Andrew Hyde 1840-1923
Andrew Hyde was a fascinating character: a mechanical genius who worked as Thomas Edison's assistant, a Civil War veteran, and a successful and influential violin maker. In 1886, he opened a violin and bowmaking shop in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was vehement in stating the superiority of new violins over old ones.
The two-piece back of this viola, made circa 1890, is of prominent flame, with dark red-brown varnish on a golden ground.