Description
From the Rembert Wurlitzer Certification papers provided to Dr. Hladky in 1958:
"The back is cut on the quarter from two pieces of maple with regular medium width flames slightly descending from the center joint. There is an original added wing at each lower flank. The top is cut from two pieces of spruce with slightly wavy grain, medium width at the center and broader on the flanks. The sides are of maple matching that of the back. The scroll is of plainer maple. The varnish is a dark reddish brown color. The instrument, somewhat reduced in size from its original larger dimensions, is a fine and typical example of the maker's work."
From written comments by Dr. Hlady:
Excerpt from Cowling’s “Early Makers of Cellos” book "This Tecchler is one of the very finest.” And from a January 20, 2011 letter, “I have played on about six different Tecchlers in my life and feel mine was the best, easiest to play and has the most beautiful tone.”
The Tecchler has four Sacconi/Wurlitzer bridges, one on the cello and three others of various heights.
The cello is in unbelievably good condition. From a 4.13.2010 Feller appraisal for insurance purposes, “I find this violoncello in fine condition.” And from a subsequent 5.23.2010 appraisal by Kass “The Violoncello is in an excellent state of preservation as of this date.”
Summary
As detailed below, this instrument is in excellent, stable condition with absolutely no new cracks, no significant old cracks, or other problems. All existing cracks are very old and have required no recent repair.
Top
Bass bar area
No bass bar crack.
Upper bass area
Upper bass crack descending 4-½” from top edge. One inch upper base crack descending from the edge about 1-¼” from the fingerboard.
Lower bass area
Two old repaired top cracks, 3-¾” & 3-¼” long respectively and ½” inch apart, with the first starting 3-1/2" from the center seam, nowhere close to the bass bar.
Sound post area
A 3/8 inch long crack at the sound post area which was stabilized by a 2-1/2” X 3-1/2” oval inlay patch directly under it on the interior. This crack does not extend above nor below beyond the 3/8” and has not moved nor been an issue since its acquisition directly from Wurlitzer in 1958. The sound post area is lifted somewhat, but has not changed since the instrument’s acquisition in 1958.
Scroll
As indicated in Wurlitzer correspondence, Simone Sacconi or Dario D’Atilli at Wurlitzer replaced the neck and performed the associated scroll graft in 1960.
Each of the eight scroll peg holes have been bushed.
Back
The back is free from any cracks. No sound post crack.
Ribs:
Minimal rib cracks are present no doubt due to being supported by interior linen linings original at purchase from Wurlitzer, 1958.
The upper treble rib has three repaired cracks located entirely within the block area.
The middle treble rib is free from cracks.
Two old repaired cracks about 2”-3” each are located in the lower treble rib starting about two inches below the corner.
Two old repaired inch long adjacent cracks are located in the upper bass rib.
A one inch long repaired crack is located in the middle bass rib in the lower corner block area.
Four old repaired cracks, none longer than 1-½” are located in the lower bass rib.