Description
I have an antique violin in very good condition.
The 3 stickers inside look very authentic. Each of the following say:
* Fofen Kloz in Mittenwald Ifer. ano 1706
* JOSEPH URBAN Violin and Guitar Maker 18 SAN FRANSCISCO 86 (this is how the sticker reads meaning the year of 1886)
* Repaired by A. H. SEYMOUR LINCOLN, NEBRASKA 1920
What is unique about the 1st sticker is that I have looked up some information regarding the Kloz / Klotz history in violin making, It appears that the earliest violin made was in 1712 from what I found on the enternet. However, the sticker inside this violin says 1706. Pretty exciting to see that although having it validated is needed. I have photos to validate what we have here.
Re: Kloz Violin
I can't appraise it, but I can offer you information. It doesn't say 'fofen' what looks like an 'F' is actually a German 'S', as is the fancy looking 'J'. The tag is torn across a 'P' to make it look like an 'N'. I'm near positive it says Joseph Kloz.
Joseph Kloz was a maker, but he wasn't born until 1743. I can't help but wonder if the date on the tag is accurate, because the rest of the tag is accurate with what would be a Joseph Kloz. However, the Mittenwald school was making violins before 1706 as well, sometime mid 17th Century.
Supposedly many of these violins varied wildly in quality and there are some unauthentic ones with tags out there. You better get a more appropriate appraisal. Valuemystuff is a good one for $10 (I hope I don't get in trouble for saying so on here) but anyone who makes an account on here can 'appraise' stuff opposed to professionals who worked in auction houses over there.
GOOD LUCK!