Karl August Berger
Basel, New York, b. 1893
Studied with Postiglioni in Naples. Later worked for Silvestre and Maucotel in Paris and in Mittenwald. Moved to New York and worked for Emil Herrmann before opening his own shop in 1924. Medals awarded at Philadelphia 1926 and Geneva 1927. — John Dilworth
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
39 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Unlabelled, branded to the inside back Lot 90 | Tarisio | March 2026 | £4,942est. Estimate $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger Liutaio Basel 1925 New York No. 70, branded to the inside back KAB Lot 130 | Tarisio | November 2025 | £5,063est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Berger Karl A. Paris, New York. New York. 1943, branded to the inside back CAB Lot 71 | Tarisio | September 2025 | £4,121est. € 4.000-6.000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger Basel 1948 New York Made for Walter Blaine Wilson, branded to the back Lot 140 | Tarisio | November 2023 | £3,872est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl A. Berger, New York, 1947, branded to the inside back and under the tailpiece K. A. B. Lot 162 | Tarisio | November 2018 | £4,940est. $ 3,000-5,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Guadagnini ..., branded to the inside back CAB Lot 187 | Tarisio | October 2016 | £3,147est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, Luitaro, Basel, 1923, New York Lot 179 | Tarisio | May 2015 | £4,193est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, Liutaio, no 18, Basel, 1923, New York Lot 263 | Tarisio | February 2015 | £4,664est. $ 3,000-5,000 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label, two-piece back Lot 301 | Skinners | November 2014 | £11,647est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, Basel # 207 1932. New York, branded internally CAB in a shield Lot 244 | Brompton’s | October 2013 | £1,920est. £ 1,000-1,500 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, Basel - New York, 1954, branded to the inside back Lot 270 | Tarisio | November 2012 | £2,996est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, New York, 1941 Lot 251 | Tarisio | April 2012 | £3,337est. $ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Karl August Berger, Basel, 1941, New York, branded to the inside back Lot 357 | Tarisio | February 2012 | £2,465est. $ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1951 | — | April 2011 | £1,950 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1940 | — | April 2011 | £1,950 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1926 | — | October 2010 | £2,441 |
| Viola | 41.1 cm New York, 1944 | — | June 2009 | £2,485 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1943 c. | — | March 2009 | £1,683 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm New York, 1964 | — | October 2008 | £1,808 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1952 | — | October 2008 | £1,614 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm New York, 1955 | — | June 2008 | £593 |
| Violin | 35.4 cm New York, 1955 | — | October 2007 | £1,352 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm New York, 1940 | — | October 2007 | £1,844 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm New York, 1949 | — | April 2007 | £1,941 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm New York, 1924 | — | October 2006 | £4,205 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm New York, 1959 | — | May 2006 | £5,058 |
| Violin | New York, 1934 | — | May 2005 | £1,832 |
| Violin | New York, 1941 | — | October 2004 | £1,926 |
| Violin | 1940 | — | October 2003 | £4,410 |
| Violin | 1931 | — | October 2002 | £3,442 |
| Violin | 1933 | — | November 2001 | £1,835 |
| Violin | 1943 | — | May 2001 | £2,465 |
| Violin | 1935 | — | May 2000 | £2,671 |
| Violin | 1944 | — | November 1997 | £2,382 |
| Violin | 1928 | — | May 1994 | £890 |
| Violin | 1934 | — | June 1989 | £1,650 |
| Violin | 1922 | — | June 1984 | £1,141 |
| Violin | 1931 | — | January 1984 | £929 |
| Violin | 1926 | — | January 1984 | £1,669 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BERGER, Karl August Born 1893 Basel Switzerland. Studied with Postiglioni in Naples. Later worked for Silvestre and Maucotel in Paris and in Mittenwald. Moved to New York and worked for Emil Herrmann before opening his own shop in 1924. Medals awarded at Philadelphia 1926 and Geneva 1927. 250 instruments on Stradivari- and Guarneri-derived patterns. Good workmanship and materials. Fine shaded varnish. Printed label: Karl August Berger / Liutaro / Basel. New York
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