Edwin Lothar Hermann Violin Bow Markneukirchen circa 1965

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Stamped:

Edwin Lothar Hermann (1914-1987) was the last active bow maker of the well-known Vogtland Hermann bow making family. The craft of bow making had a long tradition in his family that can be traced back to the early 18th century. Lothar Hermann learned his craft from his grandfather Albert Hermann (1868-1960) and his father Edwin Hermann (1893-1972) in Schönlind between 1929 and 1932. After completing his apprenticeship, Lothar Hermann continued to work in his father’s workshop until 1960. In 1949 he completed his bow making master’s exam in Markneukirchen. At this point he started stamping his bow with his own name. In 1961 he opened his own shop in Markneukirchen and continued to work there well into his old age.

Edwin Lothar Hermann used different stamps over the course of his making lifetime. HERRMANN-KNOPF, E. L. HERMANN (which we have), E. L. HERMMANN KNOPF and LOTHAR HERMANN. In addition to using these stamps on his bow he used one of the family’s coat of arms on the frog.
We have meticulously gone over the bow, replacing the bone tip, nickel silver winding, and the thumb leather. The frog and endscrew are all original. The bow is gorgeous: pernambuco, octagonal in section, and nickel mounted with single 5.5 mm. pearl eyes in the frog. “GERMANY” is inverted on the butt of the bow. The workmanship is beautiful, and the strength of the bow is outstanding. This is a fine bow, totally nice enough for a professional to take it for a try.

Weight fully haired 62.1 grams