WETTENGEL.—Markneukirchen; nineteenth century. A family of instrument makers. One of them (Gustav Adolf) wrote a book on violin making.
WHITAKER.—London; about 1810-29. Button and Whitaker were instrument dealers. The name may be seen on violins and violoncellos of mediocre workmanship.
WIDHALM.—Nuremburg; eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A fairly numerous family of makers, the chief of whom was Leopold Widhalm, who was born in 1722 and died in 1776. He was a prolific workman and a good many of his fiddles are in this country. He copied Stainer with much ability, but generally overdid the arching. His varnish is usually red, and of very good quality. There is a good deal of sameness about his work. He made some fine violas. His initials are generally seen stamped under the labels. Several sons were also makers. The second of them, Gallus Ignatius, died in 1822.
WILFER.—Nineteenth century. There have been several German makers of this name.
WILLEMS.—Ghent; seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Three makers of the name are known. Good work of the Amati school.
WILLER.—Prague; eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Three makers known. Johann Michael Wilier died in 1826, and was a tolerably good workman.
WISE, Christopher.—London; middle of seventeenth century. A violoncello attributed to this maker was seen by the writer in London recently, but was not a very interesting specimen. The violins are occasionally met with and have very good varnish. Size rather small.
WITHERS.—London; nineteenth century and contemporary. Well-known firms of London dealers and repairers. The founder of the business was Edward Withers, who died about 1870. He was a maker of decided ability and made some instruments of high-class finish and workmanship. He also employed some excellent workmen, amongst them Boullangier (q.v.). A son of the same name was a pupil of Lott and carried on business in Wardour Street. He died in 1915, and the business is continued by his sons. George Withers, another son of the first Edward, established a successful business on his own account, and retired some years ago. The firm is now “George Withers and Sons,” the partners being two of his sons, Guarneri and Walter, both of whom underwent a course of training in Mirecourt.
WOLFF, Brothers.—Kreuznach; contemporary. Well-known manufacturers of instruments of the “factory” class.
WORLE AND WORNLE.—Makers bearing these names worked in various parts of Germany and in Vienna. Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.