Carl Becker labels (1920s–1940s)

The labels used by the American violinmaker Carl Becker Sr. during his early years at William Lewis & Son (where he began working in 1923) featured two different designs. The first design used Goudy Oldstyle, for all text, while the second design incorporated Bernhard Schönschrift for Becker’s name and a Bodoni for the remaining words. The first label was used for a period of perhaps less than six years, and the second label remained in use until his son, Carl Becker Jr., joined him in 1948. At that point, the workshop’s name changed to Carl Becker and Son.

One of the greatest American violin makers of the twentieth century, Carl Becker senior was born in 1887 to a family of luthiers in Chicago, and joined the firm of Lyon & Healy in 1908, where he was taught by John Hornsteiner. In 1908 Hornsteiner established his own shop, where he was joined by Becker until 1923, when he moved again to join William Lewis & Sons, becoming the leading maker, restorer and expert with that company. His own instruments were made at his home in Pickerel, Wisconsin during the summer months. In 1949 he established his own business with his son Carl junior, and although Carl Becker senior died in 1975, Becker & Son remains one of the leading houses in America. His violins, violas and cellos have in common a consistently high quality of workmanship and finish, based on a close understanding of classical Italian work. He made beautiful oil varnish of various shades of deep orange and red-brown. [Ingles & Hayday]