August Anton REICHEL

History

August Anton REICHEL (1841-1929) was born in 1841 and died in 1929, the son of Friedrich August Reichel (II). After leaving school as the top of his class, he initially apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt, where he learned guitar making. In 1859, he joined his father's workshop, where he was further trained as a violin maker. He then worked for court violin maker R. Weichold in Dresden, remaining there until 1863 when he fulfilled his military service. During his longer leaves, he spent time with both his father and Weichold. In 1866, he participated in the war, including the Battle of Königgrätz, and reached Vienna before returning home after the peace treaty. On January 9, 1868, he married Auguste Christine Geipel from Fleissen near Eger, became a citizen and master, and established his own violin making workshop. He was recalled for military service at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, successfully navigating all battles despite a toe injury. Upon his return, he worked alongside his father and produced many instruments, including guitars and bass bows, for R. Weichold. He found significant success and was able to purchase his house in the Neue Strasse in 1875, where he still resided at the time of Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's writing.

Craft

• Training: He learned guitar making from his uncle Wilhelm Voigt.
• Specialization: He was trained as a violin maker by his father.
• Production: He made guitars and bass bows for R. Weichold.
• Workmanship: His violins are described as "sauber und sorgfältig in allen Theilen ausgeführt" (clean and carefully executed in all parts).

Influence

• Apprenticeship: He apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt.
• Mentorship: He worked for his father, Friedrich August Reichel (II), and with court violin maker R. Weichold in Dresden.
• Teaching: He was a capable teacher, evidenced by the large number of skilled violin makers who were his students.

Legacy

• Family Tradition: His two sons, August Otto R. and Max Hugo R., also became violin makers.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He established independently in Markneukirchen from 1875.
• Residence: He purchased his house in the Neue Strasse in 1875.

Summary

August Anton REICHEL (1841-1929) was a German violin and bow maker, son of Friedrich August Reichel (II). He apprenticed with his uncle Wilhelm Voigt, learning guitar making, and was further trained as a violin maker by his father. He worked for R. Weichold in Dresden before establishing his independent workshop in Markneukirchen in 1868. Known for his clean and carefully executed violins, he also produced guitars and bass bows. He was a respected teacher, and his sons, August Otto R. and Max Hugo R., continued the family's violin making tradition.