Henry Werro

John Dilworth

WERRO, Henry Born 1896 Islington, London UK, died 1971 Bern Switzerland. Eldest son of Jean Werro. Studied at Markneukirchen under August Wunderlich 1910-1914. Graduated with highest honour from the Markneukirchen School of Violin Making and the violin makers guild. Worked for J. Altrichter in Frankfurt and then with August Meinel in Liestal, Switzerland. Joined his father’s shop after national service in Switzerland. Invested much time in travelling and gaining expertise. Won gold medal with his father at Geneva 1927 and assumed responsibility for the firm 1932. Appointed luthier to the conservatoire at Bern, and president of the Swiss violin making association. Founder member of the International Society of Violinmakers. Several awards won at The Hague, and exhibited at Cremona 1949. Internationally respected authority on old instruments. Published monographs on the Stradivari 1721 ‘Lady Blunt’ violin (Bern 1943) and the Guarneri del Gesù ‘Ole Bull’ (Bern, 1971), now both highly collectable. Over 300 violins, violas, and cellos bear his label. H.Werro fecit Bernae / anno 19.. No..