Object Details
- Description
This bow was made by Albert H. Karr in Independence, Missouri, around 1940-1945. It is a violin bow with a beefwood stick, with a plastic frog and plastic fittings. The bow is stamped:
A.H.KARR
Albert Homer Karr (1885-1971) was an American bow and violin maker (1885-1971). For most of his career, Karr was the proprietor of musical instrument shop in Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to repairing and selling other instruments, Karr made over 1,300 violins during his career and several dozen handmade violin bows. During WWII, Karr was contracted by the U. S. government to produce quality student bows.
The Violinist magazine for January 1921 featured an article about Albert H. Karr as well as an advertisement of his shop:
ALBERT H. KARR
Exclusive Violin Shop
306 East Tenth Str., Kansas City, Missouri.The Albert H. Karr Handmade Violins, finest
imported wood, sent at my expense on ten days’ trial
to responsible parties.
Large collections of old Violins including a Stradi-
varius, a Guarnerius, an Amati, a Villaume and a
Lupot.One of the finest equipped shops in the United
States for repair and adjustment of fine old
instruments. Mr. Karr attends to this work per-
sonally. All work guaranteed.
Correspondence invited.- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- 1940-1945
- Credit Line
- Gift of Albert F. and Lorette M. Moglie
- Physical Description
- plastic (overall material)
- beefwood (overall material)
- aluminum (overall material)
- horsehair (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 29 5/16 in x 1 3/8 in x 1/2 in; 74.45375 cm x 3.4925 cm x 1.27 cm
- Object Name
- bow
