S. Nathaniel Adams

Documenting history as well as my experiences with repairing and restoring vintage guitars.

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About The Victor Kraske Company was founded around 1902 by German immigrant Victor Kraske. He went into manufacture of banjos as well as gui...

Victor Kraske Company - Chicago, Illinois

By The Amateur Luthier February 16, 2022 2 Comments

About

The Victor Kraske Company was founded around 1902 by German immigrant Victor Kraske. He went into manufacture of banjos as well as guitars before moving to Kalamzoo to work for Gibson

Timeline

  • 1891 
  • 1902 [1]
    • Located at 358 W Lake Street
    • Employed 4 men, all over 18
    • Manufactured banjos
    • Capital Stock: $2,500
    • Administration [5]
      • President: Victor Kraske
      • Secretary: Marie Kraske
  • 1903 [2]
    • Same location
    • Employed 2 men
  • 1905 [3]
    • Same location
    • Employed 3 men
    • Manufactured guitars
  • 1910 [4]
    • Started working at Gibson in Michigan
  • 1926 [4]
    • Ceased working as the foreman at Gibson

Patents

His first patent was in 1891 for a banjo dowel stick attachment that allows for easier adjusting of the neck angle
US Patent US457996



In 1898, Kraske was listed on a patent for a bowlback mandolin with F-holes and an additional number of frets. He was included next to George W. Bostwick and Rudolph Lorang. They filed the patent on the behalf of the Barrows Music Company of Saginaw, Michigan
US Patent US597352

Kraske also invented a banjo in 1902 that had a different method of neck attachment and also of tensioner attachments.
US Patent US715587A

His last patent was filed in 1924 while he was living in Kalamazoo, Michigan and working for Gibson
US Patent US1504059


Sources

[1] https://books.google.com/books?id=12VKAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=musical&f=false
[2] https://books.google.com/books?id=FmdKAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=musical&f=false
[3]  https://books.google.com/books?id=mGdKAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=musical&f=false
[4] https://books.google.com/books?id=fgTGl1OoYHgC&pg=PA34&dq=victor+kraske&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFx8vA_YT2AhU3DzQIHU5fDBo4ChDoAXoECAMQAg#v=onepage&q=victor%20kraske&f=false
[5] https://books.google.com/books?id=kV09AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA251&dq=victor+kraske&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjhp_Ws-4T2AhWlFjQIHZHiAHEQ6AF6BAgDEAI#v=onepage&q=victor%20kraske&f=false
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 25, 2022 at 10:45 AM

    I found a Hlad mandolin built in 1935 very pretty mandolin.it also has a mastertone stamp inside thinking Victor Kraske helped.

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