Albin Wilfer

History

Albin WILFER (1870-1939) was born in 1870 in Bad Elster and passed away in 1939 in Leipzig, Germany. He was descended from a line of luthiers; according to John Dilworth, his family included amateur luthiers, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were trained violin makers who did not practice the art. Albin Wilfer was a pupil of E. Weller, also known as Friedrich Weller, in Markneukirchen. He worked as an assistant for Carl Wilh. Weller, Hans Jäger, Wilh. Ficker, Liebich in Breslau, and A. Hermer in Leipzig. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the establishment of his first independent business; Lütgendorff states he founded his own business in Markneukirchen in 1891. Subsequently, in October 1897, he took on the role of head of the workshop, or first master, at J. H. Zimmermann in Moscow. After approximately one year, he returned from Russia, as he did not feel comfortable there, and established himself independently in Leipzig. He opened his business in Dufourstrasse, Leipzig, on October 1, 1898.

Craft

• Models: Albin Wilfer crafted all string instruments, utilizing classical Italian models and his own personal pattern. His own model is characterized by being somewhat longer than usual, a bit wider in the breast, and having ribs that are not very high. He also made violins according to Dr. Grossmann's theory.
• Varnish & Materials: He was known for using good varnish and materials. He primarily employed spirit varnish but also utilized oil varnish.
• Workmanship: His instruments exhibited professional workmanship.
• Branding: Instruments produced by Albin Wilfer were branded '*A*W*' Albin Wilfer / Geigenbauer in Leipzig / 1899. In addition to his label, he also used a brand stamp: * A. * W. *, with the year written entirely in ink.

Influence

• Training: Albin Wilfer received his training as a pupil of E. Weller, identified as Friedrich Weller, in Markneukirchen.
• Mentorship & Employment: He gained experience working as an assistant for several masters, including Carl Wilh. Weller, Hans Jäger, Wilh. Ficker, Liebich in Breslau, and A. Hermer in Leipzig. He also served as the head of the workshop for J. H. Zimmermann in Moscow from 1897.

Legacy

• Family Continuity: Albin Wilfer came from a family with a tradition in lutherie; his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were trained violin makers, though they did not actively practice the craft.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: After his time in Moscow at J. H. Zimmermann's workshop, Albin Wilfer established his independent business in Dufourstrasse, Leipzig, in 1898.
• Own Model Characteristics: His personal instrument model is described as being somewhat longer than standard, with a slightly wider breast, and ribs that are not particularly high.

Summary

Albin WILFER (1870-1939) was a German luthier born in Bad Elster and active in Leipzig. Trained by E./Friedrich Weller in Markneukirchen, he gained extensive experience working as an assistant for various masters before heading J. H. Zimmermann's workshop in Moscow from 1897. He established his independent business in Leipzig in 1898, where he became known for crafting string instruments based on classical Italian models, his own distinctive pattern, and sometimes according to Dr. Grossmann's theory. His work is characterized by professional workmanship, good materials, and the use of both spirit and oil varnishes.