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Viola

Date1952

Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America

ModelStradivari

Serial No.552

SignedPrinted on paper label with single line border, the serial number and last two digits of year written in black ink: Carl Becker and Son / Associated with WILLIAM LEWIS & SON / No. 552 CHICAGO, 1952

MarkingsPencil lines on inside of top from bass f-hole notch to bassbar
DescriptionTop: two-piece, quarter-cut spruce: wide grain
Back: two-piece, quarter-cut maple: narrow curl descending from center joint
Ribs: quarter-cut maple: narrow curl, angled to right on bass side, angled to left on treble side; rib corners chamfered
Head and neck: maple: narrow curl; inside of pegbox varnished; scarf joint on neck to shorten length, done by Jennifer Becker
Varnish: orange brown
Fingerboard: ebony; probably later
Nut: ebony; probably later
Tailpiece: boxwood; beveled face ebony saddle
Tailgut: black plastic
Pegs: four internally geared tuners with black plastic heads; later
Saddle: ebony
Endpin: decoratively turned rosewood
F-holes: lower wings channeled; inside edges stained black
Linings: poplar
Corner blocks: poplar
Top block: poplar
Bottom block: poplar

DimensionsTotal viola length: 679 mm
Back length: 420 mm (16-1/2")
Upper bout width: 196 mm
Center bout width: 131 mm
Lower bout width: 248 mm
Upper rib height: 34-35 mm
Center rib height: 35-36 mm
Lower rib height: 35-36 mm
Stop length: 222 mm
Vibrating string length: 365 mm
Neck length (bottom of nut to ribs): 145 mm
ProvenanceNo known provenance.
Published References"Special Guests," National Music Museum Newsletter 49 No. 1 (Spring 2025), p. 7.

Credit LineGift of Steve and Penny Kruse, and purchase funds gift of Ken Cancelosi, in memory of Robert Cancelosi, 2025

Object number15872

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