Carl C. Holzapfel (1874 to 1963) was a Baltimore luthier who made some of the earliest 12-string guitars around 1900 to 1910. Though Holzapfel guitars are rare, they were the 12-string of choice for Mike Seeger, Dave “Snaker” Ray and Eric Darling. Holzapfel was born in Germany and studied under Carl Scheytt. He moved to the USA and established his own shop in Baltimore where he made violins, mandolins, bows and guitars.

Source: Fretboard Journal. September 2008 - Holzapfels from the collection of Fred Oster.

Source: Tarisio Carl C. Holzapfel