Featured Two viola(?) bows Albert Nurnberger and Richard Geipel

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Bookahtoo, Sep 17, 2018.

  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I got two bows last weekend. I have been doing some research but don't really have the background to understand a lot of what I'm reading. Both bows measure 28" long and have rounded frogs - so I think they are full size viola bows. I don't have a scale to weigh them here.

    This one is marked Albert Nurnburger and Germany and I think is probably worth way more than the other:

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    This one is stamped Richard Geipel and Czechoslovakia:

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    Any information is welcome!!! Thanks!
     
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  2. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    JMHO. go to a good auction house. the Nürnberger may bring a few 1000 in the right auction. the Geipel is historically more interesting because it's a German family from the Sudetenland that was probably chased out in 1945 and marked with Germany in later years. 300 - 500 my guess.
     
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  3. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks fid!
     
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  4. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    I still have to let go of my anger at the guy that copped off with the bows to my fiddles back in 2004..............:banhappy::banghead::blackalien::vomit::vamp::rage::punch:....I keep workin' on it... Bookahtoo, those look great!!! Good LUCK with them!!!!!
     
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  5. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    Rounded frogs do indicate viola bows; other than that, I'd suggest taking them to a reputable shop for a more informed opinion. Geipel was from Markneukirchen Germany (I've got a violin from there) and some of his bows appear to sell for pretty good money.
     
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  6. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Wait - what? What happened?
     
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  7. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    All_fakes - do you play violin?

    I'll have to look for a shop - maybe in Amherst or Northampton. What about Worcester Aquitaine?
     
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  8. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    Yes. And viola, sometimes.
     
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  9. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I just submitted pictures of both bows to Skinner's online evaluations, mostly because there's a Skinner within 45 from me.
    I assume they will tell me to send better pictures. :eek::D
     
  10. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    Skinner's has a good name, even here in Europe. and they will certainly know that bow maker and violin maker are not the same profession.
     
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  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    When we had the dealer we worked with to clean out mom’s house back in 2004, I would tell him what I wanted to keep......his crew was running around the house packing up stuff, and there was hardly any place to hide anything off limits, as the house just had so much stuff......BUT HE WAS TOLD, and that’s what irked me......there were also some old graduated sleigh bells that I HAD tucked in a closet........NOPE.....that didn’t work either.......I guess I shouldn’t complain too much......I think those were the main things I KNOW disappeared out of ALL of it........:rolleyes: still....
     
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  12. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Hmmmmm, Kurlan’s Music Shop used to be at the Summit just off Route 12, just before West Boylston, but I THINK they closed their doors about a year ago......can’t think of any other at the moment.....
     
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  13. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Yup - I think they're closed. :(
     
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  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Well, I heard from Skinner:

    Thank you for contacting Skinner's Fine Musical Instruments Department. Based on the images you have submitted for review and pending personal inspection, below please find conservative auction estimates for your property:

    Group of two cello bows: $200-300

    Next steps:
    You are welcome to drop-off or mail-in the consignment to our Marlborough gallery, or we can provide door-to-door transportation for an hourly charge of $200 for large items. Our address is 274 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough, MA 01752. For drop offs, please call ahead to 508-970-3135 to arrange a time, M-F from 9AM to 4PM. Please bring a copy of this email with you, or include it in the packaging if you are shipping in material.

    Once we have had a chance to look at the items in person we will forward a consignment contract with finalized auction estimates. We collect a commission on items sold, outlined below.


    :( Why would they want them if they are worth so little?
     
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  15. judy

    judy Well-Known Member

    Probably because they do think they will bring more money. They said "conservative" estimate.

    When I brought my Onderdonk painting to them, the estimate I received was waaaay below hammer price. I think the estimate was around $20,000....it realized $75,000.
     
  16. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Oh, wait a minute, he said they were cello bows. What do you all think?

    So should I give them the bows?
     
  17. Fid

    Fid Well-Known Member

    are those lads crazy ? I'd take the blower and ask them if they are serious. for anything below 800 to 1000 you can also list them on ebay yourself and make some people happy with two bargains.
     
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  18. Marie Forjan

    Marie Forjan Well-Known Member

    Can you take them in so they can inspect them in person? If you don't like what you hear you could always take them home again.
     
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  19. all_fakes

    all_fakes Well-Known Member

    I'd try to find a way to weigh them; that should reveal if they are cello or viola bows...my own vote would be for viola, but the weight would tell.
    I'd be reluctant to list with Skinner's as cello bows if they are not.

    My own preference would be to check the directory linked above I think, for a bow or violin maker who might be willing to give an opinion from photos, if none were close enough to make a physical visit practical.
     
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  20. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I have a small jewelry scale, and an electronic postal scale at the store. Would either of them do?

    What directory? Did I miss it?
     
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