Amati > Makers Archive > William And Son Lewis

William And Son Lewis

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£3,142

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.9 cm Chicago, 1915 (revarnished) [Made by "George Einsele"]	Thu 1st December 2011	£774
Cello Bow	S/E 84.0 g. [Made for]	Thu 1st July 2010	£212
Cello Bow	S/E 73.0 g. [Made for]	Thu 1st July 2010	£212
Cello Bow	S/E 78.0 g. [Made for]	Thu 1st July 2010	£212
Cello Bow	S/E 76.5 g. [Made for]	Thu 1st July 2010	£250
Violin	35.8 cm Chicago, 1915 [Made by "George Einsele"]	Thu 1st April 2010	£3,142
Violin	35.5 cm 1922 (endblock damage) [Made for the firm]	Sun 1st February 2009	£1,716
Viola Bow	S/E 67.5 g.	Fri 1st August 2008	£252
Violin	Chicago, 1914 [Made for]	Sat 1st October 2005	£328
Violin	1925 c. [Made for]	Sat 1st October 2005	£1,004
Violin Bow	S/E 57.5 g. with no hair	Fri 1st October 2004	£541
Cello Bow	S/E 77 g.	Sat 1st March 1997	£345
Violin Bow	S/E 62 g.	Fri 1st December 1995	£434
Cello Bow	S/E 75 g.	Wed 1st March 1995	£690

Biographies

John Dilworth

LEWIS, William (William Lewis & Son) Born 1837 Devonshire UK, died 1902 Chicago, Illinois USA. Violinist and founder of the important business of William Lewis & Son of Chicago, although not a luthier himself. Emigrated with his family to Bellevue, Ohio USA. Settled in Chicago 1862, where he joined the music company Root and Cady. When the business was destroyed by the great fire of 1871, Lewis and E. T. Root re-established themselves as Root & Lewis in 1874. From 1878 it was known as the Chicago Music Co. with E. G. Newell as a partner. William Pond, C. A. Zoebisch, P. P. Gibbs, and William’s son Frederick joined subsequently and the name was finalised as William Lewis & Son in 1888. One of the best-known violin dealers and makers in America, world renowned for expertise and connoisseurship. In 1899 Reuben A. Olsen joined, and after William died 1902 and Frederick retired 1935 (died 1940), became head of the business 1940. Harry Benson was the next president, retiring 1978. The company was bought out by the Chicago Musical Instrument Co. and then by Norland Inc., and moved to Lincolnwood, Illinois 1968. The company finally closed 1978. Many distinguished craftsmen worked there. George Einsele was responsible for the ‘Lewis’ violins up to 1927, and Carl Becker worked there 1924-1969. ‘Lewis’ varnishes were made by John Emil Carlson. Bows were imported from Germany and retailed in various grades. The Lewis Catalogues of fine instruments, issued from 1906, have become both valuable reference material and collectors’ items in themselves. The company also published the magazine ‘Violins and Violinists’, edited by Ernest Doring until his death in 1955 when Reuben Olsen took over responsibility.