WWII, Korean War US Navy Veteran, Architect, Painter, and a contemporary violin maker. John Erwin (1920-2009) was a very accomplished man.  As a painter, Mr. Erwin had a painting in an exhibition commemorating the Texas Centennial which grouped him with early Texas artists. Additionally, his paintings from World War II were selected by the National Trust for Historical Preservation as an Official Project of “Save American Treasures”. Those paintings are held in the Panhandle Plains Museum in Canyon, Texas. 

Based in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Erwin produced several instruments.  Information about his violin making may be found in violin reference books such as Henley's Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers.  In 2001, an Erwin violin was given to now world-renown Polish violinist Mariusz Patyraas as one of the prizes of the Niccolo Paganini International Violin Competiton.  At the time of his death, his elder son, Bruce Erwin, his daughter, and the concertmaster of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra played on Erwin violins.  We are fortunate to have two of his violins, #106 and #107, available in our shop.  Both are a fine example of his work.

This violin, #106, is based on the Guarneri pattern from an instrument used by Joachim. Per Mr. Erwin's notes, the back of this violin and the back of #107 were made from the same Canadian maple tree. 

The tone is pure, rich, and very different from its sister.  The back is beautifully flamed, and the varnish is amber. 

#3931

All boxwood fittings