DescriptionJohn Friedrich was born in Cassel, Germany in 1858 and trained in Berlin under the prominent violin maker Oswald Möckel. In 1883, he came to the United States and soon became a leader in violin making, bow making, and instrument identification. John, joined by his brother William, established the company “John Friedrich & Bro” in New York City. Friedrich’s work has been held in the highest regard, even winning the highest award at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 and the St. Louis World’s Exposition in 1904. Friedrich produced roughly 300 instruments, many of which now hold great value and are even displayed at the National Museum of American History, a Smithsonian Institution.
