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"ZENON PETESH - Chicago, IL. 1906. Born in West Ukraine, Russia. Started playing the violin at age 10, having studied under his father. Made 6 violins c. 1935, self-taught. Studied making under Didtchenko in Warsaw, Poland, 1937-1940. Assumed control of the shop in 1940 and worked there until 1944. During those years made 1 violin while in Graz and another in Markneukirchen. Operated own shop in Nurnberg Germany, 1944-1948. Also worked in Mittenwald for a short time. Worked for William Moennig in Philadelphia in 1949-1950. Worked for William Lewis in Chicago 1950-1968. Has worked for Kenneth Warren since 1968. Strad and Guarneri models. spirit-oil varnish of own making. Primarily European wood, the three violas were made using one-piece Sitka spruce tops. Branded ÒZ.W. PETESZÓ inside on the ribs, under the label, above the endpin, and on the top under the fingerboard. Very fine workmanship. Has made 58 violins, 3 violas, and 1 cello. After many years of primarily doing fine restoration work is now concentrating on making. Label no. 228. (Violin illustrated on page 237)"
-Thomas James Wennberg, The Violin Makers of the United States