ROTH VIOLINS
Fred Russell
I would like to know if anyone can supply any information on violins
made by Ernest Heinrich Roth. ie When were they made (span years)?
Are they still made ? Are they based on any particular style ? I know
that they mostly have one piece backs and is this a trade mark ?
My daughter has just purchased one and it has a very full sound. It
has what looks like a branded lable inside, no date but it does have a
serial number of A769. Has this any bearing on its manufactured date
etc?
Any information would be appreciated.
Fred Russell
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"Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...."
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LUT...@ix.netcom.com
Fred, Ernst Heinrich Roth was born in Markneukirchen, Germany on 3/4/1877. He
died Dec. 12, 1948. He generally followed Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri models
with his instruments made as Roth's. I like Roth's and own three a 1927 model, a
1955 model, and a 1971 model. It is obvious that none of the newer models (1940's
and later) were made by Ernst Roth. His company continued making them and still
does. Models made by Mr. Roth are very fine instruments as a rule, and highly
sought after. Models made more recently by his company are good instruments and
range from student models and up. They are generally of good quality.
In the appraisers reference manual there are 58 E.H. Roth's listed as sold at
auction from January 1980 through December 1995. They range from a low price of
$330 for a 1968 model to a high price of $3971 paid for a 1929 Roth, at Christies
Auction House in London in 1992. The oldest one listed was made in 1892 (sold for
$886 in 1988). The newest one listed was a 1982 model sold by Phillips in London
for $779.24. So you can see there is some interest even in the newer models.
I found an old book in the public library, copyrighted in 1924, put out by a
company in the U.S. that distributed Roth violins. An exerpt says "Musicians and
amateurs alike all over the country have not been long in recognizing the superior
merits of the Roth Violins, and the sensational success which his instruments have
achieved during the last few years has never been equalled in the history of Violin
making. Today (remember this was written in 1924) the Roth violins are used by
many Artists and Violinists in the best Symphony Orchestras and unsolicited
testimonials, praising the fine qualities of the "Roth" are received daily from
enthusiastic players. The "Roth" name is the best guarantee for an excellent
violin throughout." How's that for a great marketing statement?
The book also has this to say about Roth, "Ernst Heinrich Roth, a man in the prime
of life, as our frontispiece shows, was born on April 3rd, 1877, in Markneukirchen,
Germany, the center of violin making for over two centuries. His profound
knowledge of violin construction, gained through extraordinary training, has
enabled him to conceive and carry through new ideas, resulting in the creation of
the magnificent reproductions which we shall describe in the next pages. He
thoroughly understand all the intricacies of the art and, in fact, supervises each
violin in the making and personally finishes every instrument bearing his own name.
No violin leaves his establishment without having been tested by him as to its
perfection in all respects..."
Some of the Roth's I have seen have a paper label, and a branded seal showing the
Roth name and a serial number. The 1955 Roth has the number 1231; The 1971 model
has the number B11851. The 1927 model has a label, but no branded seal or serial
number. I believe the instruments Roth made for distribution in the U.S. probably
had the serial number stamped in them. They also had a "curvy" border around the
label with the remark "reproduction of ---". The ones I have seen without the
"reproduction of --" remark usually have a label with a dark square border showing:
"Ernst Heinrich Roth, Bubenreuth/Erlangen, Anno 19--". These usually don't have
the brand and serial number, nor do they refer to the instrument as a "reproduction
of --".
The serial number you have - A769 - may give a glue as to the date of origin, but
without a paper label giving the date, who knows. You could contact a Roth
distributor, or the Roth company as they still make instruments. Come to think of
it, get on the internet and access Yahoo. Key in the word "Roth" and I bet you get
their website. That should give you access to ask your question.
I like the instruments and hope you enjoy yours. Good luck. ADW
Lut...@juno.com
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