Born in Basel, Switzerland in November of 1893, Karl August Berger studied violinmaking with Meinel in Basel and later worked for Sylvestre & Maucotel in Paris. He also claimed to have worked with Postiglione in Naples, Italy. At the age of 19, Berger immigrated to New York where he was employed in the Emil Herrmann workshop. Karl August Berger eventually established his own shop in 1924 in New York City. In 1926 he won the silver medal at the Sesquicentennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia along with a medal at the 1927 International Exposition in Geneva, Switzerland. Berger was extremely particular about his choice of wood and the thickness of each piece to create the best tonal quality. This violin is marked with Karl August Berger’s signature stamp and is a testament to his craftsmanship as a luthier. It has a gorgeous two-piece back and lambent golden varnish. The voice of the violin is brilliant, pure, and waiting for a serious player to explore the never-ending nuances this violin has to offer.