Amati > Makers Archive > B > Carl G. Becker

Carl G. Becker

Chicago, 1887–1975

BECKER, Carl G. Born 1887, died 1975 Chicago USA. Son of a celebrated violin teacher and grandson of violin maker H. Macklett. Active from 1901. Joined Lyon & Healy 1902, working under John Hornsteiner. Left Lyon & Healy with Hornsteiner 1908, continuing as his assistant until 1923. Joined\u{2026} — John Dilworth

Worked Chicago
Made Cello, Viola, Violin

Auction Price History

Highest auction price

£39,559

23 results

Type Details Auction house Sold Price
ViolinLabelled Carl Becker with William Lewis & Son N°. 106 Chicago 1926 Lot 75Ingles & H.March 2025£36,000est. £ 18,000-25,000
ViolaLabelled Carl Becker with William Lewis & Son No. 193 Chicago, 1928 Lot 33TarisioMay 2024£28,270est. $ 30,000-50,000
Violin35.3 cm Chicago, 1951October 2011£20,592
Viola42.0 cm Chicago, 1961October 2010£15,021
Violin35.8 cm Chicago, 1953October 2010£11,899
Violin35.6 cm Chicago, 1949October 2010£17,346
Violin35.6 cm Chicago, 1948 n°494April 2010£15,712
Violin35.6 cm Chicago, 1948 n°492April 2010£23,568
Violin35.6 cm Chicago, 1937April 2010£24,655
Violin35.7 cm Chicago, 1944April 2010£16,436
Cello74.5 cm Chicago, 1929October 2009£39,559
Violin35.5 cm Chicago, 1952 n°558May 2009£19,410
Violin35.7 cm Chicago, 1946May 2008£10,839
Violin35.7 cm Chicago, 1930 #248October 2007£15,707
Violin35.7 cm Chicago, 1946 #480October 2007£14,275
Violin35.4 cm Chicago, 1952April 2007£19,408
Violin35.6 cm Chicago, 1949October 2006£14,099
Viola42.9 cm Chicago, 1943October 2006£21,553
ViolinChicago, 1927November 2005£22,987
Violin1924November 2002£19,120
Violin1940November 2001£17,535
Violin1927October 2000£17,903
Violin1958October 1984£4,400

Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

BECKER, Carl G. Born 1887, died 1975 Chicago USA. Son of a celebrated violin teacher and grandson of violin maker H. Macklett. Active from 1901. Joined Lyon & Healy 1902, working under John Hornsteiner. Left Lyon & Healy with Hornsteiner 1908, continuing as his assistant until 1923. Joined William Lewis & Son 1924 as leading connoisseur, maker, and restorer. From 1925 to 1947 devoted the summer months to new work in Pickerel, Wisconsin, continuing to work for Lewis for the remainder of the year. Acknowledged as the finest of modern American makers, he also established a dynasty of similarly conscientious makers and restorers. Carl Becker & Sons remains an active and highly influential atelier in Chicago. Extremely elegant Stradivari and Guarneri models, particularly distinguished by the precision of the woodwork and the delicacy of the soft richly coloured varnish. William Lewis & Son published a monograph on his work in 1937, The life and works of Carl Becker. Carl Becker / Chicago 1902. Carl Becker / with William Lewis & Son / No.. Chicago 1925 Carl Becker and Son / Associated with William Lewis & Son / No.. Chicago. 1947

Sell your instrument with Amati

Get started by uploading photos of your instrument for our experts to review.