They also had a number of good makers in their area (Chicago) making instruments for them to sell. In addition to that they carried a catalog of fine old instruments (those old catalogs are collectors’ items now). Because Germany was by far the greatest producer of violins for the market in the pre-WWII era, the majority of violins sold by the firm were German. In later decades more violins were sold with the Lewis label, but, like just about everything in the violin world post-war, the quality dropped off a cliff.

For more of an idea of the quality and value of your instrument, post pictures to the forum. That will help get a better sense of what time period it comes from, its condition, and what it might be worth in today’s market.

DougD - Posted - 02/02/2025:  18:30:53

Katyintexas - Here's the Wikipedia article about William Lewis and Son, for some further perspective: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willia...6_Son_Co.
I see one of their 3/4 violins currently advertised by a dealer at $1500. Rich Maxham is in the violin business so I'd listen to him and follow his advice.

wrench13 - Posted - 02/03/2025:  05:43:33

All true, but the original poster asked about possibly insuring it. Insuring a $1500 instrument is not smart. Insuring a $15,000 instrument may make sense. Insuring a $150,000 instrument - mandatory. Which one do you think they have?

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 02/03/2025:  10:51:19

quote:

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Originally posted by wrench13

All true, but the original poster asked about possibly insuring it. Insuring a $1500 instrument is not smart. Insuring a $15,000 instrument may make sense. Insuring a $150,000 instrument - mandatory. Which one do you think they have?

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It's impossible to answer the question without more information, especially pictures. 

DougD - Posted - 02/03/2025:  11:47:15

Al - Who knows what she has? Rich suggested she post photos, which makes sense to me. She actually asked for "information about its age or replacement value." The insurance aspect was a small part of it.

Katyintexas - Posted - 02/04/2025:  13:35:30

Agreed that photos would have been helpful. I shipped it to a family member who's a luthier for tuning because it has been in storage for years. Once I have it back home, I'll be sure to share some photos here. Thanks for your help.