Viola
Trade Name
Ernst Kreusler
Distributor
G. A. Pfretzschner
Repaired by
Conrad Nelson
Date1900-1940 ca.
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Upper Saxony, Germany, Europe
Place MadeLuby, Chebsko, Czechia, Europe
Place MadeSchönbach, Egerland, Czechoslovakia, Europe
ModelStradivari / Ernst Kreusler
Serial No.none
SignedPrinted on paper label with repeated “~” decorative border: Ernst Kreusler, Sachsen / Copy of Antonius Stradivarius / Made in Germany.Branded inside oval on inside of back: ERNST KREUSLER / ― • ― / DRESDEN
MarkingsTyped on brown paper label with single-line blue ballpoint pen border: repaird.by.conrad nelson / 1966.
Bridge branded toward tailpiece, with signature-style text: Götz
DescriptionNMM 4871, a ¾-size violin, also bears the Kreusler brand. The Kreusler brand is similar to that of G. A. Pfretzschner as found on the inside of the back of viola NMM 10,591. Note that Ernst Kreusler violins are offered under the heading “Genuine Pfretzschner Violins” on page 18 of the Northwest Conn Co. catalog ca. 1928. The Andreas Morelli violins on the opposite page were a brand distributed by G. A. Pfretzschner according to Wolfgang Pfretzschner and Lothar Meisel. Note that Northwest Conn also offers violins from Pfretzschner competitor Gebrüder Schuster, so it is not definite that Kreusler violins were a brand of Pfretzschner.
See E-string package in case of violin NMM 7469, "Ernst Kreusler Artist String Gold Steel," distributed by Illinois Supply Co., Chicago, Illinois. Photocopy in file of NMM 4871.
Note that the “Luellan” violin on page 18 of the Northwest Conn Co. catalog bears a similar name to that of John L. Luellen, who started the Continental Music Co., a wholesale division of the Conn Chicago Company. Wolfgang Pfretzschner noted that fictional names inside the instruments were sometimes picked by the customers (American or other German exporters, importers, or distributors). (Interview with Arian Sheets, 11/12/03)
Conrad Nelson was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 25, 1897 to Swedish immigrant parents, and died in Omaha in January 1981. According to the Census, he was living in Norfolk, Nebraska in 1930, and working as a mechanic in a garage.
DimensionsTotal viola length: 651 mm
Back length: 392 mm
Upper bout width: 185 mm
Center bout width: 125 mm
Lower bout width: 230 mm
Upper rib height: 34-35 mm
Center rib height: 34-35 mm
Lower rib height: 35-36 mm
Stop length: 214 mm
Vibrating string length: 363 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 150 mm
ProvenanceAccording to a note by Arne B. Larson found in the case, the instrument was acquired in 1967 by Larson, and repaired by Conrad Nelson of Omaha, Nebraska.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Estate
Object number10605
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