BRITIS H

VIOLIN M A KER S
A B i o g r ap h i c al D i c t i o n a r y o f B ri t i s h M ak e rs of

S t r i n g e d I n s tr u m e n t s a n d B o w s a n d a
C r i t i c al D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e i r W o r k

WI TH I NTR O D U CTO R Y C HA P TER S A ND NU M ER OU S ,

P O R T R AI T S A ND I LL U S T R A T I O NS

B Y TH E

W M E R ED I T H M O R R I S
‘

Re v . .
, B A
. .

S ECON D E D I T I ON
R EV I S E D A ND ENL AR GE D

L ON D O N: RO B ERT SC OTT
R O XB U R G H E HOU SE
PA T ER N O S T E R R O W , E C . .

M C M XX

A ll r i gh ts r es er ved
 P R EFA C E

HE fir s t e di ti on of th i s wor k wa s publ i s h e d
in 9 1 04 l. d i d
I tsr e c e p
s p ent i o n t h e r ea dy ,

s al e i t o b t a i n e d a n d t h e f a c t th a t i t h as l o n g b e e n
,

o u t o f p ri n t e n c o u r a g
,
e me i n th e h o p e th a t a n e w
e d i ti o n ma y fin d f a v o u r wi t h t h e p u bli c Th e ti tl e .

o f t h e p r es en t e d i ti o n d i ff e r s s l i g h t ly fr o m t h a t o f

t h e fi r s t a n d th e b oo k h a s b e en p a r t ly re wr i tt e n—
, ,

th or ou ghly r evi s e d a n d con s i der a bly en l arg e d Th e

, .

p r es en t e ffort i s I h o p e an i mp r o ve m en t in ever y
, ,

wa y u p on th e fir s t fo r o n e th i n g i t s h o ws a b e t t e r
,

s en s e o f p p
r o o r t i on an d a tru er a p p r e ci a ti o n o f th e
l
r e a t i ve meri ts m a ker s p a s t a n d p res en t Th e
of , .

li s t o f m a ker s h a s b e en e xten d ed by th e a dd i ti o n o f
a b o u t a h u n d r e d a n d fift y n e w n a m e s an d t h e ,

e xt en s i o n ma d e i t n eces s a r y t o c on d e n s e th e m a t te r

o f t h e fir s t e d i ti o n wh e r eve r i bl Th w rk
‘

p o s s e e o .

wo uld exten d t o t wi ce i ts p r es en t l en gth if i t in cl u d ed

t h e n a m e o f e ver y o n e i n thi s co un tr y wh o h as
d abble d wi th vi o lin m a kin g b ut I h ave ri go r ous ly ,

e x clud e d a ll wh o h a v e n o t m a d e a t l e a s t h a lf a -

do z en in s t r um en t s Th e lin e h a d t o b e dr a wn
.

s o m e w h er e I r egr e t th at a few n a m es ar e un a voi d

.

a bly o m i t t e d wh i ch i t h a d b e en my d e s i r e to i n cl u d e

th es e a r e t h e n a m es o f m a k er s w or ki n g i n L on d o n ,

a n d t wo o r th r ee o f t h e r i n i l t w w h
p c p a o n s o a r e ,

V
vi P RE F A CE

e m pl o ye d in m a ki n g fo r m us i c s h op s a n d wh ol es al e
h ou s es , an d wh o t h er e fo r e ar e n ot in p o s i t i on t o
a

a ll o w t h ei r na m es to b e p u bli s h e d . Am on g t h es e
ar e a fe w l
c e ver cr a f t s m en wh o ,
i f th e Fa t es wer e
on ly m or e p ro p i ti o u s t o t h e m wo uld b e r e a pin g th ,
e

r e wa r d o f pu bli c r e c o gn i ti on .

I n e e d h a r dl y s a y t h a t I h a ve n eve r mi s s e d a n
o p p or t un i t y s i n c e t h e fir s t a p p e a r a n ce o f th e b o o k

o f e x t en d i n g my a c qu a i n t a n ce wi th vi o l i n ma k e r s

a n d vi o li n s a n d o f d e ep en in g my k n o wl e d g e o f t h e
,

fa s cin a t in g a rt o f vi o lin m a ki n g Wi th i n th e l as t .

few y e a r s I h a ve vi s i t e d n ea r ly all th e fid dl e w o r k
s h o p s i n Gre a t B ri t a i n a n d h a ve e x a m i n e d th o u s a n d s
,

o f i n s t r u m en t s n ew an d o ld ,
.

Th e fid dl e h a s b e en th e c o m p a n i o n o f my s p a re
m om en t s ( to o few a l as ! ) for thi r t y fiv e ye a rs a n d -
,

i f I h a v e l a i d mys elf o p e n t o th e ch a r g e o f h a vi n g
wri t ten too e n t h us i a s t i ca lly a b ou t i t my a p ol o gy ,

i s th a t I c o uld n o t wr i t e c o l dly a b o ut a d ea r bl e s s e d ,

li t t l e cr ea tur e t h a t h a s b e en o f un t old comfor t

t o me . Wh en I h ave h a d t o wr es tle ( o ft en un s u c
c es s fu lly) wi th th e di ffi c ul ti es o f a l a r g e i n d u s tr i a l

p a r i s h ,
I h a v e n o t l a c k e d c h e e r w i t h my fid dl e a t
h an d .

My s i n c ere t h a n k s a r e d u e t o a ll vi o li n m a kers
wh o h a ve f urn i s h e d me wi th b i o gr a p hi ca l a n d o th er
t i u l d t ll w h h v h l d i n a v a r i ety
p a r c ar s a n o
, a o a e e p e

o f w a ys t o m a k e t h e w o r k a s u c c es s I a m s p e ci a lly .

i n d e b te d t o th e fo ll o win g g e n tl e m en fo r m u ch va l u
a bl e a s s i s t an ce : th e R e v Fa t h e r A L Gr e a ven . . .
,

B A C C p a ri s h p r i e s t o f S P a ul s B elfa s t ; J
’
. . .
, . .
, .
,

Mi chi e Es q o f B r echi n N B
, .
,
Ch a r l es Ch a ll en g er
, . .
,
 P RE F A C E

Es q .
, of Ti ver ton Vill a ,
St . An dr e w s B ri s to l ; W
’

, .

M Gr o un d wa t e r Es q
. .
,
of S a lfor d ; J a m e s At ki n s ,

Es q .
,
of Co r k ; Co un t G N Pl un ke t t . .
,
e tc

Di r e c t o r o f t h e Na t i o n a l Mu s eu m o f S ci e n ce an d Ar t ,

D ubl i n Me s s r s W E Hill
th e S on s Ne w B o n d
. . .
,

S tr e e t t h e Mes s r s G H a r t S on Wa r d o u r S t re e t
. .
, ,

W th e Mes s r s G Wi th er s S on s Lei ces t er S qu a r e ;

. .
,

an d W W Co bbe tt Es q 34 Aven ue R o a d Lo n d o n
. .
,
.
, , ,

N W I mu s t a l s o a ck n o w l e dg e th e a s s i s t a n ce o f
. .

my wi fe wh o h a s b e en g oo d en o u gh t o c o r r e ct th e
,

p r oo f s a n
,
d o f M rs M a tt h e w L e w i s w h
. o ki n dl y ,

f urn i s h e d s o me o f t h e i ll u s tr a ti o n s Th e a u t h o r s .

wh om I h a v e con s ul te d a r e a c kn o wl e dg e d in th e t e xt .

C Y L H V AL E VI C A RA G E
DA C ,

S W . A LE S .
 C O NTENTS

PRE FACE

PART I

I NTROD U CTORY

THE OLD SC H OO L
THE MODERN S C H O OL
B RI DGE S OLD AN D MODERN
:

STRI NG MAN U FA CTU RE I N E NGLAN D

LE GE N D ART AND STO R Y
, ,

THE ORI Es AB O U T THE I TAL I AN TO N E

MI S CE LL AN E A

PART II

A D I CTI ONARY OF
_
VI O LI N AN D B o w MAKER S

PART III

A D I CTI ONARY O F VI O L I N AN D B o w MAK ER S (con ti n u ed )

”
 L I S T O F P L ATES

! UA R T E T O F O L D E NGL I S H I NST R U ME NTS

VI O LI N BY AT K I NS O N p ag e 94

VI OLA BY B AN K S
V I OL I Ns BY B A N K S

F W C H ANN O N
. .

G A C HA N O T
. .

GE O R G E S C HA NOT

GE O R G E DA RB E Y

VI OLI N BY D U KE
G L D Y KE S
. .

VI OLO N C E LL O BY OLD FO R STER

“

VI O LI N BY GIL B ERT
GE O R G E HART
WI LLI AM EB S WORTH H I LL
VI O LI N BY MAY SON

VI O LI N BY OWEN
VI O LA PAR KE R
BY

VI OLI N B Y PAR KER

VI OLI N B Y PERRY
 LI ST O F P LA T E S

VI OL I N BY TO B I N p ag e 2 3
9

J A M E S TU B B s

E D WARD WI THER S (Pe ) re

E DWAR D WIT HER S (Fil ) s

FE L I X FO U C HER

E DWAR D KEE NAN

VI O L D AM O U R BY LEE
’
 PA RT I

I N TR O D U C TO RY
 B R ITIS H V I OLI N MA KERS

I .
— TH E O LD SC H O OL
HE p eri o d mbr a ce d by wh a t may b e t er m e d
e

th e Old S ch o o l o f B r i t i s h vi ol i n m a ki n g

i s a lm os t c o n te r mi n o us Wi th th e e igh te en th cen tur y ,

a n d i n cl u d es t h e w o r k o f B a n k s F o r s t er D u k e
, , ,

P a r ker Hill Wa ms l ey B et ts H a r t a n d a n umb er

, , , , ,

o f o th e r me n o f e q u a l o r l e s s n o t e I t i s a d va n .

t ag eo u s t o r e vi e w i ts r e m a in s fr o m th e p oi n t o f
vi e w o f m o d el ma ter i al v a rn is h wor km an s hi p
, , , ,

an d t on e .

A .
— T H E M OD E L
In co n t e mp l a tin g th e m o d el a d op t e d by o ur old
m a k ers two fe a tur es a l on e s ee m t o s tan d o u t s u ffi
,

c i en tly p r o m i n en t t o a rr e s t th e a tt en t i on o f t h e

co n n o i s s e u r vi z t h e a b s en ce o f o ri g i n ali t y a n d t h e
, .

i n f e r i o r i t y o f th e t y p e a d o p t e d Th e m an i fes t
.

p o v e r t y o f i d e a i s v er y e x t r a o r d in a r y wh en w e

b e ar in min d th a t th e En gli s h e xcell e d a s ma k er s o f

t h e l u t e a n d vi o l Th er e ca n b e n o d o u b t th a t
.

vi o l s o f B r i t i s h ma n u fa c tu r e w er e fa ci le pri n ceps

a m o n g i n s tr u me n t s o f th a t t yp e We ga th er a s
.

mu ch fr om a wor k by J e an R o us s e a u en ti tle d
Tr a i té d e la Vi ola whi ch wa s p u blis h e d in P a ri s
,

in 1 6 8 7 fr om n um ero us s ta te men t s on th e s u bj e ct
3
4 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ER S
Ma ce M u s i ck M on u men t fr o m
’ ’
in s s , an d o t h er

wor ks d ealin g wi th th e hi s t or y o f m u s i c S o e xtr a .

o r d i n a r y a r e th e a b o v e f e a t u r e s co n s i d er e d t o b e

t h a t m o s t wr i t er s o n th e s u bj e ct h a v e t h o ugh t i t
n ec e s s a r y t o e n d e a v o u r t o a c c o u n t fo r t h e m Ha r t .
,

in hi s s t an d a r d wo r k Th e Vi o li n : I ts F a mou s ,

M a kers a n d thei r I mi ta tors o ffer s th e f oll o wi n g ,

e xp l a n a t i o n : It ma y be th a t Con t in en t a l c on
n o i s s eu r s h a ve cr edi t e d t h e m s el ve s wi t h th e w o r k s

o f o ur b es t m a k e r s a n d e xp a t r i a t e d th e m
, whi le ,

th e y h a ve in e x o r a bly a ll o we d b a d E n gli s h fid dles

t o r e t a i n t h ei r n a t i o n a l i t y
”
.

Thi s i s p os s i bl e b u t h a r dly p r o b a bl e S o m e .

con n o i s s e u r s a r e bl es s e d wi th a n e a s y m i n d a n d

an e l a s ti c c o n s ci e n ce we kn o w b u t we d o u b t
, ,

wh e th er a p art fr o m th eir t o n al q u a li ti es th er e b e
, ,

s u ffi ci en t m er i t i n o u r old i n s t r u me n t s t o t emp t

d e a l e r s t o e x p a t ri a t e t h e m I n s tr u m en t s t h a t .

“
a re fa k e d a r e a s a r ule s u ch a s a r e m ea n t t o b e
, ,

p u r c h a s e d by t h e e y e an d n o t by t h e e a r I f l a c k .

o f o r i gi n a l i t y h a d b e en t h e o n ly d e f e c t o f o u r o ld

i n s tr um en ts th e e xp l a n a ti o n wo u ld b e p l a u s i bl e
, ,

b u t t h e r e i s b ey o n d th a t th e f u r t h e r d e fe c t o f i n
feri o ri ty o f m o d el .

Th e B ri tis h co p i e d a n d i n n u m er o u s i n s t a n ces
,

e x a gger a t e d th e hi gh a r ch o f S t a i n e r
,
D o u b tl e s s .

th e r e a r e r e a s o n s and c o g en t r e a s o n s
,
We a r e .

n o t fo r a m o m en t t o co n cl u d e th a t B ri t i s h a r ti s t s

h a v e a t all t i mes b e en un e q u al t o th e h i g h er fl i g h t s
o f a rt . I h a za rd th e f oll o win g e xp l a n a ti on Th er e .

was
( )
I A wa n t of s ti m l u us — . Dur i n g th e g rea ter p ar t
 THE O LD SC H OOL 5

of th e e i g h te e n th y th e i n t ell ect ual world

c en t u r

d t h r o u g h th e c h i ll Cl o u d o f ( w h a t S i r L es li e
p a s s e

S te p h en term s ) o t i os i t y I f B ri t i s h vi oli n m a k ers

”
.

wer e po s s es s ed o f th e n ece s s ar y t a l en t th e m e an s ,

wer e wan t in g t o call i t fort h Heal th y e n vi ro n .

m en t is a s m uch a con di t i on o f li fe as is h e al t h y
o r g a ni s m Th e g l or i es o f th e E li z a b e th an a g e
.

we r e p a s t a n d g o n e R e a ct i on th a t p r in ci p l e
.
—

whi ch r un s li ke a n un d ercurr en t th r ough th e wa t e rs

o f un i v er s al hi s t o yr — wa s a l r e a dy in m ot i on Th e . .

for ce wa s e ven n ow a t wor k wh i ch even t u a lly cul

mma t e d i n th e p r o d u cti on o f La t i tu d in arl a ms m
in e ccl es i a s ti cal p o l i t y o f p a mp hle t ee ri n g i n l i t er a
,

tu r e o f a rt i fici a li ty in p oe tr y o f E p i cu r ea n i s m i n
, ,

mo r als a n d of m ech a n i cal s er vili t y in a r t E n n ui

, .

wa s in t h e a i r a n d th e n a t i o n fro m P a rn as s u s
, ,

d own to B edl am ca ugh t th e i n fe cti on Th er e

,
.

wer e s p or a di c e ffor ts a t ori gi n ali t y in s om e d ep ar t

m en t s b ut p er io dical i n t ell ectu a l gu s h es ar e n o t t o
,

b e mi s t a k e n fo r th e p er s i s t en t a n d e v en fl ow o f tr u e
g en i us Th e s oci a l con di ti o n s o f B ri t a in i n t h e
.

ei gh t e en th ce n t ur y w er e n o t f a v o u r a bl e I c er t a i n ly,

th i nk t o th e p ro d ucti on o f o r ig in a l wo r k in th e
, ,

br a n ch o f a rt w hi ch we h a v e un d er con s i d era ti o n
h er e. I t h a s b e en o bj e cte d th a t s o ci a l c on d i t i o n s
h a v e n o thi n g t o d o wi t h li t er a r y o r a rt a c ti vi t i es ,

b u t I t hi n k t h e i n te lli g en t r e a d er wi ll be m o re
li ke ly to a gre e wi th S ir Les li e S t ep h en w h o s ays : ,

To my m i n d th e p h il o s op h y o f a n a g e i s in
i ts elf d e t er m i n e d t o a ver y gr e a t e xt en t by th e
s oci a l p o s i ti on I t g i ves th e s ol u t i o n s o f th e p r o
.

hlems for ced u p on th e r e a s on er by th e p ra cti ca l

B
6 B RI T I S H VI OLIN MAK ERS
c on di t i on s o f h i s t im e To un d er s t an d wh y cert a in
.

i d e a s b e c o m e c u rr e n t we h a v e t o con s i d er n o t
,

m er ely th e os t en s i ble l ogi c b u t all t h e m o ti ve s whi ch

le d men to i n v e s ti g a t e th e m o s t p r es s in g d i ffi cu lt i es
s ugg e s t e d by t h e s oci a l d ev e l o p m en t Ob vi o u s p ri n
.

ci p le s a r e a lw a ys r e a dy li k e g e r m s, t o c o m e t o l i fe
,
'

wh en t h e c on gen i al s oi l i s p r o vi d ed An d wh a t i s .

t r u e o f t h e p h il os op h y i s e qu ally a n d p er h ap s m o r e
,

co n s p i c u o u s ly t r u e o f t h e a r t i s t i c a n d l i t er a r y
,

e mb o d i m e n t o f th e d o m i n an t i d ea s whi ch a r e c o rr e

l a t ed wi th th e s oci a l en vi r on m en t (En gli s h L i tera

tu r e an d S oci ety i n the E i gh teen th Cen tu ry p ,
.

( )
2 M u s i ca l con s erva ti s m wa s a po ten t fa ctor .

Th e vi o l j ye d a m on op oly o f p u bli c fa v our a n d

en o ,

th e up s t a r t vi o l i n i n i t s b a t tl e for t h e p o s s e s s i on o f
t h e B r i t i sh m u s i c w o r ld or fo r a s h ar e o f i t s p a t r on
,

a g e h a d t o c o n t es t e v er y i n ch o f th e g r o un d
, Thi s .

i s p a i n f ully i f a m u s i n g ly e vi d en t fr o m th e V i t u
p e r a t i o n s o f o ld T h o m as M a c e w h os e ,
d o l e f u l
j er emi a d o ver th e i n tr u s i on s o f th e s could i n g
vi o li n s a r e f a m i li a r t o e v er y s t u d en t o f vi o li n

li t er a t u re Th e vi ol h eld i ts g r o un d m ore or l es s
.

d o wn ti ll a b ou t 1 6 5 0 an d p er h a p s e v en l a ter I n
, s
.

s p i t e o f Co ur t a n d o th er i n fl u e n c e s t h e Fr e n c h
f a s hi on ( a s th e cul t o f th e fiddl e wa s ca ll ed ) w as
l o o ke d up on by th e p ubli c a s a gi ddy a n d i mp u
d e n t i n tr u d er E ven wh en m o d ifi e d by th e
It a li an f a s h i on i t fo un d i ts p a th s tre wn wi th -

m an y th orn s Ve r y t im ely wa s th e a r ri val o f

.

Th o mas B a l z ar in 1 6 5 6 a n d o f Ni cola Ma ttei s in

,

1 6 72 . Th eir wi eld in g o f th e m a gi c w an d i t wa s th a t
ro ved th e p ri n ci a l me an s in un d oin g t h e con s er
p p
 8 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ERS
a g a in s t th e P u r i t an s ,
le t t h e m t s u ch a w o r k
con s ul

as The B u i ld i n g of B ri ta i n an d the Empi r e e d i t e d by

,

H D Tr a ill a n d J E Ma n n M A wh er e
'

. . . . . .
, , ,

we r ea d t h a t D u ri n g th e t r o u bl e s wh i ch f oll o w e d
th e d e a t h o f K i n g Ch ar l es I th e c ul ti va ti on o f
.

En gli s h m u s i c wa s u t t er ly e x tin gui s h ed No t o n ly

-

wa s p r o gr es s i m p o s s i bl e i t wa s e qu a lly i m p os s i bl e ,

i n f a ce o f th e o pen h os ti li t y o f th e P u r i t a n s t o m ai n ,

t a in th e h igh l evel t h a t h a d a lr e a dy b e en a t ta i n e d .

Th e c a th e d r al a n d colle gi a t e li b rar i es w er e s a ck e d
by th e R o un dh e a d s th e gr e a t org an s wer e d es
,

tr o y e d a ll s i n gi n g w or th y o f t h e n a m e w a s p r o
,

hi b i t e d i n t h e d e s e cr a t e d ch u r ch es a n d d r a m a t i c ,

m u s i c wa s p ubl i cly con d emn e d a s a s n a r e o f th e

E vi l on e (vi d e v ol i v p p 5 48
”
. . .

S o m u ch for t h e a b s en ce o f o r i gi n a l i t y A s to .

t h e o t h er ch a r a c t er i s t i c t h e i n fer i or i t y o f t yp e I
, ,

fe a r n o e xp l a n a ti on or a p ol ogy can b e o ffer ed I t .

s h ows l a ck o f d i s cri min a ti on Th e old m a ker s .

a d op t e d th e m o d el o f S t a i n er a n d f oll o we d i t wi th

b ut fe w d ep ar tur es for th e gr ea t er p ar t o f a h un d r e d
ye ars I n fo ll o wi n g th o s e wh o h a d g on e be fo re
.

th e y u n wi t ti n gly s h o we d a p r e d i l ecti o n for t h e

l ea s t wor t h y S om e th in g ma y b e s a i d for th e
.

c o p yi s t wh o c on s ci o u s o f hi s i n a b il i t y t o c r e a t e
, ,

a s s i d u o u s ly s e t s a b o u t t o c o p y t h a t wh i ch i s b e s t

a n d n o bl e s t i n a r t b ut a p ol og y b e co m e s d i ffi c ul t i n
,

th e c a s e o f th e ma n wh o d el i b e r a t ely c op i e s a n
i n feri or m o d el Th e B ri t i s h i n th ei r Ch oi ce o f t yp e
.

s h o w e d i n a b i l i t y t o d i ffe r en t i a t e t on e n u a n ce s and ,

l a ck o f a r t i s t i c fe elin g i n th e m a t ter of f or m an d
prop ortion Th a t th ey sinned Witho ut ex cus e i s
.
 THE O LD S CH O O L 9

p er fectly c er t a i n . T h e y w er e ac q u ain te d wi th B r es
ci a n a n d e ar ly Cr em on es e i n s tr u men ts a s well a s wi th
th os e o f t h e Ty r ol Th e y wer e i n a p o s i ti on to ma k e
.

a ch o i ce a n d t h e i r ch o i c e f e ll u p o n t h e i n f er i o r
,

m od el I a m a wa r e t h a t th e tr u th o f t h e l as t s t a t e
.

m en t h as b een d en i e d b y cer t a i n w ri ters a n d i t wi ll ,

be well p er h ap s t o b r i n g fo r wa r d th e evi d en c e u p o n
w h i ch i t re s ts :
( )
1 T h e r e w e r e n u m er o u s I t al i a n i n s tr u m e n t s
brough t i n t o th i s co u n t r y a b o ut t h i s ti me Willi am
.

Cor b e t t ,
wh o d e d fo r s om e ye ar s in
r es i I t al y br o u gh t,

b ack a r a r e c o ll e c ti on A Ga ll er y o f Cremon ys
an d S t a i n er s Th es e we r e b e qu e a th e d by h im t o
.

Gr es h a m Co ll e g e a n d h a n d e d o ve r t o t h e a u th o ri ti e s
,

o n th e d e a t h o f t h e c o ll ec t or i n 1 7 4 8 wi t h t h e v i o
p,
ro s

th a t th e y w er e t o rema i n o p en for i n s p ecti o n S oo n .

a f t e r th e d e a th o f th e d on or t h e c o ll e g e a u th o r i t i e s

di s p os e d o f t h e g all er y by a u cti on (it i s s up p os ed) ,

a n d t h e i n s tr umen t s b ec a m e th e p ro p er t y o f d e a l e r s

a n d p r i va t e c o ll e ct o r s Th e Du k e o f H a mi l ton th e
.
,

D u k e o f Ca mb r i dg e t h e E a r l o f F almo uth a n d
, ,

o th er s , a ls o formed coll ecti on s o f I t a li an in s tr u

m en t s .

( )
2 T h a t I t a l i a n m o d e l s w er e k n o w n i n t h i s c o u n

tr y i s p r ove d by th e fa ct t h a t t h e y w er e o ccas i o n ally

co p i e d e g 1 . .

( ) aR i ch a r d M ea r e s ( 1 68 0 ) a d o p t e d t h e B r es

c i a n m o d el a n d m a d e e x ce ll en t vi o l i n s o n t h e
,

lin es o f Maggin i Th i s old m a ker p r o b a bly.

m a d e th e fir s t En glis h V i ol on cello .

( )
B B a r a k N o r m a n ( 1 6 8 3
— 1 7 44 ) orn a m e n t e d
hi s in s tr u m en ts i n th e Mag gi n i s t yl e an d u s e d ,
1 0 B RI T I S H VIOL IN MAK ERS
l a b els whi ch are n o d ou b t in c on s ci o us i mi ta t i on
of th os e us ed by D el Ges u .

(7 ) A n u n d o u b t e dly g e n u i n e v i o l i n by Ch r i s t o

p h e r W i s e ( 5 )
1 6 6 i s o n t h e M a g g i n i m o d e l .

3
( ) P e t er W
> a m s l e y ( 7 5 5 )
1 1 1-
i s a dm i t t e d
by m os t e xp er t s t o h a ve m a d e s ever al copi es “

o f S tr a d i var i an d t o h a ve f o ll o we d th a t ma es tro
,

c l os ely e x c ep t i n t h e m a t t er o f gr ad u a t i n g t h e

t h i c kn es s es . H e s p oi lt hi s w or k i n a t t e m p tin g
t o p r o d u c e th e I t a l i a n t on e by o ve r t h in n i n g th e -

pl a t e s .

()
6 C u t h b e r t A n a dm i t t e dl y g e n u i n e

e x a m p l e o f t h i s m a k er i s o n t h e Ma gg i n i m o d e l .

Ma tt h e w H a r d i e m a d e m a n y vi ol in s o n th e
S tr a d i v ar i m o d e l t o w a r d s t h e en d o f th e
e i gh t een th c en tu r y a n d th a t a t a t i me wh en th e
,

Am a t i m o d el wa s th e vogu e .

( 3) T h e r e i s f u r t h e r t h e f a c t t h a t s e v er a l e m i n e n t
I t al i an vi r tuos i vi s i te d t hi s co un t r y fr o m ti m e t o
time . Th e p er f o r m an ces o f th es e m u s t o n e wo uld ,

na t ur a lly t h i n k h ave d r a wn a t t en t i on to th eir

,

i n s tr u m en t s .

( )
a F r a n ce s c o G e m i n i a n i c a m e t o E n g l a n d
b et we en 1 7 0 9 1 4 a n d me t wi th a g r ea t s u c c es s
—
, .

H ere h e r e m a i n e d an d p u bl i s h e d h i s w o r k s ,

m a kin g a few t o ur s on th e Con t in en t a n d a g a in

t
re u rn in g .

6
( ) V e r a c i n i c a m e t o L o n d on i n 1 7 4
1 a n d le d ,

th e I t a li a n Op er a B a n d th e r e .

(7 ) G a e t an o P u g n a n i ( 7 7
1 2 — 1 8 0 3 ) vi s i t e d L o n

d on m or e t h an on ce a n d s t a y e d th er e on on e o f
,

th es e vi s i ts for n ea r ly t wo y e ar s .
 THE O LD SC H O O L 1 1

8
( ) Gi a r d in i ca me t o Lo n d on in 1 7 44 an d

re m ain ed th e r e fo r tw o yea rs .

(4) S o me w h e r e a bout 1 6 8 6 th e b an k er Mi ch ele

Mo n z i O f Ven i ce
, ,
s en t a s et lin s of S tr a di va ri vi o ,

a l t os , a n d vi o l o n ce ll o s a s a p r es en t t o K i n g J a m es
,

o f En gl a n d I n t h is c on n e cti on i t ma y b e r em em
b e r e d th a t a cco r di n g t o S an d y s a n d F ors ter a con
, ,

S i n me n t O f n e w S tra d i n s tr u m e n t s s en t t o t hi s
g
co u n t r y o n a p p r o v a l co u ld n o t b e d i s p os e d O f a t s i x

p o u n d s a p i e c e

Th u s th er e is n o t a s h a d o w O f d o ub t th a t I ta l i a n
m o d els wer e kn o wn i n th i s co un tr y e ar ly in th e ,

e i g h t e en t h c e n t u r y a n d th e r e i s n o t a s h a d o w O f
,

d o ub t t h a t th e b es t m o d els wer e d e li b era t ely s et

a s i d e i n f a v o u r O f a n i n f e r i or ty p e .

B — TH E M AT E R I AL

Th e woo d us e d by o u r Old ma k er s i s for th e mos t

p a r t m ap le an d p i n e Of
d o x ki n d b u t
th e o r th o ,

v a r i o u s o th e r w o o d s We r e o cca s i o n a lly u s e d e i th er ,

by wa y o f e xp eri m en t o r b e ca u s e th er e wa s a s car ci t y
,

Of t h e r i gh t s or t B e n j a m i n B a n ks u s e d p l ai n
.

En gli s h s yca mor e fo r th e b a ck o f s o me O f h i s vi ol in s ,

an d r e d p i n e fo r t h e fr o n t t a bl e s O f a fe w o f h i s

V i ol a s . Old Fo rs ter us e d comm on d ea l fo r th e

”

t a bl e o f ma n y o f h i s s e co n d Cl a s s i n s tr u m en t s -
.

Ri ch ar d D u k e a n d D a ni el Pa r k er w er e u s u a lly ver y “

p ar t i c ul a r a b o u t t h e i r w o o d a n d t h e l a tt er,r a n k s

wi th th e m os t car e f ul Of o ur n a tive m a ker s in th i s

r es p e c t Wo uld th at we h ad m an y m or e ex a mp les
.

Of h i s ar t l e f t u s Du k e s m a pl e i s m o s tly p l ai n
- ’

b u t i s in v a r i a bly g o o d a cous t i c a ll y Mat th ew .

12 B RI T I SH VI OLIN M AKER S
H a r di e us e d
yt h in g th a t ca m e t o h an d for hi s
an

s e co n d cl as s i n s tr u me n t s
-
th o ugh h e g en er a lly u s e d
,

e x c ell en t w o o d fo r hi s S tr a di va ri c op i es A Lon g .

S tr a d C op y O f h i s m a k e n o w i n th e p o s s es s i o n o f

th e Mes s r s Hi ll i s m a d e o f v er y fin e w oo d
. E dwar d .

Wi t h er s th e eld er wh o s e i n s tr um en ts a r e ri s in g in
, ,

va l u e wa s v e r y c a r e f u l i n t h e s el e c t i o n o f h i s m a t eri a l
, .

The w o o d i n i n s t r umen t s b ear i n g th e l a b el o f J oh n

B e tt s i s u s u a lly g o o d b ut m o s tly p l a in
,
T o b in on e
.
,

o f t h e v er y b e s t O f o u r B r i ti s h ma k er s was v er y ,

p ar t i c ul ar a b o u t hi s w oo d wh en cir cum s t an ces

allo w e d h i m t h e fr e e e x er c i s e o f h i s wi ll but h e ,

o f t en w a s o bl i g e d t o u s e i n d i ffe ren t m a t er i a l Th es e .

are i s ol a t e d e x a m p l e s a n d th e d e p ar tur es fr o m t h e
,

tr a di ti on a l r ul e ar e n ei th er n um ero u s n or i m p or t an t .

On e th i n g t o b e n o t e d i n p ar t i cu l ar a b o ut th e p in e
u s e d i s t h a t i t s h o ws a g en er a l p r e fe r en ce on th e p a r t
“
o f t h e m a k e r s for w oo d wi th a m e d i u m r e ed or ,

gr ai n Ver y Cl os e or ver y wi d e gr a in e d w o o d s e ems

.

t o h a v e b e en s ys t em a t i cally a voi d e d S o m e o f th e
.

b es t e xa m p l es Of Old For s ter a r e a n e xcep t i on to

th e r ule b u t m a n y O f t h es e h a v e co mm on E n gl i s h
,

d eal an d n o t S wi s s pin e
, .

T H E VAR N I S H
C -

Th e v arn i s h i s e x c ell en t a s r eg a r d s el as ti ci t y a n d
a d h es i ven e s s Th e o il va r n i s h o f o ur old m a kers
.

will pr o b a bly w e ar b e t ter t h an th a t Of even th e

gr e a t Cl as s i ca l m a k er s t h em s elves I h a ve s een .

m an y a b a t ter e d Old Duk e an d For s t er wi th th e ,

“
v arn i s h s till pl en t i ful an d d efi an t Of b ut fe w
”
.

I talia n in s tr u m en t s can thi s b e s ai d th e ma j ori t y

 TH E O LD SCH O OL 1 3

of th e b e s t m a r e quit e b ar e No t h in g s h ort
of th e .

Of a s er i o u s a cci d en t wi ll d a m a g e t h e E n gli s h
v a rn i s h I h a ve s ee n a D o dd s Ce ll o v a rn i s h e d wi th
’ ’
.

ori gi n a l Cr emon a v a r n i s h
“
i

th e c el ebr a t ed whi ch ,
”

h a d a h o l e kn o ck e d i n o n e o f th e b o u t s an d th e ,

var ni s h ar o un d th e s cr agg y edges h a d p ar t ed

Cl e an . Th er e wa s n o t a s us p i ci on of Chip
o r t r a n s vers a l cr a c ks I n t h i s r es p e c t th e varn i s h
.

O f o u r Old m a k er s con tr a s t s f a vo u r a bly wi th s o m e

o f th e b es t va r n i s h es o n t h e m a r k e t t o d a O n e —
y .

dr awb a ck e g o f Whi tel a w s varn i s h i s t h a t i t i s

, . .
,
’

bri ttl e and th a t i t Chi p s in a m os t pr o vokin g m an n er

,

I n o t h er r es p e cts t h e m o d ern v a rn i s h i s far s u p eri or

t o th e Old Th e v a rn i s h o f m os t of o ur old m a k ers
.

l acks col o ur an d brilli a n cy : t h a t i s th e r ul e b ut ,

t h ere a r e n o t abl e e x cep ti on s .

Col o ur a n d t r a n s p a r en cy h oweve r a re n ot s o
, ,

i mp or t an t a s e l a s ti ci t y a n d ad h e s i ven es s I n it s .

b ea r i n g up on ton e el as t ici t y i s p erh a ps th e m os t

,

i m p o rt a n t o f a ll th e kn own q u al i ti es o f varn i s h .

I s ay kn o wn b e ca u s e i t i s high ly p ro b a ble th at
,

th e varn i s h h a s a s u b t l e i n fl uen ce up o n t h e c ol o ur
O f th e t o n e th e n a tu r e o f wh i ch i s n o t yet p r eci s e ly
,

u n d e r s t oo d Lo n g e xp e ri en ce a n d i n n u m er a bl e e x
.

p e r i m en t s c o m p e l m e t o t h in k w i t h t h e M es s r s .

Hill ( vi d e th ei r L i fe of S tr di va r i ) th a t va rn i s h a

p l a y s a m u c h m o r e i m p o r t an t p a r t i n t h e e v o l ut i on

o f t on e n u a n ce th an i s u s u a lly a dm i t t e d .

It i s r em a r k a bl e t h a t S O few a u th en ti c r e ci p e s o f
Old va r n i s h es h a ve b e en h an d e d d o wn t o u s Th i s .

i s a fa ct wh i ch m il i ta t es a g a i n s t th e o p i n i on th a t th e
n a t u r e O f th e i n g re d i en t s a n d th e m e th o d O f m a ki n
g
1 4 B RI T I SH VI OL IN MAK E R S

th e m in to a v a rn i s h w er e r e g ar de d as a tr a d e or p ro;

fes s i o n a l s e cr e t . wer e gen er ally con fid e d

S e cr e t s
to bl a ck an d wh i t e p a r a d o xi c al a s i t migh t s eem
,
”
.

Th e s e cr e t o f m an y a l o n g l o s t ar t con s i s ts i n t h e - .

fa ct th at at th e ti m e i t wa s p r a ctis e d it was n o s ecr e t

a t all . I f th e ar t o f e mb a lm in g h a d b een r eg a r d ed
a s a mys t er y kn o wn o n ly t o a s m a ll i n n er c i r cl e o f
,

h i ero p h a n t s i n a n ci en t Egyp t we s h o uld p r o b a bly

kn o w m or e th an we d o a b o u t i t to d a y A t on e time
,

e veryb o dy i n t h e l a n d O f t h e P h a r a o h s k n e w h o w th e
,

m igh t y Ch eo p s wa s b ui lt a n d h o w th e s ton es w er e ,

qu a r ri e d a n d co n ve ye d a n d th e fa ct th a t ever yb o dy
,

kn ew th en i s o n e Of th e r ea s on s wh y n o b o dy kn ows
t o d ay
-
.Th e m a s t er s Of p a i n t i n g h a d n o d ar k en e d
Ch a mb er s wh er e i n t h e y g r o u n d t h e ir p i g m e n t s a n d

m i x e d th eir o ils : i t wo uld b e b e t ter for m o dern

ar t i s t s i f t h e y h a d On th e o th er h an d m a k e a
.
,

mys ter y o f a n ar t an d yo u th er e by s e cur e for i t a

,

n i ch e i n o n e o f t h e s a f e s t r ec es s es o f Wa l h a ll a Th e .

a r t o f th e ma g i cI a n I n th e d a y s o f A a r on was a

s e cr e t b ut th e pun d i ts o f I n d i a p r a ct i s e i t t o d a y
,
-
.

Ar ch im ed es e n s h ro u d e d wi th a veil o f mys tery t h e

di s cover y o f th e p r in cip l e wh i ch i s n a m e d a ft er hi m ,

an d ,
th an ks t o t h e f a c t th e wor ld h a s n o t h a d t o,

r e di s cov er th e la w Of s p e ci fi c gr a vi t y
— .

In n um er a bl e i n s t a n ces mi gh t b e quo t e d i n s up
p ort o f my con t en t i on but s uffi ci en t h as b een s ai d ,

t o illu s t r a t e th e p oin t Th e i n fer en ce i s this : t h e

.

varn i s h o f S t r a d ivari Gu ar n en an d Oth er Cr em on es e

, , ,

wa s n o p r o fes s i on a l s e cr e t i f i t h a d b e en s u ch we
s h o u ld b e f a m il i ar wi t h i t s co m po s i ti on t o d a y -
.

D o dd gu a r d ed t h e s ecr e t Of hi s mi x tur e wit h a

1 6 B R I T I S H V I O L IN MA KE R S
j u s t l y be d es cri b e d a s be a ut i fu lly fin i s h ed an d
“
gr a ce f ul b ut s ol i di ty i s a w or d t h a t g en er a lly
,
”

a p p l i e s t o a ll A t yp i ca l m a k er 1 5 D an i el Pa r ker
. .

H e r e we h a ve p l en ty o f t i mb er ca r e f ul wo r km a n s hi p
,

o n t h e wh o l e w i t h s o ,me tim es an a b s en ce o f reg a r d for

fin es s e a n d s o m eth in g whi ch i mp r es s es on e wi t h a
,

s en s e o f u n c o n c er n e d s elf r el i a n c e a n d fr e e d o m
-
If .

t h ere i s n o evi d en ce O f l a b or i o us fin i s h t h er e i s ,

cer t ai n ly n o t h i n g e v en r e m ot e ly conn e c t e d wi t h th e

v ulg ar or g r ot e s q u e .

Ma n y of d r a t e a n d i n f e r i o r i n s t r u m en t s
o u r s e c on -

wer e p r o b a bly b ui l t wi th o u t a m o uld S O wer e a .

l ar g e n u mb er O f t h e I t ali an on es ; b ut t h er e i s
g en er a lly t h i s d i fferen ce i n th e r es ul t : th e l a tt er
a r e O f t en cr u d e a n d s a dly o u t o f l i n e th e fo r m er a t ,

th e w o r s t a re o n ly a l i t t l e r o u gh a n d qu a i n t l oo k in g
, .

Ou r a ver a g e B r i t i s h l ut h i er ma y n ot b e h i gh ly
a r t i s t i c b u t h e i s c er t a i n ly n ev er t r u ly b a r b a r o u s
,
.

Gen er a lly s p e a k in g th e p a r t o f th e wo r k whi ch

,

i s m o s t fr e qu en t ly d e s er vi n g o f c en s ur e i s t h e s cro ll .

Old B r i ti s h s cr o ll s n o t i n fr e q u en t ly s h o w s o m e
s t r en g th a n d d e ci s i on O f ch a r a ct er b ut th e cur ves
,

a r e i n cl i n e d t o b e s t i ff a n d t h e h e a d s a t r i fl e fl a t
,
.

Th e t h r o a t o f th e s cr oll i s u s u a lly s o m ewh a t t h i ck ,

a n d t h e h e a d i n co n s e q u e n ce a p p e ar s d i m i n ut i ve .

Alm o s t i n va ri a bly th e b a ck o f t h e p eg bo x d i m i n -

i s h es r a p i dly ri gh t a wa y fr o m t h e s co ll op d o wn to
t h e fir s t tur n wh er e th e v ol ut e b egi n s
,
Thi s i s s o
.

p e r s i s t e n t a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f Old E n g li s h s cr o ll s

th a t a n e xp ert co uld p i ck on e o u t fr o m a m on g a
d o z en o t h er s wi th h is ey es s h ut I n all It ali an .

fid d les o f t h e fir s t w a t er th e wi d t h o f th e b a ck o f
,
 TH E O LD SC H O OL
“

1 7

t h e p eg box i in i s h es
-
dm al m os t i mp er cep t i bly un til
i t r e a ch es t h e t h r o a t ,
wh e r e d i m i n i s h es m u c h
it
m or e r a p i dl y th i s a rr an gemen t o f lin es a n d cur ves
gi v es t h e w h o l e s cr o ll a fe elin g o f ma j es t y co mbin e d
with s imp li ci ty a fe elin g wh olly l a c ki n g i n a ll bu t
—

th e ve r y b e s t o f o u r Old E n g li s h fid dle s .

Ri ch a r d To b i n w a s th e b e s t s cr o ll c a r ver th a t
B ri tain h a s e ver p r o d u ce d I d o n o t h es i t a t e t o s a y
.

th a t h is fin er s cr o ll s vi e wi t h th e b es t wor k Of S tr a
d i va ri I t i s a s i n a n d a s h am e t h a t th e p o or ma n
.

h a s b ee n r o bb e d o f h i s d u e by a n u n s cr u p u l o u s
p o s t e r i t y .T h e h e a d s h a v e b e e n r e m o v e d f r o m
m an y Of h is bes t vi olin s a n d gra fte d ( I m or e th an
,

s u s p e ct ) o n t h e b o d i e s o f n o n d e s c r i p t s whi ch h a v e ,

p e r h a p s
, s o ld a g a i n a n d a g a i n a s I t a l i a n s .
”

Cu r i o u s ly en ou gh B en j a m i n B an ks o ur E n gli s h
, ,

Am a ti h a s l e ft s om e s cro lls whi ch a r e r a th er

,
”

feebl e in d es i gn a n d e xe cu ti on .

Th e i n t er i o r o f o u r Old i n s tr u m en t s i s o ft en r o ugh
a n d u n fin i s h e d th e m a r ks Of t h e Ch i s el a n d g o u g e
,

b e in g d is cern ibl e ; es p eci ally i s th i s th e cas e wi th

t h e e n d bl ock s wh i ch a r e r o u nd e d O ff i n a m o r e o r
,

l es s h a p h a z ar d fa s h i on wi th th e ch is el I n th e .

l a rger i n s t r umen t s th e bl ocks a r e o ften s h a p ed by a

fe w a p p li c a ti on s o f t h e t o o l I d o n ot thi n k o ur
.

o ld m a k er s t r o ubl e d m u ch a b o u t g l a s s p a p er a n d -

i ts u s e s e i t h er i n th e fi n i s h i n g o f t h e i n t eri or o r
,

e x t e r i or . Th ey h an dl e d th eir s cr a p er very n a ttily ,

a n d w er e c on t en t wi t h th e r es u l t No r wer e th ey a t
.

all t i m es p a r ti c ul a r a b o ut m a t ch i n g t h ei r w o o d I .

h a ve s e en fin e e x a m p l es o f D u k e a n d F or s ter wi t h
an od d r i b cut t h e wr on g wa y o f t h e gr a i n t o m at ch
,
1 8 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAKER S
th e ot h er b s I h ave als o s een a B an ks vi o l a wi t h
ri

r i b s cu t fr o m th r e e d i ffe r e n t p i e ce s O f t i mb er v a r yi n g

i n wi d t h O f c u r l I t i s a c o mm on o ccu rr en ce t o
.

m eet wi t h a fiddl e with t h e h ea d cut fr o m a d i ffer

en t ly fi gur e d m a p l e f r o m t h a t o f t h e b a c k an d r i bs .

Th er e i s o n e p o in t m o r e i n th e g en er a l Ch a r a ct er
of t h e w or km a n s h i p w h i ch c all s for r em ar k an d ,

th a t i s t h e a b s en ce o f p u r fl i n g i n a l a r g e n u mb er o f
i n s t r u m en t s o f t h e p o o r er cl a s s a n d i n n o t a few o f ,

t h o s e o f t h e b ett er Cl as s .

I n k l i n es a s a s u b s t i tu t e a r e b ut an e y e s o r e a n d
-

a s h a m a n d a r e f u r t h e r t o b e d ep r e c a t e d a s a ffo r d i n g
,

n o p ro t e ct i o n t o t h e e xp o s e d e d g es .

E T H E T ON E
.
—

An e x t r a or d i n a r y t hi n g a b o ut t h e t one Of o ur
Old vi o lin s a n d on e whi ch h a s a p p ar en tly es ca p e d
, , ,

t h e a t t e n ti o n O f a ll c o n n o i s s eu r s i s t h a t i t i s v er y ,

d iffere n t fr o m th e t on e o f S t a in er s vi oli ns wh i ch ’

o u r l u t h i e r s c o p i e d s o s l a vi s h ly for th r e a qu a r t er s

o f a c n tu r y O u r a r t i s ts f oll o w e d t h e c o n t o u r
e .

a n d a r ch i n g o f S t a i n e r b u t t h e y g a ve u s a to n e
,

a p p r o xi m a t i n g t o t h a t o f t h e Am a t i s Th e b e s t .

d e s cr i p t i o n o f t h e S t a i n er t o n e t h a t I h a ve r e a d i s
th a t gi v en by th e R e v H R H a we i s wh o s a y s i t i s
. . .
,

“ “
a lo u d i i g n d u n g en t t on e A vi o
p
, e r c n a , p .

6
li n i s t h e r em a r k s i n th e or ch e s t r a co uld m a k e
” ‘
, ,

h i s S t a i n er cu t t h r o u gh all t h e fir s t fid dles a n d ,

o n c e t h e t as t e for t h a t s o r t O f t o n e was e x ci te d i t ,

wo uld b e t o th e e ar wh a t cu rr y o r vin eg ar or , ,

q ui n i n e b it t e r or a bs in t h e i s t o t h e p al at e Th e
,
.

S t a in er t o n e i s a s or t of d r as t i c s tin gi n g st i m ula n t; ,
 TH E O LD SC H O OL
‘

1 9

t o th e e ar , lm os t
a ani n t o xi ca t i o n ; an d t h e e ar

th at h as o n c e b ee n c a u g h t by i t cr a v e s fo r i t , an d

misses it e v en l o u d r i ch n e s s
in t h e of J os e p h , th e
e xqu is i te v e l ve t y t i mb r e o f Ama t i ,
or th e s up e r b
g b ri g h tn es s o f t h e gr e a t An ton i o
ri n g i n ( O ld .
”

Vi o li n s p ,
Th a t d es cr i p ti on as a n y o n e kn o w s
.
,

wh o kn o ws a n yt h i ng a b o u t fid d le s c a n n o t b e a p p li e d ,

t o t h e t on e of an y En g li s h i n s t r u me n t Of th e Old

s ch oo l .
'

T h e re wer e h un d r e d s Of S t a i n er cop i e s

p ro d u c e d i n t h i s co u n t r y i n t h e e i g h t e e n th c en t u r y ,

s o m e O f t h e m v e r y e x a ct i n th e ma tt e r s O f o u t l i n e ,

a r ch in g th i c kn es s i n g e t c b u t I h a ve n e v er c o m e
, ,
.
,

a cr o s s a s i n g l e i n s t r u me n t o f th a t p e r i o d t h e t o n e o f

whi ch c o ul d b e s a id t o h a v e t h e s li g h t e s t r es e m
bl an ce t o th e t o n e o f S t a in er Th e t on e o f Old .

E n g li s h fid dles i s neith er l o u d n or pi er ci n g : i t is
r a t h er s ma ll b u t b r i g h t s i l ve r y a n d r es p on s i ve
, , ,
.

I d o n o t a t a ll kn o w h o w t o a cco u n t for thi s r a th er

r e m a r k a bl e f a c t b u t I w o u ld p o i n t o u t th a t i t h a s
,

i ts m o d ern c o un t e r p a r t Ma n y ma k er s wh o h a ve
.

c o p i e d S t r a d i va r i a n d Gu a r n e r i m o r e r e c e n tly h a v e

g i v e n u s a s u ffi c i e n t ly p I erCI n g p u n g e n t S t a i n er
, l i k e ,
-

t on e !
I full y a g r ee wi th th o s e wr i t er s wh o a v er t h a t t h e
q ual it i es O f o ur old i n s tr umen ts h a v e b e e n m u c h
un d er ra t e d
-
Th e ve r y b es t w or k o f B a n ks For s t e r
.
, ,

D u k e P a r k e r a n d a fe w o t h e r s r i v a l s a ll b u t th e
, , ,

v er y b es t I t a l i an w o r k a n d I s u bm i t t h a t i n t h i s
,

s u p r e m ely i mp o rt a n t m a t t e r o f t o n e p r o d u c ti on o u r ,

o ld m a k e r s t a k e r a n k n e xt t o t h e I t al i a n s Th er e .

a r e o n e o r t wo Old Fr e n ch ma k er s wh o ma y b e

s u p e r i or to our b es t ar t i s t s b ut o n ly on e or t wo ,
20 B R I T I S H VI OLIN MA KERS
th e r an k an d file Fre n ch l uth i er s ar e n o t fi t t o
of

h o ld a r u s hli g h t t o o ur Old m a k er s . S t a i n er i s,

o f co urs e h e a d a n d s h o uld er s a b o ve u s b ut o n e
, ,

man d oes n ot c on s ti t u t e a s ch o ol .

Th e t o n e o f o ur old fid dles i s n ot p o w er f ul a n d ,

i t ma y n o t fill o u r l a r g e m o d e rn m u s i c h all s b ut i t
,

c a r r i es w e ll a n d o u g h t t o wi n
, ,
wh er e i t f a il s t o
co n qu er ,by it s puri t y a n d s we e tn es s .
 II .
-
TH E M OD ERN SC H OOL
A — . TH E R EV I VAL OF V I OL I N -M AK I NG
T h as been s a i d th a t t h e a rt an d cr a ft o f vi o lin
ma k in g i s d e a d in B r i t a i n s i n ce a b ou t th e m i ddl e
o f t h e n i n et e e n t h c e n t u r y bu t t h e fa ct i s t h at i t
,

n e v e r w a s m o r e a l i ve t h a n i t i s a t t h e p r e s e n t d a y .

Th er e a r e fift y t o s i xt y p r o fes s i o n a l l ut hi ers n o w

li v1 n g a n d w o r ki n g a n d a t l e as t t en t i mes t h a t
,

n u mb er o f a m a t e u r a n d o cc a s i o n a l m a k er s Thi s .

n u mb er i s e x cl u s i v e O f de a l ers i n f a ct o r y fid d les ,

for eign mak er s livi n g i n th i s co u n tr y an d firm s wh o ,

e mp l o y mere ly r e p a i r er s S i n ce a b o u t th e y e a r
.

1 85 0 th e B r i t i s h S ch ool o f Vi o li n m a ki n g ma y -

t r u l y b e s a i d t o h a ve a c c o m p l i s h e d t h e m o s t c o m p l e t e
o f i t s a va tara or i n ca r n a ti on s :
, i t h a s b e en b orn
ag a in — bo rn I veri ly b eli ev e to a h igh er a n d full er
, ,

man i fe s t a t i on O f li fe We h a ve n o w wor ki n g .

a mo n g s t u s At k i n s o n B y r o m Ch a n n o n Ch a n o t
, , , ,

D a r b e y Gi lb ert H es k e th K ee n an O w en R i ch ar d
, , , , ,

s on , With er s e t c m u ch o f wh os e wor k will I

, ,

v en t ur e t o t h i n k b e highly es t e em e d a c e n t ur y
,

h en c e . S o m e o f t h es e h a ve s tr u c k o ut a p a t h fo r
t h em s el ve s an d, t h e B r i t i s h s ch o o l p r o m i s e s t o
j us ti fy i ts cl ai ms to th e hig h es t h on o ur s for th e
p r o d u c t i o n o f fir s t c l a s s i n s
-
t r u m e n t s Ma t e r i a l var
.
,

n i s h wo r kman s hi d t n l t h w k f
, p a n o ,
e p a c e e o r o o u r

bes t ar ti s ts in th e fr on t r an k .

21
22 B R I T I S H VI OLIN MAK ERS
Th e r en e w d e i n t er e s t i n t h e
li n m a kin g a r t o f vi o -

i s d u e in p a r t t o t h e g en er a l a cti vi t y i n t h e wor ld o f
a r t a n d l e tt e rs o f t h e l a s t t h r e e d e c a d es o f th e

Vi ct ori an er a S uch w or k s a s Vi oli n M a ki n g a s i t

.
,

Wa s a n d I s ( Her on All en ) The Vi oli n I ts F a mou s

-
,

M a kers a n d thei r I mi ta tors ( H a r t) Old Vi oli n s a n d ,

thei r M a kers ( Fl e m i n g ) Old Vi oli n s ( H a wei s ) A n , ,

ton i o S tra d i va r i ( H i ll ) ,
an d o th er g o o d b o o ks ,
h a ve
al s o m a t eri a lly h el p e d t o fo s t er th e l o ve of th e
Kin g of i n s tr u m e n t s Gr e a t er th a n a ll b e en
”
. h as
th e i m p e tu s g i v e n t o t h e s tu dy of t h e vi o in l by t h e
b ewi t ch in g ch a r m Of t h e p l a yin g o f s u ch vi r tu os i a s
J o a chi m S ar a s a t e Y s a y e Wilh elmj Wi en i a ws ki
, , , , ,

D un n L a dy H a ll é K u b el i k K r i es ler a n d o th er s
, , , , .

B — . C H A RA C TE R I ST I C S O F M O D E R N WORK
A ND M ATE R I AL

Th e li en t feat ur es o f m o d ern wor k d em an d

sa

Clo s e a t t e n ti o n Th e m o d els m os tly a d o pt e d a re

.

th os e o f S t r a diva r i a n d Gu arn eri I t i s r a t h er .

c u ri o us t h a t E n gl i s h I r is h a n d Wel s h m a k er s , ,

h a v e a d eci d e d p r e f er en c e fo r th e S t r a d m o d el ,

wh ereas S cott i s h m a ker s s e e m t o pr e fer th e J o s ep h ,

m od el Ma ggin i Gas p a r o d a S al o Am a t i B er
.
, , ,

g onz i a n d Ga gli an o ar e al s o c o p i e d b ut n o t s o often

, ,

n or , I t hi n k s o c ar e fully
,
.

At k in s on Ch an n on Gilb er t a n d o n e or t wo
, , ,

o th er s a m on g p ro f e s s i o n a l m a k ers m os tly wor k on ,

mod el s o f th eir own Th e l a t e Wal ter H Ma ys on . .

,

o f Man ch e s t e r wh o m a d e o ve r e i gh t h u n d r ed i n s tr u
,

m en t s al s o m a d e n ear ly all h i s vi oli n s on a m o d el

,

wh ich was d eci d edly o ri gi nal Th e woo d us ed by .

 24 B RI T IS H VI OLIN MAKERS
My r ea d ers will re m ember th a t m os t Con t in en t al
a ut h ori t i es a gr ee wi t h me on t hi s p oin t Augus t .

Ri ech ers in The Vi oli n a n d i ts Con s tru cti on ( p 1 1 ) .

s a ys
°

Th e a g e o f th e woo d I c o n s i d er o f o n ly
v er y s m a ll i m p o r t a n ce i f i t h a s b een lyi n g by fo r
five y e a rs re a dy cu t or s pli t a s th e c a s e may be
, , ,

fo r t h e con s t r u ct i o n o f a vi ol in i t wi ll th en b e s uffi
,

c i en t ly d r y a n d wi ll n e e d n o f u rt h er p r ep ar a t i on
, .

I h a v e e x a ct ly a s cer t a in e d t h e w ei gh t of woo d whi ch

h a d b e en l a i d by for d r yi n g for five y e a r s a n d th e n , ,

h a vi n g w ei gh e d i t a g a i n a t th e en d o f t w en t y y e a r s ,

h a ve fo un d i t h a d n o t b eco m e p er c e p t i bly li gh t e r
”
.

I h av e n o t com e a cr o s s o n e I t a li an Fren ch o r , ,

Germ a n wr i t er o n th e s u bj ect wh o a d voc a t es th e

u s e o f very o ld w o o d Th is co un t r y h a s on e a d vo
.

c a t e o f o ld w o o d Mr W C H on e ym a n th e a u th or
,
. . .
,

O f s e ver a l p p
o u l a r w o r k s o n t h e vi o l i n Ma n y .

S cot t i s h m a k er s a r e c on ver t s t o hi s t e a chi n g a n d ,

u s e n o thi n g b u t th e o ld es t t i mb er th e y ca n la y t h ei r

h an d s o n I h a ve h a d fid dles d o wn fr o m S cotl a n d
.

for i n s p ec t i on fr o m t i m e t o ti m e whi ch wer e s ai d t o

be m a d e fr o m wo o d whi ch h a d b e en ou t two or th r e e
h u n d re d y e a r s a g o I ca n we ll b el i eve s o m e o f
.

th e m w er e m a d e fr o m wo o d wh i ch h ad be en ou t
t wi ce a s l on g a go for t h e y s e em e d a s b ri ttl e a s a
,

m ummy a n d r e a dy to cr u mbl e a t th e s li gh t es t
,

t o uch On e tr e mbl e d t o d r a w th e b o w a cr o s s th e
.

s t ri n g s l e s t t h e fiddl e s h o u ld vi b r a t e i n t o d u s t .

An d j u s t a w or d wi th r e g ar d t o s e a s on i n g ti mbe r .

I t i s m u ch m or e d iffi cul t n o w a d a ys t o o b t a i n a
blo c k o f o ld n a tur a lly s e a s on e d woo d th an I S u s u a lly
i m a gi n e d I t i s u s u al to l oo k for s u ch i n o ld b uild
.
 THE M O DERN SC H OOL 25

i n gs ,
Old furn it ur e et c b ut i t i s n o t alwa ys b orn e
, .
,

i n m i n d th a t th e m e th o d a lm o s t u n i ver s a lly a d o p t ed
t o s e a s o n ti mb er i n d a y s g on e b y wa s t h at o f s u b
m er s i on un d er wa ter for a n e xten d e d p er i od foll owe d ,

by e xp os ur e to d ry a ir for a S imi l ar o r l on ger p eri o d .

Th e n e w l y s a wn p l a n ks w er e s un k i n d e ep w a t er fo r
-

t wo y ea r s o r th er e a b o u ts a n d af t er wa r d s s t o w e d
,

a w a y i n o p en s h e d s .

My fa th er ( a P emb r o k es h i r e y e om an ) wh o h a d ,

p a i d a g r ea t d e a l o f a tt en t i on t o b o t h t h e t h e o r y
a n d p r a c ti c e O f t i mb e r s e as on i n g a lw a y s t r e a t e d
,

h i s o a k a s h b e e ch elm an d s y ca m ore i n th i s wa y
, , , , ,

a n d h e ld th a t t h a t me th o d h a d b een i n v o g u e i n

t h i s c o u n t r y fr o m t h e d a y s o f t h e R o m a n s Th e .

ti mb er u s ed i n o u r ca t h e dr a l s a n d a n ci en t ch ur ch es
wa s a ll s e a s o n e d i n thi s m an n er h e m a i n t a in e d
, .

He e xp l ai n e d t h a t t h e s u bm ers i on c a u s e d th e p er
m an en t tis s u e o f th e wo o d t o p a ck o n a cco un t o f ,
”

t h e d i s te n s i o n whi ch t oo k p l a ce i n t h e c ell s o f t h e
m eri s tem a n d th a t th e a cti ve c e lls th ems elves w er e
,

m a de mor e Sus cep ti bl e to d es s i cati on Th us th er e .

wa s s e c ur e d a mi n i m u m o f m e ri s t e m a n d a m a xi m um
o f d en s i t y i n t h e p er m a n en t t i s s u e H e s ai d th e
.

p er m a n e n t t i s s u e s w e r e t o b e r e g a r d e d a s t h e b o n e s

o f th e t i mb e r a n d t h e m eri s t e m t h e fl es h
, Th e .

b on es would l a s t b ut th e fl es h b egan to d e ca y fr om
,

th e m o m en t t h e t ree wa s c u t a n d th e i mp ort an t,

thi n g i n s e as on i n g ti mbe r was t o o ver r ule or r e t a r d -

th e p r o c es s o f d ec a y a s l on g a s p os s i bl e .

Wh en vi olin m a k ers talk a b ou t Old n atur a lly ,

s e a s o n e d w oo d t h e q u es ti o n i s Wh at d o th ey m ean
by n atur ally i n th a t con n ecti on I s th e p r o ce s s
26 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ER S
d es cri b e d a b ov e a n a tur al pr o ces s I f n ot th en ,

wh a t i s th e n a tur a l p ro ces s ? ”

I h a v e s ear ch ed p a t i en t ly a n d l on g for wh a t I
Co uld accep t wi th a d e gr e e o f con fid en c e a s hi s t o ri cal

e vi d en c e o f th e ex act m eth o d a d opt e d by Old

It a li an vi oli n m a k er s in s eas on in g t h eir wo od b ut I ,

h a ve s e ar ch e d in vai n Mo d ern wri t er s s a y t h a t

.

S t r a di va ri e g wa s w on t t o d ry h i s t i mb er i n a
,
. .
,

kin d o f l oft or Op en a tti c h a vin g firs t cut i t up fr o m

,

th e t r un k or b alk i n t o bl o c k s o f s ui ta bl e di m en s i on s .

I s h ould m u ch li k e t o kn o w w h er e th ey g et t h ei r
i n form a t i on fr om I t i s s o ea s y t o s up pos e th i s o r
.

th a t b ut wh a t we w a n t i s p l a i n e x a c t hi s tor i ca l
, ,

evi d en ce .

Th e w or km a n s h ip of o u r l ea di n g p r o f es s i on a l
m a k er s a n d of m an y o f our a m a t e ur s i s e x ce ll en t
, , .

Ca r e f ul a t t en ti on i s u s u a lly p ai d to e ve r y d et a i l
o f th e w o r k Thi s i s a f ea t ur e wor t h y o f co mm en d a
.

t i on as th e B ri ti s h h a ve i n th e p a s t b een s o m ewh a t
,

i m p a t i en t o f d e t a i l E ven d e t a il s wh i ch t o th e
.

o r d in a r y o b s er ver w o uld a p p e a r a s m er e tr i fl es a r e

n o w fin i s h e d a r ti s ti c a lly An d wh a t a di ffer en c e
.

t hi s a tt en t i on t o min u ti ae m a k es to th e com pl e te d
a r t i cl e ! A n a r ti s ti ca lly fin i s h e d vi oli n i s a p o e m ,

a p a in t i n g a n d a m u s i ca l i n s tr u m en t c o mb i n e d i n
,

o n e o bj e c t .

E n gli s h m a k er s s o m ewh a t l o wer d o wn t h e r a n k

h a v e y e t s o m e t h i n g t o l e a r n i n th e m a t t e r o f i n l a y
i n g t h e p ur fli n g t h e p r o p or ti o n o f wi d th s t h e
, ,

a rr a n g e m en t o f t h e cu r ves t h e t r e a t me n t O f t h e
,

b utt on e tc a n d m an y S cotti s h m a k ers a r e op en t o

,

th e ch a r g e o f h a vi n g e x a gg e r a t e d t h e p e c ul i a r i ti e s
 TH E M O D ERN SC H OOL 27

of Del Ges u m or e es p eci a lly i n th e o u tl i n e a n d

,

s o un d h o l e s
-
I t i s p o s s i bl e th a t y o un g or i n exp e ri
.

e n ced l u th i er s d o n o t qui t e r e al i z e t h a t i t i s m u ch

m or e difficul t to m a k e a fa i th ful c op y o f J o s ep h th an
of S tr a d . Th e s o ca
-
ll ed Go th i c a r ch o f th e f o rm er
is a veri a t ble pen s a s i n orum to th e m o d ern c o p yi s t
.

A l ar g e n u mb er o f a m a t eur s p ay li t tl e a t t en t i on
t o th e p r op er l en g th o f th e s t op a n d th e m a j ori t y
,

o f t h e m o u gh t t o e x er ci s e m o r e c a re i n th e w or ki n g

o f th e n e c k A th i ck cl u m s y n ec k a t th e s h o uld er
.
,

i s a s ever e t a x on th e p a t i en ce Of th e pl a y er for i t ,

i m p e d es s h i ft in g Ma n y o th er wi s e fin e old i ns tru
.

m en t s wer e a gr e a t d e al to o b ulky a b ou t th e s h o ul
d er s b u t th ey h a v e b e en r efitt e d wi th a n ew n eck in
,

a c cor d an ce wi t h mo d er n r e qui r e m e n t s I n th e cal .

c ul a t i o n a n d wo r ki n g o u t o f f o r m a n d p r o p or ti on ,

a r t a n d cr a f t m u s t g o h a n d i n h a n d a n d c o n tr i v e t o
g i v e u s t h a t whi c h i s b o t h e l e g a n t a n d s er vi c e a bl e .

Mo d ern var n is h es Cl a i m a fe w p ar agr a p h s I .

n eed h ar dly s a y th a t cu r i o us con n oi s s e urs an d

a n xi o us lu thi er s h ave d evo t ed m uch ti m e an d
t h o ugh t t o th e f a s ci n a ti n g b u t e l u s i ve p r o bl e m o f
va rn i s h m a ki n g I n n u m er a bl e e xp eri m en t s h a ve
.

been m a d e an d m u ch m on ey s a cri fice d i n th e en de a

v o u r t o r e d i s co ve r th e I t a li an v a r n i s h
— .

Wh e th er th e tim e a n d m on e y th u s e xp en d e d h ave
b een u tilis ed wi s el y i s ver y p r obl em a ti ca l I t h a s .

b een h eld by n o t a few ch emi s ts a n d wr i t er s on th e

s u bj e c t th a t t h e b a s i s o f th e I t a l i a n va rn i s h wa s

fos s il a mb er Th e l a te Mr J am e s Whi tel a w o f

. .
,

Gl a s g ow th e l a t e D r Ge or ge Di ck s on of E d in
, .
,

b urgh Dr In gli s Cla r k o f E din b ur gh a n d m an y

, .
, ,
28 B R I T IS H VI OLIN MAKERS
Ot h ers h a ve
, be en a dvoca t es o f th e a mb er t h eo ry .

I d o n ot e x ac tly kn o w wh a t th e d a t a a r e whi ch
t h es e a u th or i ti es a dd u ce i n s up po r t o f th e i r vi e w :
t o me th er e d oes n o t a p p ea r to b e th e s m a lle s t
g r a in o f h i s t o r i ca l e vi d en ce to s up p or t th e a mb er
th e o r y .I b e li e ve I h a ve r e a d e ver y th in g th a t h as
e v er b e en wr i t t e n o n t h i s i n t er e s ti n g s u bj e ct a n d l ,

h a ve h un t ed u p old d o cumen t s a n d m ad e l a b o r i o u s
r e s e a r ch an d I a m b o u n d t o s a t h t w h t l i t t l
,
y a a e

i n fo r m a t i on I h a ve t h u s g a th er e d p o in ts a wa y fr o m
t h e a mb er h y p o t h es i s .

Th i s i s n o t a t r ea ti s e o n I t ali an Va r n i s h a n d I ,

m us t n o t a ll o w mys elf to r un a wa y a fter th a t i gn i s

fa tuu s I a m wr i ti n g o f mod ern va rn i s h Wh i l s t I
/
.

a m t h o r o ugh ly c o n vi n c e d t h a t a mb er v a rn i s h i s n o t

i d en ti c a l wi th n o r e v en d i s t a n tly r el a t e d t o I ta l i a n
, ,

v a rn i s h , it is n ot to b e i n fe r r e d th a t I a m i n s en s ibl e
to i ts ma n y g oo d qu a li ti es I th i n k i t an e x cell en t
sub s ti tut e .wo uld n o t b e d i s p o s e d to
I qu arrel
wi th th o s e wh o th in k th a t for b ri lli an cy a n d t r an s
i t i qu a l t t h e ld It al i n v a rn is h I
p a r e n c y s e o O a .

thi n k t h a t o n th e wh ol e i t i s th e b es t cov er i n g we
, ,

p os s i bly ca n a p p ly t o o ur i n s t r u m en ts t o d ay I — .

m us t m a k e i t cl ear h owever th a t by a mber va rn i s h

, ,

I m e an va rn i s h wh i ch h a s r ea l fos s il a mb er for i ts
b as is a n d n o t o leum s u cci n i s co mm on ly call ed oil
, ,

o f a mb er A n umb er o f v a rn i s h e s whi ch a r e s o ld
.

a s a mber va r n i s h t o d a y d o n ot c on t ai n t h e a c t u a l

g u m : t h e y a r e u s u al ly m a d e o f m u ch s o f t e r a n d

l es s d u r a bl e gu ms I t n e e d s a kn owl edg e Of ch e mi s
.

tr y t o s o l ve fo s s i l a mb er s u c ce s s f ully a n d es p eci ally ,

t o d evel o p th e d e ep er col o ur s .
 THE M O D ERN SC H OOL 29

Th e fo llo win g varn i s h es m os t i f n o t all of th em o n ,

th e m ar k et a r e m a d e fr o m g en uin e fo s s i l a mb er
, ,

in s ol u ti on i n o il .

( )
1 W hi t e l a w s v a rn
’
i s h T h i s h a s b.ee n o n t h e

m ar ket for m an y yea r s a n d i s n o w ver y we ll kn o wn , ,

a n d i t s e x c ell en c y g e n er all y a d mi t t e d I t i s b e a u ti
'

fully tr a n s p a r en t el as ti c a n d fi ery I t i s e a s i ly
, , .

a p p l i e d a n d d o es n o t t a k e a l on g t i me t o d r y
,
It .

h a s o n e d r a wb a ck wh en h a r d s et i t i s r a th er bri ttl e
a n d i n cl i n ed t o chi p .

( )
2 D r I n g l
. i s C l a r k s v a rn i s h
’
T h e v a r n i s h .o f W .

I n gl i s Cl a r k D S c h a d b een kn o wn t o a few e xp e r ts
, . .
,

a n d a s ma ll Ci r cl e o f fr i en d s fo r s e v er a l y e a r s b e fo r e

th e i n ve n t o r d eci d e d to p u t i t on t h e m a r k e t It .

may n ow b e o b ta in e d o f Mes s rs D un c an Fl ockh a r t .

, ,

Co m a n u fa ctu ri n g ch e m i s ts 1 0 4 1 0 8 Holyr ood

.
,
—
,

R oa d E d in b ur g h
,
I t i s m a d e i n th e fo ll o wi n g
.

co l o u r s z g old en y ell o w p al e b r o wn o r an g e b r o wn
—
, , ,

d ar k br own ora n g e r ed a n d r u by r e d I t i s tr an s
, , .

p a r e n t a n d e l a s t i c a n d p os
,
s e s s e s a d e p t h a n d r i c h
n es s o f c ol o ur q u i t e e q u a l t o th e b e s t Of t h e o ld

va r n i s h e s I t d oe s n o t cr a ck o r chi p b u t i t t a k es
.
,

a c o n s i d er a bl e ti m e t o d r y .

( )
3 A n d e rs o n s v a rn
’
i s h T h i s i s m a n.u f a c t u r e d
by Mr Wa l ter An d er s on o f 4 Kild on an Terr a ce
.
, ,

I b r o x Gl a s g o w
, With th e u s e o f th i s v ar n i s h th e
.

ma k er r e comm en d s t h a t r a w li n s ee d oil Or o th er ,

s p e ci a lly p r ep a r e d O il b e ru bb e d i n t o th e w oo d fi r s t
, ,

d a y a f t er d a y t ill t h e woo d c a n a b s or b n o m o r e
, ,

wh en th e in s tr um en t mu s t b e a llo we d to d ry
t h or o ughly a n d th e v arn i s h a p p li ed th er e a fter I t
,
.

i s m a d e i n var i ou s c ol our s b ut a s fa r a s my e xp eri , ,

30 B RI T IS H VI OLIN MAKERS
e n ce o f it g oes , it is
m or e s u cces s ful in th e ligh t er
t h a n i t i s i n t h e d a r k er S h a d e s .

(4 ) H i i m d by M H
’
a r r s v a rn s h a e , r J E ar r i s . . .
,

v i o li n m a k er 37 Nil e s tr ee t Ga t es h e a d on T yn e
, ,
- -
.

It i s m a d e I b eli e ve in all t h e u s u al Sh a d es an d i s
, , ,

s ai d t o b e o f g oo d qu a l i t y A n u mb er of m a k ers
.

h a v e u s ed i t wi t h g o o d r es u l ts .

(5 ) W a l k e r s v a r
’
n i s h M a d e by M
. r J o h n W alk e r .
,

vi o lin m a k er 8 B r o omfield s S o li h ull B i r m in gh a m

, , ,
.

It i s s o ft el as ti c a n d t ran s p aren t I h ave t ri e d

, ,
.

i t i n th e g old en ora n g e c ol ou r whi ch was ver y ,

b ea uti f ul wh en l a i d on b ut th e col our h a d S ligh tly ,

°

fa d e d i n a yea r s ti m e No d o ub t I h a d e xp os ed
’
.

t h e va r n i s h t o o m u ch t o th e d i re ct r a ys o f t h e s un .

It may h e r e m a r k e d h er e th a t va rn i s h m a k er s g en er
a lly cl a i m t h a t t h ei r co l o ur s a r e l a s t in g b ut n e a r ly ,

all v a rn i s h es I t hi n k f a d e a li ttle i n th e di r ect l i gh t

, ,

a n d h e a t o f t h e s un Th i s was a faili n g of e ven t h e

.

o th er wi s e p er f e c t I t a l i an v arn i s h Ch a r l es R e a d e .
,

i n h i s s e con d l e t t er on A L os t A r t R evi ved fi r s t ,

u bl i h d i t h P a ll M a ll Ga ze tte Au g u s t 2 4 1 8 2
7
-
n
p s e e , , ,

o b s e r v es t h a t th e s un wi ll t a k e a ll t h e co l o ur ou t
o f t h a t m a k e r s [ S t r a d i v a ri s ] v a rn i s h a n d h e kn e w
’ ’

m or e a b ou t th e I t a li an va r n i s h t h an a n yb o dy ever
di d b ar r i n g Lu i gi Ta ri s i o
,
.

I d a r e s a y th er e a re m a n y m ore a mb er v a r n i s h es
on t h e m a r k e t b ut I th in k I h a ve n a m e d m o s t o f
,

t h e b e tt er k n o wn on es Pr o fes s i on al vi olin m a k ers

.

fo r th e m os t p a r t es ch e w a mb er va rn i s h a t l e a s t —

th e m a r k e t a r ti cl e — a n d u s e v a rn i s h o f t h ei r o wn

m a ke b u t I c an n o t h elp t hi n kin g t h at i t wo ul d
,

be m o r e t o th e i n t er es t o f t h ei r a r t i f a g o odly n u mb er
32 B RI T I SH VIOLIN MAKER S
p r o o f Of th e c o n t e n ti o n th a t v ar n i s h h as n o th i n g
to do wi th ton e b es i d e th e m ar k fo r s u ch
is
,
,

vi o l i n s h a ve b een r o bb e d o f o n ly th ei r s u r f a c e va r

n is h . All t h e i n s tr u m en ts o f th e ma s t er s ma y b e
s a i d t o b e e mb a l me d b o d i e s th e v a rn i s h h a vi n g
,

p e r m ea t e d t h e i r w h o l e f a b r i c s o t h a t n o w t
,
h e y a re

r e a lly n e i th e r w o o d n o r v ar n i s h b u t a s or t o f c o m ,

p o u n d o f b o t h . E v e r y fra c t i o n o f a d r o
p o f t h e

v a r n i s h wh i ch t h es e i n s tr u m en t s h a v e a b s o r b e d h a s

e n t er e d i n t o i n d i s s ol u bl e r el a ti o n s h i p wi th t h e m ol e

c u l e s o f th e w o o d Th e R e v H R H a wei s ver y . . .

p i t h i ly O b s e r v es T i m
'

e t h a t s o m e t,
i m e s r o b s i t

[ t h e v i o l i n ] O f a l i t t l e v a rn i s h h a s n o p o w e r,
o v e r i t s
:

a n oi n t e d f a b r i c Th e h a r d d u r a bl e s u b s t a n ce s t e e pe d
.

i n s i l i c a t e li k e va r n i s h h a s w e ll n i gh t urn e d t o
- -

s to n e b u t wi t h o u t s a cr i fi c i n g a s i n g l e q u a li t y O f
,

s w e e tn es s or r e s o n a n ce ( O ld V i li
”
o
. n s
p , .

Li t tl e c a n b e s a i d a b o u t th e t on e o f m o d ern in s tru
m en ts I ts q u a li ti es un li k e t h o s e o f o utlin e m o del
.
, , ,

a n d w o r km a n s h i p c a n b e fu lly k n o wn o n ly i n th e
,

fu tu r e wh en ti m e a n d l egi ti m a t e u s e h a ve wr ough t
,

th e i r b e n e fi ci a l e ffe ct I t ma y b e s a i d h o w e v e r
'

.
, ,

t h a t i t fu lly j u s ti fi e s th e b e l i e f th a t vi o li n i s ts o f th e
fu tu r e wi ll h a v e ca us e to r e m emb er gr a te fu lly th e
n a me s o f th e Old a r ti s t s wh o c a r v e d a n d va rn i s h e d l

, ,

a n d t oo k t h o u gh t fo r t h e m o r r o w .

No te . A n i mp or ta n t
b u t i o n t o th e l i t e r a t u r e o f t h e
co n tr i

vi ol i n a p p ea r e d s o m e few y e ar s b a ck en ti tl ed : Th e ,

Varn i s h es Of th e I tal ian Vi oli n Ma kers o f th e S i xteen th ,

S e v en teen th a n d Ei gh te en th Cen turi es an d th ei r I n fl u en ce

, ,

o n To n e by G eorge Fr y F
,
F CS L on do n S te ven s
,
. . .

S o n s L i mit ed
,
Th e a u th or h a s a wi d e kn owl edge of th e
.

ch em i s t r y o f va rn i s h es a n d o f veg e ta bl e li f e .
 I II . B RI D G ES
—
: O LD A ND M O D ERN

R I D GE m a n u fa ctur e in o ur d a ys i s a d is tin ct
b r a n ch O f i n d u s t r y a n d e v e n a s t h e r e i s a
,

fa ctory fiddle s o al s o i s th e r e a fa cto r y bri dge th e

, ,

on e l a c k i n g i n m e ri t a s o f t en a s d o es th e o th er .

Ve ry fe w l uthi er s ma k e th eir o wn fid d l e a cces s ori e s

n o w a d a ys . A gr o s s o f fa cto r y bri dg es c a n b e
u h d t l es s t h n i t c os t s i n ti me a n d e n er g y
p rc a s e a a
“
t o m a k e a d o z en a r t i s t i c o r h an d ma d e on es -
.

I n th e g o o d o ld d a ys a ma k e r o f vi o l in s wa s a l s o th e
m a ker o f all th e va r i o u s fi t tin gs r e qu ir e d fo r th e
in s tr umen t . Th e i mp o r t a n ce Of t h e b ri d g e c a n n o t
well b e o ver es tim a te d s in ce a b a d o n e w ill in falli bly
-
,

s p o i l t h e t o n e o f a n i n s tr u m e n t h o w e v e r g o o d t h e
,

l a t t er ma y b e I t h a s e ver b e en a ma tt er o f s u r
.

p r i s e t o m e h o w fe w m a k e r s a n d h o w fe w
, p l a y e r s

fo r th a t m a t t e r a p p e a r t o kn o w th i s s i mp l e f a c t
, .

I t i s q u i t e th e e x c ep ti o n t o fin d a go o d b r i d g e on a
m o dern fiddl e Th e t a ilp i e ce wh i ch i s o f li ttl e or
.
,

n o i m p o rt a n c e a co u s t i ca ll y i s O f t en m a d e wi th th e
,

u tm o s t car e a n d el a b or a t e fin i s h wh er e as th e ,

ch e a p es t b r i dg e m a d e o f g r e en w o o d o r b a k e d w o o d , ,

h igh a n d th i ck i s cl a mp e d o n t h e s u ffer in g fiddl e

, .

A g o o d i n s tr umen t i s ver y e xa ctin g i n i ts d e m a n d s

u p o n th e b r i d g e a n d th e fin er i ts q u ali ti e s t h e fin er
, ,

als o m u s t b e th os e o f t h e b ri d g e A fa ct w or th
.

33
34 B RI T I S H VI OLIN MAKER S
re m emb erin g i s t h a t fiddl e an d bri dge on ce m a t ed , ,

s h oul d n ev er b e d i vo r ce d Th ey m u s t b e a ll o we d
.

t o l i v e th ei r e xi s t en ce t o g e t h er i n i n d i s s ol u bl e un i t y ,

for t h er e i s a s o r t o f p s y ch i c b o n d b et w e en t h em
whi ch can n o t b e bro ken wi th i mpun i t y I f a b ri dge .

wh i ch h a s b een on an in s t r um en t for a l en gt h o f
ti m e s h o u ld g e t d a m a g e d i t ou gh t t o b e ca r efu lly
r e p a i r e d a n d n o t t h r o wn a w a y a s a w or thle s s t r i fl e
, .

I b el i eve t h ere a r e o n e o r t w o s o m e wh e r e i n t h e

c o un t r y wh o m a k e a S p e ci a l i t y o f t h i s cl a s s o f r e p a i r .

Th e p r e s en t d e s i gn Of b ri d g e i s s up p o s e d t o h a v e
o r i g i n a t e d wi t h S tr a d i v a r i Ou r e ar ly ma k er s w ere
.

e i t h er u n a c q u a i n t e d w i t h i t or d i d n o t c o n s i d e r i t
,

t h e b es t a s t h e y a d h e r e d t o th e q u a s i Vi o l a n d o th e r
,
-

for ms O f bri d g e d o wn till well n igh th e en d o f th e -

e lgh t ee n th cen t u r y Ve r y few b ri d g e s o f th e S tr a

.

di va r i p a tt ern w er e m a d e i n En gl a n d I t h in k b e for e , ,

th e b egi n n i n g O f l as t c en tu r y .

Fig 1 i s a n i ll u s t r a .

t i on of an a u th e n ti c

m e n o f a D a n i els p e ci

P a r k e r b ri dg e a n d i s ,

t yp i c al o f th e wor k o f ,

th e p er i o d whi ch wa s ,

n e i t h e r g eo m e t r i ca lly

p r e c i s e n o r h i gh ly
D i l P k
fi n is h ed Fig 2 r ep r e . .

F I G. ( I .- ) an e ar er .

s en t s a b r i d g e by th e

li tt l e kn o wn m a k er H en r y Wh i t es i d e m a d e s o m e
-
,

wh a t l a t er Th e d es ign i s l es s a r ch a i c a n d th e
, ,

wor km an s hi p a lit t l e m ore fin i s h ed .

Th e cl ai m s o f th e m od ern b r i dg e wer e ad van ce d

 ~

B RI D G ES : O LD A ND M OD ERN 35

in thi s co u n r fly by th e l a b o ur s o f Willi am
t y ch i e

Ebs wor th Hi ll wh o m a d e h un dr e d s o f b ri d g es
, ,

u s in g o n ly th e ver y b es t wo o d a n d fin is hi n g ,

FI G . 2 .
-
(H .

wor k wi th th e u tmo s t car e I t i s to b e fear e d th a t .

t i me a n d m o re es p e c i a lly th e c a r el es s n es s O f p l a y e r s
h a v e c on s i d er a bly r e d u c e d th e n umb er o f Hi ll b r i d g e s .

Th e Mes s r s H a r t O f War d o u r S tr e e t a n d t h e
.
, ,

FI G .
3 .

Mes s rs Wi t h er s o f Lei ces ter S qua r e a r e m a k ers

.
, ,

o f h i gh Cl a s s b ri dg e s w h i ch a r e o f th e fi n es t
-
,
well ,

s e as on ed w o o d a n d o f s i m pl e b u t b e a u ti f ul d e s i gn
,
.
3 6 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAKER S
Man y i n n o va ti o n s i m p r o v e m en t s , as th e y a re

ca lle d — h a veb een p u t o n th e m a r ket d urin g th e

l a s t few yea r s on ly th e m ore i mp or tan t or cu ri o us
,

o f whi ch c a n b e n o t i c e d h e r e .

Mr J Edw in B o n n O I B r a din g I s l e o f Wi gh t
‘

. .
, , ,

m a k e s a fou r foo te d bri d g e ( fig 3) for V I Olln vi ol a

-
.
, ,

a n d V i o l o n c e ll o H e thi n k s th a t fo u r fee t en s u r e
.

a m o r e en er g e t i c a n d r eg u l a r c o m mu n i c a ti on Of

v i b r a ti on s t o t h e fro n t t a bl e .

A r a th er p r e t ty d e s ig n kn o wn a s th e s o u n d h o l es
,
-

b r i dg e wa s i n t r o du ce d a whil e a g o by th e Me s s r s
, .

B alfo u r ( fi g I ts pr e t ti n e s s wa s n o t i mp r o v e d
.

by th e in evi ta ble P a ten t wri t l a rg e u p on i t ”

.

A v er y cu ri o u s a n d i t m u s t b e a dm i tt ed u n g a in ly
, , ,

bi t Of f u rn i tu r e i s th e
b ri dg e d es ign e d by a
Mr Edwa r d D a vi es o f .
,

Ch el ten h a m I t i s m a d e .

of t wo p i e c e s of p i n e

cut so th a t th e gr a i n
run s a t an an gl e of 45
°

to th e p p
e r e n d i cu l a r
F 4 IG . .
b r iad g xi s
e a n d of th e ,

wh i ch a r e gl u e d t o g e th er
by m ean s o f t wo s tr ip s o f wo o d p l a ce d b et ween .

E a ch p i ec e o r h alf h a s a p r o tr u d in g wi n g whi ch
, ,

r e a ch es o u t n ea r ly a s fa r a s t h e s o un d h o l e Th e -
.

i n v en t o r cl a i ms th a t th e w oo d b ei n g p i n e wi th ,

th e gr a i n r u n n i n g n e a r ly v er ti ca l th e r e i n for ce m en t ,

o f th e vi b r a ti o n s o f th e s tr i n gs i s m u ch m or e i n t en s e .

A n ew ki n d o f br i dg e r e cen tly p u t on th e m a r k e t
, ,

i s call e d th e Ga llrei n P a ten t I t i s m a d e o f th r ee

.
 B RI D G ES : O LD AND M ODER N 37

p i ece s of wo o d , co n s i s t in g of t wo o ut er l a y er s of

m a p l e w i th
,
l a y e r o f p i n e b e t we e n
a .

Th er e h ave b een s un dr y o th er var i et i es fre a ks , ,

an d p a ten t s all o f wh i ch h a ve h a d th eir d a y

,

an d ce a s e d t o b e Ma n y m or e ma y co m e b ut th e
.
,

old p a t t e r n b r i d g e i s a s li ttl e li k ely t o b e d i s ca r d e d

a s th e Old p a t t e rn vi o lin .
 IV .
—
S T RIN G MA N U FA C T U RE IN
EN G LA ND

R I TER S wh o p a y a tt en t i on to th e s ub or d i
n a t e b ut i m p o r t a n t s u bj ec t o f vi ol i n a c ce s

s o ri e s a r e i n th e h a b i t o f t ell i n g u s t h a t s tr i n g s o f

B ri t i s h m an u fa ct ur e a r e o f n o gr e a t a cco un t .

“
H a wei s a ll o ws th a t th e E n g li s h m a k e a g o o d ,

s e r vi c e a bl e s tr i n g b u t a dd s t h a t
, E n gl i s h s t r i n g s
a e on ly fi t
r for r a n k a n d file o r ch e s t r a l fiddl i n g
- —
,

b u t n ot g oo d en o ugh fo r th e l e a d er ( O ld V i o li n s p , .

Ot h er wr i t er s s p e a k i n m u ch th e s a m e s t r a i n .

I ven ture wi th all d u e d e fer en ce t o th es e a u th ori t i e s

, ,

t o t a k e up th e cu d g e l s in d e fe n ce o f th e E n gli s h
s t r i n g a n d I a m g l a d o f th e o pp or tu n i t y t o d o S O fo r
,

m ore t h an on e r e a s on Firs t my e xp eri en ce o f

.
,

v i o l i n s t r i n g s o f E n gl i s h m a n u f a c t ur e en a bl e s me

t o s a y t h a t t h e y a r e by n o m e a n s t h e com p a r a ti vely
w or th l es s a r t i cl es t h e y a r e m a d e o u t to b e an d I
)
,
.

a m o f th e Op i n i o n th a t s o m e a t l ea s t o f th e p eo p l e
, ,

wh o con d e mn t h em h a ve for m e d t h ei r c on cl us i on s
t o o h as ti ly Ab o u t ten y ea rs a g o I r es ol ve d to di s
.

c o v er th e t r ut h a b o u t s tr i n g s fo r my s e lf a n d s i n ce
,

th en I h a ve th or ough ly t es t e d i n ever y p os s i bl e way

all th e p r i n ci p a l s t r i n g s o n th e m a r k e t ,
i n cl u d i n g
th os e o f I t a l i an Fr en ch Ger m an Am eri ca n En glis h
, , , , ,

an d ev en o f R u s s i a n a n d I n d i a n m a n u f a ct u r e Th e
.

r es ul t o f t h es e t es t s ( c o n s ci en t i o u s ly a n d s y s t em a t i c

38
4 0 B RI T I S H VI OLIN MAKER S
at th e pr es en t t i m i t i s n o e x agg er a ti on to s ay
e—

t h er e i s a s m u ch fr a u d i n th e s t ri n g t r a d e a s t h er e
i s i n th e fid dl e tr a d e i ts elf . T h i s ma y s oun d v ery
s t a r t l i n g i n t h e e a r s o f s o m e b u t i f t h e y will be a t
,

p ai n s to a s cer t a in th e t r ut h a b o ut s t rin g man u fa c

ture a s I h a ve b een t h e y wi ll l ea rn t h i s a n d a gr e a t
, ,

d eal m or e Th ey wi ll s oon l earn a t l eas t t h a t

.
, ,

th ey can n o t a lwa ys be cer t ain th a t a s t ri n g whi ch i s

s old t o t h em a s It a l i an i s o f I t al i an m an u fa ctur e .

F urt h er m or e i t i s n ot g en er ally kn o wn I i m agi n e

, , ,

t h a t th e fin es t gut i n th e wor ld for th e purp os e o f

s t r i n g m a n u f a c t ur e i s t h a t O b t ai n e d fr o m E n gli s h

l a mb s and t h a t th e It ali an s Us e n o o th er for t h eir

,

fin er s tr in gs Ha weis wa s a s s ur e dly i gn or an t o f
.

th is f a c t ( or h e was r o m a n cin g a s h e wa s O ft en w on t
,

t o) wh en h e s ai d t h a t t h e gu t o b t a i n e d fr o m y o un g
I t al i a n l a mb s k illed i n S ep t e mb er wa s u s e d for th e
b es t It ali a n s t ri n g s .

I t p a s s es o n e s c o m p reh en s i on wh y t h e B r i t i s h
’ '

pu bli c or a lar g e s ect i on th ere o f S h o ul d b e for

, ,

e v er a ccl ai m in g e ver y t h i n g of fo r ei gn or i gin a n d

d en oun cin g ever yt hin g B ri tis h Th a t s or t o f t h i n g

.

h as t o o l o n g b e en p r e val en t i n B ri t a in a n d i t i s ,

a b o ut t i m e we h a d d o n e wi t h i t .

Th e d a y wa s ( a n d h a s n o t l on g p a s s e d th e even
t i d e) wh en a n ar t i s t i n o r d er t o s u ccee d i n t hi s
c o un t r y h a d t o g o a b r o a d t o c o m p l e t e h i s s tu di es .

We us e d to b e t old years a g o t h a t a few s econ d r a t e —

a r t i s t s h a d b een k n o wn t o d r o p t h e ir E n gl i s h n a m es

a n d t o a s s um e a gr a n d s o un d i n g f o r ei gn c o gn om en
-

an d for eign m an n er s i n o r d er t o en h an ce th ei r
ch an ce wi t h th e E n gl i s h pu bli c It s eems in cr edi bl e
. ,
STR IN G MA N U FA C T U R E I N EN GLA ND 4 1

an d it ly i s too con t emp t i bl e for wor d s

cer t a i n .

B u t m a tt ers wi ll i mp r o ve b y a n d b y Th e B ri t i s h
- -
.

a r ti s t a n d t h e B r i t i s h fiddl e a re c omi n g t o t h e i r o wn ,

an d B r i ti s h s t r i n g s wi ll n o t t a r r y l o n g .

Ma n y vi olin b o o ks gi ve a ver y go o d a ccou n t o f

t h e p r o c e s s o f m a k i n g s tr i n g s a b r o a d i t m i g h t b e o f ,

s om e in t er es t i f I g i ve h er e a n a cco un t O f h ow

s tri n g s a r e m a d e i n E n gl an d . I a m in d eb t e d t o

Mr G A P ar k er o f 9 4 B ur gh l e y R oa d K en ti s h
. . .
, ,

To wn Lo n d on N W for th e in fo rm a t i on wh i ch
, , . .
,

follows He very c ou rt e ous ly a ll o we d me t o i n

.

s p e c t hi s f a ct o r y a n d ca r e f u lly e xp l a i n e d t o me
,

e ver y d e ta i l i n t h e p r oces s o f ma ki n g s tr i n g s fr o m ,

t h e r a w m a t er i a l t o t h e fi n i s h e d a r t i cl e I may .

m en ti on h er e th a t on ly th e very b es t s tri n gs a r e
m a d e in th i s fa cto ry t h e g ut a n d m a t eri a l us e d
,

b ein g th e fin es t En gl an d can p r o d uce .

B e fore e xp l a in in g th e p r o ce s s o f m a kin g i t will ,

b e w ell t o d es cr i b e th e fix tur e s t o o l s e t c u s ed , , .

Th e p l a n t i s by n o m e a n s el a b ora t e a n d th er e i s ,

n o thi n g s t r i ki n g a b o u t i t e x c e p t p e r h a p s i t s a lm os t
, ,

p ri mi ti ve ch ar a ct er H er e i s a co m p l e te li s t o f th e
.

a r t i cl es ( fo r t h e y c a n h ar dly b e t er m e d a n yt h in g

e ls e ) u s e d:
1 . Th e b e n ch T h i s r es ts on t wo t r es t les o n e o f
.

wh i ch i s a li tt le h igh er tha n th e ot h er a n d 1 8 m a de ,

in two p a r ts e a ch o f whi ch i s a b o ut 8 f eet l on g a n d

,

1 8 in ch es wi d e Th e tr es tl es a r e S O con s tr u ct e d a s
.

to m a k e th e b e n ch di p i n th e cen tr e t o a ll o w a ll ,

wa ter a n d oth er li qui ds to r un Off On th e tr es t l es .

a l s o i s fixe d i n th e c en tre a tr o u gh o r gu tt er r u n
, , , ,

n in g th e wh ol e l en g t h o f t h e b en ch I n th e b en ch .
42 B R ITI SH VI OL IN MAKE R S

ar e ou t s ix h ol es b ein g a b o ut 3
, th e fir s t t wo
in ch e s fr o m th e l o w er e n d a n d 1 fo o t a p ar t ; ,

th e n e xt t wo a r e 5 feet up th e b en ch a n d th e s a m e
d i s t an ce a p ar t th e r e m ain in g t wo a r e a b o ut a fo o t
fr om th e upp er en d an d a ls o th e s a m e di s t an ce ap ar t
,
.

Th e us e o f t h es e h ol es will b e d es cri b e d f ur th er
on .

2 . I r on b in s wi t h li d s to h old wa ter
, , .

3 . E n a m ell e d b o wl s .

4 . Met a l s cr a p ers to cl e an th e gut

, .

5 . Lo o p s Th es e a r e m a d e O f th e fin es t h em p
.
,

e a ch a b o u t 3 i n ch es l on g To t h es e th e s t ri n g s.

are a tt a ch e d .

6 . S p l i t ti n g b oar d
Thi s i s a b ou t 1 fo ot s qu a re
. .

It h a s a h ol e i n th e cen tr e i n whi ch th e kn i fe i s ,

fixe d an d a woo d en p eg on th e l e ft S i d e wh i ch a ct s
, ,

a s a gui d e for th e gut Th e kn i fe h a s a bl a d e a b o ut

.

1 0 i n ch es l on g a n d a l o n g t a p eri n g h a n dl e wh i ch
, ,

fits i n t o th e h ol e On th e bl a d e a r e fix e d t wo o r
.

t h re e b on e gui d es wh i ch a r e S O con s t r u ct e d as t o
,

c o un t er a c t t h e na tu r al cu r ve o f th e g u t b e fo re i t

co m es i n c o n t a c t wi th t h e kn i f e Th e p o i n t o f th e .

kn i fe i s up war d s an d th e e d ge a wa y fr o m th e
o p er a t or .

7 S. p i n n i n g wh e e l T h i s i s m a d e o f
. w o o d wi t h ,

i r on a xl es a n d c on s i s ts Of o n e l ar g e wh eel con n e ct e d
,

t o t wo s m all wh e e l s by a gut b a n d To th e s m all .

wh eels a r e a tt a ch ed h o o ks whi ch en a bl e th e op era t or ,

t o s pi n t wo s t ri n gs a t a ti m e .

8 Dr yi n g fr a m es Th es e a r e o f wo od wi th
”

. .
,

p egs fix e d a t b oth en ds a n d a r e of t wo l en gt h s 5 , ,

an d 7 feet r es pe cti vely th e S h orter on es b eing ,

 S TRIN G MAN U FA C T U RE IN EN GLAND 43

l on ger on es for D an d llo

’
fo r E s tr i n gs , an d th e A , ,
Ce

s tr i n g s .

9 . Co il i n g t a bl e A nea t S i mp l e b ut i n gen i o us
.
,

l i t tl e m a ch i n e u s e d for c oilin g th e s tri n g .

1 0 . S ul p h u r b o x . Thi s is a l a r g e w o o d en box
wi th a ti gh t fit tin g li d ,
-
an d i s s o ca r e f ully con

s tru cte d t h a t i t i s n o t o n ly wa ter tigh t but als o -

pr a ct i cally a ir tigh t I n to thi s i s p u t th e s ulp h ur

-
.

l a mp . No w for th e p r o ces s .

As s oo n as a l a mb or a yo un g
kill e d the
S h eep is
g u t i n t e n d e d f o r s t r i n g s i s t h o r o u g h ly cl ea n s e d .

I t i s i mp or t a n t th a t th e cl e a n s i n g b e d o n e a lm os t
i mm e di a t ely o th er wi s e th e g u t d e te ri o r a t e s an d i t s
i
, ,

v a l u e fo r s tr i n g m a k i n g i s l es s e n e d I t i s t h e n ve r y
.

ca r e full y d r i e d o n fr a me s a n d i s s h o r t ly r e a dy for
,

th e s tr i n g ma k er t o wh o m i t i s s en t i n b un dl es call ed
, ,

S h o ck s weigh in g a b o u t 2 p o un d s e a ch
”
.
,

A S h o ck Of g ut i s t a ken a n d p l a ce d in a b a th an d ,

c o ver e d wi t h w a t er ( T h e w a.t e r i n t h i s c o u n tr y h as

fir s t to b e ch emi ca lly t r e a t e d a s i t i s too h ar d i n i ts ,

n a tur al s ta t e ) I n a b ou t s i x h o ur s th e g u t i s
.

th or o ugh ly s o a k e d a n d i s t h en t u rn e d o u t on t h e
,

b en ch wh en every s tr a n d i s c a r e fully p ull e d th ro ugh

,

th e fin g er s t o g e t o u t all t an gl es an d kn o t s A .

s h o c k is d i vi d e d u p i n t o a b o u t s even p a r ts e a ch ,

p ar t b e i n g p l a c e d i n a n en a m e ll e d b o wl a n d co v er e d
wi th wa t er an d a ll owe d to s o a k for a b o ut t welve
h o ur s wh en th e wa t er i s dr ai n e d o ff
, It i s n ext .

s cr ap ed e v er y l en g th o f gu t b e i n g s cr a p e d t wi ce

b efo re I t i s s p li t fir s t up an d th en do wn Th i s
, , .

r e m o v e s a n y th i n t h t m i h t b d h i g t i t d
g a g e a e r n o a n ,

i t i s ver y e s s en ti a l th a t th e s cr a p i n g b e ca re fully
44 B RI T I S H VIO L IN MAKE R S
an d th or ough ly d on e Wh en th i s i s co mp l e te d th e
.

g u t i s s o a k e d a g ai n i n w a t e r fo r a s h o r t t i m e It i s .

n ow r e a dy for s p li tt i n g A b o wl o f g ut i s t a k en
.

a n d p l a c e d t o th e l e ft o f th e s p l itt in g b o a r d o n e en d ,

o f th e gut b e in g t a k en o ut o f th e b o wl p as s e d r o un d ,

t h e w oo d en p eg a n d s p li t on th e p oi n t o f t h e kni fe
'

.
,

Th e gut i s o p en e d a n d fix ed on th e b on e gu i d e [ th e
gui d es a r e o f var yin g S i z e s a ccor din g t o t h e wi d t h
,

o f t h e gut ] an d i s t h en pull e d by t h e op era t or t o

wa r d s h im b ein g s pli t a s i t com es in con t a ct with th e

,

k een e dge o f th e kn i fe Gr e a t car e h a s t o b e e xer

.

ci s e d i n t hi s o p er a t i on t o e n s u r e th a t t h e s t r a n d s
,

a r e o f un i for m wi d th . Wh en all th e gut i s s pli t i t ,

i s put i n b o wl s a n d i s a g a in c ar e f ully s cr a p e d i n
,

t h e s a m e m an n er a s b e for e t h i s t i m e t o cl ea n s e th e
,

i n s i de . An o th er s o a kin g in w a t er foll ows t h i s t im e ,

for fo ur o r five h o ur s .

Th e gut i s n o w tur n ed o u t on th e b en ch r e a dy for

s p in n in g . Th e l a yi n g o u t l o o ks an e x t r e m e ly ea s y
m a tt er b ut is r ea lly very di ffic ul t an d i s th e m o s t
, ,

i m p or t an t a n d t ri c ky p a r t o f th e w h ol e b u s i n es s ,

r e qui ri n g gr e a t s k ill a n d a l on g e x p er i en ce for i ts

p r o p er m an i pul a t i on To m a k e vi olin E s t rin gs

.

th r ee o r f o ur s t r an d s are u s ed vi o li n A S i x t o ei g h t
, ,

vi o li n D t en t o t we lve e tc a ccor d in g t o th e wi d th
, .
,

o f th e s tr an d s . Gu ts va ry a g rea t d eal s o m e a r e ,

h ar d s o m e s o ft ; s o m e a r e wi de o t h er s n arr o w ;
, ,

s o m e a r e l i gh t o t h ers d ar k
,
TO m a k e a s t ri n g t h a t
.

i s a s n e ar p er fe c t i on a s p os s i bl e i t m us t b e m a d e o f
,

s tr a n d s t h a t a r e o f th e s a m e t e x ture col o ur an d
!
, ,

wi d th an d i t i s in th e c or rec t a n d r a pi d s el ect i on of
,

s u i t a bl e s tr a n d s t h a t th e S k i ll o f th e w o r km a n com es
S TRIN G MA N U FA C T U RE IN EN GLA ND 45

in t o d ence Th e gu t i s l ai d o ut on th e b en ch in
e vi .

th e d es i r e d l en g th b ei n g carri e d b a ckwar d s an d
,

for war d s un ti l th e ri gh t g a uge i s o b t ain e d Th e .

ri gh t th i c kn es s i s a s c e r t a in e d by f eel i n g t h er e b e in g ,

n o g a u g e m a d e t o t e s t t h e t h i c kn es s a t t h i s s t a g e ,

a n d gr ea t ca r e h a s t o b e t a k en th a t th e s t r a n d s a r e

per f ectly even an d s t r ai gh t an d th a t th ey d o n ot ,

cr os s e a ch o th e r .

E a ch s t ri n g ( or b a t ch d s wh i ch m ake
of s tr a n

th e s tr i n g) i s n o w p l a ce d i n a b o wl wi t h t h e en d
h an gi n g o ver th e e d ge th e n e xt s tri n g b ein g th en
,

m a d e a n d l a i d b e s i d e th e fi r s t a n d s o th e p r o ces s
,

co n t i n u e s t ill all t h e g u t i s u s e d u p .

Th e s t ri n g ( h e mp ) l o op s a r e n ow b r o ugh t i n to us e ,

t h e en d s o f g u t r e s ti n g o ver th e b ri m s o f t h e b o wl s
b ein g a tt a ch ed to t h em i e ea ch b a t ch o f gu t s tr an ds
, . .

to on e l o op o f h em p s tri n g A wo o d en p e g i s i n .

s ert e d i n t h e fir s t h o l e o f t h e b en ch a n d a n o th er p eg

a t th e o t h e r e n d A b owl o f s tri n gs i s t a ken a n d all

.

th e s t ri n gs a r e l a i d o u t o n th e b en ch wi th t h e l oo p s
a t th e fir s t p eg On e s tr i n g i s t a k en u p a t a ti m e
.
,

th e l oo p b ein g p l a ce d o ver t h e p e g a n d th e g ut ,

dr a wn d o wn th e be n ch b e twe en fin g er an d th umb till

i t r e a ch es t h e p eg a t th e o th er e n d wh en i t i s c u t ,

th e d es ir e d l en g th a n d th e en d a tt a ch e d to a l o o p
'

pl ace d o ver th e s e con d p eg Th is p r o ces s con tin u es

.

un ti l th er e i s a s u ffi ci en t n umb er o f s tr i n gs on on e
s e t O f p eg s ,
wh en o th er p egs a r e b r o ugh t in to us e .

Wh en s ever al p egs ar e th us m a d e up th e s pin ,

n i n g wh e el i s u s e d Th e whe el i s p l a ce d a t on e en d
.

Of th e b en ch a n d two s t r i n gs a r e a tt a ch e d t o th e
,

b oo k s th e h a n dl e t ur ne d a b ou t fif teen t i m e s an d
, ,
4 6 B R I T I SH VI O L I N MAK E R S
th e fir s t S p in n in g i s d o n e On e tur n o f th e s p in n in g
.

wh e el gives a b o u t t wen t y five r evol uti on s t o th e

-

h o o k s s o t h a t e a ch s t r in g i s t wi s t e d fr o m 3 5 0
,

t o a b o ut 3 70 t i m es .

Th e p eg s a r e n ow r ep l a ce d by r od s wh i ch a r e
m ad e to fit in t o th e s ulp h ur b ox an d th e s up er ,

fl u ous wa t er b ei n g s qu e e z e d fr o m th e s t r in gs th e ,

l a tt er a r e carr i e d to th e s ulph ur b ox or ch a mb er an d ,

p u t i n p o s i t i o n .T h e l i d o f t h e b o x i s C l os e d d o w n ,

a n d a ll cr a c k s or cr e vi ces c a r e fully s e a l e d up Th e .

l a m p i s n ow li t a ti n o f s ulp h u r p l a ce d o ver i t an d
, ,

b oth ar e i n s er t e d in to a p r o p er ly con s t r ucte d clos e d

ch a mb er a t th e b o tt o m o f th e b o x Thi s p ar t o f
.

th e w or k i s us u a lly d on e th e l a s t th in g a t n i gh t a n d ,

th e s t r i n gs a r e a ll o w e d t o r e m a in in t h e s ul p h ur
ch a mb er un t i l t h e f o ll o wi n g e v e n i n g wh en th e l a m p
,

i s a g ain li t . On ly a v e r y s m a ll qu an t i t y o f s ul p h ur
i s u se d fo r th e b es t q u a l i t y s t ri n g ; b u t i n m a ki n g
l o wer p r i ce d s tr i n gs a n d wh en Ch eap gut i s us e d a
, ,

m u ch l a r g er qu an ti t y o f s ulp h ur i s b urn t an d i t is ,

O f t en n eces s a r y t o u s e bl e a ch i n g w a t er Th e l ovely
.

wh i t e s tr in gs we ge t fr om th e Con t in en t a r e r eally o f
i n feri or qu a l i t y i f th e b uy e r o nly kn e w i t
,
Th e .

s tr o n g bl e a chi n g i mp o v eri s h es th e gut b ut th e wh i t e

,

n es s s e ll s th e s tr i n g .

Th e s t ri n g s a r e r e m o v e d fr o m th e s ul ph ur ch a mb er
i n t o th e d r yi n g r o om wh er e t h e y a r e s t re tch e d o n
-
,

dr yi n g fr a m es Th e s pin n in g wh eel is a gain us ed

-
.
,

e a ch s t ri n g b ein g gi ven fr o m 1 5 0 t o 2 0 0 r evolu

.

t i on s Wh en th e s t ri n gs a r e h a lf d r y t h e y ar e
.
,

s pun for th e t h i r d a n d l a s t t i m e b ein g gi ven a b o ut

,

th e s a m e n umb e r o f r evo l u ti on s a s b e f o r e Ca r e h a s
.
 V .
-
LE G END , AR T , A ND S T OR Y

( ) L
1 EGENDS . lR e a d er s
i n li t e r a tu r Of vi o
e a r e

f a m i l i a r w i t h v a r i o u s l e g en d s a n d t r a d i
t i on s r el a ti v e to t h e o ri gin an d d evel o pmen t o f t h e
fiddl e a n d o th er s tri n ge d in s tr um en t s a n d i t wo uld ,

be i n vi d i o u s t o r el a t e h er e t a l es t h a t a r e a l rea dy
gr e y wi th ag e T h er e are h o w ever two or t h r ee
.
, ,

pr et t y l egen d s whi ch I h a ve h a pp en e d up on in my
re a d in g t h a t h a ve n e v er as far a s I a m a w a r e ,
b een ,

r e l a t e d i n a n y b oo k on th e V I Oli n t h es e a r e o f s o m e
i n t ere s t I t h i n k an d ma y a ffor d th e r e a d er a li tt l e
, ,

en t e r t a i n m en t .

On e i s a K e l t i c l eg en d o f th e t e n t h cen tu r y r e l a t e d ,

in Th e Ad ven t ur es o f th e Gr e a t B ar d i c Co m
p an y .Accor din g t o thi s s t or y ( whi ch d o ub tl es s
b elon gs to a m uch ea r li er myt h ol og y) th e cru i t o r
cr u i dh cr w th) i s a m et a m or p h o s e d m er m a i d .

Th o m as Mo or e h as tur n e d th e l eg en d in t o vers e ,

s u b s ti t ut in g h o w ev er h a rp for cru i t p er h a p s in
, , ,

a cc o r d a n c e wi th a l a t er v er s i on or i t ma y b e on h i s ,

o wn r es p on s i b il i t y Th i s is h ow Moore puts i t
.

The Or igi n f
o the Ha rp [ Cr u i t] .

’
Ti s b eli eved whi ch I n ow wake for th ee ;
t h at t hi s h ar p ,
Was a S ir en of old wh o s un g u n der th e s ea ;
,

An d wh o of ten a t e ve t hr ough t h e bri gh t wa ters r oved

, , ,

To meet on th e gr een s h or e a youth wh om s h e loved .

48
 LE G END , A RT, A ND S T OR Y 49

B ut s h e l o ved hi m in va i n for h e l eft h er t o weep , ,

An d i n t e ars all t h e ni gh t h er gold t re s s e s t o s t eep

, , ,

Till Hea ven l oo ked wi t h p i ty on t r u e l o ve s o wa r m ,

An d Ch an g ed t o t hi s s of t h ar p t h e s e mai den s form

’
a -
.

S ti ll h er bos o m r o s e fai r— s ti ll h er Ch eeks s mil ed t h e s a me

While h er s ea be a uti es gr a cefully for m d th e li ght fra me ;
-
’

An d h er hai r a s let loos e o fer h er wh i t e ar m i t f ell

, , , ,

Wa s Changed t o bri gh t chords utt eri ng melody s S p ell ,

’
.

Hen ce it ca me , long h ath been kn own

t h a t t hi s so ft h arp so

To mi ngle lo ve s l an gua ge wi th S orr ow s s a d t on e ;

’ ’ “

Till t h ou di d s t di vi de t h e m a n d t e a ch t h e f on d la y , ,

To s p ea k lo ve wh en I m n ear t h ee a n d gri ef wh en away !

’

He r e i s K e l ti c
leg en d fr om th e folk lor e
a n o th er -

o f S o u th Wa l es —A h un t s m a n o n c e up o n a ti m e
s e t o u t h un t i n g in t h e f o r e s t o f Nedd [ d d l5 i k i n

t h ee] a n d ch a n ce d t o p u t a n a rr o w th r o ugh th e
,

h ear t O f a b ea u ti f ul fa wn On li f ti n g up th e d e a d .

fa wn t o s lin g i t over h is s h o uld er s i t b e ca m e a fl u t e .

Th e a n ci en t h u n t s m an p l a y e d up on thi s fl u te d a i ly ,

an d i t s s w e e t t o n e g a ve hi m un b o un d e d p l eas ur e .

B u t i t ch a n ced o n e d a y th a t h e le t fa ll th e fl u t e o n
t h e S p o t wh ere h e h a d S l a i n th e f a wn a n d th e fl u te ,

wh en i t s tr u ck th e gr o un d ch an ged in to a s erp en t ,

w h i ch h i t hi m S O th a t h e di e d Hi s s o n p a s s i n g
, .

th a t wa y fo un d hi s f a th er s c or s e a n d s ur m is in g th e
’

ca u s e o f hi s d ea th h un t e d fo r t h e s er p en t a ye ar
,

He fo un d i t coi l e d up an d b a s kin g in th e
‘

an d a d a y .

s un . Th e s er p en t s p r a n g a t h i m b u t h e be in g an , ,

a g i l e y o u th le ap t a s id e a n d s tr uck th e s er p en t a
, ,

h a r d bl o w s o t h a t i t la y s tr e t ch e d o u t a t hi s feet
, .

On li ft n i t s b o dy up wi t h his s t a ff i t Ch a n g e d i n t o a
lyr e Th e yo u t h n ot i n th e leas t a lar m ed a t s o
.
,
 B RI T I S H VI O LIN MAK ER S
“

50

won d er ful a ch an ge p i ck ed up th e lyr e a n d b o re it

, ,

a w a y wi th a g l a d h e a r t a n d i t wa s h i s w o n t t o l y
,
p a

up on i t d a ily a n d h i s s o ul d eligh t e d In i ts ch ar m in g
,

s o un d s. B u t i t ch a n ce d on e d ay a s h e wa s r o a min g
in th e f o r es t t h a t h e a cci d en t a lly le t f a ll t h e lyr e o n
th e ve r y s p o t wh er e h e h a d s l a in th e s er p en t a n d th e ,

lyr e u p on s tri ki n g a ga in s t a s t on e wa s in s t an t ly
ch a n g e d i n t o a n e a gl e wh i ch flew a wa y t o th e
,

h e i gh t s o f B a n S O g re a t wa s th e gr i e f o f th e o ld
.

man ( for h e wa s n o w s tr i ck en in y e ar s ) a t th e l os s o f
hi s ly r e t h a t h e S h or t ly d i e d o f a b r o k en h e a r t
, .

Hi s s on s w or e o n h i s gr a v e t h a t h e wo u ld a v en g e
h i s f a t h er s d e a th a n d w en t h un t i n g fo r t h e e a g l e
’

a year a n d a d ay He fo un d i ts e yr i e on th e t o p o f
'

Myn ydd B a n a n d r e s t e d him o n th e h e a th er till h e

,

S h o ul d e s p y t h e ea g l e Wh en a t l en gth i t fl ew Cl os e
.

a b o v e th e y o ut h a w e ll d i r e c t e d a r r o w b r o ugh t i t s
—
,

l i fe l es s f or m d o wn fl ut t er in g a t h i s fe e t He e a gerly .

p i c k e d i t ,
up t o e x a m i n e th e w o u n d w h e n 10 ! n o ,

s oon er h a d h e l i f t e d i t fr o m th e g r o un d th a n i t

ch a n g e d i n t o a m u s i ca l i n s t r u m en t th e l ik e o f ,

wh i ch h e h a d n ever b eh eld b e for e I tS for m was .

l i ke t h a t o f a fa i r m a i d en an d i ts t o ne li ke th e n o t es
,

o f a n i gh t i n g a l e Ea ch t i m e h e d r e w th e bo w a cr os s
.

i ts s t r i n g s i t w h i s p e r e d .

Afw a n wa s I my t l t
,
a e o te ll ;
A fiddl e a m I till b k rea s th e spe ll .

Th e wor d in th e Wel s h l eg en d i s cr wth whi ch I ,

h a ve r en d er e d fid dle m o d er n We l s h i ts elf fr e qu e n tly

,

pr e ferr in g th e l a tt er wor d t o th e n a t i ve a n d m ore

a n ci en t o n e S o ut h Wali an s in v ar i ably c all a vi oli n
.
 LE G END , A RT , A ND S T OR Y 5 1

fid l ,
wh er e as Wali an s h a ve r e t a in e d cr wth
Nor th ,

u s i n g i t a s th e e qui va l en t o f fiddle .

A ver y curi o us l eg en d i s c urr en t in cer t a in p ar t s

o f P o l an d I t s a ys th a t th e go nd ok a ki n d o f r us t i c
.
,

fiddl e wa s in ven te d a n d b r o ugh t to Eur op e by Th e

,

Old Wa n d er in g Ma n a n d th a t fr o m th i s th e m od ern
,

vi olin h as b een d e vel op e d Th e s t or y Of th e Old.

Wan d eri n g Ma n l oo ks li ke a va ri an t of th e leg en d o f

Th e Wa n d eri n g J ew b u t i t h a s s o m e p e cu li ar
,

fea t ur e s Th e old man in thi s ca s e i s s a i d t o h a ve

.

in v en te d m a n y cen t ur i es i f n o t m i ll en n i um s a g o a
, ,

c a b a l i s t i c m a g n e t wh i ch p o s s e s s e d th e e x t r ao r d i n a r y

p pr o er t y o f s e
“
cr e t l y a t t r a c t i n g t h e a u r a o r m ,y s

t e ri o u s s p i r i t o f h u m a n e fflo r e s cen ce a n d p r o s p e r o u s
bod il y gr owth ou t o f youn g men an d to ga t h er
, ,

t h e s e b en ign a n d h e al th ful s p r i n gs o f l i fe a n d a p p ly
t h em to t h e p e r s on o f t h e in ven t or by in s p ir a ti o n ,

a n d tr a n s u d a ti o n s o t h a t h e w a s a bl e t o c on ce n tr a t e
,

i n hi ms elf t h o u gh w an in g i n a g e th e a ccu m ul a t e d
, ,

r ej u v en es ce n c e o f m a n y y o u n g p eo p l e wh o w ere
,

con s u m e d i n p rop o r ti on t o th e e x t en t t h ei r v i t a li t y

wa s e x tra ct e d fr o m th e m .Th e Old Wa n d er in g

Man i s b eli eve d b y th e P o l i s h p eas a n tr y t o b e s ti ll
livin g a n d t o b e go in g to a n d fro as d evo t e dly
, ,

a t t a ch e d a s e ver t o h i s p r i m i ti v e fiddl e hi s o n ly
,

c on s ol a t i o n in l i f e .

( )
2 A r t .T h e t r e a t m e n t o f t h e v i o l i n i n p a i n t in g ,

w o o d c a r vi n g s t a i n e d g l a s s w i n d o ws e t c i s a v er y
, , .
,

wi d e s ubj e ct b u t I ca n t o u ch on ly th e fr in ge of i t
,

h ere an d th a t a t on ly o n e p oin t
,
. E ver y l o ver o f
th e l ea d in g in s t r um en t wh o i s a l s o a l over o f tr ut h
can n o t b u t b e p iI zzle d an d p a i n e d by th e p ers i s t en ce
5 2 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ER S
of th e b a dly p a i n e t d an d
b a dly car ved fiddl e in
m o d ern a r t Alm os t e ver y y e ar p i ctur e e xh i bi ti on s
.
,

c o l o u r e d wi n d o ws an d, d ecor a ti ve c ar vi n g m or e ,

e s p eci a lly o f th e e ccl e s i a s ti c a l C l a s s fur n i s h u s wi th

n u m er o u s e x a m p l es o f i m p o s s i bl e fid dles Wh y i s
.

t hi s ? An d wh y i s I t t o ler a t e d ? I f a p a in t er
tr ea t e d a n or d i n a r y ar t i cl e O f fu rn i t u re wi th t h e
s a m e l i b er t y or i n d i ffer en c e t h a t h e d oe s th e vi ol i n

wh i ch h e s o m e ti m es put s in th e h an d o f hi s s i tt er
h e w o u ld b e v o t e d a m er e d a u b er Wh a t vi oli n
.

c on n o i s s e u r i s t h e r e t h a t d o es n o t f e el a n gr y wi t h

th e p a i n t i n g en ti t l e d Th e Old F i d d ler e xhi b i te d a t

,

on e o f th e A r t g a ll e r i e s a few y e a r s a g o a n d n ow
,

o wn e d by a r i ch c oll e c t or ? Th e p i ct ur e d ep i c ts
’

an old s t r o lli n g fiddl er cr o s s i n g a bl e a k hi ll o n a

wi n try d ay carr yin g h is fiddl e in a gr een b ai z e b ag

,

un d er hi s a rm wi t h i ts h ea d pr o tr u di n g Th e
,
.

pi cture wa s p r on o un ce d by th e cr i ti cs to b e ver y
fin e a n d s o i t wo u ld b e b ut fo r on e s tupi d bl un d er
,

- th e h e a d o f th e fiddl e i s s h o wn t wi s t ed r o un d o n a
l evel wi t h it s S i d es !
B ut p a in t er s gr ea t d elin qu en ts t h o ugh t h ey b e
, ,

a r e e cli p s e d by s t a i n e d g l a s s a r ti s t s an d e ccl es i a s ti c a l

w o o d ca r v e r s e s,p e c i a lly t h e l a t t e,
r wh o I t hi
, n k a r e ,

th e gr ea t es t s in n er s o f all i n t hi s r es p ect Out o f .

i n n u m e r a bl e e x a mp l e s o f b a d c ar vi n g wh i ch I co uld
e a s i ly ci t e I wi ll t a k e o n e e x a m p l e wh i ch s h a ll s e rv e
, ,

as a t yp e o f i t s c l as s It i s t h a t o f th e in s tr u m en t s
.

on a n e l a b o r a t e a n d v er y e x p en s i v e r er e d o s p u t up

in a l a r g e m o d e rn Ch ur ch wh er e I o ffi ci a t e d r ec en t ly
-
a ch ur ch whi ch b o a s ts an a r i s t o cra t i c a n d c ul tu r e d

con gre g a t i on Th e ca r vi n g o n t h a t p a r t o f th e
.
 LE G END , A RT, A ND S T ORY 53

r er e do s whi ch li es i mmedi a t ely be hi n d an d a b ove th e

a l t ar d e p i ct s t h e H e avenly Ch oir led by a s m a ll
”
,

o r ch es t r a o f an g el s wh o a r e pl a y i n g upo n va ri o us
,

s tri n g e d i n s tr u m e n ts all o f a m od ern d es cri p t i on

,
.

Of t h e t wo p r i n c i p a l fi gures wh i ch s t an d S ligh tly ,

in fr on t o f th e gr ou p a n d a r e in hi gh r el i e f o n e p l a ys
, ,

u p on a n i n s t r um en t th a t i s p er h a p s i n t en d e d for a

b an j o b ut wh i ch lo o ks m or e li ke a fr yin g p an th an
,
-

a n y thin g el s e Th e o th er h old s a t ol er a bly d e cen t

.

fiddl e a n d a b ow th a t migh t p as s m u s ter for a

,

To ur te i n a n a t ti tu d e whi ch i s in t en d e d to S h o w
,
”

th a t h e i s in th e a ct o f p l a yin g b ut whi ch r ea lly ,

s ugg es t s th a t h e h a s h a d a fid dl e p u t in h i s h an d s

fo r th e fi r s t t i m e a n d i s a tte m p t in g t o s cr a p e o u t a
,

fe w n ote s

On e ft en won der s wh a t co n cl us i on s fut ure m us i cal

O

hi s to r i an s j u d gi n g a l on e by s u ch p a i n t in g a n d ca r v
,

in g a s I h a ve d es cr i b e d wo uld f o r m a s t o t h e s h a p e
, ,

s i z e a n d p r o p or t i o n o f th e fiddle o f th e n i n e t e en th
,

a n d t w en t i e th cen t ur i es a n d a s t o th e t e ch n i qu e Of
,

vi oli n i s t s of th a t p eri o d Th ey wo uld n o t b e very

.

fl a t terin g c on cl us i on s I tr o w I t i s a p i ty th e
, .

a n ci en t Gr e e k la w i s n o t i n f or ce to d a y whi ch m a d e -

i t a p un i s h a bl e o ffen ce fo r p a i n t e r s or o th er
i mi ta ti ve a r ti s ts t o i n n ova te or i n ven t an y f or m s
d i fferen t fr o m th os e whi ch wer e es t a bli s h ed an d ,

u n l a wf ul i n p ai n t i n g s t a tu a r y or a n y b r an ch e s o f
, ,

m u s i c t o m a k e an y al t er a ti on or fal s e r epr es en ta
ti on ( V i d e Pl a t o D e L,
egi bu s li b er I I ) F o r , .
,

a s s ur edl y tr u th i s a s i m p or t a n t a vi r tu e in a w o r k
,

o f a r t a s i t i s i n a b u s i n es s tr a n s a c ti on an d a r t i ts e lf ,

ce as es t o be o f re al val u e wh en i t re l in qui s h es i ts

E
34 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ERS

h old up on tr ut h Rus kin ve r y j us tly o b s er ves th a t ”

t h er e a r e s ome fa ul ts S li gh t i n th e s ig h t Of love
‘

s om e e rr or s S l i gh t i n th e e s t i m a t e o f Wi s d o m b ut
t r uth for gi ves n o in s ul t a n d en d ur es n o s t a in
, .
”

( V i d e T h e S ev en L a m p s o f A r chi tec tu r e C,
h a p o n T h
. e

La m p o f Trut h
”
, p a r .

It i s n o a n s wer t o th e s t ri ctur e s m a d e h er e ( m or e
es p eci a lly o n th e c a r v i n g s ) t o s a y t h a t t h e a r t i s t i c

t r e a t m en t o f th e vi ol i n i n t h i s ca s e i s to b e c o n
s i d er e d a s a m er e a b s t r a cti on — th a t s or t o f a n s w er
h a s b een gi ven fr o m t i m e t o t i m e . A s a m a tt er o f
fa ct i t is n ot a b s t ra ct i on an d if i t wer e i t wo uld
, ,

b e i ll e gi t i m a t e i n t h e s e p a r t i cul a r c a s e s Th a t i t
.

i s n o t a b s t r a c t i on i s e vi d ent fr o m t h e p o s i t i o n Of th e
c a r vi n g a n d th e a tt e m pt e d p er f e c t i o n o f t h e f or m

i n a lm o s t a ll th e in s t a n ces t h at h av e c o m e un d er my
o b s er v a t i o n . I n a b s t r a c t i o n o n ly a li mi t e d n umb er
O f th e q u al i t i es o f a t hin g a r e r e pre s en te d b ut i n th e
,

c a r vi n gs h ere con s i d er e d a n a tt em p t i s m a d e t o

S h o w a ll th e e s s en t i a l qu a li t i es o f th e f o r m o f t h e

i n s tr u m ent .

An d i f i t w er e a b s t r a ct i o n i t w o uld b e o p en t o t h e
,

s ti ll m or e s eri o u s ch a r g e o f i ll e gi ti m a cy It i s a
.

c an on of a r ch i t ec t u r e t h a t a b s t r a ct i on i s n o t legi t i

m a t e wh ere a n Obj e ct i s t o b e cl os ely s een b ut ,

o n ly wh er e i t i s t o b e vi e w e d fr o m a d i s t a n c e Th e .

c a r vi n g s i n t h e e x a m p l e s r e vi ew e d h e r e a r e i n Cl os e

pr o xi mi t y to th e al ta r ch oir s t a ll s etc an d a r e on a
, ,

level wi th th e e yes o f th e s p ect at or an d on ly a few,

fee t a wa y fr om hi m we ma y r e as on a bly a s k thos e

.

Why
I

wh o Offer t h i s ki n d O f a p ol o g y for b a d a r t
,

i f th e i n s tr u m en ts put i n th e h an d s Of a n gel s e t c a r e , .
5 6 B R I T I S H VI OLIN MAKER S
p as s i on for t r ut h th a t Har di e s v i ol in s m us t h ave
,
’

o r i gi n a lly h a d a g o o d t on e b ut th a t th e y h a ve
,

gr a d u a lly d e t eri or a t e d o wi n g t o th e w oo d h a vin g

b e en fi ci ally s eas on ed S om e s cor es o f n ovel s
a r ti .

h a ve a pp ea r e d s i n ce R ea d e wr o t e t h es e t wo t al es ,

i n wh i ch a vi ol in m a k er o r p l a y er i s th e h er o or a n
‘

i m p or t a n t ch ar a ct er m an y Of t h e m a r e o f Con s i d er
a bl e m er i t an d a few v er y i n s t r u ct i v e a n d i n t er es t in g
, .

A r e ally cl ever a n d fas cin a t in g bo o k i s I n t er pl a y ,

by B ea tr i ce H arr a d en in whi ch on e o f th e mi n or
,

ch a r a c t er s i s a vi o l i n m a k er b ea r in g th e r a th er
,

co mm on p l a ce n a m e o f P a ul S t i ll i n g wh o s e I mb e cil e ,

I n n o c en ce o f th e w or ld an d i ts a ffa i r s i s ecl i p s e d on ly

by h i s ph en om en al a b i li t y a n d S ki ll a s a fiddle m a k er
a n d r e p a i r er H e i s d es cr i b e d a s on e wh o m a k es
.

“
gr e a t fid dle s by i n tui ti on and as an a bs o l utely ,

en t r a n ci n g c o m p an i on i n h i s o wn r ea lm Th e
”
.

a ut h or es s — e vi d en t ly a m o d ern wo m an h as a -

th or o ugh k n o wl ed g e o f th e s ubj e ct o f vi olin m a kin g

an d r e p a i r i n g a n d h a s p r o d u c e d s o m et h i n g w or t h
,

r e a di n g .

Of i n t er es t in g vi ol i n an e cd o t e s t h er e i s n o en d .

Ha r t i n h i s b o o k h a s a ch o i ce s el e ct i on t o whi ch
, ,

ma y b e a dd ed m an y m or e e qu ally en t er t a i n in g fr o m
S o m e E a r ly Mu s i ca l R eco ll e cti on s o f Ge org e H a d
clo ck th e n u m er o u s p u bl i c a t i o n s o f th e l a t e D r
”
.
,

Th e Fi ddl e i n S cotl a n d by A G
”
T L P h lp s on
. .
, . .

Mur d o ch a l i ttl e w or k wh i ch con t a in s s ev er a l

—

qu ai n t s t ori es o f Old S co tti s h fid dler s a n d fid dle

m a k e r s a n d fr o m o t h e r b o o k s a n d p e r i o d i c a l s
— .

To th e p a r ti cu l ar ly p l e a s i n g a n d a m u s i n g s t ori e s o f
Ga i n s b oro ugh (r el a t e d by H ar t) ma y b e a dd e d o t h er s
 LE G END , A R T, A ND S T ORY 57

a b out R o mn e y , an d o n e or two o t h er gr ea t p ai n er s , t
wh o foun d i n s p ir a ti on an d s ol a ce i n th e s weets o f
th e fiddl e Pa in ter s a n d li ttéra teu rs a s a r ul e a r e
”
.

mus i c al a n d a re a bl e t o a p p r e ci a te th e di fferen ce
,

b e tween b ea u t i fu l a n d comm on p la ce m us i c b ut ,

th er e a r e e x c e p t i on s a n d R u s ki n wa s on e ,
I n th e .

Li fe an d Lett er s o f S ir Ch a r l es H all é Mr C E ,
”
. . .

Ha ll é i n a p a s s a g e r el a t in g t o c er t a in m us i cal i n ci
d en ts a t a h o us e p ar ty wh er e s ev er al c el ebri ti es ,

h a d g a th er e d i n cl u di n g Ten n ys on S wi n b urn e B urn e

, , ,

J on es R os s etti Wa t t s B r o wn i n g Lei gh ton Mi ll a i s

, , , , , ,

Fr e d Wa lker Do y l e an d s e ver al o th er p oet s an d

, ,

p a i n t er s s a y,
s : M y f a t h e r w a
“
s a lw a y s d e l i g h t e d
i n h a vi n g s u ch men t o p l a y t o wi th p ai n t er s a s h e ,

h a s h i m s elf s ai d h e wa s a lwa ys s a fe wi t h li tté ra

,
—

leu r s h e wa s occ as i on a lly n o t qui t e s o for t un a t e .

Th ey wer e fon d o f t alk in g an d fo un d it difficu lt t o

s i t l o n g a n d l i s t en wh a tever oth er s o un ds were
,

b ein g m a d e a n d a t ti m es m a tt ers far e d even wors e

, .

S om e y ear s a g o in 1 8 6 4 Pro fes s or R u s ki n a s k e d

, ,

hi m t o co m e an d p l a y t o a s ch o ol Of y o un g gi r l s i n
wh o m h e wa s g r ea tly in t eres t ed My fa th er r e a dily .

con s en t e d a n d a s t h e P r o fes s o r wa s t h er e h i m s elf

, ,

a n d i t wa s th e fi r s t ti m e h e h a d p l a y e d t o h i m h e ,

wa s c ar e ful t o s el e c t wh a t wa s m o s t gr e at a n d b e a u t i
ful a n d p l a y e d h i s ver y b e s t
,
Wh en it wa s a ll ove r .

a n d m y fa th e r wa s a b o u t t o l ea v e on e o f th e g i rl s ,

t o ld h im s h e h a d b e e n p r a c t i s in g Th a lb er g s a r r a n ge
’

m en t o f Ho me S w e et H o me an d w ou ld ve ry mu ch
, ,
’

li ke t o h ear my f a th er p l a y i t b efo re h e wen t a wa y .

He t old h er i t wa s a p i t y th e y S h ould li s ten t o a t ri vi al

thi n g li k e t h at a fter th e b ea uti ful m us i c th e y h ad
5 8 B RI T IS H VIOLIN MAKERS
j us t hear d b u t a s s h e a ppea r e d dis a p p oin t e d an d
,

s om e o t h er gi r l s c a m e f or w ar d wi th t h e s a m e r e

qu es t h e g a ve wa y s at d o wn a n d pl a y e d i t To
, , ,
.

h i s Ch a grin Ru s ki n wh o h a d b een p ol i t ely ap

, ,

ci a t i v e n ow b ec am e e n t h u s i as t i c a nd t o ld
p r e , ,

hi m tha t wa s th e p i e ce h e li k e d b es t far a n d
a w ay

Mr Her on All en h as t old u s all a b out n urs e ry

.
-

r h ym es con n ec t e d w i t h t h e fiddl e i t on ly r e m a i n s ,

for me t o gi ve a fe w p r over b s I h a ve h ear d i n d i ffer

en t p ar ts o f th e c o un t r y .

Dr un k a s a fiddl er i s a n e x p r e s s i o n w h i ch i s
”
,

o f t en h ea r d a nd i s c o mm o n t o all p a r t s
,
It i s r a th er .

h a r d o n th e p o or fid dler wh o w o uld d o u b t l es s b r ea k
,

hi s h ear t b u t for th e kn o wl e d g e th a t h e s i n s i n g o o d
c o m p an y — s o a t l e as t a n o th er p ro v er b Dr un k a s a ,

l or d t ell s h im
,
”
.

Fi ddler s p en ce a co ll ect i on of s m a ll coin

’

,
.

Fi ddl e s ti cks
-
e xp re s s i ve o f c on t e m p t e t c ,
.

Men d in g h i s fiddl e ( S P e mb r o k es h ir e ) t r yi n g
”
.
,

t o r e co ver l o s t gr o un d r e t ri ev e hi s p os i t i on a n d a
, ,

v a ri e t y o f m e a n in gs .

Pl a yi n g h er fiddle Wels h Ca n u ei chr ii th , ,

~

s a i d o f a c a t p urr i n g a n d m e t a ph or i c ally o f a w o m a n
,

h u mm in g a t u n e p l ea s an tly w h i l e a t wor k Di g o n .

0 n th a th elyn ( W e l s h
”

) w h i c h m e an s l i t e r a lly
, ,

en o ugh o f a fiddl e a n d h a r p s a i d o f on e wh o ca n S i n g ,

a g o o d s on g t e ll a g o o d t a l e p l a y a n i n s t r um en t o r
, , ,

a n y th i n g t o en t er t a in a co m p a n y ; wh o i s i n fa c t , ,

a n en t er t ai n m en t in h i m s elf .

Pl a yin g th e fiddl e i s an e xpr es s i on a pplie d by

,
”

Wels h p eo ple t o a p r ea ch er wh o h as m or e s oun d

 LE G END , A R T, A ND S T OR Y 59

th an s en s e , f g
r e err in , of co ur s e ,
t o th e pe culi ar
st yl e of o r a t or y k n o wn as Wels h h zizyl .

Ye a c an n a v et tle S h oon wi th a vi d d le s t i c k (S .

Pe mbro kes hi r e ) y o u c a n n o t r ep a i r s h oes wi th a

fiddle s tick .

I wUnn a wd y to n orr a on e ( S Pe mbs ) m

cr o .

I will n ot p l a y t h e fiddl e t o a n y o n e t h a t i s I Wi ll , ,
“

n ot fa wn up on an y on e .

To p l a y s econ d fiddl e t o t o a ct a m i n or p ar t ,

to t a k e a b a ck s e a t e tc , .

Pl a yi n g th e fiddle t o t h e d evi l .

Man y a g o o d tun e i s p la yed o n an old fid dl e .

A d ry fiddl er m ak es a d ry fiddl e .
”

Th ere ar e won t work wi th out a

t hr ee
’
s ti c k ,

An as s , a fiddler an d g en tleman Di ck
, .
”

You gr e a s e th e fiddl er h e ll gr ea s e t h e fiddl e

’

g r e a s e d i n t h e s e c o n d i n s t a n ce o f c o u r s e , ,
r e fer ri n g

t o th e p opu ar l err o r th a t g r eas e or s o me s uch lubri

can t i s a p p i e l d t o th e b o w .

Th e fid dl er bl a min g th e fiddl e a n d th e fiddle ,

bl a mi ng t h e s ti ck i e s a d dli n g th e bl am e o n
, . .

a n oth er , a n d h e on s o m eb o dy e l s e .

Th r ee gues t s wh o n e ver mi s s a fea s t ,

Th e fid d l er begga r a n d t h e p ri es t
, , .
”

Fi t as fid dle a .

As t a u t as a fiddl e s t ri n g .

Fi ddlin g wi th i t tr i fli n g wi t h it ,
a co mmon
exp r e s s i o n .

Li k e fiddl e a n d fid dle s ti c k -
i . e . i n s ep a r a ble ,

o r i n di s p en s a bl e t o o n e a n o th e r .
60 B RI T IS H VI OLIN MAKERS
Got i t all i n hi s h ea d li k e
fid dler Thi s maya .

r e fer t o th e m u s i c whi ch t h e old t i m e fiddl er u s u a lly

,

c o mm i tt e d t o m e m or y o r t o th e m i s c e ll an e a h e
,

car r i ed i n hi s t op h a t i n th e S h a p e o f s t r i n g s b a ll a d s , ,

s p ar e n ec k b an ds
-
r es i n ,e tc , .

A fa ce l i ke a fid dl e an d a t on gu e l i k e a fid d le
,

s tick
”
.

A S b u s y as a fid d le s t i c k
— .

Ti c kl e y o ur s tri n gs Mean in g B e up a n d
d oi n g ! Fi d dler s a t a co un t ry d an ce wh en th eir
en t h u s i a s m fl a gg e d w er e en c o ur a g e d by th e cr owd

wh o s h o ut e d , Ti ckl e y o ur s tr in gs ye m err y fid ,

dlers Th e e x p res s i on n ow h as a v a ri ety o f a pp li ca

t i on s .

Fi ddlin g m on ey o u t o f p e ople i s an e xpr es s i on

fr equen t ly h ear d in S Wa l es . .

Dr a wi n g th e l on g b ow e x a gg er a t i n g fin es s i n g
”
, , ,

putt in g t o o fin e a p oi n t t o a s t or y et c , .

T al kin g a n d fiddli n g a co mm on e xp r es s i on
,
”
.

T al kin g a n d fiddli n g wi t h t h ei r h a t s an d fea

th er s ( P e p y s ) .

E ver y fiddle t o i ts fa ddl e e quiva l en t to e v er y ,

man t o hi s o wn t r a d e cf
“ ”
Let t h e s h o e m a k e r
.

s ti c k t o h i s l as t
”
.

Call th e fid dler s Wh en an alt erca ti o n th r e at en s

t o b eco m e s er i o u s th e m or e p l a ca bl e p or t i on o f a
d ri n ki n g c om p an y cry Ca ll th e fid dler s to S h ow
t h eir di s ap p r oval o f th e n o i s e and th ei r d es i r e fo r ,

o r d er an d p ea c e T h i s p r o ve r b i s a t e s ti m o n y t o
.

th e p o wer o f th e we e fiddl e a s a p e a cem a k er fo r it ,

p oin t s b a ck t o th e g oo d old ti m e wh en t h e fiddle was

th e on e in d is p en s a bl e thin g a t co un t r y w e d ding s ,
 LE G END , ART , A ND S T ORY 61

fair s V illage gr e en g ath erin gs wa kes e tc wh er e

, , ,
.
,

i t s s tr a i n s o f t en h u s h e d a n a n gr y d i s p u t e .

H e h a s m o r e t h a n o n e s tr i n g t o h i s b o w .

Thi s p r o ver b h as two or th r ee v ari an t s .

Tigh t en yo ur s tri n gs Pl uck u p co ur age .

Le a n i n g o n th e fiddl e co n c en tr a ti n g en er g y
,

a n d a t t en ti on up on an yt hi n g d eri ved p erhap s fro m

th e h a b i t o f o ld fid dler s Of b en d in g f or wa r d a n d
l e an in g th eir h e a d s on th eir fid dles wh en p l a yi n g
ea rn es t ly a n d i t m u s t b e a dd e d f ur i o u s ly
— — .

Ma e e we di b on gi an i n th
’

( N o r t h P
’
e m
br ok es h i r e) h e h a s h u n g up hi s fiddle s a i d o f on e
wh o h a s fa il e d in a n en te r p r i s e or gi v en an y th i n g u p ,

i n d es p a i r ; cf We h an ge d o ur h ar p s up on th e
.
“

wi ll o w s ( P S cxxxvii V
”
. .
, .

A Two p en n y fid dl er ( S Pemb a ) o n e wh o i s a
-
.
,

m er e d a bbl er a t a th in g n o t a t all li mi te d t o th e ,

vi olin or to m us i c Th e r e co gni z e d fid dl er s in olden

, .

t im es ch ar g ed ea ch co up l e th e s um o f t hr eep en ce for
“
a ro un d o f d a n ci n g ; t h e l e s s c a p a bl e fid dlers
wh o ch a r g e d on ly t wo p en c e wer e l o ok e d up on wi t h
con t e m p t h en ce t h e e xp r es s i o n
, .

Fe a th eri n g t h e b ow Fea th erin g th e s t rin gs

”

Fea th eri n g th e n otes a n d o t h er s i mil ar e xp r es

,

s i on s ,
h a ve a v ar i e t y o f m e t a p h ori ca l a p p li ca t i on s .

Th er e a r e d o ubtl es s m a n y m or e fiddl e p r o ver bs an d

, ,

coll o qu i a l e x p r es s i on s s om e o f th e m I d a r e s a y
,

q u a in t a n d e x p r es s i ve a n d con cealin g l itt l e bi ts o f

,

i n t er es tin g h i s t or y A co mp l et e colle cti on o f th es e

.
,

wi th e xp l an a tor y n o tes a n d comm en ts wo uld b e of ,

va l u e t o th e a n t i qu ar i an .
 VI .
-
TH EO R IE S A B O U T TH E I T ALI A N
T ONE
HE It ali an t on e Wh a t is i t An d wh a t i ts
r a i s on d etre
‘

S i m p l e t h o ugh t h e s e qu es ti on s
’

a p p e ar t o b e t h ey a r e by n o m ea n s e a s y t o a n s w e r
,

I n d ee d I d o n o t t hin k th e s e con d ca n b e s a ti s fa ct ori ly

,

a n s w er e d a t a ll .

To th e qu es ti on wh a t i s th e I tal i a n t on e t h er e i s
g iven a di vers i t y o f a n s wer s an d i t i s d i ffi c ul t t o
,

s a y whi ch e x a c t ly i s th e b es t Th e a n s w e rs ar e a ll
.

o f a m or e o r l e s s r h e t o ri c a l ch a r a c t er a n d I a m n o t ,

a w a r e t h a t a n yb o dy h a s e v er a tt e m p t ed t o g i v e us

an e x a c t s ci en t i fi c d e s cr i pt i on o f i t c o u ch e d in t h e
,

ph r a s e ol og y o f a co u s t i cs Nor d o I t hi n k s u ch a
.

d es cri p ti on e a s y t o gi ve Th e e pi th et s s weet
.
,
”

“
c l e ar b r ig h t r i ch m ell ow S ilv er y
” ” ”

, , , ,

s on or o u s ,
r es p on s i v e ,
b ell li ke and s u ch
-
,

li ke ar e a p p li e d to th e It ali an t on e all o f t h em cor

, ,

r ec t en o ugh wh en t h ey ar e u s e d t o d es cri be th e t on e

O f th e b e s t i n s t r u m en t s m a d e by t h e gr ea t m a s t e r s

b ut I t h i n k th e qu a li t y ! aa r excellen ce whi ch d i s t in
i h t h It li t i — w h t I m fi gu t i v ly
‘

g u s e s e a an o n e s a a y ra e

ca ll -
i ts l i qui d i t y It h a s a ki n d o f o ily s m oo thn es s
.

wh i ch molli fies an d pl ea s es th e e ar in a m an n er t h a t
wor d s fai l t o d e s cri b e I t is a ton e t h en p ro d uce d
.
, ,

by s t ri n g e d i n s tr um en ts o f th e vi olin fa mily whi ch

62
64 B RI T IS H VI OLIN MAK ERS
m a k e a g oo d i n s t r um en t an d cover i t wi th a fin e ,

a mb er O il v a r n is h a n d e x p os e t h a t vi o l in for a y e ar

t o w a r m d ry a i r I h a ve n o t a S h a d o w o f a d o ub t
,

t h a t t h a t vi o lin w o uld h a v e th e I t a li an t on e n o ,

m a tt er wh ere i t w er e m a d e ( T h e V i o li n : H ow to .
”

Choos e On e p ,
.

Wh a t i s th e ra i s on d é tre
’
of th e ( It a l i a n t on e ?
I n o t h er w or ds wh a t was , th e s ecr e S t r a d i va ri
t of ,

Gua rn er i ,
Am a t i B er gon zi , ,
Ma ggi n i a n d o th er gr e a t
,

It l
a i an s , an d may
— I o f a fe w g r e a t m a k ers
add —

o ut s i d e It a ly ?

Con n oi s s e ur s d iffer wi d ely i n t h eir o p in i on s In .

d eed o u t Of th e Sm a ll a r my o f fiddl e e xp er ts p a s t an d
,
-

p r es en t h a r dly a n y two men wi ll b e fo un d to h a v e

,

e x a ct ly th e s a m e op i n i on .

I t h i n k i t m i gh t b e o f s o m e i n t e r e s t a n d p e r h a p s ,

o f s o m e va l u e i f I put d o wn h e r e a s con ci s ely a n d

,
.

Cl e a r ly a s p o s s i bl e th e o p i n i on s —
theor i es I h a d b e tt er

c a ll t h e m — O f s o m e o f th e m or e i m p or t a n t wr i t er s

o n th e s u bj ec t a n d a t th e s a m e t i m e p o i n t ou t wh a t I
,

c on s i d er to b e t h ei r d e f ect s .

A .
-
TH E AI R M A SS T H E O RY
Th e g i s t t h is th eor y ma y b e s t a t e d t h us Th e
of

c u b i c c a p a ci t y o f t h e b e s t It a l i a n i n s t r u m en t s ( m or e

es p e ci a lly o f S t r a di va r i s ) i s s u ch a s e n s u r e s t h e
’

e x a c t m as s o f a i r r e qui r e d by th e t on al b as i s o f c o n

s t r u ct i o n .Thi s t h eor y h as two fa t al d e fects :

( )
1 I t i s w e ll n i g h i m p
-
os s i bl e t o s e c ur e t h e r e qui r e d
e x a ct m a s s o f ai r Th e m as s o f a ir in th e Ch a mb er
.

o f th e vi o li n i s n o t i d e n t i c a l a t a n y t wo co n s ec ut i ve

m o m en t s Of t i m e Ai r i s h igh ly ela s t ic an d i ts
.
,
 THE I TALI A N T ONE 65

d en s i t y a t an y p ar ti cul a r mom en t d ep en d s up o n
t em p er a tu re a n d a tm o s p h e ri c p r es s ur e An d th e .

q u a n t i t y o f r ein for cem en t o f vi br a tio n by a vo lum e

o f a i r d e p e n d s u p on th e d e n s i t y o f th e a i r a t th e t i me .

H lm h l tz S en s a ti on s of Ton e d h
( V i d e e o : a n o t e r ,

w or k s ) .

( )
2 T h e p r e s en t c u b i c c a p a c i t y o f m a n y o f t h e

b es t I ta li an fid d les i s n o t wh a t i t wa s wh en th e
i n s tru m en ts w ere n e w Ne a rl y a ll th es e old fid dles
.

h a ve b een r e fi t t e d wi th a l ar g er b a s s b ar an d en d
blo cks wh i ch m eans a s ligh t d e cr ea s e in th e cubi c
,

c a p a ci t y A lar g e n u mb er o f th em h a Ve b een o p en e d
.

t im e a n d a g a in for r ep ai r wi th th e r es ul t th a t th e
,

r i b s a re n o t a lw a ys qu i t e a s d e e p a s th e y or i g i n a lly

wer e Oth er s ar e in d en te d h er e an d th ere es p eci ally

.
,

a r ou n d t h e b r i d g e .

B —
. T H E R ELAT I V E P I T CH O F TH E P LATES
This th eo r y wa s bro a ch ed by M . S a va r t a s a r es ul t
of hi s r e s e a r ch es o n th e a c o u s t i cs o f I t a li an vi o li n s ,

wi th s p e ci al f
r e ere n ce to th os e of S tr a d i var i . It
h old s t h a t th e qu ali ty kn o wn as It a li an t on e i s d ue
t o th e l
re a ti v e p i t c h o f t h e f u n d a m e n t a l t o n e s of th e
b ack an d fr on t p l a tes o f th e vi oli n th e p i tch o f th e ,

b a ck b ein g a ton e l ower th an th a t o f th e fr on t .

( V i d e F e t i s N o ti ce of S tra di va r i u s p ,
.

I ob s er ve ( 1 ) Th a t t h i s th e or y r es t s on th e l ogi c a l
fa ll a cy Of n on ob s er va ti on S avar t d oes n o t t ell us
-
.

th a t h e tes t e d th e pl a t es o f a n y vi oli n i n t a c t a s i t ,

h a d l e ft th e h an d s o f th e m a k er b u t h e con s tr u cte d a
,

fiddle or s o me s o r t o f m u s i cal bo x th e p l a tes o f

, ,

wh i ch h e gr a d u a t e d t o p r o d u ce th e re q u ire d t on a l
‘
66 B RI T I S H VIOLIN MAK ERS
di ffer en ce , wi th th e
ul t t h at h e o b t a in e d wh at h e
res

con cei ve d t o b e th e It ali an t one .

Th e d u o whi ch s et h i m on th e ri gh t t r a ck h e s a y s
h e g o t by d i s coverin g th a t r od s Of m a p le a n d p in e
cu t fr o m S hi p wr ec k e d S t r a d s were fo un d wh en
t h r o wn int o vi b r a ti on to gi ve e x a ct ly th e s a m e r el a
t i v e p i t ch .

( )
2 I s u bm i t t h a t w e h a v e n o e v i d en c e t h a t t h e

pl a t es o f a n y gr ea t It a li an i n s t r u m en t m u ch l es s an ,

in s t r u m en t by S tr a d i var i i n thei r ori gi n a l con di ti on

, ,

h a ve ever b een t es t ed wi t h a V i e w o f as cer t a i n i n g

th e ir t on a l pi t ch .

( 3) I s u bm i t f ur t h er t h a t t h e r e i s n o t a fidd le i n

e xi s t en ce m a d e by a n y o f th e m as t er s wi th i ts p l a t es
, ,

i n th ei r o r i g in al c o n d i ti o n Th e fi xi n g o f a s tr on g er
.

b as s b a r h a s n e ce s s ar ily a l t ere d th e p i t ch o f th e
t abl e Th e us e o f gl u e in rep a ir i n g i s an o th er li ttl e
.

fa ct or to b e c on s i d er e d A r od o f g l u e wo uld give a
.

v e r y d i ffer e n t n o t e fr o m a r o d o f p in e a n d a l t h o u gh
,

t h e q u an ti t y o f gl u e u s e d i n r e p a ir in g b e e x c ee di n gly
s ma ll s t ill i t h as t o b e t a k en i n t o a cc o un t
, An d th e
.

m a j o ri t y o f Old I ta li a n fid d les h a ve s o m e li tt l e gl ue
i n t h ei r fl e s h by n ow .

( 4) It d o es n o t s e e m t o h a v e oc c u r r e d t o t h o s e

wh o h o ld t hi s t h eo r y th a t varn is h e d p l a t es o f woo d
gi v e o u t a d i ffer en t n o t e fro m th e s a m e pl a t es i n th e
wh i t e Th er e is a s l igh t di ffer en ce o f th i ckn es s t o
.

t a k e i n t o a cco un t b u t m or e i m p or t an t i s th e a l t er a
,

t i on in d en s i t y Oil v a rn i s h es p en et r a t e th e w oo d
.

an d i n cre as e th e s p e ci fi c g r a vi t y o f th e p l a t e s .

Pr es umin g th a t th e Old m a kers wor ked th eir pla t es

t o p ro d u ce a cer t a in t o n al d i ffer en ce wh y S h o uld it ,
 TH E I TALI A N T ONE 67

be su ppo s ed th a t th a t di ffer en ce wo uld be m ai n

t a in e d a ft er va rn i s hi n g ?

C — . R ELAT I VE D E N S I TY
Di ffer en t p i e c es o f t i mb er d i ffer i n d en s i t y Th e .

gr e a t I t ali an m a k ers h a d e xa ct kn o wl e dge o f th e

d egr ee o f d en s i t y r e quir e d i n th e b ac k a n d fr on t
p l a t e s t o p r o d u c e wh a t th e y t er m th e n e ces s ar y
a cou s ti c a c cor d This .
”
ap p ears t o b e th e V i ew Of

th e R e v . H R H a wei s wh o
. .
,
sa ys Ch a r l es R e a d e
wa s n a p p in g x p r e s s e d a h o p e t h a t a c er t a i n
wh e n he e

S tr a d i va r i b a c k m a t e d w i th a n ew b elly m igh t s o m e
, ,

d a y b e u n i t e d t o s ome S tr a di va r i b elly o f wh i ch h e
kn e w bu t un l es s it h ap p en e d t o b e the b elly S tra d
h a d s el ec te d for th a t p a r ti cu l a r b a c k wh a t r ea s on ,

i s th er e t o s up p os e t h a t th e r es u l t w ou ld b e s a ti s
fa c t o r y
Pl a us ible a s i t a p p ear s th is th eory will n ot b ea r ,

much weigh t fo r ,

( )
1 T h e o n ly m e t h o d O f d e t e r m i n i n g t h e e x a c t
d en s i t y o f timb er i s by th e u s e o f th e h ydr os ta ti c
b a lan ce ; an d h e w o uld b e a r a s h w r i ter i n d eed , ,

wh o wo uld v en t u r e to cre di t th e o ld l u th i er s wi t h a
kn owledge o f h ydr os ta ti cs No d oub t th e gr ea t .

ma kers p ar ti cul ar ly S tr a di var i Gu arn er i a n d a few

, , ,

o th er s , wer e cun n in g cr a fts men en d owe d wi th ,

i n t ui t i ve p o w er s b e y on d th e a v er a g e c r a fts m an s t ill ,

th ey h a d th ei r l i mi t a t ion s an d th ey wer e ver y ,

i gn or a n t th e ma j or i t y o f th e m o f b oo k l ea rn i n g
, , .

( )
2 T h e s p e c i fi c gr a v i t y o f d i ff e r en t p i e c e s o f m a p l e

an d p in e o f th e s a m e d i m en s i o n s va r i e s in fin i t ely .

For e xa mpl e ten p i e ces o f pin e Of e xa ctly th e s a m e

,
68 B RI T I S H VI O LIN MAKERS
m ea s ur em en t s cu t fr o m th e s a m e log an d fr om th e
, ,

s a m e s i d e o f i t i f you l i k e w o uld b e foun d t o gi ve

, , _ ,

i f a ccur a t ely t es t e d t en d i ffer en t S p eci fi c gr a vi ti es

, .

( ) y
3 B t h e m a t h e m a t i c a l t h eor y o f ch a n c e i t i s

i m p os s i bl e t h a t S tra d i va ri or an ybo dy el s e s h o uld

s u ccee d i n f or tu i t o u s ly hi tt i n g up o n a un i for m r a t i o

o f d en s i t y b e t w een t h e p l a t e s o f a l a r g e n u mb er o f

in s t r u m en t s .

D -
! U AL I T Y O F
W O OD
Th i s th eor y h o ld s t h a t th e p eculi a r t i mb re o f th e
t on e i s d u e t o th e ki n d a n d q u al i ty o f w o o d us e d .

Mr Hon eym a n s a ys t h a t n o t hi n g b ut I t a li an w oo d
.

wi ll gi ve th e It a li an t on e An o th er s a ys i t m us t be
.

c u t fr o m t h i s t h a t Or th e o t h er l oca l i t y a n d a t h i r d
, , ,

t h a t i t m us t b e fr o m a p a r t i cul a r p a r t o f th e t r e e .

Now t h er e c an be no qu es ti o n th a t i t i s a m tt a er

of s up r em e i m p o r t an ce t o u s e t h e ri gh t kin d O f w o o d ,

a n d th e v er y b e s t o f th a t k i n d b ut th a t a fiddl e m a d e ,

o f s u ch t i mb e r wi ll n e ce s s a r i ly yi e ld th e I t al i a n t on e

we kn o w i s n o t t h e c a s e Th er e a r e h un d r e d s o f
.

fid dles m a d e o f It a l i a n wo o d whi ch h a ve n o t th e
I t ali an t on e Cur i o us ly en ough th e Old I t a l i an
.
,

m a k ers us ed woo d of foreign gr ow th for t h eir b e tt e r

Cl as s in s t r u m en t s We h a ve i t on th e a uth ori t y o f
.

th e Mes s rs Hill t h a t a ll th e fin er fi gure d m a p l e o f

.

S t r a di va ri wa s o f for ei gn (i e n on I t al i a n ) g r o w t h . .
-
.

( V i d e A n ton i o S tr a d i va ri p 1 6
9 z u d E d )
,
.
,
.

T H E VAR N I S H
E —
.

Thi s t h eor y h olds th a t th e I ta l i an t on e i s to be

a tt ri b ut ed t o th e o ld It a l i a n va rn i s h a b s o l u te ly .
 TH E I TA LIA N T ONE 69

Th e Mes s rs . Hi ll ,
whi l s t n ot g oin g qui te th a t
l en gth p erh a p s m a in ta in th a t th e varn i s h was th e
, ,

firs t an d m os t i mp or t an t fa ct or in th e con s t r ucti on

o f S t r a d i n s tr u m e n t s .

B ut I q u i t e fa il t o s e e wh y i f th e s e cre t o f th e ,

I t ali an t on e is in th e va rn i s h s o m an y I tali an i n s tr u ,

m en t s o f th e cl as s i ca l p er i o d d o n o t p os s es s it .

Th er e i s g en uin e en o ugh I ta li an var n i s h I S h o uld ,

i m a gi n e on a ll i n s t r u m en ts m a d e in I t a ly fr o m 1 6 5 0
,

t ill a b ou t 1 7 5 0 b u t a con s i d era bl e n u mb er o f th es e

,

Old r e li c s c a n la y n o p r et en c e wh a t e ver t o t h e I t a l i an

t on e .

Th e s e x h a u s t t h e li s t O f t h e o r i e s t h e r e a r e
do n ot e ,

m an y m or e Th er e i s th e p l a te t ens i on th eor y o f L
. .

H H a ll o f Ha r t fo r d Con n th e n a t u r a l va rn i s hin g
.
, ,
.
,

th e o r y o f Ot t o Mi gg e t h e h a r m on i c p r op o rt i o n ,

th e or y o f Ca r l S ch u lz e e t c I a m n o t s ur e t h a t I ,
.

q ui te un d er s t an d s ome o f th es e th e ori es b ut I h a v e ,

a s u s p i ci o n th a t i f I did I s h o uld n o t b e v er y m u ch

wi s er .

I h av e n o t a p e t t h eor y O f my o wn to o ffer my
re a d er s a n d i f I h a d I S h o uld b e e x ce ed i n g ly ch a r y
, ,

o f p u tti n g i t b e fo re t h e m I n s oo th I m u s t con fe s s .

th a t I kn o w ver y li t tl e m o re a b o ut th e mys teri es o f

th e I t a l i a n t o n e n ow th an I d i d th ir t y five y e ar s -

a g o w h e n I fi r s t t o o k u p t h e s t u d y o f th e s u b

j e ct .

I h a v e th o ugh t mys ter y s o l on g p on a b out th i s ,

d er ed o ver i t a n d ca rr i ed i t a b ou t wi th me in all
,

my d ai ly r o un d s th a t I veri ly b eli e ve I s h o uld n ot

,

ca r e t o h a v e i t s o l v e d Th er e i s a s ub tl e ch a rm .

a b o u t a ll mys t er y an d a b o u t t h i s o n e i n p ar t i c ul a r
, .

F
7 0 B R I T I S H VI OLIN MAKER S
I d o n o t th i n k t h er e wo uld b e h alf th e n umb er o f
vi oli n m a k er s t o d a y b ut for th is mys t er y o f th e
It a li a n t on e It i s t h e m a gn e ti c p ol e o f th e fiddl e
.

world wh i ch m a kes th e ga uges an d ca lli p ers o f a

,

th o us an d cr a f t s m en t o p oin t all i n th e s am e di r ec
ti o n I ma y e xpr es s my m e a n in g i n th e h o mely
.

l an gua g e of B oli n gb r o k e wh o s ai d t h a t p l a in
‘

t r u th wi ll in fl u en ce h a lf a s core men a t m o s t i n a
n a t i o n o r a n a g e wh i l e mys t er y will l e a d m i ll i ons o f
, ,

men by th e n os e .
”

I ma y in l u din g t h es e few a n d s ca tt ere d

c on c

r e m a r k s o n th e It a l i an t on e p o i n t o u t b ri e fly wh a t

th eo r y a n d p r a ctice h a ve t a ugh t me t o r ega r d a s

i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r s i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i on o f a g o o d
fiddl e Th ey a re
.

( )
1 T h e qu a l i t y o f t h e w o o d .

( )
2 T h e o u t l i n e a n d m o d e l .

( 3) T h e g r a d u a t i o n o f t h e t h i c kn e s s e s .

( 4) G o o d v ar n i s h .

(5 A c c u ra t e w o r km a n s h i p .

I t h in k th e c ur ves o f th e pl a t e s e s p e ci a lly o f th e ,

b a ck; h a ve a n i m p or t a n t bearin g on b o t h th e quan

t i t y a n d th e qu a l i t y o f th e t on e a n d I t h i n k a ls o ,

g r ea t ca r e s h o uld b e e x er cis ed to m a k e th e pl a t es fi t
t r u e o n t h e r i b s t o e n s u r e t h e i r p e r f e c t f r e e d o m fr o m
,

t o r s i o n a l s t r a m w h en g l u e d o n I t i s n e e dl es s t o
.

a d d t h a t I c on s i d er i t v er y d es i r a bl e th a t th e i n

s t r u m en t s h o u ld b e fin i s h e d i n a s a r t i s t i c a m a n n er

a s p o s s i bl e .

S t ri n g en t a t t en ti on to th es e p o in ts may or
a ll

ma y n o t r es ul t i n t h e p r o du cti o n Of a n in s tr u m ent
wh i ch h as the It al i a n Ma y ma y n ot
‘

to n e . or
 VII .
— M I SCELL A NEA

HE m or e i m p or t an t ma tter s h ave b een t ou ch e d

up on i t onl y r e m ain s to s a y s o m e th in g a b o ut
,

t h o s e Of m i n or i n t eres t .

An d fi r s t a s t o va g ari es
,
B y thi s t er m I m ea n
.

d ep ar tur es fr o m th e t r a d i t i o n al t ype of vi olin an d I ,

would in cl u d e un d er on e h ea d all m o di fi ca t i on s ,

va r i e t i e s an d fr e a k s wh e t h er p re s en t e d a s
, ,
i m p r o ve
m en t s a n d t r o tt e d o u t un d er th e a egis of th e
P a t en t s A ct or o th er wi s e
, .

NO man wh o l oves t r u t h wi ll d ep r eca t e s ci en ti fi c

i n ves t i g a t i on a n d e xp er i m en t a n d th e d i s co ver y of a
,

n e w la w a n ew f act a n ew e l e m en t or a n ew a n y
, , ,

th in g wi ll b e h ai l e d wi th d eli gh t by th e t h in ki n g
,

s e cti o n o f th e c o mm un i t y Th e fiddl e w or ld w ould

.

a p p r e ci a t e a n y r e a l d i s co ve r y o r i n v en t i on o f u n

d o ub t e d wor th ; b ut un for tun a t ely th e m aj ori t y

o f v i o l i n v a g a r i es can Cl a i m t o b e n ei t h er i n v en t i on s

n or d i s c o v er i es : th ey ar e m os t ly eccen tri ci t i es o r
a b s u r di t i e s
.

Th u s i t s t a n d s wi th th e fiddl e I b eli eve i t h a s a ,

l on g a n ces t r y r e a chi n g b a ck th o us an d s of years

, ,

b ut i t a p p ea r s t o h ave en t er e d u p on i ts l as t cycl e o f
e v ol u t i o n d urin g th e R en ai s s an ce a n d to h a ve ,

r e a ch e d t h e f u ll m e a s u re O f i ts s t a t ur e e ar ly i n t h e

ei h teenth cent ur y
g F u
. r t h er i t cannot g o H ero n .

72
 M I S CELLA NEA 73

All en o b s er ves th a t Th e vi o li n i s p er h a p s t h e
o n ly h u m an co n t r i v a n c e wh i ch , t a k en a s a wh o l e ,

ma y b e p r on o un ce d t o b e p er fe ct . This e xqu i

s ite m ach in e s tan din g a p ar t I n I ts mys t eri ous

,

s i mp l i c i t y fr o m th e vu l g ar h er d O f i n s tr u m en t s o f

m el o dy an d h ar m on y i s ca p a bl e of e xp re s s in g m or e
,

by i ts un ai d ed voi ce th an a ll th e r es t p u t t o g e th er
an d W h en th i s h a s b e en s a i d a r e we n o t p er fectly
,

j us ti fi ed i n a s cr i bin g to i t th e a ttri b ute of p er fec ~

ti on An d i s i t e x t r a o r d i n ar y th a t a n y a tte m p te d
i mp r o ve m en t on ly p r oves t o b e a d et eri or a
t i on
Thi s i s th e un an i m o us ver di ct Of e xp er ts , at l e as t .

I t is m a n i fes t th en th a t all a tte mp ts a t i mp ro ve

, ,

m en t s a r e a was te o f ti me an d en ergy B ut h ar d ly a .

ye ar p as s es b u t th a t we r ea d of th e a dven t o f on e or
m or e r i v a l s t o t h e t r a d i ti o n a l t y p e .

Mr Her o n All en i n h i s w ell kn o wn wor k d evo te s

.
- -

a ch a p t e r t o th e d e s cr i p t i o n O f s o m e o f th e p r i n ci p a l

v a g ari e s t h a t h a d a p p e a r e d u p t o a b o u t 1 8 8 0 : i t

o n ly r em a i n s for me t o m e n ti on th o s e t h a t h a ve

a p p e a re d s i n ce Fo r o b vi o u s r e a s on s I o mi t th e
.

n a m es o f th e i n v en t o r s p a t
,
e n t e e s e t c ,
.

( )
1 T h e a l u m i n i u m V i o l i n T. h e re h a v e b e e n

s ev er a l a t t e m p t s m a d e wi th i n r ece n t y e a r s t o in tr o

d uce vi olin s a n d es p eci ally V i ol as m a d e o f th i s

, ,

m etal I s aw qui t e r ecen tly a vi ol a m a d e of wh a t is

.

kn own as alumin i u m gold a n a ll oy con s i s tin g o f on e

,

p a rt o f a l u m i n i u m t o n i n e p a r t s o f c o pp e r I t w a s .

m or e o f a cur i o s i t y tha n a n yth in g els e an d th e t on e ,

wa s s m all an d h ars h .

( )
2 D u p l e ,
t r i p l e a,
n d s e x tu p l e b arre d fi d d le s .
 74 B RI T I S H VI OLIN MAKE R S
Th es e a re fid d les wi th t wo , th r ee , or s i x b a s s b ar s I .

a l s o s a w r e cen t ly a fr e a k W h i ch i f I r e m emb er
,

ri gh t l y th e m a k er n a m e d th e ce ll ul a r fiddl e
, I n thi s
.

i ns t ru m en t li tt l e cell s or p i t s w er e c ar ve d all o ve r on
th e i n s i d e o f th e b a ck an d fr on t t a bl e s o t h a t th e ,

s ur fa c e a pp e a r e d li k e a h on eycomb It l ook e d .

c ur i o u s an d m u s t h a ve c o s t a n i mm en s e a m o un t o f
,

l a b our an d th a t i s a b out all t h a t co uld b e s ai d i n i ts

,

fa vo ur Th e m a k er s of th es e va ga ri es a pp e ar to be
.

l a b o uri n g un d er th e d el u s i on th a t a n in cr ea se of
th e in t er i or v ib r a t in g s ur f a ce o f th e i n str um en t
e n s ure s a cor r e sp on d i n g i mp r ove m en t i n i ts t on e

p r o d u c i n g qu a l i t i
. e s

( 3) T h e r a di o p h o n e fiddl e
. T h e b ac k a n d f r o n t
o f t hi s i n s t r u m en t ar e ea ch m a d e o f t w el ve p i e ces o f

woo d whi ch a r e s o a rr an g e d t h a t th e gr ain r u n s

,

r a d i a lly fr om a c o mm on cen tr e l o c a t e d m i d wa y
-

b e t w e e n t h e s o u n d h o l e s a t t h e f r o n t a n d fr o m a
-
,

corr e s p on di n i t t th b k T h i
g p o n a e a c . e s e p ec e s ar e

n o t o n ly g l u e d t o g e th er b ut a r e t en on e d an d m ort
,

i s e d a m e t h o d wh i ch i n vo l ves t h e e x p en di tur e o f
—

t i m e a n d en e r g y s u ffi ci en t t o pr od u ce t h r e e or f o u r
V i olin s o f th e o r th o d o x p a t t ern Th is fiddl e i s .

fi tte d wi th a bri dge m a d e o f S i x pi ece s p ut t og e th er

o n t h e s a m e p r i n ci p l e .

(4) T h e p l a t e d fiddl .e T hi s h a s t w o s ym p a th e t i c

l t es fix e d t o t h e e n d bl o ck s in s i d e t h e i n s tr um en t
p a ,

c o n s i s t in g O f l a m in ae o f p i n e a b o ut o n e s i x t een t h -

o f a n in ch t h i c k a n d e xt en din g a b o u t o n e t h ir d o f
,
-

th e l en gth o f th e b o dy of th e fid dle fr o m e ith er

en d . Th e pl a t es fo ll o w th e lin es o f th e up p er an d
l ower b outs b ut s t an d a wa y a b o ut h alf an in ch from
,
- -
 M ISCELLANEA 75

th e ri bs . H er e a g a in dea s e e ms to b e t h a t by an
th e i
i n cr e a s e O f t h e vi br a t in g s ur f a c e i t i s p o s s i bl e t o
o b t ai n a n i n cr e a s e o f t h e v o l u me o f t on e .

T h g l d i o lin I n thi s d evi ce t h e

(5 ) e a c u te a n e v .

ba ck Of th e in s tru m en t i s m a d e S ligh tly l ar g er th an

th e fr o n t s o t h a t t h e r i b s s t a n d a t a n a cu t e a n gl e t o
,

it . Wh y i t S h ould b e n a m e d an a cut e an gl ed fiddl e

r a th er th a n a n o b t u s e a n g l e d o n e i s n o t qui t e Cl ea r ,

fo r S in ce th e r i b s fo r m a n a cu t e a n g l e wi th th e b a c k ,

th e y m us t n e c es s a r i l y for m a n o b tu s e an g l e wi t h t h e
fr on t Th er e wo uld a p p ear t o me t o b e gr ea t er
.

o p r i e t y i n n a m i n g th e i n v e n ti on a f t er t h e l a r g er
p r

an g l e . Gr e a t m eri t s a r e cl a i m e d for t hi s p a t e nt

va ri e ty . Th e i n ven to r in a l et t er u n d er d a t e o f
Ap ri l 4 1 9 1 4 wr it es :
, ,
Vi o lin i s ts o f gr ea t r en o wn
h a ve tr i e d t h e m s o m e o f wh o m s a y th e a n g u l a r
,
.

V i o lin s ar e be tter th an th os e o f th e Old m a s ter s an d ,

I kn o w th a t I h ave a d o z en o f th e m h er e i n my
h o u s e th e li k e o f wh i ch fo r t on e h a ve n e ve r p a s s e d
,

th r o ugh th e h a n d s o f th e Me s s r s H i ll . S on s .

Pos s i bly n o t
6
( ) T h e r i b s o un d h o l e s I h a v. e s e e n t h r e e v a r i e

ti es o f thi s ki n d o f fiddl e ; on e wa s s u ch a b ea u ti f ully

r

m a d e i n s tr um en t th at i t s e e me d a pi t y i t was n o t
m or e con for m abl e to th e tr a di ti o n s o f th e fa t h ers .
”

Th e i n ve n t or ( evi d en tly a s ch o l a r ly ma n an d a fin e
a r t i s t) i n a m h l t x l t y f t h p i i l
p a p e e p a n a o r o e r n c p e s

o f t hi s n e w d e p a r t ure s a y s th a t th er e i s a s i d e
,

fr o m th e ab s en ce o f s o un d h ol es in th e to p n o -
,

ch an g e fr o m t h e w e ll k n o wn a n d o r t h o d o x
-
t t
p a e rn .

Th e s o un d h ol e s h a ve b een r e mo ve d b eca us e th e y
-

d es tr oy th e con ti n uit y o f th e fine gr a in an d fibre i n

7 6 B RI T I SH VI O L IN MAKER S
a t a bl e wh i ch ,
e xp eri en ced eli ca t ely h as S h o wn ,
Is

s e n s i bl e t o d e f ec t s I n thi s t a bl e th e s o un d h o l e
.
-

i s b ut a d e co r a t i ve cr a c k a n d j u s t a s d e t r i m en t a l ,

t o th e e xp r e s s i on o f fu ll a n d p er f e ct t on e a s a n y o th er
cr a c k Th e Old vi ol in s wi th r e a lly fin e t on e ( a n d
‘

t h ey a r e f e w er th an i s g en er a lly s upp o s e d ) p o s s es s
t hi s t on e qu a l i t y i n s p i t e o f t h eir s oun d h ol es n o t
- - —

b ecau s e of th e m .

Th er e a r e n u m er o u s o th er va g ar i e s o f r ecen t in tr o
d uc ti on s om e o f th em b ein g r e vi va l s o f forg o tten
,

frea k s s u ch a s th e p a t en t l ea th er fiddl e th e o n e
, ,

t a bl e fiddle th e r ever s e d h e a d fiddl e e t c Th er e

, ,
.

a r e p a t en t fin g er b o a r d s
— t ai l p i e ces t ail p egs k ey, ,
-
,

p eg s a n d wh a t n ot
, .

at a:

Th e fa ct or y fiddl e cl ai ms a p ar a gr a ph or two .

Thi s u b i q u i to u s i n tr u d er c a m e a m on g u s l on g ag o ,

a n d wh en i t did i t e vi d en t ly h a d m a d e u p i ts m i n d

t o co m e t o s t a y D ecr y i t a s we wi ll i t i s d e t er mi n ed
.

n ev er to s h a k e O ff fr o m i ts v arms h t h e d u s t O f

B r i ti s h r e s i n
'
I a m n o t s ur e t h a t i ts a d ven t wa s
.

a l t o g e t h er s u ch a b a d e v en t a s we a r e w on t t o

p i c t u r e i t W e k
. n o w t h a t i t u n f or tu n a t e ly h e l p e d ,

t o ki ll th e h o m e m a d e a n d h an d m a d e a r t i cl e b u t
- -
,

th e n we a l s o kn o w th a t i t h a s h e l p e d t o p op ul a r i z e
th e K i n g o f i n s t r u m en t s i n a c o u n tr y a n d a m on g
a p e o p l e whi ch a r e s a i d t o b e n o t o v er m u s i ca l -
.

Th e h i gh Cl a s s h an d m a d e a r t i s t i c V i ol in c a n n ev er
-
,
-
,

b e p r o d u c e d a t a p r i ce wh i ch b r i n g s i t wi thi n th e
r e a ch o f t h e po or e s t o f th e p e o p l e S o m e vi oli n .

m a k er s cl ai m th a t th e y c an comp l e t e a n i n s tr u m en t
i n th e wh i t e i n o n e w e e k b u t i t i s n o t p o s s i bl e th a t
'
‘

,
 M I S C ELLA NEA 77

th e y ca n wi thi n th a t p eri o d gi ve th ei r wor k th e

d egr e e o f fin i s h i t s h o uld h a ve H e is a very s mart
.

wor ker wh o c a n fin i s h a fiddl e in a for tn igh t an d ,

keep on p r o du cin g wor k a t th a t r a te Long d a ys .

a n d fin e wo r k d e m a n d a bi g p r i ce No ! we m u s t
.

n o t u n r e s er ve dly c o n d e mn t h e l i ttl e f a ct or y i n tr u d e r

h e h a s a fe w p o i n ts i n hi s fa v o u r whi ch h elp co n
s i d er a b ly t o c o un t er b a l a n ce h i s d e fect s
-
On e o f .

o u r l ea d i n g p r o f e s s i on a l ma k e r s o n c e r e m a r k e d t o

me th a t h e o we d a g rea t d ea l t o th e ch e a p fiddle .

P u t i n th e h a n d s o f a b egi n n er i t s u ffice d u p t o a
c e r t a i n p o i n t b u t wh e n t h a t p o in t wa s r e a ch e d i t
,

qui e tl y a n d wi th o u t a mur mur ma de wa y t o i ts a r i s to

cr a t i c b r o t h e r ,
t h e a rt i s t i c i n s tr u m e n t On ce th e .

l o ve o f th e in s tr um en t is crea te d wi th in hi m th e ,

s tu d en t wi ll n o t l o n g r es t c on t e n t wi th a n in feri o r

o r i n d i ffe r en t fiddl e .

I t i s i m p o s s i bl e th a t a n a r ti s t o r even a p l a yer o f
,

mer ely r e s p ecta bl e p r o fi ci en cy s h o uld b e an ch or e d

,

t o ea r th by a f a c t ory fid dl e .

A ma ch in e m a d e fiddl e h a s n o s o ul a n d t h er e for e
-
,

n o i n di vi d u a l i t y .

I t i s a fiddl e th a t i s t o s a y to whi ch th e p l a yer

, ,

c a n n o t i m p a r t h i s o wn i n d i vi d u a l i t y a n d t h u s m a k e
,

i t th e m e d i u m o f e xp r es s i n g h i s h i gh es t th o u gh t s
a n d d e ep e s t f eel i n g s .Wi th hi s us u al p hilo s op h i c
i n s i g h t H a we i s r e m a r k s t h a t wh en B al z a c t ell s
u s o f a ma n wh o h a d i m ri s o n e d th e s o u l o f h i s
p
mo th er i n a V i ol in h e wa s n ea r er a cer ta in tr u th th an
,

s o me o f hi s r e a d e r s f a n c y . Th e s o ul th a t i s i m
p r i s o n e d i n y o u r V i o l i n i s n o t y o u r mo t h er s i t i s
’

yo ur o wn s o ul s ee kin g an d fin din g th r o ugh th e m os t

,
 7 8 B RI T IS H VI OLIN MAK ER S
s en s i t i ve of m us i ca l i n s tr u m en ts an u tt eran ce
a ll

s u ch as th e h u m a n v oi ce a l o n e ca n e q u a l b u t n ot ,

e x ce l .
”

( Vi d e M y M u s i ca l Li f e p ,
.

a: a: n
a:

On th e u bj e ct o f th e r el a ti ve w or t h o f old a n d n ew
s

fid dl es a gr ea t d e a l m igh t b e s ai d It h a s b e e n my .

c on vi c t i on for m an y y e ar s a n d th e con vi c ti on i s,

g r o win g wi th th e g r o wi n g y ear s t h a t the pen ch a n t ,

for old i n s trum en ts i s l a r g ely a m a t t e r o f s en t i m en t

—i s i n f a ct a cr a z e I k n o w i t i s h e r e s y o f a n u n p ar
.
, ,

d on a bl e n a ture t o s a y s o a n d th a t th e a n a t h em a s o f
,

a t h o u s an d a n d on e d ev o t ee s o f t h e o ld c ul t wi ll c o m e
— -

d o wn o n my un for t u n a te h ea d b u t wh a t a d va n t a g eth ,

i t t o h i d e a c on vi c t i o n Pr o vi di n g o n e h a s s p ar e d
n o e ffo r t i n e n d ea v o u r i n g to m a st e r hi s s u bj ec t ,

a n d t h a t h e h a s n o t b een s l o w t o p r o fi t by e x p er i en ce ,

s u r e ly b e h a s a r i gh t t o e x p r es s a n h o n es t o p i n i on .

Le t i t at on ce b e a dm i t t e d t h a t a g o o d o ld i n s tr u
m ent in a g o o d or a t l ea s t ve r y fa ir s t a t e o f pr es er
, ,

v a t i on i s in di s p u t a bly s up er i or t o a n ew i n s tr u m en t
,

— an d I k n o w n ot o f a n exp er t wh o wo uld not

r e a di ly g r a n t a s m u ch — a n d a ll i s a dm i t t e d t h a t i s

j u s tly warr an te d by th e ca s e AS t o th e b ulk o f old .

fid dles a n d all th e wr e t ch e d n on d e s cr ip t s wh i ch a r e
,

m as qu er a d e d a s old fid d les th e p i t y i s t h ey ar e n ot
,

g a th e r e d in t o on e p i l e s e t fir e t o a n d o ffe r e d up a s
, ,

a h ol oca u s t t o Ze t h u s o r s o m e o th er v en g e f ul g o d
,
.

I a m qui t e c er t a i n th a t a n ew fiddl e m a d e o f g oo d ,

m a t eri a l s ci en ti fi ca lly con s t r u ct ed a n d covere d

, ,

p a t i en tly wi t h a g o o d oil va rn i s h i f p l a ye d s ki lfully ,

a nd g i ve n a fe w y ea rs t o m a t u r e wi ll b e s up er i or i n ,

e v ery wa y t o s eve n t y o u t o f e v er y h un d r e d o ld
80 B R I TI S H VI OLI N MAK E RS
It is n ow g o i n g on for h alf a c en tur y S i n ce I b eg a n t o
ta ke a n in t er es t in vi olin s a n d few , a s p e c t s o f th e

s u bj ec t h a v e c a u s e d me m ore s u r p ri s e fr o m t i m e t o

t i m e t h an th e a pp a r en t ly fix ed d e t er mi n a ti on o f
p e o p l e t o h a v e a n o ld fiddl e a t a ll h a z a r d s .

Ag e gu a ran t ees n o thi n g e x cep t th e p os s i b i li t y t h a t ,

th er e wi ll b e a fe w cr a c k s n o t hi n g wi t h r eg a r d

t o e x cell en ce o f m a n u fa c tur e or qu ali t y o f t o n e .

( V i d e Th e F i d d le F a n c i er s G u i d e p M r
’
W C , . . . .

Ho n e ym an th e w ell kn o wn S co tti s h e xp er t e x
,
-
,

p r e s s e s hi m s elf m u c h t o t h e s a m e e ff e c t a n d e v e n ,

g o es s o fa r as t o m ain ta i n th a t g o o d n ew vi olin s
en t i r ely put o u t o f co u r t t h e m a j or i t y o f old o n e s
”
.

( Vi d e Th e Vi oli n H ow to Ch oos e On e .
) Mr .

Edw ar d H er on Allen Ob s er ves :

-
NO on e wh o h a s
s een th e m a gn i fi cen t n ew i n s tr um en ts of Ch a n o t ,
of

Hi ll , of B oullan gi er , of S i mon tr e , of Gan d an d

B em ar d el m an y o th er li vi n g m a ker s can
an d of
‘

, ,

p o s s i bly d en y th a t t h es e i n s t r u m en t s wi ll b e wh en a ,

li t tl e m a t u r e d by a g e fa r S w ee t er a n d fin er t h an ,

an y O f th e t i m e wi t h er e d t a mp er e d wi th o ver
-
,
-
,
f

r ep a i r é d
'

a n d di l a p i d a t e d i n s t r u m en ts whi ch fl o o d
,

th e m ar k e t un d er th e n a m es o f S t r a di va ri O f Gu a r ,

n eri o f Am a t i o f R u gg er i u s o f S t a i n er o f B er g o n z i
‘

, , , , ,

a n d a h un dr e d l es s er n a m es —
( V i o li n ma ki n g A s

i t Wa s a n d I s p An d Ch ar l es R ea d e Ver y
,
.
,

p er t in en t ly an d i n h i s own i n im i t a bl e s t yl e r em ar ks
, ,

t h at i f y ou t a k e a h un dr ed vi olin s by S tr a di u ari us
an d o p en t h e m o u fi n d b o u t n i n e t y fiv e p a t ch e d
y
-
a

in th e cen t r e wi th n ew wo o d Th e c on n e ct in g l in k . ,

i s a s h ee t o f g l ue An d i s gl u e a fin e r es on a n t
.

s u b s t a n ce An d a r e th e gl u e a n d th e n ew w o od Of
 M ISCELLA NEA 81

J oh n B ull an dCr a p a u d tr an s mo gr i fie d i n t o
J e an
t h e wo o d o f S tr a d i u a ri u s by m erely s ti c ki n g on t o
it I s i t n o t e x tr a va g a n t t o q u o t e p a t ch e d vi o li n s
a s b e y o n d r i v a l r y i n a ll th e qu ali ti e s o f s o un d ?

( Vi d e F o u r th L e tter i n th e P a ll -
M a ll Gazette Aug , .

3 1 ,

Th e t e s ti m on y mp eten t wi t n es s es
of m an y m or e co

migh t b e gi ven bu t i t i s n o t n e c es s ar y to bel ab our

,

t h e p o in t I am n o t q u arrellin g wi th my cri ti cs :
.

t h ey h av e a s g o o d a ri gh t to t h e ir o wn op in i on s a s
‘

I h ave to m in e b u t I t h i n k if t h ey h a d b e en b e tt e r
,

i n for m e d on th e s ubj e c t t h ey wo u ld n o t h a v e s a i d
th e fooli s h t hi n gs t h e y d i d a b o u t th e co m p ar a t i ve
m eri ts o f Old a n d n ew fid d les .

I t i s m y e a r n e s t a d vi c e t o p l a y er s o f m o d er a t e
m ean s p r o fes s i on al an d am a t eur al i ke wh o r e qui r e
, ,

a g o o d fiddl e t o S p en d t h e i r m on e y wi s ely o n a
,

s o un d n e w i n s tr u m en t ma d e by s o m e ar t i s t o f
,

r ecogn i z e d a b il i t y .

at
: a:

R ep ai r i n g d oes n o t co me wi thin th e s co p e o f t h is
w or k , bu t a fe w wo r d s on ft wi ll n o t be
th e t
s i s er cr a

o ut o f p l a ce Go o d r ep a i r er s a r e l i k e g o ld O ft en
.
,

s c a r ce ,
a l wa y s w a n t e d a n d m u ch a b u s e d
,
Th e y .

ar e O f t en a b us ed for s oo th b eca us e th ey can n o t

, ,

p e r f o r m m i r a c l es a n d t r a n
, s f o r m w re t c h e d o ld fid d le s

wi th b r o ken vo i ces i n t o s er a p h i c Cr em o n a s .

R e p a i r i n g I n ee d h a r dly t e ll m y r e a d e r s is a
, ,

s p e ci a l a r t r e q u i ri n g m u ch s k i ll
,
g r e a t p a ti en c e , ,

a n d a d o u bl e
p or t i o n o f t h e s p i r i t o f s e lf e ff a ce m e n t -

a n d O f r e v e r e n ce fo r o ld wo r k Th e a b s en ce o f th e
.

l as t n amed virtue in th e r ep ai r ers of th e p as t is one

82 B RI T I S H VI OLIN MA KER S
of th e r e a s on s wh y th er e a re so m an y s p oil t old

i n s t r u m en t s . Th e be s t m a k er s a r e n o t n e ces s a ri ly ,

n or e v en u s u allyb e s t r e p a irers As a m a tt er
, th e .

o f f a c t v e r y fe w o f th e l e a d i n g B r i t i s h vi o li n m a k ers

a r e r en o wn e d for t h ei r r e p a i rs a n d th e m a j or i t y o f ,

th e m d o n o t un d er ta k e s u ch wo r k a t a ll I d o not .

th in k h o wever a man can b e a g o o d r ep a ir er unles s

, ,

h e i s a bl e t o m a k e a n i n s tr u m en t a n d i s th o r o ughly ,

c o n v er s a n t wi th th e th e or y o f i t s c on s t r u cti on .

R e p a ir i n g i s to m a ki n g wh a t s u r g e r y i s t o an a t o my
—s k i ll i n t h e o n e i s d e p e n d en t on a k n o wl e d g e o f

th e o t h e r Th e r e a r e s o m e s cor es o f r ep a i rer s o f a
.

s or t u p a n d d o wn t h e c o un t r y b u t th e y ar e n o t ,

r e p a i r er s i n t h e t r u e s en s e o f th e w or d ; th e y a r e
d a bblers An a r t is t i c r e p a ir er d o e s n o t m er ely
.

m n d th e fiddl e h e r es tor es i t r e s t or es i t th a t i s
e ,
—
, ,

a s n e a r a s p os s i bl e t o i ts o r i gi n a l c on d i t i o n a n d by ,

th e h el p a n d wi th th e a dd i ti on o f a s li ttle n ew m a t e ri al
a s p o s s i bl e He d o es n o t li k e th e v an d a l Or t eg a
.
,

o f wh o m we r e a d s u b s t i t u t e a b ra n d n e w t a bl e fo r
,

a cr a c k e d o ld on e n o r e v en ,
i n d ee d th e tin i e s t
, ,

s p l in t er wh er e h e c an p o s s i bly a v o i d i t
, All th e old .

pi e ces t h a t h a v e b r o k en o ff if th ey a r e n o t l os t h e
, ,

d eft ly an d cun n in gly r efits i n t h eir pr oper p os i t ion .

I t h a s b een s a i d o f t h e r e p ai r s o f Fr a n co i s Gan d ,

o f P a r i s t h a t t h e y w er e
, m a s t er pi eces o f in gen ui t y
a n d d e l i ca t e w o r km a n s h i p Th e c a re th a t h e
”
.

t o o k a n d th e j u dg m en t wh i ch h e e x er ci s e d i n b r in g
i n g t og et h e r t h e va r i o u s b r o k en p a r t s o f a n i m p er fe ct
i n s t r u m en t th a t th e o ri gin a l a p p ea r a n ce m i gh t b e
,
,

m a in t a in ed a s cl os e ly a s p o s s ibl e can n o t b e too ,

h i gh ly p r a i s e d H e o ft en a ccom pl i s h e d s e e mi n g
.
 M I SCELLANE A 83

im p os s i b ili ti e s .S p lin t er e d cr a c k s wer e by h i s i n

g e n u i t y c l o s e d a s th o u gh n o fib r e h a d b e en s e v e r e d ,

w hi l e a t o th er ti m es p i e ces we r e s o d e ftly in s er te d
,

th a t th e m o s t e xp e r i en c e d e y es mi gh t fa i l to d e te ct
th e i r p re s en ce . I t wa s w i th h im a l ab our of love,

an d h e d id n o t s cr u p e l
d d a y s o v er
to s p en w o r k on
w hi ch o th er s wo uld on ly s pen d h our s ( Har t ) .
”

Th a t i s a p i ctur e of th e g en uin e res t or er an d p

r e ver en t a r ti s t An d th a t i s th e s or t o f wor k e ver y

re p a i r er d e s i r o u s o f d o in g f ull j u s ti ce to h i s ar t m u s t

a i m a t Th e gr e a t b an e o f th e fiddl e w or ld i s th e q u a c k
.

“
r e p a i r er wi th hi s
, p a t en t n o s t r u m s fo r t h i s t h a t , ,

an d th e o th er lin a ilm en t I f you va lu e yo ur

vi o .

o ld i n s t r um e n t a v oi d h i m a s y o u wo u ld a p e s ti l e n ce
, .

Th er e ar e s ever a l cl eve r an d con s ci ent i o u s r e

p a i r e r s i n th e c o u n t r y a n d t h e o wn e,r o f a v a l u a bl e

i n s tr um en t r e qu iri n g d o cto ri n g u p n e e d b e un d er
no a r eh en s i o n i n c o mmi tti n g hi s t r e as ur e to t h e m
pp
fo r tr e a tm en t .

Th e p r es er va ti on of i n s tr um e n t s i s m a t t er
a of

s up re me i mp or tan ce a n d I d o n o t , th i n k I s h a ll
be
gi vin g s up e r fl u o us a dvi c e w h en ur gi n g u p on all
o w n e r s o f v a l u a bl e vi o l i n s t h e n e c ess i t y o f a t ten di n g

to th e fo ll o wi n g p o i n ts
( )
1 W i p e t h e i n s t r u m en t ca r e f u lly w i th a s o f t
s i lk h an dk e r chi e f e a c h ti m e a f t er u s e .

( )
2 I f t h e v i o l i n i s n o t a t a ll i n u s e t h en g i v e i t ,

fr e quen t a ir i n gs bu t d o n ot e xp os e i t fo r l on g to th e
,

i
d t r a ys o f th e s un th a t wo uld ta k e th e colo ur
rec —

ou t of th e v arn i s h .

(3) K e e p th e in s tr u m en t fr om ex treme t emper a

84 B RI T I S H VIOLIN M AKER S

tur es a n d
,
ne v er e xpos e it in a damp a tmo
s ph e r e .

(4) K e e p it as fr e e
p o s s i bl e fr o m d u s t I f
as .

d u s t s ho uld g e t i n t o th e i n s i d e p o u r i n a h a n df ul ,

o r t wo o f b a r l e y or r i c e t h r o ugh th e s o u n d h o l e s ,

a n d s h a k e b ackw a r d s a n d f o r w a r d s t i ll th e d us t h a s

b een l
r e ea s ed .

( )
5 Att e n d t o a n y d a m a g e h o w e v e r s,
li g h t W 1 t h ,

o u t d el a y : t h a t will p r ev en t f ur t h er m i s chi e f .

6
( ) I f t h e fid dl e s h o u ld u n f or tu n a t e ly f a ll a v i c t i m
to th e v ora ci o us w o o d b o r er th e l i tt l e d e m o n s o —

s s s f
dr ea d ed by p o s es or o old in s tr um en ts wa s h th e —

a ff e c t e d p a r t s wi th h yd r o g en p er o x i d e wh i ch
ma y b e o b t a in e d a t a n y ch em i s t s h o p Thi s i s .

p e r f e c t ly h a r ml e s s wi ll n o t i n j ur e th e i n s tr u m en t i n
,

th e l eas t a n d is th e m o s t e ffecti v e r e m e dy ye t
,

tri ed .

(7) L a s t b ut
,
n o t l e a s t : g i v e y o u r v i o li n a n

occ as i o n a l r e s t I f th e in s tr u m en t g et s a gr e a t d ea l
.

o f h a r d u s e th e p e r i o d s o f r es t m u s t b e r e a s on a bly
,

fr e quen t an d fai r ly l on g I f i t d o es n o t g e t a r es pi t e
.

“
n o w a n d a g a in i t wi ll i n f a lli bly g e t pl a y e d o u t ”
.
,

A w o r d on th e e th i cs o f vi o lin co llec tin g S o m e .

wri t ers h old th a t i t i s p os i t ively wron g to for m

c o ll e c ti on s o f o ld i n s t r um e n ts on th e g r o u n d t h a t i t
,

i s s elfi s h a n d th a t i t p r e ven ts th e in s t r um en t s
,

g e t tin g in to th e h a n d s o f p l a y er s O th er s t a k e an .

o pp os i t e vi e w an d r e g a r d fiddl e m a n i a cs a n d r a t i o n al
,

co ll ec tor s a li ke a s b en e fa ct or s t o th e fiddle world .

To me t h i s w or dy w a r f ar e s e e m s t o b e Mu ch a d o
“ ”

a b o ut n o th in g Th e qu e s t i on of th e r igh t or wr on g
”
.
 M I S C ELLANEA 85

o f vi o lin lle c tin g i s as s ur e dly bu t a s ma ll fract i on

co , ,

o f t h e v er y l a r g e qu es t i o n o f t h e r i gh t o f o wn e r s h i p

i n th e a b s t r a c t. We can well a ffor d to let th e

s m all e r m a t ter r e s t ti ll th e l a r g er o n e h a s b e e n

s e tt l e d.
 A DI C TI O NA RY O F V I O LI N A ND B OW

M A KER S

AB EL DAVI D , A vi oli n of fairly g oo d workma n

,

s h i p bo r e a l a b e l wi th thi s n a m e wi th o ut d a t e or p l ace n a m e
-
.
,

I t l ook e d li ke e ar ly ni n et een th c en tur y wor k .

A B S AM , TH O M A S
Wake fi eld : 1 8 1 0 —49 I h ave
, .

se e n o nly t wo i n s tru m e n t s o f h i s m a k e b oth vi o li n s on e o n , ,

th e S tr a di var i a n d th e oth er o n th e A m a ti mo d e l Th e .

workman s h i p wa s of a ver ag e me ri t He ma de chi efly for .

Pickar d a d eal er i n Leed s

, .

A C TO N W ILLIA M J O H N Lon d
, w or k s a t
, on . He
47 2 K th i
a n Rerd Fe t G
oat e E ore s , a He wa s born i n , .

Wo olwi ch Dec e mb er 1 2 1 848 a n d was educate d at R e ctory

, , ,

Pla ce Aca demy o f th at p la ce He was tr ai n e d by h i s

, .

fath er an d ca rri e d o n bu s i n es s a t Wo olwi ch till 1 8 9 8 wh en

, ,

h e r e m o ve d t o Lo n d on He h a s m a d e u p t o d a t e 2 1 0
.

vi o li n s 1 9 Vi ol a s 2 9 vi ol o n ce ll o s 2 1 c o n tr a b as s e s a n d 2 5 0
, , ,
-
,

bows H e h a s als o ma de a lar g e n u mber o f r ep li ca s of

.

a n ci en t vi ol s an d o th e r i n s tru m e n t s Th e mod e l of h i s .

vi o li n s a p p r o xi m at e s cl o se ly t o th a t o f th e g r a n d S tra d ,

th e ma te r i al i s e xc e ll e n t a n d th e workman s hi p a n d t o n e a r e
,

g o o d. H e h a s l a t t e r ly s p eci ali s e d i n bo ws wh i ch ar e ,

e x ce ll e n tly m a d e o f th e fi ne s t w oo d a n d w ell s ea s o n e d , .

Hi s p ri ce s for i n s tru men ts a n d b ows a r e e x cep ti on ally

mod er ate as p ri ce s g o to da y Mr Acton i s cons i der ed a
, . .

89
9 0 B RI T I S H V I O L I N M AKER S

ver y s ki lful r ep ai r er , b ei ng a di lig en t a n d cons ci enti ous

an d

man , h e d oe s n ot la ck for wor k Fa cs i mil e lab el

.

ADAM S C A TH U NE , Ga r m outh
, Fr o m a b ou t 1 7 7 5 .

t o 1 80 5 He m a d e k i ts vi oli n s an d vi ol on cello s
. Th e
, , .

wor kma ns hi p i s fai r ly g ood bu t th e varn i s h i s o f p o o r ,

qu ali t y Ton e s ma ll , but cl ear a n d r es p ons i ve H an d

. .

wri tt en l a b el ,

ADD I S O N WI LL IAM Lon don Peri o d un known

, , .
,

but p r ob a bly a b out 1 6 5 0 —7 5 I t i s n ot cer tai n wh eth er h e

.

m a d e vi oli n s b ut h e ma d e vi ol s La b el
, .

WI LLI AM I
ADD S O N ,

IN LONG ALLE Y ,

OV ER AGAI N ST M OOR FI E LDS , 1 67 0

.

A I R ETO N, D M U ND , Lo n d on E From a bou t 1 730 .

t o 1 80 7 Hi s b e s t i n s tru m en t s a r e on th e Ama ti m o d e l
. .

Th e w or k ma n s hi p i s g oo d an d th e t o n e of fa ir qua l i t y
, .

Th e var ni s h i s a s p i ri t on e , o f a l u s tr e l es s y e ll o w I t has .

b een s ur mi s ed th at a wor kma n of th e sa me n a me i n th e , ,

e mp lo y of P et e r Wa m s l e y i n 1 7 3 5 wa s hi s fa th er , .

AI RTH WI LL IAM E di n b urgh Ab out 1 8 60 t o 1 8 8 1

, , . .

He e mi gr a te d t o Au s tr a li a i n th e l a t te r yea r wh er e h e h a s
“

r emai n e d o n ly o cca s i on ally ma ki n g vi oli n s

, Fai r wor k .

man s hi p a nd t on e .
9 2 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

AND E RS O N J O H N Gla sg ow He i s th e s on o f th e
, , .

p r ec e di n
g J o h n A n d e r s o n a n d wa s b o r n a t A be r de en i n
, ,

1 85 6 . H e h a s m a d e a nu mb er of vi o li n s o n a mo di fi e d S tra d
m o d el a nd h e al s o mak es ve ry g oo d va rni s h
, .

ANY O N TH O M A S Ma n ch es ter An a mateur

, , . wh o
ma kes very b e a uti ful i n s tr u men ts a n d for wh i ch h e i s , sai d
t o o b tai n p ri c e s r an gi ng f r o m thi r t y t o fift y g ui n e a s

AR NO T DAVID B o rn a t Cri eff a n d worke d i n

“
‘

, .
,

Gla s g o w wh e r e h e di e d i n 1 8 9 7
, He m a d e a l arg e n u mb er .

o f i n s tru m e n t s on vari o u s m o d e l s He h a d a s h o p i n .

S tockwell S tr ee t Gl a sg o w wh er e h e ca rri e d o n e xt ens i ve

, ,

r e ai ri ng b u s i n e s s H a dw r i t t l b l
p n e n . a e .

AS KEW J O H N S ta n h op e B orn i n 1 834 d i ed i n 1 8 9 5

, , .
, .

A ver y cl ever ma ker wh o i f ci r cu ms tan ce s h a d but all owe d

, , ,

would d ou b t les s h a ve p r o duced a la rg e n u mb er of i n s tr u

men ts of e xcep ti o n a l meri t Mr To wr y Pi p e r h a d a hi gh . .

o p i n i o n o f hi s a b i l i ti e s I n a m on og r a p h r e ce n tly p u bli s h e d
.

by Mr W Mor le y Egg l es to n e en titl ed : j ohn A s kew

. .
,

the S ta n hop e V i oli n M a ker a fu ll d e s cri p ti on i s g i ve n o f a ll

,

t h e violi n s by As k ew wh i ch ar e k n o w n I h a ve s een only .

o ne i n s tr u m e n t by thi s m ak er i t wa s the vi o li n ch ri s t

en e d th e Va n Geld eren f e ci t i n 1 8 8 4 a n d wa s on th e S tr a d
, ,

mo d el wi th g old en a mb er varni s h of a s li gh tly re ddi s h ti n t

, ,

ve r y t r a n s pa r e n t a n d l u s tr o u s Th e wor kma n s hi p s h owe d

.

t h e m a s t e r h an d of a b orn fiddl e m a k er a n d th e t o n e wa s ,

f ull r es p on s i ve a n d mell ow He wa s a war d e d a br on z e

,
”

, .

m e d a l a t th e I n ve nti on s E xh i bi ti on 1 88 5 a n d th e fi r s t , ,

p r i z e a t th e J u b i l e e E x h i b i t i o n Ne w ca s tl e o n Tyne i n 1 8 87
,
- -
, .

AS KEY S AM U L , E
He w or k e d i n Lon d on a bo u t
.

—
1 800 40 Ori g i n a lly a ti n m a n h e b e ca m e a p up i l of Joh n
.
,

Morri s o n a n d wor ke d for s o m e t i me for G e org e Co r sb y

,
.

Th e wor k va ri es i n ch ar a ct er bu t th e to n e i s us ua lly we a k ,

a n d ha rs h No la be l of hi s i s kn o wn
. .
 V I O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 93

AS P I NALL JA M E S He works a t B old e rs t on e

, . . An
a m a teu r wh o p r o duc e s very c o mme n d a bl e w ork ,
.

A TKI NS JAM E S
, , C o r k H e c a r r i e d o n b u s
. i ne s s a s

mu s ic s eller for m an y year s i n Cork bu t h a s now r etir e d ,

.

He i s o ve r 80 bu t s till t a ke s a n i n ter e s t i n th e vi ol i n an d
, ,

i t i s n ot l o ng s i n c e h e la i d by hi s g ou g e t o e nj o y a W e ll

e a rn e d r e s t He h a s ma d e a n u mb er o f vi o li n s
. os t ly o n , m
th e S tr a d mo d el whi ch a r e o f go od w or kma n s h i p , a n d h a ve
,

a fu ll cl e a r an d r e s p o n s i ve t o n e
, , .

A TKI NS O N W ILL IA M , . He worked m a n y yea r s

for
at To tt enh a m b ut , l ef t
for th e r e i n 1 9 1 1 Pa gles h a m n ear ,

R och f or d , i n s se x E H e wa s b orn a t S te p n e y Oct o ber 2 3

.
, ‘
,

1 85 1 . He i s a p r o fe s s i on al ma k er a n d i s r e c ogn i e d a s o n e
, z
o f t h e b e s t a r ti s t s i n G r e a t B ri t ai n t o d ay
-
He r ece i ve d a .

d r ly e du ca ti on a t Luk e i n g s G r a mma r S ch o o l M i l
’
a e
g o o e ,

En d R o a d S t e p n e y , an d th u s l a i d a so li d fo u n d a t i o n fo r
,

h i s la t e r r ea di ng i n a co u s ti cs a n d t h e t h eor y o f vi o li n
c on s tru c ti on He wa s ma rri e d Oct o b e r 6 1 8 80 to Mary
.
, ,

E zl ab
i e t h C mp e a B ml e y b y B ow Ch ur ch a n d h a s two
a r t r o -
,
-
,

s on s, Wi llia m Ca mp er a nd oh n B enj a mi n Ca mp e r He
, J .

ma de hi s fir s t vi oli n i n 1 8 6 9 wh i ls t s er vin g h i s t i me a s a
,

j oi ner He h a s co mp l ete d u p to d at e a b out 2 0 0 vi oli n s and

.
,

a c orr e s p on di n g n u mb e r o f Vi o la s an d vi ol o n ce llo s He .

works o n two ori gin al mod el s th e p ri n ci p al m ea s ur e m en ts

o f mo d e l No 1 b e in g .

L e n g th of bo dy I n c h es .

Wi dth a cr oss u p p erbo ut s

mi ddl e bo uts
lower bouts
Dep t h o f ri bs at t op
bott om
Len gt h of s ound h oles
Di s t ance be twe en s oun d h oles
Elevati on from ! ,
94 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S
Th e me a s ur e men ts of m o de l No 2 ar e th e s a m e e xcep t .
,

th a t i t i s 3 2} n a rr o we r a cr o s s th e b ou t s
3 -
.

Mr Atki n s o n i s p a r ti cu l ar ly car e f ul a n d h a p p y i n th e
.

s e l e cti o n o f hi s ma t e ri al He I s a bl e t o t es t a cou s ti cally h i s

.

wo od a n d th e r e f or e t o r ej ect a ll th a t doe s n ot co m e up t o
,

th e hi gh e s t s tan da r d o f e xce ll e nce He p r e fe r s ma p l e wi th

.

a fi gu r e o f m e di u m wi d th a n d p i n e o f a , r ee d r a th er u n d e r

me di u m wi dth Hi s o u tli n e a n d mod el a re p ur e an d gr ace

.

ful a n d th e w or km a n s hi p i s m o s t c ar e fully a n d d e li ca t e ly
'

fini s h e d d own t o th e s ma lles t d etai l Th e s cr oll i s a n otabl e .

f ea tur e o f th e wor k I h a ve n ever s een i t b e tte r car ve d a n d ,

r ar ely q u i t e a s g o o d Th e wi d th o f th e b a ck fr o m th e
.

s c oll o p d o wn t o t h e fi r s t t u r n o p p o s i t e t h e t h r oa t i s m a i n

t a i n e d wi th a g r a d u a l a n d a lmo s t i mp e r ce p ti bl e d i mi n u ti o n ,

j u s t a s i n th e b e s t old I ta li an wor k a n d cert ai nly i n a s tyl e

,

wh i ch a ll bu t th e ver y b es t of o ur old En gli s h ma ker s fail e d

t o r ea ch Th e b u t t on i s n ea r ly s e mi ci r cul ar wi th g en tly
.
,

t on e d d o wn e dg e
-
Th e ma rgi n i s on e fifth wi d e a n d th e
.
-
, ,

e d g e s a r e f ull wi th a ve r y s li gh t e l e va ti o n a b o ve t h e l e ve l
,

o f th e p u r fl i n g b e d Th e p urfii n g e ve r y bi t o f whi ch Mr
.
, .

At ki n s on ma kes hi ms elf i s on e s i x teen th wi d e th e i nn er

,
-
,

s t ri p h a vi n g a wi dth whi ch i s s li gh t ly gr e a t e r th an th a t o f

th e o u t er on e s c o mb i n ed Th e s ou n d h ol es ar e of b e auti ful
.

ou t li ne a n d cl ea n ly cut Th e var ni s h i s a n oil o n e r angi n g

.
,

i n c ol our f r o m p a l e s tr a w t o li gh t ru by i s p er f ect ly t r a n s ,

r e n t a n d e l a s ti c a n d s o f t a s ve l ve t t o th e t ouch I t i s
p a , .

l ai d on i n fr o m fift een t o t wen t y th i n co ats a n d d ri e d i n ,

t h e o p en a i r Few ma ker s ar e s o f a s ti d i o u s a s Mr At ki n s o n
. .

i n t h e m a t t er o f va r ni s hi n g He r e moved fr o m To tten h a m
.

s i m p ly b e ca u s e h e b e li e ve d th e a i r o f t h a t p l a c e i n j ur e d h i s

varn i s h d u ri n g t h e dr yin g p r o c es s H e p r ef err e d to s a cri fi ce

.

th e p r o s p e ct s o f a r ea dy m ar k e t fo r h i s i n s tr u m en ts t o th e
l e s s r emun erati ve but vi tal i nt er e s ts of hi s a rt Th e Du ke of .

S a x e Co b ur g G otha wa s an a dmir e r of A t ki n s on s vi oli n s

’
- —
,

a n d g a ve p r oo f m or e t h a n on ce o f t h e p r a cti ca l i n t er e s t h e

t o ok i n th e w elfar e o f th e gi fte d m ak er Th e ton e i s r e mar k

.
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 95

a bly cl ea r a n d r e s p on s i ve it i s po werful , bu t wi th a l mellow

a n d s i l ve ry
. Fa cs i mile la b el

Th e la b el i s va r n i s h e d o ver wi th th e sa me var ni s h a s th at
u s e d o n th e fiddl e t o p r e ve n t th e i n k f a di n g Th e ma ke r s
’

.
,

mon ogr a m i s a ls o s ta mp e d wi th a cold p u n ch on th e b a ck

u n d e r th e b u tt o n .

B AI NE S Lon don a b out 1 7 80 Nothi n g i s

, .

kn own of hi m b eyon d th e fa ct th at h e wor ked for Ma tth ew

Furb er for s ome ti me wh os e p up i l h e was
, .

B AKE R F R A NC I S Lon d on An old Vi ol maker

, , . . A
ba s s vi ol b eari n g hi s l ab el h a s b een kn o wn .

B AKE R J O H N Oxfor d 1 6 80 —1 7 20 He mad e vi ols

, , , .

ch i e fly b u t t o wa r d s th e en d o f h i s li fe h e i s s up p o s e d t o h a ve
,

t ur n e d hi s a tt e n ti on t o vi o li n s No o n e h owever a p p ear s
.
, ,

t o h a ve s e en a n y o f th es e To m B r i tt on h a d a fin e vi ol o f
.

h i s ma ke i n h i s coll e cti o n a n d a four s tri n g e d vi ol d a ga mb a

,
-

wa s a mon g th e e xh i bi t s a t th e S outh K e n s i n gt on S p e ci a l
E xhibi ti on 1 872 b eari ng th e followi ng l ab el
, ,
9 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

B AKE R WILLIA M B righ ton A bo u t 1 820—40 He

, , . .

m ad e a n u mb er o f vi olin s on a m od e l a p p r oa chi n g th a t o f
t h e gr a n d S tr a d s o m e wi th gr o t es qu e fi gu r e s i n s t e a d of th e
,

u s u al s cr o ll Go o d woo d a n d wor km a n s hi p
. va r n i s h ,

g o ld e n b r o w n o f g o o
, d q u a l i t y S o u n d h o l es r a th e r . w e a k -
,

i n cli ne d t o b e k n ock k n e e d Ton e p o w

-
e r f u l b u t .
, ,

i n cli n e d t o b e m e t a ll i c an d h a r s h La b el p ri n ted i n Roman .

ch a r a c t e rs

M ADE BY
WI LLI AM BAK ER ,

G E OR G E STREET BR I G HTON ,

1 8 27 .

BAL LANTI NE E di n burgh a n d Gla s gow N0

, .

th i n g k now n o f hi m e x c ep t t h a t h e w or k e d a b ou t 1 8 5 0 .

B A NK S B E NJ A M I N S a li s bur y He wa s b orn July

, , .

1 4 1 7 2 7 a n d d i e d F eb r u a r y 1 8 1 7 9 5
, ,
He wa s th e s e co n d , .

s o n a n d t h e thi r d ch i ld o f G e o rg e a n d B a r b a r a h B a n k s o f ,

th e p a r i s h o f S Th o m a s S a li s b u r y I n Gr o ve s D i cti on a ry
’
. .
,

of M u s i c a n d M u s i ci a n s V ol V p 30 6 n ew e di ti o n i t i s
, . . .
, ,

s t a t e d t h a t B a n k s wa s n ot a n a ti ve o f S a li s b u r y bu t t h at ,

h e ea r ly m i g r a t e d th er e fr o m Lo n do n p r e s u ma bly Th i s
, .

c a n h ar dly b e c o rr e c t a s i t w ou ld i n vo l ve th e r e m o va l o f t h e
,

p a r e n t s t o L on d on an d t h e i r r e t u r n t o S a li s b u r y wi thi n a

s h o r t p e ri o d o f t i m e G eo r g e a n d B a rb a r a h B a n k s w e r e
.

li vi n g i n S a li s b u r y i n 1 7 2 5 a n d i n 1 730 I t i s n ot qui t e .

c e r t a i n o f c o u r s e wh e r e h e wa s b o r n
, , th e o ld r egi s t e r s of
t h e p ar i s h of S Th o m a s a r e l o s t a nd t h e t r ansc ri p t s i n t h e
.
,

Di oc e sa n R egi s t r y a r e i n c o m p l et e Th e f ollo wi ng ar e th e .

o n ly e n t r i e s c o n t ai n e d i n th e tr a n s cri p t s wi th r e f er e n ce t o

t h e Ba nk s f a m i ly :

Bap tis ms .

2 1 Mar ch 1 7 2 2 Ge org e s on o f Ge or g e a n d Bar bar a h Ba n ks

, ,
.

8 July 1 7 2 5 Eli zabe t h da ught er o f Ge org e an d Ba r bar a h

, ,

1 A
5 ug us t 1 3
7 ,
0 Willi a m s on of George an d Barbarah Bank s
,
.

2 Ju Mary da ugh ter of George an d Barb a ra h Ba n ks

”
0 ne 1 3
7 ,
2 ,
.
9 8 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

( )
1 Th e S t a i n e r cop i e s , a s a r ea w comp ar a l dy s tate d , sho

t i ve ly i n f eri or w or k— i n f e ri or th at i s a s c o mp ar e d wi th , ,

hi s be s t s t yl e Th e m od e l i s l o ng f r o m 1 4g t o 1 41 36 wi th , ,

a p e rc ep ti bl e n ar r o wi n g o f th e u p e r t f t h i t m t
p p a r o e n s ru e n .

Th e a r chi ng i s s o m ewh at e xa gg e r a t e d h a vi ng th e ri dg e ,

a c c en tu a t e d b et w e en th e s o un d h o l e s On e i s gi ve n th e -
.

i m p r e s s i o n th a t th e c op yi s t h a vin g gr a s p e d th e g en era l ,

i d e a o f th e S ta i n er m o d el an d thi n ki n g i t s h e e r w a s te o f
,

t i m e t o a tt e m p t a n e xte n d e d an a lys i s o f i t a n d t o b e n i c e ,

a b ou t d e t a i l r e s o l ve d th a t i t wa s s u ffici e n t i n d u lg en ce t o
,

e x i s tin g wi ck e d n e s s t o r ep r o d u c e th e s a i d f e a t u r e i n a n y
’

s h a pe . I h ave n ot s een on e B a n ks fiddl e wh i ch ca n be sai d

t o b e a f ai th ful S tai n er c o p y a n d I d o n o t thi nk th er e i s ,

o ne i n e xi s t e n c e Th e ou tli n e i s f ai r ly tr u e b ut th e cur ves

.
,

o f th e a r ch e s a r e t r ea t e d wi th a d e g r ee o f fr ee d o m whi ch

r e m o ve s th e w or k f r o m th e ca t e g or y o f c op y i n th e s tri ct
”
,

a cc e p t a t i on o f th e t e r m Th es e a r e th e s o ca ll e d co p i es
.
-

wh i ch h a ve g ot p o or B a n ks i n t o i ll o dour wi th r egar d to
so m e o f hi s va r n i s h i n g Hi s var n i s h i n s o me ca s es h as
.
, ,

ki ll e d th e g rai n of th e t a bl e s s o H ar t i n for m s u s a n d I , ,

d are s ay h e i s corr ect en ou gh a lth ough I d o n ot thi n k th e re ,

a r e ver y m a n y i n s t a n c e s wh e r e th i s h a s o ccu rr e d B an ks .

wa s a gr e a t ma n a n d th e s m a ll f a ult s o f a g r ea t ma n a r e
,

ea s i ly s e en a n d u s u a lly m a g n i fi e d .

( )
2 T h e A m a ti cop ies O n th e co ns tr u cti on o f th e s e
.

magn i fi cen t co p i es Ba n k s con ce n tra te d hi s en erg y h ea r t .

a n d s oul .Woo d wor kman s hi p a n d varn i s h ar e a l mo s t

, ,

fa ultle s s Th e on ly p art of th e wor k t o wh i ch e xcep ti o n

.

c a n b e t a k e n a t a ll i s t h e s cr o ll whi ch i s s o m et i m e s w ea k , ,

a n d n ever q ui t e i n th e A m a ti s t yl e I t i s r a th er s i n gu la r .

th a t ou r old m a k er s e ven th e b e s t o f th e m s h ould fr e

, ,

quently com e t o g ri ef a t th e s a me s p ot th e s cr oll S o me

— .

h ow th ey f ai l t o r e s p on d t o th e é la n of th e I t a li a n s p i r i t
th e gr ea t th r u s t o f a r t l i fe whi ch m a k e s for fr ee d o m i n
-
,

e ver y b i t o f car vi n g a n d p ai n ti n g Th e old E n gli s h s cr oll .

i s t o o cr a mp ed Th er e a r e of c ou r s e s o m e e xcep ti on s b ut
.
, , ,

not man y B an k s th er efor e fai le d wh er e th e m a j ori ty o f

.
VI O LA BY B ANK S .

To f ce p
a .
9 91
1 00 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

whi ch th e y cop ied a n d d ub i t cla s s ical i s th e u s ua l wa y ,

wi th th e fli pp an t conn o i s seur wh o d o e s n o t tr ouble a bout ,

th e wi d e r i s s u e s o f hi s tor y .

Th e tru th i s n o wor k of a rt is a b s olute ly or igi n a l a n d a ll

, ,

n a ti on s ar e c o p yi s t s by tur n s Wh at we bo rro we d fro m th e .

I tali a ns i n th e s even teen th a n d e igh tee n th centuri es , th e

I tali an s th ems elves borr owe d fro m th e Gre e k s i n th e fif teen th
and s i xt ee n th .

Dr . John s o n s ai d th a t N0 ma n wa s by i m i ta
e ve r gr e a t
t i on i f th at i s t ru e th en we m u s t s a y th a t B a n k s wa s
,

g r e a t i n s p i te of i m i t a t i on fo r g r e a t h e , m o s t c e r t ai n ly i s .

Hi s b e s t w or k if n ot or i g i n a l a n d di s ti n gu i s h e d by s ub tl e
,

a n d d e li c a t e f e e li n
g li k e t h e a r t o f t h e I t a li an m a s t e r s is ,

y e t m ar k e d by d e c i s i v en e s s o f e x e cu t i on f r e e d o m O f m an n e r
, ,

an d e x qui s i t e n e s s of fi ni s h Hi s A ma ti cop i es s h o w th a t h e
.

wa s n ot o n ly a m a s t e r o f t h e p r i n ci p le s o f hi s a rt a n d cr a f t .

bu t a l so th a t h e was i mb ue d wi th th e kn owl e d ge a n d fe eli n g

t

o f f or m I t i s man y y e ar s s i n ce I b e gan t o m a k e a ca r e ful

.

s t u dy o f th e w or k o f o ur old vi ol in ma ke r s a n d i t h a s b ee n ,

my g o o d fort un e t o come a cr o s s s o me ver y fin e e xa mp le s o f

B a n k s h an di work
’
I look up on hi m a s s u mmi ng u p i n
.

h i ms e lf t h e wh ol e tr a di ti o n o f t h e old B ri ti s h S ch oo l o f
vi o lin ma kin g Th e t r a di t i on o f th a t s ch o ol i f n ot r e mar k
.
,

a bl e for i t s i n s i gh t i s s i n ce r e ly r everen t
, I t h a s b ee n .

r eco r d e d o f Mi ch a e l A n ge l o wh en h e wa s a p u p i l o f G hir

lafid aii th a t h e wa s w o nt dai ly t o c on t e m p l a t e r e ve r e n tl y

th e s ai n t s a n d a n g e l s wh o m Fr a An ge li co s ee me d t o h a ve
dra wn fro m h ea ven An d s uch i s th e fi gur e I h a ve dr a wn
.

i n my m in d o f Be n j a mi n B a nks s a ve th a t for sa i n t s a n d ,

an g el s I h a ve s u b s ti tu t e d vi o li n s Vi ol a s a n d c ell o s R e ve r
’
.
, ,

en ce I h a
, ve o b se r ve d e ls e wh e r e i s Ch a r a ct e ri s ti c o f all t ru e
,

— fo r th e I d e a i n Pla to s s ense o f
’
ar t r eve r e n ce t h a t i s , , ,

th e ter m a n d n ot m er e ly for a n y s p e ci a l for m u n d e r wh i ch

,

th e I d e a i s vi sua li ze d Th e i n s p i r e d a r ti s t l ove s th e f or m
.

h i s mo de l— not s o m uc h for wh a t i t i s a s for wh at i t r e p r e

s en t s . Th e b es t wor k of B a nk s imp r e s s e s me wi th th e
fee li n g th at th e arti st h ad s et hi mself th e tas k of di s co veri ng
1 02 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
l
vi o in s , a n d a b ou t twi ce mb er o f Vi ol a s and ce ll os
th a t nu
’

a t p r e s en t i n e xi s ten c e .Of thi s n u mb er a go o d m an y a r e

i n p oor c o n d i ti o n a n d s o m e h a ve b e en s p o i lt by fo r m e r
,

Go th s an d Va n d a ls o f th e a rt of r ep ai ri ng I d a re say th ere .

“
a r e s o m e fid d le s o f hi s a b ou t wh i ch h a v e b e e n t ou ch e d
up a li t t l e a n d h a ve g o t A m a ti la b e l s i n th e m I kn ow on e
S o me c ell o s th a t I kn o w a r e i n th e p o s s es s i on o f
’
o r t wo .

w ea lth y p e o p l e wh o tro u bl e li ttle a b out th e i r c on di ti on a n d

, ,

b a bly l e s s a b o u t t h e i r m u s i c a l m e ri t s M o r e th a n O ne
p r o .

r i n s t r u m e n t li e s d u mb a n d s a d a m o n g th e f o li o s a n d
p o o

qu a r to s o f a n e gl e cte d li br a r y an d li ke ,

Th e h a r p t h at o n ce t hr ough Tar a s hall s

’

Th e s oul o f mus i c s h ed ,

Now h an gs a s mute on Tar a s wa ll s

’

As i f t h at s o ul wer e fle d
”
.

B a n ks s ta mp e d h i s i n s tr u m en ts i n a ll s orts of p la ce s ,

b el ow th e b u tt o n u n d er th e fin ge r b oa r d u n d er th e t ai l
,
-
,

i c e a n d n e ar th e b u tt o n e t c a n d h e us e d va r i ou s l a b e l s
p e , ,

s u ch as

Ma d e by B e n j a m i n B a n ks Ca th eri n e S tr eet ; S ali s b ur y

, ,

1 7 70 B en j a mi n B a n ks Mu s i ca l I n s trum en t Maker
, ,

I n Ca th er i n e S tr e et S a l i s b ur y 1 7 80 B e n j a m i n B an k s
B B an ks S a ru m
, ,

f ec i t S a li s bur y
,
.
, .

H e wa s b uri e d i n th e Ch u r ch yar d of S Th o ma s S ali s b ur y .

, .

Hi s t o mb s ton e wh i ch i s n e ar th e s o uth d oor on th e ri gh t

, ,

h a n d s i d e b ea rs th e f ollowi n g i n s cri p ti o n
,

R E STOR E D 1 863
ANN,
WI FE OF M R BE N J AM I N
. BA N KS
DI E D 1 4 SEPR
1 7 85
G E D 5 7 Y E ARS
A
MR BE N JAM I N BAN KS
.

DEPAR TE D THI S LIFE

1 8 TH FEB IY 1 7 9 5
G A E D 67 Y A S
E R
I N M EM R O Y OF ,

THE M OS T E M I N E N T E N G LI SH M AK E R
OF STR I N G E D M U S I CAL I N STRU M E N TS
‘
 VI O L I N A ND B O W M AKE R S 1 03

BANK S B E NJ A M I N S a li s b ur y Lo n d o n a n d Li ver
, , , ,

p o o l
. H e wa s th e s e c o n d s o n O f B en j a m i n B a n k s s e n i or , ,

a n d wa s b o r n S ep t e mb e r 1 3 1 7 5 4 a t S a li s b ur y H e di e d
, , .

i n Ha r oll S t r ee t Li ver p oo l wh e r e h e l a s t wor ke d J a n uar y

, , ,

2 2 1 8 20
,
H e w or k e d wi th h i s f a th e r for a b o u t t e n ye a r s
.
,

b ut i n 1 7 80 h e r e mo ve d t o 30 S h e rr a r d S t r ee t G o ld e n S qu a r e , ,

Lon do n He d id n ot r e mai n th er e l on g p r ob ably b ecau s e

.
,

h e fai l e d t o Ob t ai n p a t r on a ge Ver y littl e of hi s wor k i s .

kn own a n d wha t th er e i s d o es n ot r ea ch a h igh s ta n dar d of

,

e x ce ll e n c e .

B A NK S J A M E S a n d H E NR Y S a li s b ur y a n d Li ver
, ,

p oo l. T h e y c o n ti n u e d th ei r f a th e r s b u s i n e s s t i ll 1 8 1 1 wh e n
’

t h e y s old u p a n d w en t t o Li ve r p ool wh e r e th ey o p e n e d a ,

s h o p i n Ch ur ch S t r e e t a n d wh i ch th e y r e m o v e d l a t e r t o
,

B old S tr e e t B oth wer e b or n a t S a li s b ur y ; Ja me s a b ou t

.

1 7 5 6 a n d H e n r y a b ou t 1 7 70
,
Th e f o r m er di e d o n Ju n e 1 5
.
,

1 8 31 ,
a n d th e l a tt e r o n Oct o b er 1 6 1 8 30 H en r y wa s , .

re a lly a p i an o f o r t e t u n e r a n d J a m e s t h e vi o li n m a k e r
, .

Ja mes wa s a Ver y g oo d wor kma n an d ough t t o h a ve don e ,

mu ch b etter th an h e d i d He follo we d h i s fa th er s mod el.

’

a n d o cc a s i o n a lly s u cc ee d e d i n m a ki n g a g o o d i n s tru m e n t

wi th a fin e Varn i s h Th e t on e i s n ever g o o d He i s sa i d
. .

t o h a ve r e s or t e d t o t h e d el e t eri ou s p r a cti ce o f b a ki n g th e
wood th en ver y much in vogu e i f s o th a t a ccoun t s for
, ,

th e i n feri or i t y o f t on e Th e b r oth e rs l e f t a n u mb er o f
.

u n fin i s h e d i n s tr u m en t s i n th e c e ll ar o f th e i r s h o p m o s t o f ,

wh i ch wer e s old to mu s i c s ell er s .

On e of th e i r vi olo n c e ll o s m a d e i n 1 7 9 7 wa s a m on g th e
, ,

e xh i b i t s i n th e S o u th K e n s i n g t on Mu s e u m 1 872 I t wa s , .

th e p r o p er t y o f Mr C J R ea d o f S a li s b ur y
. . . I t wa s s ai d t o
, .

be a well fin i s h e d i n s tr u me n t wi t h a m o d e r a t e ly p ow er fu l
-
,

t on e o f ve r y g o o d qu a li t y Nothi n g th a t I h a ve s e e n by
.

a n y on e o f t h e s o n s c ou ld b e s a i d t o s s s t e o f ny
p o s e a on a

di s ti n cti on Th e fa th er s m an tl e u n for tu n a t ely di d n o t

.
’

f a ll on th e s h oulde r s o f th e s on s .
1 04 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

B A R NE S R O B E R T Lon d o n He wa s a p up i l o f
, , .

Th o ma s S mi th a t th e H arp a n d H autb o y i n Pi cca di lly

”

, .

Afterwar ds h e b eca me a p a rt n er wi th J oh n Norri s wi th ,

wh o m h e h a d b een a fellOw ap p r enti ce a t S mith s Norri s -

’
.

a n d B ar n e s s ta rt e d bu s i n e s s t og e th e r i n 1 7 6 5 All th e .

i n s tru m en t s whi ch b e ar th e i r l a b e l w er e p r ob a bly ma de by

o th e r s La b el
.

MADE BY N ORR I S AND BAR N ES ,

V I OLI N V I OLON CE LLO AND BOW M AK E RS

,

TO THE I R M AJ E STI E S .

COV E N TR Y STR E E T LON DON , .

B A RR , R O B E R T B lf t
e as , A o t mp c n e o r ar y ma ke r ,

me n ti o n e d by th e R e v F a th er . Gr ea ve n i n h i s b ookl e t o n
I ri s h ma ker s I h a ve n ot s een
. a n y o f h i s wor k .

BAR R E TT, J O H N, Lon don

Pe ri o d a b out 1 7 1 4 30 .
— .

H e cop i e d S t a i n e r a n d ve r y o f ten e x agg e r a te d h i s a r chi n g

, .

He a l s o wo r k e d o n a m odi fi e d S t a i n er o u tli n e wh i ch wa s ,

l on g n a rr o w m u ch g roove d an d hi gh ly ar ch ed Th e
, , , .

w or kma n s h i p i s fai r b u t th e t o n e i s s ma ll a n d mu ffle d

, .

As a ru l e h e u s e d i n k li n es i n s t ea d o f p urfl i ng
,
-
Th e va r n i s h .

i s y e ll ow a n d h u n gr y l o o ki n g a n d h e lp s t o g i ve a ch ea p l o o k
,

t o th e i n s tru m e n t He i s s a i d t o h a ve m a d e a b e tte r cla s s

.

i n s tru m en t n ow a n d a g ai n .

BAR TO N G E O R G E Lon d on P e ri o d ab ou t 1 7 80
, , .

1 81 0 No thi n g i s kn o wn of h i m e xcep t th a t h e w or ke d i n
.

Elli o t Court Old B a il e y an d p rin cip a lly for mus ic s ell er s

, ,
.

B AR TO N, J O S E PH E DWARD Llan elly S Wal es , , . .

B orn a t Moulton i n Li n co ln s h ir e Octobe r 1 0 1 846 A

, , , .

ver y I n g en i ou s ma n wh o ma k e s all h i s own t o ol s a n d c a n ,

t u r n h i s h a n d t o a lmo s t a n y ki n d of w or k He c o mme nc e d .

t o m a k e vi o li n s i n 1 86 9 b u t d i d n o t t u r n h i s a tt e n ti o n
,

s e ri o u s ly t o t h e c r a f t t i ll a fe w y e a r s a g o H e h a s m a d e a .

n u mb e r of vi o li n s o n a n o r i gi n a l m o d e l o f e x c e ll e n t m a te ri a l , ,

workmansh p and t on e La e ly h h as ur d
i ,
t t r . e t n e h i s a t t e n- s
1 06 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M A KER S

g a i n e d a t th e e xp en s e o f i n di vi du a li t y i n ma n y o f h i s wor k s '
.

Ea ch p a r t i s fa ult l e s s i n fi n i s h bu t wh en vi e w e d a s a wh o l e
,

t h e r e s u l t i s t oo m e ch a n i c a l g i vi n g a s i t d o e s th e n o ti o n o f
,

i t s h a vi n g b e e n t u r n e d ou t o f a m o u ld Th e o b s e r va ti on .

i s ve r y j u s t a n d c o u ld n ot b e b e tt e r p u t
, Th e on e fai li n g .

o f t h e s e b e a u ti f u l i b i f l m
( e e a u t u t o t h
. e e
.
y )
e i n s t r u e n t s i s

t h e i r t on e wh i ch a s fa r a s my e x p e r i e n c e g o e s d oe s n o t
, , ,

by a long wa y r ea ch th e s a m e s ta n d ar d of e xce ll en ce as th e
k

w or kma n s h i p B ut i t i s fa i r t o s ay th at s o m e j u dg e s wi th
.

a m u ch l o n g e r e x p e ri e n c e th a n I h a ve a ffir m th a t t h e t o n e

o f a n u mb er o f th e m i s o f a ve r y b r i g h t s w e e t an d r e s on a n t , ,

q u a li t y.

B E TTS J O H N , , Lon d on . K w
no n i n h i s d ay a ll th e
c o un tr y o ve r as
B ett s th e fiddle m a ker
Old H e wa s .

b or n a t S t a mfor d Li n coln s h i r e i n 1 7 5 5 di e d i n Ma r ch 1 8 2 3
, , , ,

a n d wa s b uri e d a t S t G i l e s Cri p p l e g a t e . H e wa s a p up il
, .

o f Ri ch a r d D u k e a n d t h e few i n s t r u m e n t s th e r e a r e o f h i s
,

own m a k e s h o w th a t h e h a d i mb i b e d m u ch o f h i s m a s t e r s
’

te a ch i n g bu t h e d i d n o t c o n ti n u e l on g t o m a k e h i m s e lf h e
, ,

c h o s e r a th e r t o d e vo t e hi s e n e r g i e s t o th e b u i l di n g u p O f a

s o l i d b u s i n e s s a n d t o e m p l o y o th er s t o d o th e a c t u a l m a k i n g
, .

Th a t h e ch o s e wi s e ly g o e s wi th o u t s a yi n g for h e w ou ld n ot ,

h a ve s ucce e d e d a s h e d i d fi n a n ci a lly i f h e h a d n ot l e ft th e
b en ch for th e c ou n t er He wa s p ecu lia r ly fort u n a t e i n h i s
.

wor kmen s o m e o f th e fin es t a r ti s t s of th e d ay h a vi n g a t o n e
'

ti m e or a n o th er w or k e d fo r h i m s u ch a s th e P a n or m o s , ,

J oh n Cart e r h i s n ep h ew E dwar d B et ts B ernh ar d F en dt

, , ,

R i ch a r d To b i n e t c I n t o th e p r o du cti on s of th e s e fine
, .

cr a f t s m e n h e i n s e r t e d h i s own t r a d e l a b e l — a s e ci e s Of
p
fi cti o n wh i ch di d n o t origi n a t e n or u n for tu n a t e ly ce a s e , ,

w i t h h i m . T h e r e i s qu i t e a n u mb e r o f i n s tr u m e n t s a b o u t

b ea ri n g th e la b e l o f B etts wh i ch could n ot h a ve b ee n ma d e
,

by th e a r ti s t s j u s t n a me d th e y a r e of i n feri or wor kma n s h i p ,

a n d n ot a fe w o f t h e m h a ve a p o or t o n e Th e s e we r e p o s s i bly.

t h e w or k o f a p p r e n t i c e s o r i mp ro ve r s A ve r y clever .

c o p y o f th e f a m ou s c e ll o k n ow n a s
’
Ki ng An dr e a s Amati
wa s m a d e by (o r s h a ll we sa y for Joh n B etts whi ch wa s ,
 VI O L IN A ND B O W MAKER S 1 9 7

won t t o b e e xh i bi te d by h i m a s th e m os t e xa ct c o p y eve r
ma de of a n y o f th e g r e a t Cr e mon ys Fl e m i n g r e ma r ks
.

th a t thi s c o p y i s ce r ta i n ly a fin e p r o d u ct i on whi ch , ,

b e s i de s s h owi n g p ai n t [ s i cfl i n wh a t wa s a p p a r en tly th e

p r i m i t i v e a b u n d a n c e , a l s o s h o w s t h e w o o d ; a v e r y gr eat

a dva n ta g e o ve r th e or i gi n a l whi ch i s r ath er an ci en t n ow

, ,

a n d di n g y l o ok i n g ( i d d l F i G id
’
- F e a n c e r s u e p , .

Vi ol on ce ll o s with B e tt s l a b el a r e fa i r ly co mmon Th er e
’
.

mus t ori gi n ally h a ve b een a la r ge n u mb e r o f th em con ,

s i d e r i n g th a t th e r e h a s b e e n a g r ea t e r d e p l e ti on i n th e

n u mb e r o f c e ll o s th a n o f vi o li n s B etts was on e o f th e fir s t
’
.

i n th i s countr y t o d o e x t e ns i ve b us i ne s s i n old I t a li a n
i ns tru men ts a n d a l ar g e n u mb er o f fin e fid d le s fo un d th eir
,

wa y h e r e i n hi s ti m e . Th e s to ry of th e B e tt s S tr a d t old ,

by H ar t an d o th er s i s we ll kn own Wri te r s d e s cri b e th e

, .

tr a n sa cti on a s an e x ce p ti o n a lly l u cky wi n df a ll I am .

”

a fr a i d i t ou g h t t o b e d e s cri b e d a s a s m a r t bi t of If
th e s to r y i s t r u e ( a n d I h a ve n e ve r s e e n i t qu es ti on e d ) th en
B ett s mu s t h a ve a llowed b u s i n es s c o n s i der a ti o n s t o ge t th e
b etter o f h i s mora l s ens e To p a y th e un s u s p e ctin g o wn e r
.

o f a S tr a d vi oli n th e s u m o f o nly t w e n t y s h i lli n g s fo r wh a t

B ett s well kn ew t o b e worth a t le a s t two h u n dr e d ti m es as

much wa s a mo s t di s cre di ta bl e thi n g t o d o I t was i mmor a l .

p e r s e , i t w a s d o u bly s o i f as
, w a s n o t u n li ke ly th e ca s e th e ,

ve n d or wa s a n e e dy p e r s o n I t i s d e p l or a ble th a t w ri t er s
.

tr ea t th i s s or t o f th i n g a s th ou gh i t w e r e n o thi n g b u t a n
e x c e ti o n a lly i n te r e s ti n d l v b i t f fiddl d l i
p g a n c e e r o e e a n g .

Cle ver i t ma y b e bu t m o r e cl eve r th an h on es t

, Th e r e h a ve .

be en an d th er e d oub tle s s s ti ll are to o man y Lui gi o Ta ri s i o s

, ,

a b out . I f b us in es s mora li ty i n B ri tai n wer e gen er a lly on a :

level wi th th e B e tts S tra d tr a n s acti on th e d a y would n ot ,

be fa r di s tan t wh en p ri s on s a n d w or kh ou s e s w o u ld b e a s
nu mer ou s a s sch ool s an d ch u r ch e s B et t s u s e d di ffe r e n t
.

ki n ds of la b els b ut mo s tly i n s er te d th e fo ll owi n g wi th th e

, ,

p o p er d a t e
r

JOHN BE TTS NO 2 N ORTH P I AZZA

, .
,

R OYAL E XCHAN G E LONDINI F E CI T , ,

JANU AR Y 9 , 1 782 .
 B RITIS H VI O L IN M AKER S

B EVE RI D G E , W ILL IA M , Abe d r een Pe ri o d 1 8 2 1

.

1 893 . H e wa s a n a ti ve o f Cr a i gh Tou gh , ,
Ab er de en s hi r e a ,

ma n o f s tr o n g i n tellig en c e d en t o f n a tu r e a n d
, a ke en s tu ,

a n ar t i s t o f r e fi n e d t a s t e s He wa s for m a n y y ear s c ur a t o r
.

o f th e Fr e e Ch u r ch Coll eg e Mus e u m i n A b er d een a n d ,

ma d e a n umb er o f vi oli n s duri n g s p ar e ti me Th e work man .

s hi p o f the o n e an d o n ly e xa m l e o f h i s a rt whi ch I h a ve s e e n
p
wa s b ea u ti f u l a n d t h e t on e ve r y g oo d
, La b e l .

W BE V E R I DG E
.
,

F E CI T ,

TO UGH , 1 870 .

B LA C K B U R N J H Col n e Cont e mp or ar y An
, . . .

a m a t e u r wh o h a s m a d e a fe w i n s t ru m e n t s but i s m os tly ,

eng a g e d i n r ep a ir i n g .

BL AI R J O H N E
, , di n burg h : 1
79
—
0 1 8 20 . He wor ke d
on th e S tr a di var i mo d el an d tur ne d out a n u mb er of i n s tru
m e n t s of g oo d wor kma n s h i p a n d fai r ton e H on e ym an i s of .

o p i ni o n th a t h e wa s t h e t e a ch er o f Ma t th e w H ar di e an d ,

th e r e i s c er ta i n ly a c l os e r e s e mbla n c e b e t wee n th e i r w o r k .

He u s e d h a n d s o m e woo d a s a r u le bu t h i s va r n i s h wa s a ,

s p i r i t o n e o f p o or qu a li t y NO l a b el b ut h e u s ua lly wr ot e
.
,

h i s na m e a cr os s th e t a bl e on th e i n s i d e .

BL AI R WILLIAM
, Cr a th i e 1 79 3 8 84
, He ma d e —1 .

man y i n s tru ments o n vari ou s m o del s Th e wor kma n s h i p .

i s g en e ra lly g o od bu t th e t on e i s h ars h a n d m e t a lli c

,
He .

b a ke d h i s woo d a n d u s e d a h a r d s p i ri t var n i s h He wa s a
,
.

n o t e d ch a r a c t e r w e ll kn o wn i n th e Nor th a s Th e ! u e en s
‘ ’

Fi ddle r .

B L YTH WI LL IA M S O N Edi n b
, A , ur g h 1 8 2 1 —9 7 .

mos t p r oli fic make r o f wr e tch e d thi ng s s h a p e d s omewh at li ke

a vi o li n b u t whi ch d o n o t p o s s e s s an y o f t h e u s u al qu a li ti e s
,

o f t h a t i n s t ru m e n t I t i s s a i d th a t h e c ou ld t urn o u t fa i rly
.

d ecen t wo r k wh en h e h a d th e i nclin ati o n but h e r ar ely g ot ,

i n to th a t moo d .
 B R I TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S
‘

1 1 0

fath er He di e d Jun e 1 1 8 5 6 a n d wa s b uri ed i n B ur m a n

.
, ,

t o f t s Ce m e te r y He m a de a g o od n u mb er of i ns tru m en ts on
.

a m o di fi e d S tr a d m o d e l Th e va r n i s h i s a g old en b r o wn
‘

c o l ou r Ton e r a th e r s m all bu t p l ea s i n g
. .

B O O TH , W S a lf or d . I h ave n ot s een a ny Of hi s wo k r .

B O THWE LL WI LLIAM Ab d ee n : , , er 1 87 —
0 1 885 . He
m a de m an y fidd les of n o p art i cular mod el a n d of n o g r e a t
m e ri t .

B O U CHER , Lon d on : 1 6
7 4 . No thi ng known of

h i s w or k .

B O WL E R A R THU R Lon d o n He wor ke d t e n ye ar s

, , .

a g o a t 1 8 Mi l n e r S u a r e I li t b t I k w t h i f
q s n g o n u n o n,
o n g o ,

h i s p r es e n t wh e r ea b ou t s H e i s a n a ti ve o f Th a m e Oxfor d
.
,

s hi r e a n d a n e p h e w o n h i s m o th e r s s i d e t o th e l a t e G eo rg e s
’

Ch an o t He wa s p ri n ci p a l wor kman t o Mr J A Ch an ot
. . . .

fo r s o m e t i m e bu t s t a r t e d b u s i n e s s on hi s o wn a cco u n t i n
,

1 89 9 . He a d o p t s th e S tr a di va ri m o de l a n d t urn s ou t ,

i n s tru m en t s wh i ch for fin i s h e d w or km a n s h i p a n d g oo d to n e
will co mp ar e ve r y fa vou ra bly wi th th e b es t wor k p r od u ce d
to d ay
-

Fa cs I mi le la b el

BO L Y E W F , . E nni s k y Co Wi kl ow e rr ,
. c Co n t e m
p o r a r y A r eti r
. rc o n e d Ch u
an h f E g l d cl g ym
er an wh o h as
m a de vi oli n s en a ma teu r for ma n y yea r s H e wa s b orn a t .

Enni s k err y i n 1 8 60 an d s erved ther e a s Cu ra t e for s o m

,
e

ye ar s a f t e r h e wa s o r d a i n e d H e h a s a wi d e k n owl e dg e o f
.

th e vi oli n a n d i t s li t e r a tur e a n d h a s th e nece s sa r y m e ch a n i ca l

,
 VI O LIN A ND B O W M A KER S I I I

s kill to a pp ly
kn owl e dge to th e c on s tructi o n of th e
th a t
i n s tru ment He i s s p e ci ally i n t e r e s t e d i n th e var ni s h
.

p r o bl e m H.e m a k es b e a u ti f u l i n s t ru m e n ts w h i ch h a ve a ,

l arg e an d t e lli ng ton e .

B R EC KI NB R I D G E J O H N Gla sg ow ,
—
1 7 9 0 1 8 40
, .

He m a d e s e ve r al g oo d vi oli n s o n t h e A m a ti m od e l Th e .

wood i s of e xce llen t qu ali ty a nd b eau ti fully figur e d Var n i s h .

p a l e b r o wn o r y e ll o w T h e t o n e i s c l.e a r a n d s w e e t L a b e l .

h an dwri t te n

JOHN BRECKINBRIDGE
M AK E R ,

PARKHEAD, 1 830 .

B R I G G S J O H N W ILLIA M Gla s g ow A c on te m
, , .

p o r a ry p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k e r a n d r e p a i r e r H e w a s b o.r n a t
Wa ke fie ld i n 1 8 5 5 a n d wa s a p upi l o f Wi lli a m Tarr o f
, ,

Ma n ch es t er H e h a s ma d e a l ar g e n u mb er of vi o li n s Vi ol a s
.
, ,

a n d vi ol o n c e ll o s o n va r i ou s m od e l s
, but mo s tly o n a n ,

o ri gi n a l m o d el whi ch h a s a n i c e ou t li n e a n d a m o d e r a t e ly
,

p r o n o u n c e d a r ch i n
g T h e w oo. d i s c a r e f u lly s e l e c t e d an d
well s ea s on ed He h a s ma d e s e ver a l fa cs i mi le cop i es o f
.

s o m e o f th e m or e n o t a bl e S tr a di va r i a n d Gu a r n eri vi oli ns ,

th e w or kma n s h i p b ei n g fa u lt l e s s ly fi n i s h e d a n d th e t o n e ,

ver y fin e i n d e e d Th e c on s tr u c ti on o f th e s e b eau ti fu l co p i e s
.

mu s t h a ve cos t th e m ake r a g r e a t d ea l i n ti m e e n e rg y a n d , ,

p a t i e n c e . M r B r i gg
. s h a d t h e l a r
g e s t e x h i b i t o f i n s tr u m e n t s

a t th e Gl a s g o w Exh i b i ti o n a n d i n m an y r e s p e ct s th e be s t
, .

Th e wo o d o f th e b a ck s a n d ri b s o f th e i n s tru m en t s s h own wa s
e xhi bi t e d a s Vi oli n ti mb e r a t th e Pa r i s E xh i b i ti on o f 1 8 80 ,

an d al s o a t Vi e n n a i n 1 8 9 0 wh e r e i t wa s a war de d a g old
,

meda l Th e woo d of th e t a bles wa s th r e e h u n dr e d ye a r s

.

old a n d h a d b e e n ob t a i n ed fr o m a n old ch ur ch i n War s a w

, ,

P olan d Fa cs i mi le la b el
.
112 B RI T I S H VIO L IN M AKER S

Mr Bri gg s I b eli eve h a s ac qui re d s ole p r o p ri etary rig h ts

.
, ,

i n Wh i t e la w s c e l eb r a t e d a mb e r va rn i s h a n d h a s b oug h t th e
’

wh ole of th e l ar g e s toc k l ef t a t th e i n ven t or s d eath ’

.

B R I S C O E D Ch an n el I s la n d s , . Ni n e t een th c e nt ur y .

Hi s w or k i s s a i d t o b e ve r y g oo d .

B R OAD J M Almon d s bur y Glos A g en tle man

, . .
, , .

a m a t e ur wh o h a s d e vo t e d c on s i d e r a bl e ti m e a nd th oug h t t o

th e s tu dy o f vi o li n c on s tr u cti on a n d e s p e ci a lly to th e ,

mys te r y o f th e old I ta li a n var n i s h He h a s m a d e o n e or .

t wo vi ol i n s o n a n orig i n a l m o d e l m or e by wa y o f t e s ti n g ,

c e r tai n th e ori e s t h a n a s a s e ri ou s a t t e mp t a t vi o li n m a k i n g .

Hi s s ou n d k n o wl e dg e o f th eor eti ca l a n d p r a cti ca l ch e m i s tr y

h a s e n a bl e d h i m t o m a k e a va r n i s h whi ch for p at e l u s tr e , ,

an d tr a n s p ar e n c y it i s n o t p o s s i bl e t o e x c e l Un fortu na tely .

i t i s n o t for s a l e .

B R O O KF I ELD , EDWARD 81 S O N, S ou th p or t : 1 87 2
1 89 8 . Th ey m a d e vi o li n s a n d b ows a n d r ep ai re d ve r y ,

ext en s i vely . Th e wor k of b o th fa th e r a n d s on i s s ai d t o b e

ver y g oo d b u t I , ca n no t sa y , a s I h a ve n o t s e en a n y o f it .

B R O WN , Hu dder s field : a b out 1 87 0 .

B RO W N ALE XAND E R Gla s g ow : , , 1 8 5 5 - 60 . S tr a di

va ri m o d e l Go o d w or k a n d ton e i t i s
.
(
,
sai d ,
bu t I c an n ot

sa y H a n dwr i tten la b el
. .

B R O WN A NTH O NY Lo n d o n a n d Au s tr ali a : 1 8 50
, ,

75 . P u p i l o f J o h n M o r r i s o n H e d i d n o t m a ke m a n y .

vi o li n s b u t h e wa s c e l eb r a t e d for h i s gui t ar s of whi ch h e

, ,

ma de a larg e n u mb e r bo th i n th i s coun tr y a n d i n Au s tra li a .

He w or k e d i n R o s a mo n d S tr ee t Cl er ken we ll ,
.

B R O W N J A M E S S p i talfie ld s : 1 7 5 5 834
, ,
—1 . S t a r te d
vi oli n ma ki n g i n 1 80 4 u n d e r Th o m a s K en n e dy ,
. Or di nary
wor k ; t on e fairly g oo d for o rch es tr al p urp os e s .
11 4 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
mo d e rn m a ke r wh o h as co p i e d Jos ep h Gu ar n eri us with
t r s k i ll a n d I k n o w of o n ly tw o o r th r e e wh o h a ve
g r e a e ,

c o p i e d hi m wi th e qu al s k i ll Th e s cr o ll a n d th e s ou n d h o le s
.
-

a r e g e n er a lly th e tr ou bl e S o m e h o w o ur c o p y i s ts (a l th ough
.

th ey r e p r o du c e th e outli n e of th e f s c orr e c tly en o ugh ) f a i l

’

t o p ro du c e th e sa m e men ta l e ffe ct th e r e i s s o m e thi n g a b o u t

th e Go thi c qu a i n t n e s s o f th e g r ea t m a s t er whi ch d e fi e s
i mi t a ti on Th a t s o m e thi n g i s n ot th e m e r e t yp e i t i s th e
.
,

ar ch et y p e th e i d e a l wh i ch s tr uggl e s for e xp r e s s i on i n
—

ma tt er a n d fo r m B u t Mr B uckma n h a s co m e a s n ear th e
. .

r e al thi n g a s i t i s p o s s i bl e I b e l i e ve fo r a c o p y i s t t o c o m e
, , .

V e r y m an y o f h i s S tr a d c o p i e s h a ve th e b a ck cu t wh ol e wi th ,

th e cu r l r u n n i n g a t a n a n gl e o f a b ou t f o r t y five d e g r e e s t o -

th e l o n gi t u di n a l a xi s o f th e i n s tr u m e n t g i vi n g a ve r y p r e t t y
,

e ff e c t w h e n vi e w e d i n c e r t a i n l i gh t s .

Fl e m i n g c o n s i d er e d th at th e w or k o f th i s a r ti s t wa s t o b e
c l a s s i fi e d w i th t h e b e s t th a t i s p r o du c e d i n th e B r i ti s h I s l e s

t o d a y a n d wi th th i s o p in i o n a ll m u s t a g r e e wh o h a ve s e en
-
,

a n d tr i e d i t Mr B u ckma n ma y n o t b e m u ch kn own to
. .

th e p u bli c b u t th a t i s b e ca u s e h e e s ch e w s p u bli c i t y p r e
, ,

ferri n g li ke m a n y a n a r ti s t b efor e hi m To h a ve o n e
, ,

fid dle fri en d i n hi s r etr ea t wh o m h e ma y wh i s p e r S oli tu d e

,
—

i s s w e et La b el
”
.

GEO . H . B U CK MA N ,

D OV ER , 1 89 9 .

B ULLB R I D G E , J O S E PH M A TH E R I d o n ot kn ow .

h i s p e r i o d o r h i s w o r k but i n s tru m e n t s o f hi s ar e occa s i on a lly

,

a d ve r ti s e d fo r s al e i n t h e m u s i c
p p
a e rs .

BY R O M G E O R G E Li ve r p oo l He wor k s a t 1 0 Ca s e s
, , .

S tr e e t o p p o s i t e th e Ce n tr a l S ta ti on a s a p r o f e s s i on a l m a k e r
, ,

a n d r e p ai r er a n d h a s b ee n i n th e tr a d e t w e n t y e i h t y ear s -
,
g .
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 1 5 .

Th e r e i s Byr o m a br o th er a l s o e s ta bli s h e d s o me
a n o th e r , ,

wh ere i n Li ve r p o ol a s a p r ofe s s i on a l ma ker I regr et I .

kn ow n othi ng of th e wor k of ei th e r Th e y a r e sa i d to be .

cl e ver cr a f t s m e n bu t wh o s e ti m e i s m os t ly occu p i e d i n
,

r ep ai ri n g .

C A HU S A C , L ndo on : a b ou t 1 7 80 4 -
81 0 . Fle mi n g ,

i n a n ar ti c e l in Th e g B z
i v e hi
a a ar
s s p e ri o d a s 1 7 80 8 8 -
,

but i n s tr u m e n t so f h i s a re kn o wn d a t e d 1 7 9 6 a n d 1 7 9 9 .

Li ttl e or n oth i ng i s kn o wn o f h i m p er s o n a lly e xcep t th a t h e ,

wa s fo r s o m e li tt l e ti m e a s s o ci a t e d wi th th e s o n s o f B e n
j a mi n B a n ks Th e r e i s li t tle d ou b t I n my m i n d n o w th a t
.

th e wor k o f Cah u sa c h a s b e e n m u ch u n d e r va lu e d Fle mi n g .

i n th e a r t ic l e r e f e rr e d t o d e s cr i b e s i t a s a p oo r c l a s s of

work th i n ly wo o d e d wi th bl a ck va r n i s h s o me wh a t s car ce
, , , ,

b u t o f li t t l e or n o va lu e Th i s wri t er i s s o j u s t a n d h on e s t
”
.

a c ri t i c th a t I c a n b u t con c l u d e th a t h e h a d n o t s een a n y o f

th e b e tt e r c l a s s i n s tr u m e n t s m a d e by Ca h u s a c A vi o l i n .

d a te d 1 7 9 6 Ow n e d by Mr R P Ca r d ell o f B ir kdale S outh

. . .
, ,

t w s m a d e o f fin e w o o d a n d c o v e r e d wi th a d a r k a mbe r
p o r , a ,

va rn i s h wh i ch i s p e r f e ctly t ra ns p a r en t th e w or km ans h i p ,

being fa ultle s s a n d th e ton e e qu al s on or o us a n d r es p on s i ve

, , , .

I h a Ve s een th r ee oth er vi oli n s of h i s ma ke whi ch we r e of ,

fin e wor kman s h i p a n d t o n e Mes s r s Ge org e Wi th e rs a n d

. .

S on s h a ve i n th e i r coll e cti o n a n i c e e xa m p l e o f h i s w o r k It .

i s a p i t y th a t th e s e o ld m a k e r s s h o uld b e h a s ti ly j u dg e d o n
i n s uffi ci en t e vi d en ce La b el p ri n te d
. .

CAH SAC U
NO 1 9 6 .

PP OS I TE
O ST CL
. E M E N TS ’
CH URCH ,

R N ST A D
1 7 LON DON 9 6

C AI R NS , P P rtob ll E di bu g h
o e o, n r . He ma k e s vi o i n sl
on wh a t h e calls th e a cu t e a ng e l p ri n ci
p l e .
”
Is aw two of
1 1 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

th es e i n s tru me n ts r ece n tly a t a mu s i c s h op i n Nicols on

S tr ee t E di n b urgh
, Th e w o r kma n s hi p wa s b ea u ti f ul but 1
.
,

c a nn o t s a y wh a t th e t on e was li k e .

C A KI N, F R A NC I S , E di b urg h
n .

C ALO W F W, . No tti n g h a m la t e
. Son and u
p p i l of th e
Wi llia m Ca l ow He i s e s ta bli s h e d i n b u s i nes s a t S u s s e x
.

S tr e e t a s a p r o f e s s i on a l ma k e r a n d r e p a i r e r
, He m a k es .

d ouble b as s es p ri n ci p ally wh i ch ar e o n th e Vi ol model wi th

, ,

Gua r n e ri a n s ou n d h o l e s -
H e s ta mp s h is n a m e o n th e b a c k
.

b elo w th e button .

CA LO W , W ILL IA M No tti n gh a m : 1 8 47-1 9 1 0 He

, .

wa s b or n a t Tan s l e y n ea r Ma tl o ck D e r bys hi r e an d wa s th e
, , ,

s on o f Th o m a s Ca l o w wh o a l s o m a d e a few i n s tr u m e n t s
, .

H e m a d e vi o li n s Vi o l as a n d a la r g e n u mb e r o f d o u bl e b a s s e s
, , ,

i i a c o n s i d e r a bl e r e u t a ti o n f or h i s l a rg e r i n s tr u m en t s
g a n n g p .

On e d o u bl e b a s s wh i ch I s a w wa s w ell m a d e a n d h a d a n ,

i mm en s e vol u me of t o n e o f g o o d qu a l i t y He u s e d o i l .

var n i s h e s m o s t ly b u t h e o cc a s i o n a lly u s e d a thi n s p i ri t

,

va rn i s h fo r h i s d o u bl e b a s s e s c o l ou r s : or a n g e a n d n u t ,

br oivn . He wa s co n s i d er e d a fir s t cl a s s r e p air er
‘
Fa c s i m i l e
-
.

l a b el
1 1 8 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKE R S
va r n i S h is u s ua l ly of a g o ld en br o wn ti n t , th i n ly lai d on .

La b el
J . CAR TE R ,

V I OLI N , TE O
N R AND BASS MAK E R , ,

WYCH STR E E T DRU R Y LAN E , ,

LON DON 1 7 85 , .

C A R TWR I GH T W J Y don , . ea , Lee d s .

C AR Y , A L P H ONS E , L don
on .

C HALL O NER , TH O M AS , Lo n d on . S o m e ti m e i n t h e
e i g h t ee n th c en tur y .

C HANNO N, FR E D E R I C K WILLIAM Lon don He , .

wor ks a t p r e se n t a t 5 4 Wells S tr ee t Oxfo r d S tr e e t a s a , ,

r o fe s s i o n a l m a k e r a n d r e ai r e b u t u t b t t w y
p p r p o a o u o ea r s
,

a g o h e l i ve d i n Plymo u th wh e r e h e h a d be e n e s t a bli s h e d fo r
,

ma n y year s a s a p r o fes s i o n a l ma ker He wa s b o r n a t Tot n es

'

.
,

i n 1 8 6 2 a n d a p p r e n ti c e d i n ea r ly li f e a s a ca b i n e t m a k e r
, .

H e ma d e s u ch r a p i d p r og r e s s a t h i s tr a d e th a t a t th e a g e o f
t we n t y on e h e b e c a m e f o r e ma n o f o n e o f th e l arg e s t c a b i n e t
-

s h o p s i n D e vo n p ort w i t h a b o u t t h i r t y me n a n d a pp r e n ti c e s
,

u n d e r h i s ch a r g e .At th e ag e of t wen t y five h e co mm en ce d -

b u s i n e s s on h i s own a ccou n t an d h e wa s a p p oi n te d a t th e ,

s a m e t i m e t e ch n i ca l i n s tr u ct o r i n c a r vi n g a n d c a r p e n tr y t o

a l o ca l i ns ti tu t i on .

He co mmen ce d t o ma ke vi o li n s i n 1 8 87 fi r s t a s a h obby , ,

a n d d uri ng s p a r e ti m e i n a year o r two h e r es ol ve d t o gi ve

u p a ll o th e r w or k a n d d evo t e th e wh ol e o f h i s ti m e a n d e n ergy

t o th e a r t o f c on s tr u c ti n g an d r e p ai ri n g vi o li n s Th a t h e .

d e ci d e d wi s e ly i s a b u n da n tly p r o ve d by th e very b ea uti ful

w or k h e n ow p r o d uc e s He i s i n th e for e mo s t ra n k of
.

r e s e n t d a y m ak e r s a n d i t i s a p i t y t h a t s o m uch o f h i s ti m e
p ,

i s t a k en u p wi th r e p a i r s .

R e p a i ri n g i s o f c ou r s e o f gr ea t i mp ort a n ce d e ma n di ng
, , ,

i n t elli g en ce an d s ki ll b ut i t i s a l o ss th a t cra f t s m e n wi th a
,
F W CH A NNON
. . .

ace p
To l . 1 1 8 .
1 20 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
on th e wor kma ns h ip w ould b e e n erg y wa s te d i f th e ton e di d
n ot c o m e o u t r i g h t ly Arti s t s wh o u s e hi s i n s tr u men ts s ay
.

th a t th e t o n e i s r i ch a n d m ell o w e a s y t o g e t a n d e qu a l on
, ,

a ll th e s tr i n g s Th e f o ll o wi n g fa cs i m i l e i s th a t o f th e l a be l
.

u s e d by th e m a k e r wh i l e w or ki n g i n Plym o u th th e wor d
Lo n d o n b ei ng s u b s ti tute d for Plymou th i n th e o n e
n o w u se d .

C HANO T, G A Man ch es ter Thi s ar ti s t h as b een l ong

. .

e s ta bli s h e d a s a p r o f e s s i on a l m a k e r an d r ep ai r e r i n Man

ch e s t er a n d i s j u s t ly e s t e e m e d for h i s i n t e g ri t y a n d a ffa b i li t y
,

i n b u s i n es s a n d fo r h i s a b i li t y a s a cr a f t s ma n .Th e Ch a n ot s
a r e A n g l o Fr e n ch
-
b u t h a ve b een s o l on g s ettl e d i n th i s
,

c o untr y a s t o b e co m e r eg a r d e d a s a lm o s t p u r e b r e d B ri t on s
-
.

Th e i r b et te r cl a s s w or k i s of a h ig h or d e r ( I a m s p e a ki n g of
th e Ch an o t s g en er a lly ) a n d 1 h a ve s ee n vi ol i n s m a d e by
,

G eo rg e s Ch a no t Old Ch an ot a s h e wa s fa mi li ar ly ca ll e d )
,

o f Lo n d o n th a t c ou ld w i th t ru th b e d e s cr i b e d a s m o d e r n
,

cl a s s i c s
.
”
I h a ve a l s o s een i ns tr u men ts wi th th e la be l
o f o n e o r o th e r o f th e Ch a n o t s i n t h e m wh i ch w er e h a r dly o f

mor e th a n a ve r ag e meri t Th e di s p ari t y i s d ue t o th e Var y

.

i ng a b i li t y a n d e xp eri en ce o f th e wor km en wh o m ad e th e m ,

for th e y w er e n o t a ll m a d e by th e Ch an o t s th em s e l ve s . All
th e p ri nci p a l fi r m s o f th e c ou n tr y e mp l o y wor kme n t o m a k e
i n s tru m e n t s fo r th e m a n d th e y p u t th e i r t r a d e l a b e l s i n
,

th e s e i n s tr u m e n t s Thi s ma y n o t b e a p ra cti c e whi ch h a s

.

mu ch i n i t t o r e co mme n d i t but s u ch a r e th e bu s i nes s

,

me th o ds of to d a y a n d i t a vai le th n a ugh t t o quarr e l wit h

-
,

th e m .
G A CH A NOT
fa p
. . .

To ce . 1 20 .
1 22 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
w e r e b ou gh t p l a y e d u,p on a n d a pp r e ci a t e d, I d o n o t t h i n
. k
I a m o ver e s ti m ati ng hi s i n flu en ce wh en I s a y i t wa s gr eat
-
.

Wh eth er hi s a bi li ti e s we r e o f s uch hi gh or der a s to s ta mp

h i m a s a g en i u s ma y ve r y w e ll b e qu e s ti on e d bu t h e wa s
i n dustri ou s a n d i t h as b e e n we ll s a i d th a t
, I f you h ave
g r e a t t a l e n t s i n d u s tr y
, w ill i m p r o ve th e m i f yo u h a v e b u t
mo dera te a bi li ti e s i n du s tr y will s u p p ly th eir d e fici ency
, .

Nothi n g i s d en i e d t o we ll di r e cte d l a b our n o th i n g i s to be

-

o b t ai n e d wi th ou t i t ( S i r J os h.u a R y n o ld s D i s co u r s e on ,

A rt .
)
Th e r e vi val of vi oli n ma ki n g i nE n glan d da te s f r o m ab ou t
t h e ti me wh e n Ch a n ot (p er e) h a d r e a ch e d h i s hi gh wa t e r
m ar k I n 1 8 8 2 M H
. Allen b ec a me hi s p up il and
r . r
e on -
,

s h or t ly a f t e r g a ve t o th e r e a d e r s o f A ma teur Wor k I llu s tra ted

th a t b ri ll i an t s e ri es o f a r ti cl e s wh i ch h a s b ee n r ep r o d u ce d
i n b oo k f or m u n d e r th e ti tl e o f V i oli n M a ki ng A s i t Wa s
a nd I s Var i ou s i n fluenc es g ath ere d i n to on e force a t th i s
.

j un ctur e an d th es e a r ti cle s ( whi ch e mb o di e d th e Ch an o t

,

t r a di ti on ) a ct i n g li k e a t e l eg r a p h wi r e con d u ct e d th e m i n th e
r i g h t d i r e c t i o n s o th a t th e a r t wa s fa nn e d i n t o a fl a m e ou t
o f th e e m
,

b er s of i t s d ea d s e lf .

Thi s i s a m o s t i n t e r e s ti n g p eri o d i n t h e h i s to r y o f vi oli n

ma ki ng i n Bri tai n All r e a l r e vi va ls a r e i n ter e s tin g wh e th er
.
,

i n a r t li t e r a t u r e or r e li g i on
, , We h a ve wa tch e d th e flo wer s
.

o f wi n t e r wi th e r a n d d ie b u t b eh o ld ! o u t o f th e i r m o u ld
,
'

c o me s th e cr o p o f a n o th e r s p ri n g fl o w e r by fl o we r a t fir s t ,

a l augh i n g p ri m r o s e o r a ti m i d vi o l e t — b y a n d by a j o y o u s - -

ch or u s o f p u r p l e h e a th er t h a t i s wh a t we s e e i n th e En g li s h
vi o li n w o r ld i n th e e i gh ti e s o f l a s t c e n tur y an d th e fiddl e ,

fa n ci er lo oks b a ck a dmiri ng ly up on i t .

A larg e nu mb er of i n s tru men ts h a ve b een tu rn ed out by

th e Ma n ch e s te r fir m Mr Ch a n ot ma y n o t b e th e a c tu a l
. .

ma ke r o f all of th e m b e cau s e s o me year s a g o h e e mp l o ye d

,

s e ve r a l s k i lful c r a f t s m en bu t a ll th e wor k r e a ch e s a h i g h
,

s t a n da r d o f e x ce ll en ce S o m e of th e Vi oli n s a r e qui te e qu a l
.

t o th e be s t w o r k o f Old Ch an ot I tri ed on e l as t ye ar .

whi ch h a d b een m a de a b out ten ye ar s ag o a n d it h ad a ,

GE O R G ES CH A NO T .

O ld Ch a n o t )
face p
.

To . 1 22 .
1 24 B RITIS H VI O L IN M AKER S

C OLL IE R A ND DA VIE S Lo don : a b, n o ut 1 77

—
0 80 .

C OLL IE R , S A M U EL 7 4 0 60 ,H Lo nd o n
e w o r k e d 1 -
.

at Cor elli s H ea d , Lo n d on B ri dg e
’ ”
h a ve s e e n o n e . I
vi o li n o f h i s ma k e o n th e S ta i ne r mo d el va r n i s h e d d ar k
, ,

yello w wi th a s mall , h u s ky t on e
, .

C OLL R , TH O MA S , Lo n d on
IE a bout 1 77 5 . Pe rh a p s
th e p art n e r o f Davi e s ( Colli er an d Da vi e s ) , o r a s on .

C OLL NS I W ILL IAM H E NR Y Lo n don He was b orn

, , .

in th e p a r i s h o f Ma r yl e b o n e i n 1 8 60 a n d h e w or k s ( or di d ,

wor k ten y ear s ag o ) a t 2 1 Pola n d S tr eet W He h a s ma d e , .

a g oo d n u mb er o f Vi o l i n s on th e S tr a d an d Gu a r n e ri m o d e l s ,

a n d h e a l s o r e p ai rs a g oo d d e a l b u t I a m n ot a wa r e w h e th e r
,

h e h a s a d o p t e d vi ol i n m a k i n g a n d r e p a i ri n g a s a p r o fe s s i o n .

Th e wor k i s b e a u ti fully fi n i s h e d th r oug h ou t a n d th e t o n e ,

i s o f a ver y g o o d qu a l i t y F a cs i m i l e l a b e l
.

C OLVI LL E , DA VI D , Cu p ar 8 45 5
1 H e ma de
—8 . ma n y
i n s tr u m en t s on mode l s o f A
th e I s aw
ma ti a n d S tr a di va ri .

a n d tri e d o n e o f h i s Am a ti c op i es y ear s a g o i t wa s w e ll ma d e ,

o f b ea u ti f ully fi g u r e d w o o d a n d h a d a p u r e a n d s w e et
,

t on e . H e wa s a b or n a r ti s t a n d h a d h e le d a l e s s ch e qu e r e d
,

c ar e er w ou ld h a ve p r o d u c e d s ti ll b et t e r w o r k H e vi s i t e d .

New Ze al an d Au s tr ali a Ca n a da by tu r n s a n d n eve r s e ttl e d

, , ,

d o wn i n on e p l ace or a t o n e thi ng long No lab el but wri tt en .

,

i n p e n ci l a cr o s s th e b a ck
DAV I DCOLV I LLE ,

1 85 7 .

C OL VI N G AVI N
, , S u n d e r l an d : 1 84 1
1 —
9 1 0 . A n a ti ve

of Le r wi ck , S h e tl a n d . He ma d e a nu mb e r o f vi o li n s On
va r i ou s mo d e l s .
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 25

C O NNO R , A NTH O NY , Ne wca s t l e . Now li vi ng I

beli eve .

C ONW A Y WILLIA M L n d n 1 749 50

, , o o : -
.

C O OP E R HU GH W I LLIA M Gl s g w
, Bo n , a o . r 848 1 ,

an d s f
a s I k
ar aw i ti ll li vi g Up t te y s
no ,
s s n . o n e ar ag o h e

had ma d e fift y vi o li n s o r th e r eab ou ts

,
— s o m e on th e S t r a d

a n d s o m e o n th e J os e p h m o d e l Th e . l a t e r o n e s wer e o f
e x ce ll en t wo r kma n s hi p a n d t o n e F a cs i m i l e l a b e l .

C O RS B Y, N o r th a m p t on : 1 7 80 . Dou bl e-b a s s es
p ri n ci p a lly .

C OR S B Y, GE E Lon don 1 7 8 5 80 0 Pri n ci p ally

OR G ,
—1 .

a dealer , b u t m a d e a few vi oli n s o n th e A m a ti m o d e l o f ,

a ve r a g e me ri t Pr ob a bly a br oth er of th e Cor s by Of

.

Nor th a m p ton .

CR AI G J O H N Edi bu
, , B or n a t Myr e s i d e For fa r
n r
g h .
,

s h i r e i n 1 8 60 a n d i s p r o b a bly s ti ll li vi ng an d w or k i n g
, , He .

i s a j oi n e r by t r a d e a n d on ly m a k e s vi oli n s duri n g s p a r e
,

t i m e bu t h i s w or k i s e xce ll e n t
, Th e m o d e l i s ori gi n a l a n d
.

s h o w s t h a t th e d e s i n e r i s i f t d w i th t h t i s ti c i t i c t
g g e e a r n s n .

I t i s a p i t y h e d o e s n o t t a k e u p th e cr a f t p r o fe s s i on a lly .

H e p r o du c e s a g o o d to n e a n d h i s wor k wi ll i mp r o ve wi th
,

a g e an d g o o d u s e Facs i m i l e l a b el
.
1 26 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S
C RAM O ND , C H RL S A E
Abe r d e en 1 80 0 —33 A p ro
, .

li fic m a ke r m u ch o f wh os e
, wor k i s of con s i der a bl e me ri t .

He wor k e d o n a n or i gi n a l m o d el t h e ou tli n e of whi ch di ffe r s

,

o n ly s li g h t ly f r o m t h a t o f A m a ti b u t whi ch h a s th e a r chi n
,
g
c o n s i de r a bly i n cr ea s e d Th e woo d i s u s u ally o f go o d
.

qu ali t y but i t i s oft en o f a p lai n figur e Th e varni s h i s

, .

a s p i ri t o n e ; c ol our y e ll o w t o d ar k b r o wn
, Th e t one i s .

r a th e r s m a ll b ut c l ear s we e t a n d r e s p on s i ve
, , He l eft
, .

man y of hi s i n s tru ments too thi n i n woo d a n d th e s e ha ve not ,

i m p rove d wi th ag e a n d u s e La be l p ri nte d
.

CHAS . M N CR A O D,
M AK E R ,

ABER DE E N 1 8 1 5 , .

E E
CRA S KE , G O R G , B a th B ir m i n g h a m , S toc k p ort , ,

and e l s e wh e r e a b ou t 1 79 1 — 1 88 9 Cr a s k e s fa th e r i s
’
.

s u p p o se d t o h a ve b e e n o f f or e i g n e x tr a cti on i f h e wa s no t ,

a ct u a lly a f or eig n e r Ou t of th e th r e e t h o u s a n d o d d i n s tr u
.

m e n ts th a t h e i s s ai d t o h a ve m a d e h a ve s e en a b out a ,
I
s c or e t h a t Ikn ew for c er tai n t o be h i s wor k Dou b tle s s . I
h a ve s e en a g oo d m a n y m or e whi ch we r e m a d e by hi m bu t ,

whi ch ar e n ow a scri be d t o so mebody el s e Th e ma teri a l of .

ver y m a n y o f hi s i n s tru m en ts i s b e a u t i fu l , an d th e w or k
ma n s hi p fin e but th e t on e i s o ften di s a p p oi n ti n g He wa s
, .

a p up i l of Old For s ter , a n d h e m a d e ma n y i n s tru ment s

for Cl e m enti , a n d for Do dd , th e bow m a k er B e s i des .

c o p yi n g Guar n er iu s hi s u s ua l mo del h e ma d e s everal

—

c l e ve r cop i es o f Am a ti a n d S tr a di var i fr o m te mp le t s an d ,

m ea s ur e me n t s t a ken fr o m a S tra d an d a n mati Own ed by A

S i r Pa tri c k B l a k e , o f La ng la m H a ll S u ffolk Whi ls t i n , .

Bir mi ngh a m h e i s sa i d t o h a ve b een o n ce en g ag ed by

,

Pag an i n i t o d o s o me r ep ai r s t o hi s vi oli n
Cr a s k e wor ke d i n S a lf or d a m
.

on g s t o th e r p l a ce s for a b o u t
, ,

t we n t y y e ar s a n d li ve d th e li f e o f a r ec lu s e du r i n g th e wh o l e
,

o f tha t p e r i o d a ll o wi n g n o o n e to en t er hi s w or k s h op e x ce p t
,

Mr G eorg e Cr o mp t on h i s fri e n d wh o b eca me h is s ucce ss or

.
, ,

i n b us i n e s s
. He li ve d re tir e d a t B a th for ma n y y ears be f ore
 1 28 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
C U THB E RT , Lo n don s e ven t ee n th c en tur y .

He wa s chi e fly a ma ker o f vi o l s a n d , I s n ot s u
pp o s e d to h a ve
ma d e ma n y Vi oli n s . I h a ve n e ver s e en a n
y o f h i s w or k .

C U THB E R T JAM E S , , H o wna m N E A s ch ool

, .

ma s ter , n ow li vi n g , wh o h as ma de a few i n s tr u m ents en

a ma teu r .

C U TT R , D W N, a s t Co mp t on n e ar B ri s tol
E E I B o rnE , .

at Ki n g s l a n d H e r e f or d s h i r e i n 1 8 6 6
, He I s a wh e elwri gh t , .

by tr a d e but h a s ma d e a co n s i dera ble n u mb er o f vi oli n s

,

d uri n g s p ar e ti m e Th e o u tli n e 1 3 ori g i n al a li ttl e b old a n d

.
,

s qu a ri s h i n a p p ea r a nc e He u s es n ati ve s yca mor e for th e

.

b a ck a n d r i b s Th e wor kma ns h i p i s ver y g o od a n d th e

.
,

t o n e i s p o we r f u l Wi th a b etter mo d e l a n d ma teri a l h e
.

wo uld d ou b tles s p r o d u ce ve r y g o o d w or k .

DAL GAR NO , TH O MAS , Ab er d een : 1 8 60 —70 Wo r k .

man s hi p a n d t o n e fa i r ly g oo d He l eft th e ma j o ri t y o f h i s .

i n s tru men t s thi n i n th e wo o d an d th e t one wi ll n o t th er e for e ,

c on ti n u e t o i m p r o ve .

DALTO N, B Lee d s . I k ow n n othi n g o f h im .

B A R B EY G E O R G E B , li ves a t Cr e mon a
, ri s to l . He
H ou se Pe rr y R o a d wh e r e h e h a s a mus i c war eh ou s e a n d a
, , ,
‘

lar g e well a p p oi nte d a teli er He i s on e o f th e b e s t p ro

,
-
.

fe s s i o na l m a k e r s a n d r e p a ir e r s i n G r e a t B ri t a i n a t th e p r e s en t
t i me . H e wa s b or n a t Ta u n t on i n 1 84 9 a n d c a m e t o , ,

B ri s to l i n ea r ly l i fe wi th h i s fa th e r wh o es ta bli s h e d a c a b i n e t ,

fa ctor y th er e As s o on a s h e h a d c o mp l ete d h i s educa ti on

.
,

h e wa s p u t t o th e b en ch a n d tr a i n e d a s a w o o d car ver an d ,

c a b i n e t m a k e r — a s p l en di d f ou n d a ti o n for th e c a r e e r h e wa s

t o a d o p t l a t er wh en l ef t t o th e e xe r ci s e o f hi s o wn f r ee wi ll
,
.

He h a s b e e n es ta bli s h e d I n B ri s t ol a s a m a k e r a n d r e p a ir er of
GE O RGE B AR BE Y .

To face p . 1 28.
1 3 0 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M A KER S

ma ki ng of th e p ur fli ng th e fitti ng s for th e b ows etc 1 5 ma d e

, ,

by hi s o wn h a n d s s o th a t i n s tr u men t an d bow a lik e fr o m

, ,

s t a rt t o fin i s h ar e th e h an d i r k o f G e o r e Da r b e
,
g y .

H e u s e s a b e a u ti ful oil va r n i s h o f hi s own ma k e th e c ol o ur ,

o f whi ch i s m o s tly o r a n e r e d
g F acs i mi l e l a b e l : .

Ge o rge Da t b ey Cr e mo n a Ho u s e ,

B r i s tol A n n o 1 01 .

9
D AVI D S O N, KA Y H , unt ly : —
1 8 60 7 5 . R a th e r p o o r
wo r k wi th
, a lo u d ,
h a r s h t on e .

DA VI D S O N, P E TE R
Forr e s : 1 834 B or n a t
,
—8 6 .

S p e ys i d e a n d w e n t t o th e U n i t e d S t a t e s s o m e y e a r s a o
,
g ,

H e wa s o n ly a n a m a t e u r b u t ma d e a n u mb e r o f ve r y f a i r
,

i n s tr u me n t s H e wr o t e . Th e Vi o li n : I t s Co ns tr u cti on
Th e o re ti c a lly a n d Pra c ti c a lly Tr e a t e d a ve r y i n t e r e s ti n
”

g ,

bu t wholly u n r e li a bl e wor k He wa s a n e x ci s e o ffice r a n d a

‘

b o okworm
.
,

DA VI D S O N WI LLI A M
, , Edi n b u r g h 1 8 2 —1 0 2 Ma d e
7 9 .

a l a rg e n u mbe r o f i n s tr u m e n t s o f f a i r ly g o o d w o r kma n s h i p

and to ne .

D AVI S R C H RD , o n d o n
, I A 1 7 7 5 1 8 36 LHe wa s fo r -
.

s o m e t i m e i n th e e m p l o y o f No rr i s B arn es a n d i n 1 8 1 6 a t , ,

th e d ea th o f No rr i s h e s u cc ee d e d t o th e b us i ne s s
,
H e di d .

n ot m a k e m an y i n s t r u m e n t s h i m s e lf b u t e m p l o ye d o th er s ,

t o w or k fo r h i m Th e few i n s tru me n ts h e ma d e a r e n ot o n
.

an y p a rt i cul a r m o d e l a r e i n d i ffer en t ly m a d e a n d h a ve a
, ,

r a t h e r l o u d p i e r ci n g t o n e
,
H e ca rr i e d o n a ve r y co n s i d e r
.

a bl e tr a d e i n old i n s tru m e n t s He r e ti r e d t owa r d s th e en d

.

o f hi s li f e l ea vi n g th e bu s i n e s s t o Wi lli a m Da vi s
,
He d i e d .

a t B us s ag e in 1 836 , a n d wa s b ur i e d i n Bi s l e y Ch ur ch y a r d .
 VI O L IN A ND B o w M AKER S 1 3 1

W LL IA M o d b — 8 L
C i
'

D AV I S , I , n o n a o u t 1 79 0 1 5 0 o u s n .

t o th e p re c e ding Ri ch a r d Da vi s a n d h i s s u cc es s o r i n b u s i ,

n es s . H e di d n o t mak e ma n y i n s tru me n ts bu t e mp l o y e d ,

Ch ar l e s Ma u co te l a n d o th e rs t o wor k for h i m He s old h i s .

E
bus i n e s s i n 1 8 46 t o dwa r d Wi th e r s a n d r e ti r e d to B u s sag e , .

DA Y, J O H N, Lo n don e ig h t e en th c e n tur y He c o p i e d .

old I
ta li a n i n s tr um e n ts clo s e ly a n d so m e ti m e s turn e d o u t ,

ver y g oo d w or k .

D EA RL O V E , M R K, Le eds A
1 8 1 0 20 He m a d e a -
.

few c o p i e s o f a S tr a di va ri vi o li n wh i ch came i n to hi s p os s e s
s i on .

D EA RL O V E , MA R K W ILLIA M , C HARL S E
F R YE R Leed s : 1 8 2 8—6 5 Dea rlo ve
, . e mp l o y e d o th e r s t o

wor k for h i m s uch a s Gough Absa m Fr yer e tc Fr yer

, , , , .

h e e ven tu a lly t oo k i n t o p a r tn e r s hi p a n d th e i ns tru m e n t s ,

wh ich h a ve th e ir j oi n t la b el a r e fai r ly well ma de o n vari ou s

model s but mo s tly on th a t o f S tra di vari La b el p rin te d
,

.
,

DEARLOVE AND F R YE R ,

M U S I CAL I N STR UM E N T M AN UFACTUR E RS ,

BOAR LAN E LEE DS 1 8 36 , , .

EI GH TO N J
D , . R Newca s tl e -
ou -
Tyn e . Li vi ng a nd

w ki g w I b li
or n no , e e ve , bu t I a m not c e rta in , and Ik w no

n o th i n g o f h is wo r k .

D L E A NY J O H N D ubl , 1 79 5 81 0 H foll w d , in : —1 . e o e

th e Ama ti m d l d was v ry u e s ful i n p oduci g a

o e , an e s cc s r n

g oo d to I s w ne f hi s vi oli ma y year s ago i n

ne . a o o ns n

Waterford whi ch was we ll ma de ra th er s ma ll a nd h a d

, , ,

a cl ear a n d s v veet t on e Th e ba ck wa s o f p l a i n w o od cut

‘

.
,

on th e s la b I t h a d r a th e r wi d e s ou n d h ol e s a n d c orn er s
.
-
,

th a t w er e a tri fle bl u n t Th e r e i s a fin e e xa mp l e of h i s wo r k
.

i n th e Na ti ona l Mu s e u m o f S ci en c e an d Art Du bli n Th e , .

R ev Fa th er Gr ea ven wh o kno w s mo r e a bou t I ri s h vi oli n

.
,

make r s th a n a n yb o dy else sa ys th a t h e wa s a fine m a ke r ,

1 3 2 . B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
a n d a ve r y err a tic g en iu s H e wa s by tr a de a ca bin e t m a ke r
.
,

an d s h o w e d th e t r u e a rt i s t i n w oo d w or k Th e R e p u bli ca n .

s p i ri t wa s s t r o n g i n D e la n e y a s i n m o s t I ri s h m en a t t h a t
o

t i me a n d h e g a ve e x p r e s s i on t o i t i n h i s l a be l wh i ch r a n
, ,

M ADE BY J OHN DE LAN Y ,

I N OR DE R TO PE R PE TU ATE HIS M E M OR Y I N F U TUR E ACE S .

DU BLI N 1 808 , .

LI BE R TY TO ALL THE W OR LD BLACK AND WHI TE , .

D E NNI S J E S S E d on 1 7 9 5 8 60 P up i l o f J oh n
, , Lo n —1 .

Cr o wth er a n d for s o me t i m e w or km an t o Ma tth ew Fur b e r

, .

Ver y few i n s tru men ts of h i s a r e kn o wn but Mr P Petti tt , . .

,

mu s i ca l i n s tru men t d ea le r of I den S u s s e x r ep or ts th a t h e , , ,

h a s s ee n a w ell ma d e Vi ol on cello o f hi s m a k e
-
.

D EVE R E UX J O H N , , Melb our n e n i n e t e e n th c en t u r y .

B e f or e h e e mig r a t e d h e wor ke d for s o m e ti me wi th B S i mo n

.

D EVO NEY, F R N , B la ck p ool a n d Ca n a da A K He m a d e .

man y i n s tru men ts b efor e h e e mi g r a te d wh i ch wer e o n a n ,

or i g i n a l mo d el s tr o n g ly b ui l t b u t r a th er r oug h ly m a de
, .

Th e y wer e cover e d wi th a r e ddi s h a mb e r o i l va r n i s h o f hi s

o wn ma k e . Th e y h a ve a p o we r fu l but r a th e r h ar s h t on e .

D W RS E A , W ILL IAMB r e c h i n N B b u t n ow o f, , . .
,

Mi n n ea p oli s . He i s a n a ti ve o f B r e ch i n a n d wa s b or n i n ,

1 878 . Th e i n s tr u m en t s h e ma d e be for e h e e m ig r a t e d w e r e
ve r y p r o mi s i ng .

D C I KE NS O N E DWARD , , Lon do n —
1 7 50 9 0 . He
wor ke d a t th e Ha r p a n d Cr own ,
”
i n th e S tr a n d . I f n e r i or

wor k on th e S tai n e r m o d el .

D C I KE S O N, J O H N, on d on L 80 a n d Ca mb r i dg e 1 75 0 -
.

An i n s tr u m en t o f hi s m a k e on th e m a ti m o d e l wa s o wn e d , A ,

by a Mr en n e r o f B ath a few y ea r s a g o I t h a d ve r y
. J , ,
.

r e tt y w o o d li g h t b r o wn va r n i s h a n d a s m a ll s i l ve r y t o ne
p , , ,
.

La be l
J OHN DI CK E SON ,

FE CI T IN CAM BR I DG E 1 778 , .
1 34 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

p r e ma tur ely en de d h i s da ys on th e r oa d s i de He e n de d .

th e m i n th e wor kh o u s e a s i t wa s .

He wa s a p u p i l of hi s fa th e r th e Edwar d Do dd p r e vi ou s ly
,

n ot i ce d a n d h e i m p r o ve d s o m u ch u p o n th e wo r k o f h i s
,

fath er a n d u p on th e wor k o f ever ybo dy e ls e in E ng la n d i n

,

th o s e d a y s t h a t h i s b o w s h a ve m a i n t a i n e d a n un di m i n i s h e d
,

r e p u ta ti on d o wn t o th e p r e s e n t t i m e Hi s me th o d o f cuttin g .

h i s b ows wa s p ri m i ti ve a n d i t h a s n ot b e e n a d op t e d by an y
,

g r e a t b o w m a k e r s i n ce hi s ti m e H e c u t th e b o w I n. a cu r v e

o u t o f a bl o ck a n d th u s d i s p en s e d wi t h th e u s u a l p l a n o f
,

cu tti n g i t s tr ai g h t a n d b e n di n g by h ea t I n hi s ca s e a .
,

r o un d a b ou t wa y b e ca m e a s h or t e r c u t I h a ve s een a fair .

n u mbe r o f D o dd b o w s a n d I a m c on vi n c e d th a t a ll I h a ve
,

s e e n w e r e cu t i n t hi s m a n n e r .

Do dd s n a m e wa s a mp e d o n a s o t s o f b o ws s o m e o f
’
s t ll r —

th e m wr e t ch e d e n o u gh — i n th e m i ddl e o f l a s t c e n t ur y an d ,

h i s fa m e h a s s u ffe r e d m u ch i n c on s e qu e n ce B u t h i s wor k .

h a s s u ffer e d m or e t h a n h i s fa m e for th e r e a r e h u n d r e d s o f
,

mon grel Do dd s a b out s o me wi th g en ui n e h eel s o th e r s

, ,

wi th g en ui n e h ea ds a n d n o t a few p a tch e d u p i n di ve r s wa ys
’

, .

Th e o wn e r o f a g e n ui n e Dodd b ow o f a n y thi n g li k e fu ll ,

l eng th m a d e i n h i s b es t s t yle a n d i n g oo d p r e s erva ti o n h a s

, , ,

a tre a s ur e h e c a n w e ll b e p ro u d o f .

D ODD , E DWARD TH O M AS , L doon n 1 830 -

43 .

Pup i ls of Ber n h a r d Fen dt Th o ma s d ie d a t a n e a rly a ge

.
,
, a nd

E dwar d wa s a cci denta lly dr own e d i n 1 843 , .

D O DD , TH O M AS L d , on on : 7 8 6—1 8 2
3 1 H e wa s a s On .

of E dw r d a Do dd , of She I e ld p r e v
,
i o u s ly n o t i c e d H e di d .

n ot ma ke man y i n s tr u me n ts hi m s elf b u t e mp l o ye d ve r y ,

c l eve r w o r km e n t o d o s o fo r h i m He wa s fi r s t o f a ll a b o w .

ma ker i n Blu e B ell Alley Min t S tr ee t S ou th wa r k a n d

, , ,

beca me a vi oli n ma ker a n d d ea le r i n 1 7 9 8 o p en in g a s h op ,

i n New S tr e e t Coven t Ga r d e n whi ch h e r e m o ve d i n 1 80 9

, ,

t o S t Mar t i n s La n e La t e r o n h e a dde d a n oth er s a i l t o h i s

’
. .
[

cra f t ,a n d b e ca m e a h ar p a n d p i a n o f o rt e m a k e r Th e .

i n s tru men t s whi ch h a ve h i s l a be l a r e mo s tly th e wor k o f

 VI O L IN A ND B o w M AKER S 1 35

J oh n Lott Be rn h ar d Fen dt Th es e wer e e xcellent

and .

e n o ug h w or kme n i n th e m se l ve s bu t th e s p ir i t o f Do dd ,

br o o de d o ve r th e m wh il s t fa s h i o ni n g th e s e magni fice nt
i n s tru men t s Do dd wa s an en th u s i a s ti c c on n oi s s eur wi th
.
,

a m i n d s t e e p e d i n I t a li a n l or e a n d h e b r ou gh t h i s kn o wl e dg e ,

t o b e a r u p on th e wor k a t e ve r y turn I t i s i mp os s i bl e t o .

s a y h o w m u ch o f th e w or k b e y on d th e va r n i s h i n g W as

a ct u a lly h i s o wn p r o b a bly ver y li ttl e

, Wi th two s u ch cle ve r .

me n to ca rr y o u t hi s i n s tru c ti on s th er e w a s n o o cc a s i o n for ,

hi m t o h an dl e th e g oug e an d chi s el Wh e n th e i n s tr u me n ts .

“
wer e c o mp lete d i n th e whi t e Do dd o verh aul e d th e m ,

ca re fu lly a n d th e n va r n i s h e d t h e m hi m s e lf Hi s va rn i s h i s .

e x ce ll e n t .I t i s qui t e e qu a l t o th a t of Be n j a m i n B a n ks a n d ,

h e a p p li e d i t m o r e s ki lfu lly th a n B a n k s wa s s o m e ti me s won t

to d o . I t r a n g e s i n c o l o ur fr o m g o ld e n a mb e r t o d e e p
g o ld e n red a n d i t i s ri ch an d t ra n s p a r e n t
, H e k ep t i t s .

c o mp o s i ti on a s a g r e a t s e cr e t a n d wa s c ar e ful t o le t n o o n e ,

s e e h i m ma k e o r a p p ly i t Th e i n gr edi e n t s we r e h o weve r
.
, ,

o n ly t h e o r di n a r y a n d w e ll kn o wn gu m s an d r e s i n s mi xe d
-
,

i n b e tt e r p r o p or ti o n s a n d mor e m e th o di cal ly th an wa s
c u s to mar y t h e n Mos t o f th e va r n i s h e s o f th e e a r ly p ar t o f
.

th e n i n e t ee n th c en t u r y wer e h a r d i n e la s ti c an d l u s tr e l e s s , ,

e n ou gh an d D o dd s o il va r n i s h s h o w e d t o g r e a t a d va n t a g e
’

by con tra s t wi th th e m .

I n s tru men ts b eari n g Do dd s la b el s ar e of Va ri ou s mo del s ’

S tr a di va ri Guar n e ri A m a ti B e rg o n zi S t a i n e r e tc b u t a r e
, , , , , .
,

o f u n i fo r m e x c e ll e n c e a s r e g a r d s fi n i s h a n d t o n e He u s e d .

t wo ki n d s o f l a b e l s

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V I OLI N V I OLON CE LLO AND BOW MAK E R

, , ,

NEW STR EE T COV E N T GARDEN , .

DODD, M AK E R ,

9 2, ST . M ARTI N S LAN E ’
.

P er fe ct co pi es of S tra d iv iar A ma t i S ta i n er , &c No t e — Th e on ly

p ip p p i i gi ih
.
, ,

os s e s so r o f th e r ec e fo r re ar n g th e or n al Cr emon a o il v a rn s .
 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
‘

1 3

D ODD S , E D WA R D Edi bu , b ou t 1 8 9 0
n rg h 1 8 1 7 t i ll a .

He w or k e d a t 1 Ch a r l o t t e Pl a c e a s a p r o fe s s i o n a l m a ke r ,

a n d r e p a i r e r a n d m a d e a b o u t t h r e e h u n dr e d i n s tr u m e n t s
, .

I h a ve n ot b een f or tun a t e e n ough t o s ee on e i n s tr u men t

o f hi s m a k e b u t I wa s a s s u r e d by th e l a t e Dr D i c k s o n th a t
, .

th e y a r e o f e x c e ll e n t w o r km a n s h i p a n d t on e .

D OL LA R D , Du bli n . Me n ti on e d by Fa th e r G r ea
ve n a s a c o n t e mp or a r y and fo llowe r o f Th o m a s P e rr y .

D OR A NT W ILLIA M L d, , on on 180 0 —2 0 He . wor ke d

at 63 Wi fi ld S t t B i k L
n e ree ,
r c ane , S p i ta lfield s . Av er age

wo r k .

D UFF , W ILL IA M Du n keld 1 8 1 0 —8 2 A g a mek ee p er

, .

o n th e A th o l e e s t a t e a n d a n a m a t e u r fiddl e m a k e r
, Ra t h er .

r w or k a n d V ar n i s h b u t t h t i s s m t i m s o f f air
p oo e o n e ,o e e

qua li t y .

D U G HLEY, J O H N Le i c e s t e r
, : 1 8 5 0 -7 0 . Poor wor k .

DU KE , R CH I A RD Lo d , n on : 1 75 0 —8 0 . Th e r e are n o

re li a bl e bi og r a p hi ca l p a r ti cu l ar s o f thi s gr e a t ar ti s t I h a ve .

s e a rch e d n u m er o u s r e c or d s r e gi s t e r s a n d tr a n s c ri p t s for
, ,

t h e d a t e s o f hi s b i r th m a rr i a g e a n d d e a th bu t c o u ld d i s
, , ,

c o v e r n o th i n g th a t I wa s qu i t e s u r e r e f e rr e d t o h i m A .

R i ch a r d D u k e s o n o f R i ch a r d a n d Ca th e r i n e Du k e wa s
,

b a p ti z e d i n th e p a ri s h of S Gi le s Cri p p l e g a te on Ju n e 1 0
.
, , ,

1 7 0 9 a n d th e e n tr y ma y or ma y n ot r e f e r t o h i m
, ,
Th e ,
.

n a m e o f D u k e I f o u n d t o b e c o mm on en o u g h i n th e r e g i s t e r s

a n d di oc e s an t r a n s cri p t s o f o ld Lo n d o n p a r i s h e s a p p e r ta i n i n g

t o th e ei gh te e n th c e n t ur y a n d i t wa s qui t e h o p e l e s s i n th e
,

a b s en ce o f s o m e d e fi n i t e c l u e t o l o o k fo r th e i n f o r m a t i o n I

wa n te d .

Du k e a d op t e d th e S tai n e r a n d A m a ti m o del s a n d o n e or ,

two wri t e r s s a y th a t h e m a d e a few vi o li n s o n th e S tr a d

mo d e l bu t th e s e a r e s o few i n n u mb e r th a t th ey m a y be
,
/

c on s i dere d a ne li g i bl e q u anti t y I t h as b e e n sai d th at

.
g .
1 3 8 B RI TI S H VI OL IN M AKER S

P ep y s : th es e d wi th a cen tur y ea r li e r i t i s
are c on cer ne ,

tru e bu t t h e h a b i t s o f th e p e o p l e h a d n o t m a t e ri a lly ch an g e d
,

i n th e mi ddl e o f t h e e i g h t e e n th c e n tur y Pe p ys en ter s in .

hi s Di ar y u n d e r Nove mb e r 2 1 1 6 60 At n i gh t t o my ,

vi oli n ( th e fi r s t ti me th a t I h a ve p l a y e d o n i t s i n c e I c a m e t o
thi s h ou s e ) i n my di n i n g r o o m a n d a f te r wa r d s t o my lu t e -
,

th e r e a n d I t oo k m u ch p le a s u r e t o h a ve th e n e igh b our s co m e
,

for th i n to th e yar d t o h e ar me .

I t wi ll b e a dm i t t e d I thi nk wi th r e g a r d t o th e wor km an, ,

s hi p o f Duk e th a t i t e vi n c e s c o n s u mm a t e a b i li t y a n d s k i ll
, .

Th e fi n e s t e xa mp l e s o f thi s a r ti s t a r e n ot a wh i t i n f e r i or t o
t h o s e o f B a n k s e x ce p t a s r e g a r d s m o de l a n d va r n i s h a n d
, ,

i n o n e p ar t i cu l a r a t l e a s t th e y a r e s u p er i or V i z i n th e
, , , .
,

c a r vi n g o f t h e s cr o ll b u t thi s r e m a r k a l i s t ly t h
pp , e o o n e

ve r y fi n e s t o f th e m Du k e wa s a b u s y ma n a nd d i d n ot
.

a lw a y s h a ve th e t i m e a t hi s c o mm a n d t o m a k e hi s b e s t .

B an ks a n d For s ter wor ke d mor e a t l ei s ur e a n d th e for me r ,

wa s h e l p i n g t o cr ea te a t a s t e for b et t e r t hi n g s a t a s k whi ch —

g e n e r a lly h a s a m o di fy i n g e ff e c t on t h e r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n

d e ma n d a n d s u p p ly I d o n ot un d er s ta n d wh y i t i s th ough t
.

th a t Du k e s S t a i n e r c o p i e s a r e n o t qui t e s o g o o d a s hi s
’

A mati cop i es I s u bmi t th at th e y ar e a s g oo d i n tr i n s i cally

.
,

an d better c o p i e s Duk e wa s t o o th or ough ly i mb u e d wi th

.

S t ai n e r i d ea s t o a ll o w r o o m i n hi s m in d fo r a n y thi n g e l s e .

Th er e i s n o p e r ce p ti bl e di ffer e n ce i n th e t on e b e th e wor k ,

G er man or I ta li an i n ch ar a cter I t i s a res p on s ive s ilvery .

, ,

m e llo w t on e i n e i th e r ca s e .

Duk e s varni s h i s e la s ti c t e n d er a n d tr a n s p ar e n t but i t

’

, , ,

la cks fir e I t I we r e a s k e d t o g i ve a n i m agi n ar y p e ri
”
.

p i c t u r e o f t h e m a n I s h o u ld d e s cr i b e h,
i m a s t hi c k s e t -
,

br oa d br o we d kee n e ye d an d dign i fie d l o oki n g a n d a s on e

-
,
-
,
-
,

wh o h a d a ve r y c o rr e ct bu t so m ewh a t cold t as t e i n m a tter s

ar t i s t i c Th a t i s th e s ort of man I s ee i n my m i n d s eye
’
.

h ar d a t wor k fa s hi oni n g th e s e ch a s te s o b e r b r oa d ch e s t e d , ,
-

Fi n e s p e ci men s of Du k e s work
’
r ar e ly co me in t o th e
mar ket ; wh e n th e y d o th e y fe t ch
, a f ai r p ri ce . Vi lin s o
 VI O L IN A ND B o w M AKER S 1 39

i n g ood c on di ti on s e ll a t a n y thi n g b e t w ee n £2 5 an d £ 35 .

Ne e d le s s t o sa y th e mar ke t i s fl oo d e d wi th co u n t e rf e i t
,

Duk e s .Wi th th e e xcep ti on o f th e gr e a t S tr a di va ri I

do n ot thi n k an yb ody has b e en c ou n t e r e i t e f d so o ften ;
c e r t ai n ly n ot i n th i s c ou n t r y .

As fa r as kn own D u k e h a d o nly th r ee p up i ls hi s s o n
is , ,

Ri ch a r d ,
Joh n B et ts a n d Edwa r d Be tts He ofte n b ra n d ed
, .

h i s i n s t r u m e n t s u n d e r th e b u t t o n Du k e Lo n d on
”
.
,

La b e l s
R I CHAR D DU K E ,

LONDINI, FE CI T 1 760 .

R I CHAR D DU K E ,

M AK E R ,

HOLBORN LON DON, ,

ANNO 1 768 .

B o th o f th e s e w er e u s ua lly h a n d wri tt e n bu t NO 2 wa s
-
, .

s o m e ti m e s p ri n t e d . Th e fo llo wi n g wa s a lwa y s p ri n t e d

R I CHAR D DU K E .

MAK E R ,

N EAR OPPOS I TE GREAT TURN STI LE ,

HOLBOR N LON DON , ,

1 76 9 .

DU KE , R C H R D I, o A
n d o n a b o uLt 1 770 —8 5 S o n .

a n d p u i l of th e
p p r e c e di n g T h e fe w n s tr.u m en t s o f h i s I
ma ke whi ch r e mai n S h o w th a t h e wa s gr ea t ly i n fe ri or to hi s
fa th e r a s a cr a ft s ma n He bra n d e d h i s vi o lin s s i m i lar ly to
.

h i s fa th e r an d u s u a lly le f t th e m unla b ell e d

, .

D U NC AN , Ab er d e en a bou t 1 7 60 .

D U NC AN , GE OR G E Gl
, as gow —
1 85 5 9 2 . He wa s
b or n in 1 85 5 . an d left thi s c o u n tr y for Am e ri c a in 1 89 2 .
1 49 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

Th e r e a p p ear s t o be li tt le d ou b t th a t h e h a s ma d e s o m e
magn i fi cen t i n s tr u men ts o n th e m o d el s o f , S tr a di var i a n d
Gu a r n eri a n d va rn i s h e d wi th a b e a u ti fu l oil va rn i s h o f a
,

g o ld e n r e d o r o r a n g e r e d t i n t H e w a s a w a r d e d a g o ld .

m e d a l for a c a s e o f vi oli n s a t t h e L on d on E xh i bi ti o n o f
I n ve n ti o ns a n d Mu s i c i n 1 88 5 Th e ton e o f hi s i n s tr u men ts .

i s l a rg e r i ch a n d b e a u ti f ully cl e ar a n d r e s p o n s i ve
, , He h a d .

m a d e a b ou t for t y vi oli n s b efor e h e le f t th i s cou n tr y a ll o f ,

t h e m o f th e hi gh e s t s t an d ar d o f e x c e ll e n ce .

DY KE R G E O R G E Dr u md u a n F orr e s N B An
, , , , . .

a m a t e u r n o w li vi n g wh o h a s m a d e s e ve r a l b e a u t i fu l vi o li n s

o n t h e S tr a d m o d e l H e u s es e xc ell en t wo o d a n d th e
.
,

wor kma n s hi p i s fa ultl es s Th e a r ti s t h a n d i s s e en i n e ve r y

.

d et ai l of th e wor k a n d th e t o n e i s fin e I h a ve n e ver s e e n
, .

b e tt er w or k by a n a m a t eu r S cotl a n d i s p e cu li ar ly for .

tu n a t e i n p o s s e s s in g a l a r g e n u mb er o f t a len t e d cr a f t s m en
wh o e mp l o y t h e ir s p a r e h o u r s i n mouldi n g ri bs ca r vi n g ,

h e a d s a n d s h a p in g fid dle s
, 0 .

D YKE S G E O R G E L A NG TO N L do
, , on n , c on t e mp o r a r y .

He i s a s on well kn o wn Vi oli n coll ector a n d

of th e -

e xp e r t Mr H a rr y Dyk e s o f 6 1 Ne w Bo n d S t r e e t a n d wa s
, .
, ,

b o r n i n Lee ds Octo b er 1 1 1 8 84 A f ter r e ce i vi n g a s oun d

, , .

e d u c a t i on whi ch i n clu d e d a worki n g kn owledg e o f Fr e n ch

,

a n d G e r m an h e b e c a m e a p u p i l i n vi ol i n m a ki n g o f th e l a t e
,

Pa ul B ai lly of Mir e cour t a n d Pa ri s an d wa s ear ly i ni ti a te d

, ,

i n t o th e mys t e ri e s o f th e cr a ft Hi s r a r e gi f ts e n a bl e d h i m .

i n a s h ort ti m e t o m a s t e r th e s ci e n c e a n d a r t o f fiddl e c o n
s t r u cti on a n d a l t h oug h h e i s s ti ll a c o m p a r a t i ve ly youn g
,

ma n i t i s dou b t fu l wh eth er a n y o n e i n th i s c o u n tr y e ve n
, ,

a mo n g hi s s e n i ors p o s s e s s e s a p r o f o u n d e r k n o wl e dg e o f th e
,

s u bj e c t i n a ll i t s b ra n ch e s th a n h e d o e s Ap a rt fro m a .

r e gu l a r a p p r e n ti c e s hi p s e r ve d u n d e r a m a s t e r h e h a s h a d
, ,

t h e i mme n s e a ddi t i o n a l a d van t a g e o f th e s o u n d e x p ert

kn owle dg e a n d lo ng e xp er i en ce o f h i s fa th er t o d ra w u p on .

Hi s op p or tuni ti e s moreove r h ave b e en a lmos t u ni qu e for

, , ,
 VI O L IN A ND B o w M A KER S 1 4 1

so me of fin e s t i n s tru men ts i n e x i s t e n ce h a ve p a s s e d
th e
th r o u g h th e h a n d s o f th e Me s s r s Dyke s a n d S o n s wh o s e .
,
g
e s t a bli s h me n t i s o f wo r ld wi d e r e p u t a t i o n -
.

Mr Dy ke s ma d e hi s fi r s t vi o li n i n hi s e a r ly t ee n s a n d h e
.
,

h a d c o mp l et e d qu i t e a c o n s i d e r a bl e n u mb e r o f i n s tru m e n t s
by th e ti me h e h a d a ttai n e d hi s ma j ori t y Th e wor kma n .

s h i p a s wa s n a t ur a lly t o b e e xp e ct e d i s o f a hi g h o r d e r a n d
, , ,

th e t o n e o f a ve r y fin e qu a li t y La tt e r ly h e h a s tur n e d h i s
.
,

a t t e n t i on t o a n ti qu e i n s tru m e n t s o f th e Vi o l t ri b e b ei n g ,

s p e ci a lly i n t e r e s t e d in th e Vi o l d a m o ur whi ch i n s tr u m e n t h e
’

t h i n k s i s li ke ly t o b e r e vi ve d i n th e n ear futu r e b o th fo r ,
:

o r c h es tr a l a n d ch a mb e r p u r p o s e s Mo s t o f hi s ti me h o w .
,

e ve r i s t a ken u p wi th t h e b u s i n es s o f th e e s t a bli s h m e n t
, ,

mor e es p e ci a lly i n s u p eri nte n di n g th e i mp ort a nt wor k ca r ri e d

o u t i n t h e r e p ai ri n g a n d m a ki n g d e p a r t m en t .

Mr Dyk e s i s a b o rn ar ti s t h e li ve s mo ve s a n d h a s h i s
.

/
, ,

b ei n g i n a n a t mo s p h er e of art a n d h e ve n e r a te s ar t fo r i ts,

o wn s a k e Fi n e a r t Ru s ki n te ll s u s i s th at i n wh i ch th e
.
, ,

h an d th e h ea d a n d th e h e art of man g o t oge th e r

, ,
if s o ,

I kn owo f n o o n e wh o c an lay b ett er clai m t o d a y to th e ti tl e -

o f Hi g h Pr i e s t o f Fi n e A
-
rt th a n thi s en th u s i a s ti c d e vo te e of
th c fiddl e cu l t
i
.

EAD IE J Gl , w : n i n ete en th ce n tur y I h ave n o t

a s go .

s e en an
y o f h i s i n s t r u m e n t s b u t t h e l a t e Dr Di c k s o n
, o f .
,

E din burgh h a d s een a n u mb er of th e m a n d s ai d th ey were

, ,

ve r y well m a d e a n d h a d a g oo d to n e .

E G LI NG TO N , a bout 1 80 0 .

ELL I O T WILLIA M H wi ck , t mp y H w , a con e or ar . e as

b t Ki t
orn a i n th p i h f C vr on , b u t f ou m i l e ar s o a er s , a o r es

f m H wi k i 1 8 62 Aft
ro a i vi g
c ,ou n d l m n t y
n . er r ece n a s e e e ar

e d mo s t S co tti s h ch i ldr e n d o— h e wa s a p p re n
u c a ti o n — a s

ti ce d t o th e j o i n er y tr a d e Hi s for be a r s a s far b a ck a s th e i r
.
,
1 42 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S
h i s t or y g o e s we r e a ll co n n ec te d wi th th e j oi n e r y c ar p en tr y
, , ,

o r w oo d ca r vi n g t r a d e s
-
s o t h a t h e r e di t y ma y b e s ai d t o
,

c o u n t fo r m u ch o f th e p e nch a n t whi ch E lli o t s h o w e d e ar ly

i n li fe for ch i s el g ou g e a n d c a li p e r s
, , H e m a de h i s fi r s t .

vi o li n i n 1 8 8 5 a n d s i n c e th e n h e h a s b e e n s t ea di ly m a k i n g
, ,

h a vi n g co mp l e te d u p t o d a t e j u s t o ver a h u n dr e d i n s tru
men t s A gr e a t d ea l o f h i s ti me i s t aken u p wi th r e p ai r s
.
,

a n d h e i s c on s e qu e n t ly u n a bl e t o m a k e a s r a p i dly a s h e

w ou ld li ke t o Th e g r eat e r n u mb e r o f h i s vi o li n s a r e o n th e
.

S tr a d a n d J o s ep h m o d e l s b u t l a t t e r ly h e h a s b ee n m a k i n g
,

o n a n a d a t e d m o d e l o f h i s o wn
p A ll h i s w o r k r e a ch e s a
.

hi gh s tan d a r d o f e xc e ll en c e a n d h i s l a t e r i n s tr u m e n t s a r e
,

e x c e e di n g ly fin e Th e wor k b oth i n s i d e a n d o u t s i de i s
.
, ,

fin i s h e d wi th a deg r e e of p r e ci s io n a n d d e li ca c y wh i ch i t i s
n o t p o s s i bl e t o s u r p a s s H e i s r e ma r k a bly s u cc e s s fu l i n
.

r o du ci n g a fin e t o n e I t h s ll th e ch a r a c teri s ti c s o f th e
p a a .

o ld I t a li a n t o n e s a vi n g o n ly th e m e ll o w n e s s whi ch c o m e s
,

wi th a g e a n d j u di ci o u s u s e Th e wor k o f thi s art i s t i s .

b oun d t o co me to th e fr ont Fa s ci mile l ab el .

B a rn i cfi
‘

t .

E RVI NE , R OB E RT , B e lfa s t
mp or ar y On e o f : c on t e .
5

th e s m a ll b a n d o f p re s en t d ay m a k e r s wh o i s d oi n g a ll i t
c a n t o m ai n t ai n w or th i l th e fine tr a di ti on s o f I r e l a n d for
y
a r t a n d cra f t w o r k I h a ve n o t s e e n an y of h i s wo r k but
.
,

I h a ve i t on th e b es t a uth ori ty p os s ibl e th a t of th e Re v

— .

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—

l en ce Fa th e r Gr e a ve n in a lette r t o me d e s cri be s i t th u s
.

Er vi ne s u bmi tte d on e of hi s lates t vi olin s t o me for my

i n s p ec ti on a n d I h a ve i t n o w by me
,
I t wa s m a d e for Mr . .

Cr y mb le s fir m Mu s i cal I n s tru m e n t a n d Mu s i c De ale r s o f

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,
/

Welli ngton Pla ce B elfa s t I t i s a b ea uti fully con s tr ucte d

, .
1 44 B RI T IS H VI OL I N M AKER S
o ut li n e i s th a t of Gu arn eri bu t n o th i n g m or e
S tr a di va ri o r ,

t h a n th e o u t l i n e i s co p i e d th e
m a ke r b e i n g o f th e o p i n i on
,

th a t n o c o p yi s t c an e v e r e xcel o r even e qu a l th e o r i g i n a l ,

a n d th a t i t i s b e tt e r th e r e f o r e h e s h ou ld a ll o w h i s i n ven ti ve

n e s s a n d i m a g i n a ti o n t o wo r k u n f e t t e r e d I h a ve s e en on ly .

o n e o f h i s i n s t r u m e n t s a n d d o n o t th e r e f ore k n o w hi s w o r k
,

we ll e n ough t o b e a bl e t o gi ve a d e s cri p ti o n o f i t i n g en e r a l .

Th e vi oli n I s a w a n d t ri e d wa s b e a u ti fu lly m a d e a n d h a d a ,

wo n d e r fully b ri gh t s wee t an d p le a s i n g to n e I t a p p e a r s
, , .

f r o m p r e s s n o ti ce s an d th e o p i n i on s o f s e ve r a l e mi n e n t
a r ti s t e s th a t Mr E yl e s h a s m a d e qui t e a n u mb e r o f vi o l i n s
.

whi ch h a ve a n e xtr a or di nari ly cle ar a n d me llo w t on e fo r

n e w i n s tr u m e n t s H e i s p ar t i cula r ly c a r e fu l i n th e ch oi c e
.

o f hi s w oo d a n d h e p a t i e n t ly c o ve r s th e i n s tr u m en t s w i th
,

thi n c oa t s o f t en d e r e l a s ti c a n d tr a n s p a r e n t o il va r n i s h
, , .

E YLI NG , TH O M A S , Glouce s t e r : 1 800—20 Fa i r ly .

g o o d w or k on th e A m a ti mod e l Ton e s ma ll but p l ea s in g

. .

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, H e wa s
, on 1 7 5 6—1 8 3 2 .

b orn a t I n n s br uck i n th e Tyr ol di e d i n Ayl e s b ur y S tr ee t

, , ,

Cl er k en w e ll an d wa s b uri e d i n Cl e r k e n we ll Ch ur ch yar d
,
.

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Th o ma s Do dd q v , . .

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E E A 8 00I—
5 2 H e L on 1 .

wa s a p u p i l o f h i s f a th e r a n d l e arn t h i s tr a d e i n t h e wor k s h o p
,

of J oh n B e tt s H e w o r k e d wi th F ar n for s o m e ti m e an d
. ,

l at e r b e ca me a p a r tn er o f Georg e Pur dy Oth e r bi ogr a p h i c a l .

r t i c u l ar s ar e gi ve n i n th e va r i o u s b o o k s o n th e s u bj e c t ;
p a

i t s u ffice s t o s a y h e r e th a t h e wa s a s c l e ve r a n d i n g e n i ou s a
wor kman a s e ver h an dl e d g ou g e a n d c a li p e r s i n thi s c ou n tr y ,

an d , in my o p i n i o n , a s u n s cr u p u o u s a s l h e wa s l
c e ve r . He
m a d e s c o r e s o f c o u n t e r f e i t e d S tr a d s a n d J o s e p h s .
”

H a r t s a y s t h a t h e m a d e s o m e h u n d r e d s o f c o p i e s o f G u a r n e ri
 VI O L I N A ND B o w M AKER S 1 45

l
a on e . Th e s e we r e n o t a ll f a ke s i t i s tr u e b u t ve r y
, ,

m a n y o f th em we r e a n d th e y h a ve b e en s old ti me a n d a g a i n
,

a s th e g e n ui n e w or k o f t h e m a s t er s wh o s e f o r g e d l a b e l s t h e y

c a rr y .

All th e Fen d ts wer e c o un ter fei t er s mor e or le s s— gen er a lly

,

more n ot l e s s a n d i n s o far a s th e y d ep a r t e d fr o m th e p ath s

,
—

of r i g h t e ou s d eali n g th e y d e s er ve n oth i n g b ut th e
,
”

e x e c r a ti o n o f p o s t e r i t y a n d t h e c o n t e m p t o f t h e h i s t o r i a n ,

t h e i r c l e vern e s s n o t wi th s t a n di n g Cl e ve r n e s s d o e s n o t a to n e
.

for fr a u d . I h ave s een i t s ta te d s omewh e r e th at th e Fe n d ts

we r e th e cr ea tur e s o f ci rcu ms t a n ce s a n d c ould n o t ver y well
,

h e l p th e m s e l v e s a s p e ci es o f a p ol og y wh i ch d ou bt le s s , ,

e ve r y u t t e r er o f c o u n t e r f e i t c o i n i n o ur o wn d a c u ld
y o

a d va n c e wi th e qu a l p l au s i bi li t y Fi ddle ma ker s li ke ever y

.
-
,

bo dy el s e a r e all cr e at ur e s o f cir cu ms t a n c es for wh o i s

,
—

c o m p l e t e ma s t e r o f hi s e n vi r on m en t P b u t t h e y a r e n o t a ll
—

forg er s a ll t h e s a m e Th e cl ever forg e r i e s o f th e Fe n d ts

.
,

mo re e s p e ci ally th os e o f B er n a r d S i m on a n d o f J a co b h a ve ,

d ece i ve d h un dr e ds o f fiddle fa n ci ers fr o m ti me t o ti me th e y

h a ve d e c e i ve d e ve n e xp e ri en c e d e x p ert s For e x a mp l e t o
.
,

n a m e on e i n s t a n c e o u t o f a l a r g e n u mb e r o f c a s e s wh i c h I

c ou ld ci t e th e ve r y c l e v e r c o u n t er f e i t
, S tr a d o wn e d by

t h e l a t e J a m e s S mi th Es q o f A s h cr o f t H ou s e Wen t w o r th
, .
, , ,

a n d wh i ch wa s th e w o r k o f J a c o b F en d t h a d b e e n c e r ti fi e d ,

by two e xp er t s to b e g e n u i n e s o th e o wn er i n for me d me i n
—

a l e t t e r u n d e r d a t e o f Ma
y7 1 9 4
0 ,
W h e n I r e v i e w i n my
mi n d th e wor k o f th e Fen d t s I c an n ot b u t w ai l wi th S cott
,

Oh wh at a t an gle d we b we we a ve
Wh en fir s t we p ra cti s e t o decei ve !

F E ND T F R A NC I S L o n do n
, , and Li v er p o o l . Fo ur th
s on o f B e r n h a r d Fe n d t .

F E ND T J A C O B Lo n do n : 1 8 1 5 49 Thi r d s on o f
, ,
— .

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,

t h e f a mi ly Wh a t I h a ve s ai d a b o ve of th e wor k of Ber nh a r d
.

S i mon ap p li e s e qu a lly t o th e w or k of th i s mak e r I t is .

1 4 6 B RI T I S H V I O L IN M AKER S

m a tter o f p ro foun d r egr et t h a t e n th u s ia s m for th e i n s tru

“

men ts of th e s e a r ti s t s i s h eld i n ch eck by th e kn owle dg e th at

t h e y e v er di s s e mbl e a n d o ft e n d e c e i ve .

F E ND T M AR TI N , , Lo n do n . S on of B er nh ar d Fe n d t .

He w or k e d for B ett s .

F E ND T W ILLIA M Lo n d o n : 1 833—1 8 5 2 S o n o f
, , .

B er n a r d S i mon an d a Ve r y c l eve r wor kma n Hi s Vi o la s

, .

a n d d o u bl e b a s s e s w e r e c el e br a t e d .

F E NW I C K , L e i th . Hi s i n s tr u m en t s are o cca

s i on a lly a d ve r ti s e d for sa e, l bu t Ih a ve n e ve r s e e n on e .

F E R G U S O N D O NA LD Hun tly Ab er de en s hi r e Wor k

, , , .

o f a ve r a e m e r i t
g .

F E R G U S O N W I LLIA M , , E di b u n rgh 1 79 0 -1 8 20 .

Fa ir ly g oo d wor k a n d t o n e .

F E R R IE R W ILL IAM , , Du n d e e : c on t e mp or ar y . Fair ly

g oo d w o rk .

FI ND LA Y JAM E S Pa d
, , a n ar a m: 1 81 5 9 6 -
. He wa s
b o rn a t a fa r m n ea r B r ech in i n Fo r far s h i r e He m a d e a b ou t
, .

five h u n dr e d i n s tru m e n t s m o s t ly on t h e Gu a r n eri m o d e l

, .

Hi s wo o d a s a r u l e i s p l a i n a n d th e var n i s h a s p i ri t on e , ,

t h i n ly l a i d o n bu t th e t o n e i s fr e qu e n t ly ver y g o o d
, .

F I NG LA ND , S c on te m p or a r y , a p p ar e nt ly .

F I R TH G , Lee d s : 1 0 —
8 3 40 . Or di n a r y wor k .

FLE C K WI LL IA M High Wyco mb e : 1 8 5 2 —1 9 1 4 A

, , .

d oct o r o f me di ci n e a n d a Ver y cle ver a ma teu r vi o li n ma ker

,

a n d p la yer H e wa s b o r n a t B a llym e n a Co An tri m I r e

. .
,

la n d a n d di e d a t H igh Wyco mb e e ar ly I n 1 9 1 4 wh er e h e
, ,

h a d b een i n p r a cti c e for thi r t y y ear s a n d wh er e h e h a d ,

fill e d i m p ort an t p o s i ti on s s uch a s t own coun ci ll or J us ti c e

, ,
 1 4 8 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

S a n dys a n d F o r s t e r i n th e i r H i s tory of the Vi oli n gi ve a

s o m e wh a t l e n g t h y a c c o u n t o f va r i ou s F or s t e r s F or es t er s o r , ,

Fo s t e r s wh o we r e a n ci e n tly c on n e ct e d wi th th e n or th ern
c ou n t i e s b u t wh e th e r t h e s e w e r e a n c e s t o r s o f J o h n F o rs t e r
,

th e y are p n ot re
p a re d y
to m a t e r isay
a l . I t is n ot ver
wh e th e r th e y wer e or n o t Thi s fir s t For s ter t o c o me .

a c r o s s t h e p a th o f t h e vi o l i n hi s t o ri a n m a d e o nly a n o cc a

s i o n a l i n s tr u m en t o n th e S t a i n er m o d e l o f r a th e r r o u h a n d
,
g ,

u n fi n i s h e d w or km a n s h i p .

F O R S TE R , S I M O N A ND R E W
Lo n d o n 1 80 1 70 ,
- .

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1 80 1 a n d di e d F e b r u a r y 2
,
1 8 70 He wo r k e d a t Fti th , .

S t r e e t a n d a l s o a t Ma c cle s field S tr e e t S oh o
, He i s mo r e , .

fa mo u s a s th e colla b or a t or wi th Wi lli a m S a n dys o f th e wor k

r e f e rre d t o a b o v e t h an a s a vi o li n m a k e r All h i s wor k th a t .

I h a ve s e en r e flect s littl e or n o cr e di t u p o n th e g r e a t n a m e o f
For s ter He wa s a p u p i l of hi s fa th er of hi s br oth er a n d
.
, ,

o f S a mu e l G i lk e s H e w or k e d s o m e ti m e s o n t h e S tr a di va ri
.

a n d s o m e ti m e s o n th e S t a i n e r m o d e l b u t a lwa y s a rch e d h i s ,

i n s t r u m e n t s i n a g r o t e s qu e m a n n e r I a m n ot s ur e th a t h e .

d i d n o t s o m e t i m e s b a k e h i s wo o d a s th e t on e i s o f t e n o f a ,

wr etch e d ch a r a ct er .

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S A F OR STE R . .
,

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, ,
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NO . N N
LO DO .

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, ,
-
.

wa s a s o n o f J oh n F o r s t e r a n d li k e h i s f a th e r m a d e a nd , , ,

r e a i r e d a n o cc a s i o n a l fiddl e T h e w o r km a n s h i p i s a li t tl e
p .

b etter th a n hi s fa th e r s b u t th e t on e i s a b out th e sa me Hi s
’

,
.

i n s tr u m e n t s a r e u n p u r fl e d a n d s p i r i t v a r n i s h e d ,
.

F O R S TE R W I LL IA M B r a mp ton a n d Lo n d o n 1 73 9
, ,

H e i s kn o wn a s Old F o r s t e r a n d i s th e gr ea t e s t
”
1 80 8 .
,

ma ke r o f th e fa mi ly a n d o n e o f th e g r e a t e s t o f a ll th e old
,

B ri ti s h ma kers Hawei s s a y s h e wa s
. th e gr e at es t ma ke r
 VI O L IN A ND B o w M AKER S 1 49

in a ll E gl d
n an ( Old V i oli n s p b u t c a n n o t c,on c u r . I
wi th hi s o p i n i o n He wa s b or n i n 1 73 9 ; b a p ti e d on Ma y 5
. z
o f t h a t y e a r a n d di e d on th e 1 4 th D e c e mb e r 1 80 8
, H e ma y , .

b e d e s c r i b e d a s t h e B r i t i s h c o u n t e r p a r t o f t h e g r e a t Fr e n c h
ma ke r Vui lla u me s i n c e li ke h i m h e wa s ch ar a ct eri s e d by a
, ,

d egr ee o f s h r e wdn e s s ve r s a ti li t y a n d worldly wi sd o m a b o ve

, ,

h i s c o mp e e r s Wh en F ren ch p la ye r s wa n te d a S tr a di va ri
”

o r a G u a r n e ri fiddl e Vui llau me me t t h e i r d em a n d s a n d

,

s o ld t h e m t h o se n e w o ld i n s t r u m e n t s wh i ch s e t th e S ei n e
‘

o n fir e s i mi l a r ly F o r s t e r wh e n t h e B ri t i s h p u b li c wa n t e d
,

, A
S t a i n e r c o p i e s o r ma ti co p i e s i mme di a t ely s u p p li e d th e m ,

q
wi th t h e i r r e u i rem en ts h e wa s a lwa ys e u al to th e occa s i on q
a n d n e ve r d i s a p p o i n t e d hi s c u s t o m e r s Wh er e th e a n a log y .

fai ls i s th a t For s ter i n a ddi ti on t o h i s ve r s a ti li t y p oss e s s e d

, ,

th a t o th e r a n d s o me ti me s i n c on ven i en t g ift ca ll e d con s ci e n ce .

For s t e r n e ve r fa ke d a n d n ever a tt e mp te d t o p a s s hi s
,

n ew i n s t r u m e n ts as Old Ma s t e r s .

Ha d For s ter li ve d a mo n g m or e di s c er n i n g p e o p l e th a t ,

would d ema n d S tr adi va ri co p i e s h i s wor k wou ld r a n k t o d a y ,

-

b e s i d e th a t o f Vui lla u me H e wa s a Jack o f a ll tra de s .

,

a n d m a s t e r o f m o r e th a n o n e By tu r n s a s p i n n i n g wh ee l .
-

ma ke r g u n s to ck ma ke r ca ttl e dri ver p u bli s h e r fid d ler

,
-
, , ,

h e c o u ld ma n a ge t o e k e ou t a li vi n g a t a n y o n e o f th e m As .

a vi o l i n m a k e r h e r o s e f r o m b e i n g a h u mbl e Cu mb e r l a n d

r e p a i r e r t o t h e r an k o f i n s t ru m e n t m a ke r t o t h e Co u r t He .

ough t t o h a ve b e e n E n g l an d s g r e a t es t m a k er a n d w o u ld
’

h a ve b e en bu t for th s m a n y s i d e d n e s s a n d th e i n di s cri mi n a
i —
,

t i o n o f h i s c ou n tr ymen Hi s a r ti s ti c wo r k a t Br a m p t o n wa s
.

c o n fi n e d t o th e r e a i ri n g o f old i n s tru m e n t s a n d t h e ma ki n
p g ,

o f a fiddl e n o w a n d a g a i n o n th e S t ai n e r m o d e l I n 1 75 9 he .

ca m e t o L o n d o n a n d a f t e r m e e t i n g w i th s o m e r e ve r s e s
, ,

e nte r e d th e s h o f e B eck f T w H i ll w h h
p o o n o o e r e r e e , ,

r e ma i n e d fo r a b ou t t wo y ea r s m a ki n g fid d le s I n 1 762 h e .

s e t u p on h i s o wn a ccou n t a t Du k e s Co u r t wh en ce h e ’

r e m o ve d t o S t Ma r ti n s La n e Fr o m t h i s p l a c e h e a g a i n
’
. .

r e mo ve d t o 8 S t d w h h m i d f t h t f h i
34 r a n e r e e r e a ne , o r e r e s o s

da ys .
1 5 0 B RITIS H VI O L IN M AKER S
He fo ll o we d th r ee mo d el s S t a i n er ,
A . H Ama ti
.
, a nd
Ni c o la s A ma ti .

He a p p ea r s f oll owe d S ta i n er e xclus i vely fr o m

t o h a ve
1 7 6 2 t o 1 77 2 b u t a t t h e l a t t e r d a t e h e
,
p u t a s i d e t h a t m o d e l ,

n e ve r t o t a k e i t u p a a i n F m 6 t t h i fl
g r o 1 7 0 o 1 79 .0 e n u en c e

o f B a n k s wa s f e l t fa r a n d n e a r a n d B ri t i s h l y w
p a e r s e r e ,

a wa ki n g t o t h e s u p e ri or m e ri t s o f th e A m a ti m o d el F o r s t er .

wa s s t i ll a y o u n g ma n o f o n ly thi r t y th r e e a n d h a d th e -
,

b e tt er a n d l o n g er h a lf o f h i s li f e b efor e hi m Wh en h e .

tu r n e d h i s b a ck o n th e G e r m a n h e wa s i n p o s s e s s i o n o f hi s
full s tr en g th a n d a ble t o s wi m fa s t wi th th e flo wi n g ti d e .

I t wa s n o t s o wi th D u k e wh o h a d l es s t h a n a t h i r d o f hi s
,

li fe t o li v e wh en th e s ta r o f Ni col a s Amati a p p ear e d on th e

h ori zo n Now wa s For s t e r s ch a n ce
.
’
.

Th er e i s a ti de i n t h e a ffai r s o f men ,

Whi ch , ta ken a t t h e fl oo d l e a ds o n t o , fort un e .

F or s t e r mi gh t h a v e r ea ch e d t h e br o a d s e a o f a r ti s ti c
fa me h a d h e n ot p a u s e d by th e wa y H e d alli e d wi th th e .

m o d e l o f A a n d H A m a t i a n d g a v e u p m u ch t i m e t o
. .
,

mu s i cal e n t er p ri s e o f o n e ki n d a n d a n o th e r wh i ch a lth o ugh , ,

r o fi t a bl e e n o u g h b o th t o h i m a n d t o t h e u bl i k t h i m
p p c e p ,

fr o m l oo ki n g s te a di ly o n I f F or s t er h a d b e en a ma n of o n e
.

i d e a l a n d h a d k e p t th a t i d e a l s t e a di ly i n vi e w p o s t eri t y
, ,

would h a ve r e wa r d e d h i m by c on ferr i n g u p o n h i m th e ti tl e
wh i ch h a s b e en gi ven t o B a n ks A s ma tters s t a n d h e mu s t .
,

r e s t c o n t e n t wi th p er h a p s a th i r d p l a c e on t h e li s t— a t l e a s t

th a t i s my o p i n i o n Hi s S ta i n e r c o p i es a r e ver y g o od but
.
,

d o n ot c o m p a r e fo r fi n i s h e d w or km an s hi p a n d t on e wi t h th e
i n s tru m e n t s o f D u k e Th e A m a t i c o p i e s a r e o u a n a l t o
.
-

g e t h er h i g h e r l e ve l W h en c o p .y i n g A a n d H A m a t i h e . .

wa s a t h i s v e r y b e s t a n d t h e r e s ult s h o w s wh a t h e wa s
,

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o f K i n g G e o r g e III La b els .

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1 54 B RI T I S H VI OL I N M AKER S
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1 5 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
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.

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, ,

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. ,

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men t i s e xtraordi nary i nd eed Ever y i ns tru ment tha t i s .
 VI O L I N A ND B O W M AKER S 1 57

w or t h y th e na me ma r ke d t o me h a s i n di vi du a li t y
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1 5 8 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

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,

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,

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.

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, , ,

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,

c o l ou r —
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. .

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an d r e s p o n s i ve .

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.

a wa r d s t I
— n e1 n a ti o n a l x hi b i ti o n Cr y s t a l P a la c eE 1 8 84 , , ,

S il ver Me d a l b ei n g th e hi gh e s t a wa r d
,
n t ern a t i o n a l I
In ven ti o n s xhi bi ti on Lon do n 1 8 8 5 S i l ve r Me da l n ter
E , , , I
n a ti o n a l E xhi bi ti on E din b urgh , ,
1 8 90 , Gold Me d a l .
1 60 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

GLENDA Y, J A M E S Pa da n ar a m
, n i n e t e e n th c en tu r y .

G LE NI S TE R W I LLIA M Lon do n , c on t e m p o r a r y
, .

He wa s b o r n a t Ch e ni e s B u c k s i n 1 8 5 0 a nd li ves a t 2 3
‘

, , ,

B e a k S tr e et Rege n t S tr ee t W Alth ough o n ly an a m at eur

, , .
,

h e h a s m a d e a lar g e n u mb e r o f vi o li n s Vi ol a s an d Vi o l o n , ,

c e ll o s ,whi ch h e a d ver ti s es for s a l e i n th e mu s i c p a p er s .

He h a s m a d e vi o li n s on th e m o d e l s o f N A m a ti Gu ar n e r i .
, ,

a n d S t r a di va ri b u t l a tt e r ly m a k e s o n th e S t r a d m o d e l
,

e x clu s i vely . Mr Towr y Pi p er i n r evi e wi n g hi s wor k i n

(
.

t he i s s ue of Th e S tr a d for Ju n e 1 9 1 5 s a ys t h at s o far ,

as t o n e i s c on c e r n e d th e s e i n s tru m e n t s ELe Gle ni s t e r s flwi ll

’
.

b e a r c omp ari s o n wi th a n y n ew fildd les I h a ve t e s te d i n r ecen t

y e a r s on e o f th e wh i te e xa m p le s ma d e i n 1 9 1 4 b ei n g qui te
, , ,

r e m ar k a bl e fo r th e b e a u t y a n d q u a l i t y o f i t s t o n e I .

e xa mi n e d a b o u t t w e n t y o f Mr Gle ni s t e r s i n s tr u m en t s a t
’
.

h i s s h o p qui t e r ec en tly a n d mu s t s a y th a t I c on s i d e r b o th
,

wor kma n s h i p a n d t on e t o b e e xce ll en t Fa cs imil e la b el .

GL NN , E IE WI LL I AM Ab , e r d ee n : c on t e mp or ar y He .

wor k s wi th Mr J h M h ll . o n ar s a wh o s e b u s i n es s h e h a s
p r a c ti ca lly m an a g e d fo r th e la s t few y ea r s . H e i s a n e x ce l
len t cr a f t s ma n .

GL OAG , J O H N, Ga l s t o n con t e m p ora r y . An a ma teur

wh o h a s m a d e a n u mb e r o f g oo d vi o li n s .

G O O D MAN, JAM E S Br e ntfor d , n i n et e e n th c en t ur y .

G O RD O N , I
S t o n e yf or d r e la n d : n i n et ee n th c e nt
,

ur y . Th e R e v . Fa th er Gr ea ven m en ti on s h im i n t h e
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 61

followi ng bri ef s t a te men t 3 we ll kn o wn a bou t t h e No r th -

a r e vi o li n s by t h e p h i la n t h r o p i s t G or d o n o f S t o n e yf o r d ,
.

Th e y p o s s e s s a g o o d s tr on g E n g li s h t on e th ough th e wo r k ,

m a n s hi p i s ro ugh .
”

G ORD O N , Dr Ri ch a r d Hum
a bo u t 1 8 30 - 40 . .

p h r e s o f 6 Cr e s s i n gt o n P a r k
y ,
i ver p o ol h a s a vi o li n o f hi s , L ,

m a ke d a t e d 1 8 38 wi th hi s n a me s ta mp e d on th e ba ck un d er
, ,

t h e b u tt o n a n d th e d a t e wr i tt en i n i n k i n s i d e
,
He s a y s i t .

is a w ell ma d e -
i n s tru m en t .

G OR RI E, J e n in t e e n th m e nts ce n t u r y . I n s t ru

of h i s m a k e h a ve b ee n a d ve rti s e d i n c a ta l ogu e s o f o ld vi o li n s .

G O TH A RD F Hudders field : ni n et e en th ce n tur y

, .

G OU GH J O H N Lee d s a bo u t 1 8 20 He wor ke d
, , . for
Mar k Wi lli a m D e ar lo ve .

G O U GH J O H N Th or n bur y Glo s 1 80 3 ti ll a b out 1 870

, , , . .

H e i s m e n ti on e d i n a b o o kl e t by Mr J S p e n cer Pal me r o f . .
,

Th orn b ur y wh o sa ys t h a t h e h a d t h e r e p ut a ti o n o f be i n g a
,

fin e ma k er Th e Me s s r s Hill h a ve a c o p y o f h i s l a b el
. . I .

h a ve m a d e a ca re fu l b u t fru i t l es s s ear ch i n Bri s t ol a n d i t s

n e i g h b our h o o d fo r i n f or m a ti o n r e s p e cti n g hi m Mr C . . .

B e n s o n o f Ca r d iff h a s a fin e e x a mp le o f h i s wor k
, ,
.

G O U GH , L d b t WAL TE R , ee s a ou 1 8 2 0 40
— . R ela te d ,

p e rh p a t J hs,G u gh f L d
o I di ff
o n o , o ee s . n e r en t wor k .

G O U LD I NG Lon d b u t 1 80 0 , on a o . Fai r ly g o o d
w or k .

G RA Y J O H N Fo ch a b e rs
, , , NE . . : 1 8 60 - 7 5 . He di d
n o t m a k e m a n y i n s tru m en t s .

G RE G S O N R O B ER T , c on t e m p o r a r y Te n
, .

ye ar s a go h e wo r ke d i n Bla ckbu r n a s a p r o fe s s i on a l ma ke r
a n d r e p ai r e r b u t I d o n o t k n ow h i s p r e s en t wh er e a b ou t s n o r
, ,

h a ve I s ee n a n y o f h i s mor e r e c en t wor k I h a ve h e ar d th at .

hi s l ater wor k i s ver y g oo d .

1 62 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

G R I M E H A R O LD Accri n gton
, , c o nt e m p o r ar y .

GU I TO N R Cor k : c o n t e mp or a r y An e xce ll en t
, .

a m a t eur wh o h a s m a d e s e ver al b ea u ti f u l vi o li n s on th e

m o de l s of S tr a di vari a n d Gu ar n e ri Th e qua li t y o f hi s .

wor kman s hi p a n d th e t o n e o f h i s i n s tru m en ts a r e o f s o fin e

a d e s cri p t i o n th a t i t i s a p i t y h e d o es no t d evo t e t h e wh o l e

o f hi s ti m e t o t h e c r a f t .

G WYTH ER , H NR Y , E Glo uces t e r 1 8 30 -5 0 . Ra th er

r o ugh w or k bu t t o n e ve r y
, f a ir .

H
HALL , WI LL IA M H Oldh a m con temp o r ar y He .

h a s m a d e a n u mb er o f b ea u ti fu l i n s t ru m en t s on th e m o d e ls
o f A m a t i G u a r n e r i a n d S tr a di va r i
, Th e t on e o f th e o nl y
, .

vi o li n o f h i s m a k e w h i ch I h a ve tr i e d wa s n o t l a r g e b u t i t ,

wa s b ri gh t r e s p o n s i ve a n d s w e e t
, , .

HAM B L E TO N, J O S E PH , S a lf or d a b ou t 1 850 . Fa ir
wor k .

H A M ILTO N W ILL IA M , , U ddi n gs ton c on t e m p or a r y .

A c on s u l ti n g en gi n e e r by p r o e f
s s i o n , makes wh o vi o li n s en

a ma teu r , an d wh o h a s p r o d u c e d s o m e e x c e ll e n t co p i e s of

Ga s p ar o d a S a lO .

HAM I LTO N W , . T R . Edin b ur gh : c o n te mp orar y .

H A NDL E Y , H E NR Y
Worce s t er I d o n ot kn ow , .

wh eth e r h e i s a li ve b u t h e wa s ca r r yi n g o n bu s i n e s s a few
,

y e a r s s i n c e a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k e r a n d r ep a i r e r H e h a s .

ma d e a la rg e n u mb er of i n s tr u m en t s o n th e Gu a r n eri mo d e l .

Th o s e I h a ve s e e n w e r e c a r eft m a d e a n d h a d a g o o d t on e ,
.

H AR B O U R Lo n d on : ,
—
1 7 80 9 0 . He l i ve d i n
Duk e S t re e t Li n co ln s I n n a n d la t e r i n S ou th a m p t on
’

, ,

B ui ldi n gs H o lb or n
, Very or di nar y work . .
1 64 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

H ar di e h a d t h e
d a d u ca ti o n a n d
va n t a g e o f a fi s c ass e
r t - l ,

wa s p ro b a bly i n t en d e d fo r t h e s ch ol a s ti c p r o f e s s i on s i n c e ,

h e w e n t t h r o ugh a c o u r s e o f tr a i ni n g a t th e Norm a l Co ll e g e ,

E di n bur gh B ut hi s gr a n dfath er s wor ks h op a t Dunkeld

.
’

h a d gr e a t er a ttr a cti o n s th a n No r m a l Co ll e g e a n d fiddl e ,

h e a d s w e r e p r e tti e r th a n a lg e b r ai c s ymb ol s H e p l a ye d a t .

fiddle m a ki n g a t th e a g e o f n i n e : h e m a d e a co mp l e te
i n s tr u m en t a t t h e a g e o f fif t e e n Va ca ti on s foun d hi m n o t
.
,

a t h i s b o oks b u t b ehi n d t h e b e n ch a t o ld P e t e r H a r di e s
’

wor ks h o p wi th s lee ves tucke d u p

, s h o o ti n g j oi n t s
, .

Be for e h e wa s t we n t y on e h e h a d m a d e a n umb er of vi oli n s

-
,

a n d a fe w vi o l on c e ll o s I n 1 8 6 2 h e wa s m a rr i e d t o E l s ie
.

Mi ln e D a vi d s on a n d h e s h o r t ly a ft er w a r d s w en t t o E di n
,

bu rgh wh er e h e s t ar t e d b u s in e s s a s a p ro fe s s i on al m ake r
,

a n d r e p a ir e r H e r e h e h a s b ee n fo r u p wa r ds o f h a lf a
.
-

c e n t u r y w e dd e d t o a r t a n d t o i l i n g for a li v e l i h o o d
, Th e .

lo t o f t h e p r o fe s s i o n a l m a k e r i s n o t a n e a s y o n e i n m o d e r n
ti m es a n d i t h a p p e n s b u t r a r e ly th a t h i s li n e s a r e f a ll e n i n
,
-

p l ea s a n t p l a ce s T h e r e h a v e b ee n p e r i o d s o f hi s li f e wh en
.

H ar di e h a d t o s tr u ggl e h a r d for b a r e e xi s te n ce a n d th e bu r ,

d e n h e h a d t o c a r r y wa s n o t a li gh t one th e r e w e r e thi r t e e n
—

ch i l d r en t o f e e d c l o th e an d e d uc a t e
,
B u t h e wor ke d h a r d
, .

a n d s tr uggl e d o n Fo r m a n y y e ar s h e p r o du ce d two n ew
.

i n s tr u m en t s e ver y w e e k a n d th er e w e r e r ep ai r s i n a ddi ti on
, .

I t h a d t o b e d o n e for o th er wi s e th e w olf wou ld b e a t t h e

,

d o or Na tu r a lly th es e fid dle s wer e n ot of a ve r y h igh or d er

. ,

m an y o f th e m wer e a s h e e xp r es s e d i t r a ttl e d up i n h a s t e
, , ,

a n d s o ld for a fe w s hi lli n g s t o k e e p t h e p o t b o i li n g ,
B ut .

t h e r e c am e b ett e r d a y s a n d b et t e r w or k Fr o m a b o u t t h e .

yea r 1 8 80 t o 1 9 0 0 H ar di e p r o duce d o n th e a ver ag e o n ly a b ou t

a d o z e n n ew i n s tr u m en t s p e r y e a r a n d t h e q u a li t y o f th e ,

wo r k r e ach e s a much hi gh e r s t an d ar d Th e r e ar e fiddle s o f .

h i s ma k e whi ch for e x ce llen ce of m a t e ri al work man hi p , ,

a n d t on e a r e u n s ur p a s s e d Th i s i s s a y i n g m u ch I kn o w
.
, ,

b u t n ot t oo m u ch I h a ve a vi o li n o f h i s m a ke n ow b e for e
.

me c o m p l e t e d i n 1 8 9 5 on th e Ma gg i ni m o d el wh i ch fo r
, , ,

r an d e ur an d u ri t y o f t o n e i s r ar ely e qu a ll e d a n d n e ve r
g p
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 65

e xcelle d Mr H on eym a n i n h i s S cotti s h Vi oli n M a kers

. .

r e m a r k s th a t H a r di e s b e s t w or k wi ll b ear c o mp a ri s on
’

wi th th a t of a n y li vi n g S co tti s h m a k er a n d fur th er th a t ,

H ar di e h a s th e r ar e p o we r o f p r o du ci n g vi oli n s whi ch h a ve
a l a r g e an d t e lli n g t on e a n d th a t t h e m a n t l e o f Ma t th ew
”

H ar di e h a s fa ll en u p o n h i s sh o uld ers a n d I th or oughly ,

a gr ee wi th hi m .Accor din g to th e s tri ctes t accoun t H ar di e

h a s m a d e i n all we ll o ver t wo th ou s a n d i n s tr u m en t s i n clu d ,

i n g vi o li n s Vi o l a s c e ll o s an d b a s s e s
, ,
’

, Ab out two h un dr ed
.

o f t h es e ar e o f th e b e s t m a t e r i a l a n d i n h i s b e s t s t yl e Th e .

mo d el s ar e S tra di var i Gu a r n e r i a n d Ma g gi ni He h a s a
, , .

d e ci d ed p r efer en ce for th e Ma gg in i m od e l a n d a s far as my ,

e x p e ri e n c e o f hi s w or k g o e s n ear ly a ll h i s b e s t i n s tr um en t s
,

a r e o n t h a t m o d el Th e se a r e d oubl e p ur fle d a n d i n s o m e
.
,

i n s t a n ce s o r n a m e n t e d o n th e b a ck a s w e ll .

On e or t wo o f h i s s on s h a ve a s s i s t e d h i m fr o m ti m e t o
ti m e wi th c e r t a i n m i n or p a r t s o f t h e w or k b u t n o t o n e o f ,

t h e m i s a ctu a lly a m a k er Mr Wi lli a m H a r di e m a d e o n e

. .

vi o li n s o m e y e a r s a g o b u t h e n e ve r t oo k th e t ool s i n h a n d
,

a g ai n. Th e va r n i s h i s Of h i s own m a k e a n d h a s fo s s i l ,

a mb e r fo r i t s b a s i s i t i s o f t wo c ol our s g old en a mb er a n d , ,

g o ld en r ed .

He h a s e xhi bi t ed i n s tru m e n t s o n s eve r a l o cca s i on s At .

th e E di n b u r gh I n t e r n a ti o n al E xhi b i ti o n 1 8 8 6 h e g ai n e d a , ,

br o n z e m eda l a t th e Gla s g o w E xhi bi ti o n 1 8 8 6—7 a n , ,

h o n our a bl e m en ti o n a n d a t t h e I n t e r n a t i on a l E xhi b i ti on ,

Edi n burgh 1 8 9 0 a gol d m e d al Fa cs imi le l a b el

, , .

3a mes b arbi e 8 S ons .

VI O LI N MA K ERS .

m
Ee burg b .
1 66 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
H A R D IE M A TTH E W E di n b urgh : 1 47 5 5 1 8 2 6 He
, ,
-
.

wa s b or n i n E di n b ur gh i n th e ye a r 1 7 5 5 h e di e d i n S t , .

Cu th b er t s P o orh ou s e Aug u s t 30 1 8 2 6 a n d wa s b u ri e d i n
’

, , ,

Gr e yfri ar s Ch ur ch ya r d Hi s r em ai n s w er e l ai d t o r es t i n
’
.

th e p ort i on o f th e ch ur ch ya r d a ll o t t e d to p a u p e r s I .

vi s i t e d t h i s c e l eb r a t e d c h u r ch y ar d a y ea r a g o a n d t h e e x act ,

s p o t o f Ma t th e w Ha r di e s gr a ve wa s p oi n t e d o u t t o me by
’

o n e o f t h e k e e p er s i t i s i n on e of th e c or n er s o f t h e fir s t
e n cl o s e d bl o ck i n th e p ort i on o f gr oun d k n o w n a s t h e

Co ve nan t e r s P ri s on Th e r e i s n ot a s t on e n or a b r i c k t o
’
.

m ar k i t . Mo d ern At h en s t h a t i s j u s t ly p r o u d o f i t s
,

f a m ou s s on s a n d th at h a s ere ct e d a h u n dr e d a n d on e
,
- -

m on u m en t s t o th ei r m em ory ca n not a ffo r d t o p u t u p a ,

p l a i n h ea d s t-
on e o v e r t h e r e m ai n s o f S c o t l an d s g r e a t e s t
’

vi o li n m a k er Th e n e gl e ct n e e d n ot c on ce rn u s ver y mu ch
for i t m
,

a y b e t h a t if t h e s h a d e o f o ld Ma tt h e w w e r e Co n

s u lt e d on t h e m a t t e r i t w o u ld e x cl a i m wi t h Ca t o I had
r a t h e r i t s h o ul d b e a s k e d wh y I h a d n ot a s t a t u e t h a n wh y I

h a d on e . Th a t w ou ld b e q ui t ei n ke e p i n g wi th th e m a n n er
of th e old h u m ori s t wh en h e t a b er n a cl e d i n t h e fl e s h .

M a t th ew H ar di e h a s b ee n n a m e d th e S co t ti s h S tr a di
va ri , a n d n o t w i t h o u t j u s ti c e Hi s w or k i s e xc e ll en t an d
.
,

d e s er ves m uch m or e a t t e n ti o n th an h a s b ee n gi ven i t by

E n gli s h con n oi s s eur s an d wri t er s I t h a s b e en s ai d th a t h e
.

c o p i e d t h e S t r a di va r i m o d e l e x cl u s i ve ly b u t th a t i s wr on g, ,

h e c 0 p i ed Am a ti t o o
'

.I h a ve b oth s e en an d h a n dle d n umer

o u s g e n ui n e e x a m p l e s o f h i s A m a ti c o p i e s I t i s qu i t e .

s s i bl t h a t h e h a d a b a n d o n e d A m a ti d ur i n g th e l a s t fe w
p o e

ye ar s o f hi s li fe for I d o n ot r e m emb er s ee i n g an y co p i es of
,

th i s m o d e l th a t w e r e m a d e a f t e r a bo u t 1 8 1 0 E x ce p t a s .

r e g ar d s va r n i s h t h e A m a ti c o p i es wi ll c o m p a r e ve r y f a vo ur

a bly wi th t h e w or k o f B en j a m i n B a n k s Hi s t on e i s l a rg er
.

t h a n t h a t o f B a n k s b u t wh a t i t g a i n s i n q u a n t i t y i t s o m e
,

t i m e s l o s e s i n q u a li t y .

He m u s t h a ve b ee n a p ro li fi c m a k er a n d h i s f a m e h a d ,

s p r ea d far i n h i s o wn d a y Hi s i n s tr u m en t s f o un d th ei r wa y
.

to th e s outh of En gl a n d to S ou th Wales an d even to th e

“

, ,
1 68 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
I tali an fid dle s wi th a gr a n d t o ne h a ve b a cks th a t ar e almos t
figur eles s .

I n h i s b e s t i n s tr um e n t s th e w o r km a n s h i p i s ve r y fin e .

Th e s cr oll s a s ,
I
h a ve r e m ar k e d a l t h ou gh cop i e s h a ve , ,

th e s t a m p o f g eni us u p on th e m Th e b u tt o n s a r e u s u a lly .

l o n g er mor e o va l th a n th o s e o f A m a ti a n d S tr a di va ri
and .

Th e s ou n d h o l e s i n th e S tr a d c o p i es a r e j u s t a f r a cti on s h or t
-
,

b ut a r e of g o o d o u tl i n e a n d c l e a n cu t Th e m a r gi n s a r e -
.

m od er a t e ly fu ll b u t th e e dge s mi gh t b e s li gh tly s tr on g er
,

th an th e y a r e Th e mo d e r n t a s t e h a s i m p r o ve d u p on th at
.

o f th e old m a k e r s i n r es p e c t t o th e s t r e n g th o f t h e e d g e s .

H a r di e s va r n i s h i s a s p iri t o n e th i n ly la i d o n var yi n g i n
’

, ,

c o l o u r f r o m p a l e a mb e r t o y e ll o w b r o wn or y e ll o w r e d - -
.

H e wa s a g reat a r ti s t , an d a g r e a t e n th u s i a s t . Hi s
e n th u s i a s m wa s of th e qu i t e a c o t e r i e o f
c o n t a gi ou s s or t :
»

c ul t ur e d men g a th er e d a r o u n d hi m wh o b e ca m e i n t i m e ,

i n f e ct e d wi th th e fiddl e f e ve r Am ong th em wer e Peter .

H a r di e o f Dun k eld h i s cou s i n a n d a s tu d en t a t th e E d i n

, , ,

b u rgh Un i ver s i t y Da vi d S ti rr a t J oh n Blai r G e o rg e , ,

M Ge org e Al e xa n d er Yo ole a s oli ci tor a n d o th e r s Ma tth e w

‘

, , , .

H ar di e wa s hi m s elf a n e du ca t e d ma n a n d h i s s oc i e t y ,

wa s s ough t by th es e me n a s mu ch o n a c c ou n t o f h is cu l t ur e d
h u m ou r a s o n a ccou n t o f h i s a b i li t y a s an a r ti s t Man y a .

c o n g e n i a l h ou r d i d th e s e me n o f li k e p a s s i o n s p a s s t og e th er

i n t h e li t t l e a teli er i n Low Ca l t o n Wh a t a p i t y a S i r .

J o s h u a wa s n o t th er e t o d e li n ea t e o n c an va s wi th h i s s ym ~

p a t h e t i c b r u s h t h o s e f a c e s r a di a n t wi t h t h e j y
o o f t h e fidd le ,

o r a B o s w e ll wi th h i s f a i t hf ul p e n t o d r a w for p o s t e ri t y

w or d p i ctu r es o f th os e u ni qu e p er s on a li ti e s !
—

La b el s
( )
I ~

M ADE BY
M ATT . HAR DI E SON, E DI N BUR G H ,

1 79 7

M ADE BY
MATTHE W HAR DI E E DI N BURG H, ,

1 810 .
 VI O LIN A ND B o w MAKER S 1 69

M ATTHE W HAR DI E ,

E DI N BUR G H ,

1 809 .

Th e las t t wo fi g ur e s of th e d a te are h a n dwri tten .

H A RD IE P E TE R Du n keld : 1 7 7 5 1 8 63 He was a
, ,
- .

s on o f Dr H a r di e a n a r my s u rg eo n a n d wa s p r o b a bly b or n
.
, ,

a b r oa d .He di e d i n No ve mb e r 1 8 6 3 a n d wa s b ur i e d i n ,

Do wa lly Ch u r ch yar d Pe r th s hi r e ,H e wa s kn o wn i n th e .

n o r th a s Hi gh l an d H a r di e a n d wa s a man o f p ower fu l ,
”

p h y s i q u e a n d s t r i k i n g pp
a ea r an c e H i s m o d e l wa s a cr o s s .

b e twe en th a t o f S t a i n e r a n d o f Am a ti Th e tone o f hi s .

i n s tr u me n ts i s u s u a lly g o o d .

H A RD I E , TH O M A S , E di b u n r gh 1 80 0 - 5 8 . A s on of

th e gr e a t Ma tt h e w H a r di e He f ollo we d th e m o d el o f h i s
.

fa t h e r , b u t r e s or t e d t o t h e d e l e t e ri ou s m eth o d of b a ki n g h i s
wo o d , and hi s i n s tr u m en t s a lth o ugh be a u ti fu lly m a d e h a ve
, ,

a ver y p o o r t on e .

H A R E J O H N Lo n do n
, , a b ou t 1 70 0 . Wor k re s e mbles
t h a t o f Ur qu h a rt .

H A R E J O S E PH Lo n do n 1 70 0 —40 He m a d e a g o o d
, , .

n u mb e r of i n s t ru m en t s o n th e S t a i n e r m o d e l Th e w or k i s .

g o o d a
, n d t h e v ar n i s h o f e x c e ll e n t qu a l i t y .

H A RKHA M , Lon d on : a b ou t —
1 7 60 9 0 .

H A RR I S C HAR , S, LE
o n d on a n d L
dd er bur y : 1 7 70 A
t i ll a bo u t 1 8 30 bu t th e r e i s n o ce r t a i n t y
, While i n on d o n . L
h e w or k e d i n Ca n n on S tr e e t R o a d R atcli ffe H i gh wa y , .

H e i s on e o f ou r fin e o ld m a k er s bu t th er e i s co mp ar a ti ve ly ,

li ttl e of h i s wor k l eft th at i s t o sa y of wor k b eari ng h i s

, ,

o wn l a b e l H e f o o li s h ly s o ld hi s b i r t h ri gh t for a m es s o f
.

p o t t a g e i n o th e r wo r d s h e s old hi s i n s tru men t s u n l a be ll e d

, ,
1
7
6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

t o th e tr a de d ep ri ve d h i m s elf of th e cr e di t whi ch h e
, an d th u s
o u gh t t o h a ve g o t for e x c e ll en t w or k H e m a d e i n s tru m e n t s .

ch i e fly on t h e A m a t i a n d S t r a di va ri m od el s Hi s c e ll o s
’
.

w er e hi ghly p ri z e d an d e a ger ly b ou gh t duri n g hi s li feti me ,

a n d a r e v er y m u ch va lu e d t o d a y I h a ve r ecen t ly s een
-
.

s o m e h a lf a d o z e n o f h i s vi o li n s a ll S t r a d c o p i e s t h e w or k
- -
, ,

m an s hi p o f whi ch I c on s i d ere d e xcell e n t an d th e t on e ve r y

Ch ar l e s Cl o s e Es q o f Le e d s o wn s a ma grfi fic en t
'

fin e .
,
.
, ,

Vi ol a o f h i s m ak e a n d Mr R Wa t e r s o f Pe n a r th a fin e
, . .
,

Vi ol on ce llo .

La b el s

( )
I

RERR I S
CHA L S HA ,

F E CI T I N CANN ON STR EE T ,

LON DON ,

M ADE BY
CHAR LE S HAR R I S ,

ADDE R BUR Y OXON ,

1 8 26 .

H AR R I S C HARL S , Lon d on
, E
1 7 9 5 t o a b ou t 1 8 40 .

S o n a n d p u p i l o f t h e a b ove H e w or k e d for oh n H a rt for

. J
s o me ti me V
e r y g o o d w or k b u t i t b e ar s n o c o m p ari s on
.
,

t o t h a t o f h i s fa th e r .

H AR R I S G R I FF I TH S wa n s ea
, ,
—
1 8 1 0 40 . 1 h a ve
s e en o n ly o n e vi o li n o f hi s m a k e wh i ch , wa s fair ly w ell mad e .

HAR R I S J O H N E D WA RD Ga t e s h ea d on Tyn e c on
, ,
- -

t e m p or a r y H e wa s b or n a t We dn es b u r y n ear B i r mi n gh a m
.
, ,

i n 1 8 6 2 a n d c o mm e n c e d Vi o lin m a ki n g i n 1 8 9 4
,
He i s at .

r e s t t bl i h d i t h m u s i c b u s i n e s s a t 3 7 a n d 4 1 Ni l e
p e n e s a s e n e

S tr e e t Ga t e s h e a d o n Tyn e a n d i s a p r o fe s s i on a l m a k e r
,
— -
, ,

r e p a i r e r a n d m a n u f a ctu r e r o f a mb er oil va rn i s h
,
He h a s .

m a d e a bout fort y i n s tru m en t s u p t o dat e o n va ri o us moi s i s ,

.

I h a ve s een on ly on e vi oli n of h i s ma k e whi ch wa s on th e ,

To fa e f
c ) . 1 71 .
 VI OLIN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 7 1

w
.

S tr a d m od el of h a n d so m e oo d
,
we ll m ade a n d be auti fu lly
,

fini s h e d Th o s e wh o a r e b ett er
. a c qu a i n t e d wi th hi s w or k

sa y he is a ver y car e fu l m a ke r , a n d t h a t h i s i n s t ru m en t s a r e

well li ked .

HAR R O D , R O B E R T, Lon do n Oxf or d : a bo u t

-
an d

1 8 1 0 30 Hi gh mo d el d ar k var n i s h wor km an s hi p g ood

.
, , .

I r e ce n t ly s a w a vi ol a of hi s m a k e wh i ch wa s e vi d en t ly ,

c o p i e d f r o m o n e o f Du k e s Vi o l a s i t wa s m a d e i n S t P e t e r s
’ ’
.

Ch ur ch ya r d Ox on 1 8 1 2
, I t h a d a ve r y fai r t one
, . .

H A R T J O H N TH O M A
, 1 80 5 74 A p up il
S , Lo n d on -
.

of S a mu e l Gi lk e s He d i d n ot m a k e m a n y i n s tr u m en t s bu t
.
,

a tt ai n e d gr ea t r e p u t a t i o n a s r e p ai r e r a n d c o n n o i s s e ur He .

br ou gh t t ogeth er ma n y r ema r kabl e c oll ecti o n s o f I t a li a n

i n s t ru m e n t s s u ch a s t h e G o d in g t h e Pl o wd e n a n d a l ar g e
, , ,

p a r t o f t h e G i ll o t e t c I h a v e, n e v.e r s een an i n s tr u m e n t

b ea r i n g h i s lab el a n d c an n ot s a y wh at h i s wor k was li ke

, .

La b el
J OHN HAR T ,

M AK E R ,

14 P R I N CE S STR EE T LE I CE STE R , S! U AR E ,

LON DON 1 8 ,

HAR T G E O R G E , S O N Lo n d on c o n t e m p or a r y , .

Mr Ge org e H ar t wh o i s e s t a bli s h e d a t 2 8 Wa r d our S t re et

.
, ,

a s a vi o li n m a k e r bo w m a k e r r e p a ir e r d e a l e r a n d e xp er t
, , , , ,

i s a s on o f th e la t e G e o r g e H a r t t h e we ll kn o wn e xp e r t a n d ,
-
,

a u th or o f var i ou s w or k s on t h e Vi o li n a n d wa s b or n n ea r ,

War wi ck o n Ja n u ar y 4 1 8 60 H e wa s e duca t e d a t Gro ve

, .

H ou s e S ch ool Hi gh gat e a t wh i ch th e Re v Mr To ugh wa s

, , . .

th en h ea dma s t e r (wh o wa s a p u p i l o f th e gr ea t Dr Ch alm e r s .

,

o f Di s r u p ti on f a m e ) a n d a f t e r c o mp l e t i n g t h e u s u a l c our s e

h e r e h e wa s s e n t t o Pa ri s t o fi n i s h h i s s tu di e s On Jun e 1 7 .
,

1 8 8 2 h e wa s m a rr i e d t o Mi s s K ath eri ne J ep s on d e B e t h a m
, ,

d augh t er o f Joh n d e B eth a m Es q He h a s th r ee ch ildr en , .

t wo d a ught er s an d a s on n a m e d K a th e r i n e I r e n e a n d , , ,

Frank .
1 7 2 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

Mr H ar t i s n o t
.
, o f co ur s e , a n actu a l m a ke r , b ut h e e mp l o y s
a lar ge nu mb er of s ki lf ul an dxp eri e n ce d E n gli s h an d
e

F r e n ch wor km en , a n d t h e fir m t u r n s o ut a ve r y c on s i d e r a bl e

n u mb er of i n s trum en t s a nn u a lly Th e s e i n s tru me nt s

.
,

n a t ura lly li k e a ll w o r k p r o du ce d by t h e se lar g e fir m s ar e

, ,

o f vari ou s ki n d s a n d qu a li ti e s b ut t h e b e t t e r cl a s s i n s tr u
,

m en t s reach a h igh s t a n da r d of e xcell en ce ; a nd wi ll b e ar

c o m p a r i s o n wi t h t h e fi n es t w or k o f s om e o f t h e m or e f a m ou s

w or ks h op s of th e Con ti n en t Th e p e r s on a l s up ervi s i on a n d
.

g e n i u s o f M . r H a rt i s e vi d en t i n e ve r y d e a rt m en t of t h e
p
wor k es p ecia lly i n th e ch oi ce o f ma teri a l for th e mor e exp en
,

s ive c l a s s o f i ns tru m e nt .

Th e Me s s r s Har t m a k e a s p e ci al f eat ur e o f th e i r fa cs i mi l e
.

Oop i e s o f o ld I t ali a n m as t er p i e ce s S o m e yea r s ag o I h a d

.

o n e of th e s e n ew o ld
-
vi oli n s d o wn fo r i n s p e ct i on i t wa s
a n e x a ct c op y o f t h e f a m o us D Egvi lle J o s ep h an d s o
’

cl o s e an i mi t a ti on t h at i t wa s a lm o s t i m p o s s i bl e t o d i s t i n

g u i s h i t f r o m t h e or i g i n a l . T h e s k i ll an d
p a t i en ce w h i ch
h a d p ro du ce d t h i s f a cs i mi l e we r e n ot of t h e or di n ar y ki n d .

Th e t o n e o f th e fiddle wa s r em ar k a bly cl ea r r i ch an d , ,

r es on an t for a n ew i n s t ru m e n t
, Th e f oll owi n g i s a facs i mi l e
.

o f th e la b e l p ut i n t o i t

Me s sr s Ha r t h a ve
. made l f e a t ur e a l s o i n r e c e n t
a s p e ci a

y ea r s o f ca s e makin g Man y of th e vi oli n ca s es th ey h a ve

.

m a d e ar e e xt r ao r di n ar i ly e l ab or a t e a n d co s tly a n d a r e ,

bea ut i fully d e s ign ed a n d fi ni s h e d S o m e a re of sa t in woo d

. ,
1 74 B RI T IS H VI O L IN M AKER S

H A R VIE , ROB ERT , n i n e t een t h c e n t ur y .

H A WKE S , Co ve n t r y : e i gh t e en t h c en tu r y .

H A Y NE S 00 Lon d on : c o nt e mp ora r y . Ch iefly

d ea l er s .

HAY NE S JAC O B Lon d on , , : 0 . 1 75 0 . He m ade

fa i r ly go o d co p i es of S t ai n er .

H EAP S A L F R E D WALTE R S ydn e y N S W 1 8 5 4

, , . . .

t o a b ou t 1 9 0 6 H e wa s a s on of J oh n Kn o wl e s H ea p s o f
.
,

Le e d s a n d wa s a p p r en t i ce d t o H a n d e l Pi ck ar d ,o f L e e d s i n
, ,

1 8 6 9 w i t h wh o m h e r e m a i n e d t ll 1 8 7 4 I n 1 8 7 6 h e o bta i n e d
,
i .

a n a p p o i n t m en t i n S yd n e y a s m a n a ger o f t h e m u s i c a l
d ep ar t men t o f a wh o le s a l e h ou s e H e s o on r e li n qui s h e d
'

t h i s p o s t a n d d e vot e d th e r e s t of h i s li f e t o vi oli n m a ki n g
,

a n d r ep ai r i n g Hi s wor k i s s a i d t o b e ver y fin e
. .

H EAP S J O H N K NO WL E S Le ed s
, , : n i net e enth c en

t ur y H e m a d e very g oo d i n s tru m en t s
. .

H EA R NS HAW, F R A NC I S Notti ngh a m

, c o nt e m
p ora r y . I h av e n ot s ee n h i s w o r k .

H EATO N WI LLIA M Gomer s al n ear Le e d s : 1 8 2 7 t o

, , ,

ab out 1 9 0 6 He m a d e a l a r g e n u mb e r of i n s tr u m en t s o n t h e
.

Am ati Guar n eri a n d S tr a di vari mode l s s om e of wh i ch

, , ,

r e a ch e d a hi gh s t a n da r d o f e x cell en ce Mr Ar th ur B r o ad Iey . .

t h ou gh t ver y h i gh ly o f h i s vi ol on c e ll o s a n d g a ve h i m a gr e a t ,

d e al o f wor k fr o m ti m e t o ti me A cello bui lt s p e cia lly t o

.
’

hi s or d e r wa s s a i d t o b e a ver y fin e i ns tru m e nt wi th a l a r ge ,

a n d t e lli n g t on e F a c s i mi l e l a b el
.
 VI O LIN A ND B ow M AKER S 1 75

H E ES O M , E DWA R D , L d
on on : 1 74 5 5 5
— . S t ai n er
mo d e l ; i n di ff e r en t wor k .

H E ND E R S O N D AVI D Ab er d een , , : n i n et ee nth ce n

t ur y . Ver y p oor wor k .

H E S KE TH , TH O MAS EA RLE , Ma n ch e s t er c on t e m
p o r ar
y . H e wa s bo r n in Ma n ch e s t e r , Augu st 1 4 , 1 8 66 , and

wa s a p p r e n t i ce d t o Mr G A Ch an o t i n 1 8 8 5 for five ye ar s
. . .
, .

I n 1 8 9 1 h e comm e nc e d b u s i n e s s o n h i s o wn a cc ou n t a s a
r o f e s s i on a l m a k e r a n d r e p a i r e r a n d h e w or k e d fo r m a n y
p ,

ye ar s i n Lo we r Mo s le y S tr ee t I b eli eve h e i s s till wor ki n g .

i n Ma n ch e s t e r b u t a m n o t c e r t a i n o f h i s wh e r e a b out s
, He .

i s on e o f t h e b e s t o f our mo de rn m a k e r s a n d hi s i n s t r u m en t s ,

ar e i n g r ea t d e m an d a n d h i gh ly a p p r e ci a t e d by or c h e s t r a l

a n d o t h er p r o f e s s i on al p l a y er s H e h a s m a d e a lar ge .

n umb e r o f i n s t r um en t s o n t h e f o ll o wi n g m o d e l s : Am a t i ,

S t a i n e r R ugg eri Ma g gi n i Gu ar n e ri a n d S t r a di va r i t h e
, , , , ,

g r e a t e r n u mb e r b ei n
g o n t h e t w o l as t m o d e l s .

H e a l s o wor k s o n a n or i gi n al m o d el th e p ri n ci p al m ea s ur e ,

m en t s o f wh i ch a r e

L e n gt h of bo dy
Wi d th acr o s s u p p er bouts
mi d dl e
l ower
L e n gt h of C
’
s

f
’
s

Di s t an ce b etween f s at upp er turn s ’

Dep th o f ri bs 1 1 i n ch di mi ni s hi n
.
g to

He h a s m a d e s everal m a gni ficen t Vi ola s on a m o del clo s ely

a p p r o x m a ti n
i g t o t h a t o f A a n d H A m a t i o n e wa s t o t h e. .
,

Or d er of Mr R a wd o n B i ggs o f H a ll e s t h e B r od s ky an d
.
,
’

, ,

ot h er qu a r t ett e s a n d i s c o n s i d e r e d by i t s o wn e r a s u er b
,
p
i n s t ru m e n t I t s p r i n ci p a l di m e n s i o n s a r e
.
1 76 B RI TI S H VI O LIN M AK ER S
L en g t h

Wi dth , t op
ce n t r e

bott om “

Dep t h o f r i bs 1 195 d i mI ms hi n g t o

He h a s m a d e e xcell en t Vi ola s o n th e S tr a d m od el 1 5 2in , .

,

a n d a few on t h e R ug g eri m o d e l 1 6 l d h
h n a n
, o n o n e .t , e

Mag gi n i m o de l 1 5 § i n ,
.

Th e Vi o la s o f th i s m a k e r a r e m uch va l u e d for th e ir e xce l

le n t qu a li ti e s t h e t on e h avi n g th e d ep th a n d ri ch n es s o f
,

c ol our wh i ch di s ti n g ui s h t h e b es t t e n or s o f th e old m a s t e r s ,

a n d b ei n g w on d e r f u lly f r ee f r om t h n a s a li t y whi ch t o o of t e n
e
c h a r a c t e ri s e s m o d e r n w o r k Hi s wo o d w or km an s hi p a n d
.
, ,

va r n i s h a r e f a u l t l es s H e h a s a c o n s i d er a bl e s t or e o f woo d
.

whi ch wa s on ce th e p rop ert y o f Cr a s k e wh o i s sa i d t o h a ve ,

b ough t it a t For s t er s s al e Mu ch o f th e m ap l e i s of r a th er
’
.

p l a i n fi g u r e b u
, t i t s t on a l p p
r o er t i e s ar e o f t h e b e s t A .

Vui lla ume S tr a d m o d el vi o li n wh i ch I on ce t ri e d h a d a

-

b eauti ful t on e I t h a d a b a ck cut on th e qu art er ma d e o f

.
,

woo d wi th a fair ly wi d e a n d ver y we ll m ar ke d curl Th e .

va r n i s h wa s a t e n d e r an d e l a s t i c oil on e o f r i ch d a r k g o ld en , ,

a mb e r w h i ch li t u t h fl m f t he w o o d s o th a t i t
, p e a e o

a p p e a r e d li k e wa t e r e d s i lk s ee n t h r o u gh a s h e e t o f s ta i n e d
,

g l as s. T h e fiddl e w a s t h e w o r k o f an ar t i s t F a c s i m i l e .

la b el r

homa s Ea rle He s keth

T
' '

M anch e s te r Fe c it 19 00

H I G S O N D A NIE L A , bbl e , s h t o n -o n - R i 1 849 t o b o ut a

1 90 6 H e m a d e m a n y i n s tru m e nt s o n a n
. o r i gi n a l m o d e l .

H I LL H E NR Y L O C KE Y Lon d on : 1 774 1 8 35
, ,
- . He
wa s a s on o f L o ck e y Hill a g r an d s o n o f Jos e p h H i ll
, , and
 N

B RI T I S H VI O L IN M A KER S

H I LL J O H N Lon d on c 1 7 9 4 Noth in g kn o wn o f
, , . .

h i m e x c ep t t h a t h e a p p a r en tly wor k e d i n R ed Li on S tr e e t ,

H olb or n .

HI LL , J O S E PH Lon d on 1 7 1 5 1 7 84
—
, w or k e d . He
at Ye H a r p a n d H a u t b o y i n Pi cca di lly , un d e r P e t e r ,

Wams le y wh er e h e wa s a fe llo w a p p r e nti ce with B en j am in

,
-

B a n k s : h e wor k e d a l s o i n va r i ou s o th e r p l a c e s an d wa s ,

a s s i s t e d by h i s s o n s Wi l li a m J os e h Lo c k e B j m
p , y an d e
, n a i n , .

Ha we i s s a ys t h a t h e wa s p r ou d t o t r a c e h i s d e s ce n t fr om
t h e Mr H i ll m enti o n e d i n P ep y s Di a r y a s b ei n g e m p l o ye d
’
.

t o a lt e r h i s l u t e an d vi a ll ( Old Vi oli n s p
”
It is , .

r a t h er c u r i ou s th a t I c an n o t d i s co ve r i n my c o y o f t h is
p
c el eb r a t e d Di a r y a n y r e f e r en c e a t a ll t o an
y M r H i ll a s .

h a vi n g b een e m p l o y e d by P e p y s t o r e p ai r h i s i n s tr u m e n t s .

Th e Mr H i ll r ef err e d t o s o f r e qu en t ly by P ep y s wa s a
.

m erch a n t an d n ot a m u s i ca l i n s trum en t m a ke r I h ave

, .

r ea d t h e Di a r y ve r y c a r e f ully a n d h a ve m a r k e d a ll t h e
,

r e f er e n c e s t o t h e Mr Hi ll i n qu e s ti o n but h a ve n o t
”
.
,

h a p p e ne d on th e i n for m a t i on gi ven by Ha wei s I .

s h ould m u ch l i k e t o h a ve t h e p ar ti cul a r e n t r y Wh er e Ha we i s

g o t h i s f a c t s f r o m p o i n t e d o u t A lb e i t i t i s n. o t ve r y
i m p or t a n t wh e t h e r J o s e p h H i ll wa s d e s cen d e d fr om th e
Mr H i ll m en t i on e d i n th e D i ar y or n ot h i s f am e r e s t s
.
,

n ot on h i s d e s c en t b u t o n h i s fid d leS Th at h e wa s a ve r y .

c a p a bl e cr a f t s m a n d o e s n ot a dm i t o f d o u b t I h a ve quit e .

r e c en t ly s een t h r ee i n s r u m en t s o f h i s m a k e o n e c ello a n d
’
t —

t wo vi o li n s wh i ch w er e of b ea uti fu l w or km an s hi p a n d t on e
— .

One of th e vi oli n s on th e Am a ti m o d e l i s n o w wi t h me an d
, , ,

i s ma d e o f e x c e ll e n t w oo d a n d va r n i s h e d p a l e a mb e r It .

i s r a t h e r On th e s m a ll s i d e i t s l en gth b e i n g
,
b ut i t h a s
a r oun d c l e a r a n d b ea u t i fully s w e e t t o n e
,
I t w o u ld b e .

di fficult t o fin d a fiddl e wi th a t one m or e s uit a bl e for dr a wing

r oo mp p ur os e s .

J p h Hill s
os e
’
l
vi o o n ce llos an d d ou bl e b a s s es h a ve b een
lo n g a dm ire d for th ei r e x c e ll en t t o n e .
WI LL I AM EB S WO R TH H ILL .

ac p
To l e . 1 79 .
 ‘

1 80 B RI T I S H V I O L IN M AKER S

I nt r o duc ti o n , but I r ea lly on ly

f ri n g e o f t h e t o uc h e d the
s u bj e ct I t i s a t o p i c on wh i ch a n o th e r vo l u m e mi gh t b e
.

wri tt e n a n d i t mi gh t b e wri tt e n n o t o n ly wi th a d va n ta ge
,

b u t wi th a t ouch of th e h u m an a b o ut i t by m a ki n g ”

Wi lli a m Eb s wor th Hi ll th e p i vo t o n wh ich t h e i n form a ti on

t ur n e d . I n a ddi ti o n t o p o s s e s s i n g a va s t kn owl e dg e o f
vi o li n s a n d u n s u r p a s s e d s k i ll i n th e i r r e s t or a t i on h e h a d a n
, ,

i n t e r e s ti n g p e r s o n a li t y Th e R e v H R Ha we i s wh o kn ew. . . .
,

h i m i nti m a t e ly h a s gi ve n u s a vi vi d p en p i ct ur e o f th e old
,

c r a f t s m an u n d e r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e h e a di n g of A V i gn e tt e o f
W E Hi ll i n hi s Old Vi oli n s (p p 1 33
. . I h a ve n ot .

th e s l i g h t es t d o u b t t h a t t h e p i ct u r e h e dr a w s i s a fa i tlfiu l ,

o n e a n d t h a t H i ll wa s ve r y di ff er e n t f r o m o r di n ar y m or ta l s
,

t h a t h e wa s i n f a c t ca s t i n a m oul d by h i m s e lf a n d s tr a n g e ly
, , ,

u n i qu e . Th e d e s cr i p ti o n gi ve n by B ea tr i c e H a rr a d e n o f
Pa u l S tilli n g i s i n m a n y r e s p e ct s a p p li ca ble to h i m Pa u l .
,

s h e sa y s w a s o n e o f th o s e s t r a n g e b e i n g s b o r n a l o o f a n d
, ,

wi th n o m e n ta l a p p r oa ch t o a n or ma l c on di ti on of th o u gh t
o r c i r c u m s t an c e H e h a d a r a r e g if t t h e p a s s i on o f wh i ch
'

.
,

h a d a b s or b ed hi m f r o m hi s e a r li es t y ea r s H e kn ew t h e .

wh ol e s u b tl e s ecr e t of vi oli n ma kin g ; a n d th e y s ai d a t -

Mi r e cou r t wh er e h e wa s s en t t o h a ve h i s tr a i n i n g th a t h e
, ,

wa s a b orn fid d le m a k e r of u n e r ri n g i n s ti n ct
-
Hi s b i r th i n .

th e n i n et e en th c en tu r y wa s a n i n j us t i c e t o h i m He s h ou ld .

h a v e b ee n b o r n i n th e s even t ee n th ce n t ur y a n d t a k e n hi s
p l a c e a t t h e l u t hi e r s b e n ch s i d e by s i d e wi th S tr a di va r i
’

o r G u a r n er i B ut h i s s p iri t h eld un d o ub t e d comm u n i o n

.

wi th th e m a n d li fe whi ch h a d d en i e d hi m m an y p ri vi le ge s
, ,

h a d c on c e d e d t o h i m t h e j o y o f k n o wi n g tha t h e wa s i n d e e d
t h e i r f e ll o w cr a f t s m a n a n d b el on g e d by b i r th r i gh t t o th e ir
-

or d e r ( I n te r l
p y p
a , .

Th e di s ti n gui s hi n g tr a i t of h i s p e r s on a li t y s e em s t o h a ve
be e n h i s e xtr a or di n a r y i n tuiti on u n err i n g i n s ti n c t is
th e ri gh t t e r m fo r i t H e kn e w th e wo r k o f th e m a s te r s
. ,

a n d kn e w i t wi th th e i n f a lli b i li t y o f di r e c t vi s i o n He .

r e m a r k e d o n c e t o Ha we i s t h a t th e r e w e r e d a ys w h en h e

c ou ld n ot t e ll B u t th e y w er e n o t m a n y a n d th e fact t h at
.
,
 VI OL I N A ND B OW M AKER S 1 81
‘

th e r e wer e an y s u ch da ys a t a ll i s pr oof th a t h i s kn owle dg e

wa s i n t u iti on a l r a th e r th an i n t e ll e cti v e for h a d i t be e n of
,

t h e d e m o n s tr a ti ve th e two a n d wo m a k fo u
— t e r — or d er h e ,

would a lwa ys h a ve b een a ble t o t e ll or , a t lea s t to p r ete n d

, ,

t o t e ll. An d h a d i t b e en o f th e i n t e ll e cti ve or d e r h e wo uld

h a ve di ffe r e d l i t t l e or n othi n g p erh a p s fr o m th e cr owd o f
, ,

fiddl e e xp ert s wh o rely m ore on th e ma th ematics of th eir

t r a d e t h a n o n i t s p s y ch o l o g y .

Hi ll h a d a ll th e qua li fi ca ti o n s of a g r e a t r e s tor er h e h a d
a p e r f e c t kn owl e d ge o f vi oli n con s tr uc ti on s ki ll p a ti e n ce
, , ,

i n ge n u i t y r e ver e n c e a n d th e ar ti s ti c s en s e I t i s n ot
”
.
, ,

n ec e s s a r y t o dwe ll a t l e n gth on e a ch o f t h es e qu a li fi ca ti o n s ,

b u t I wo u ld p oi n t ou t a s a n i n s ta n ce o f h i s p r o f ou n d r ever en ce
for t h e wor k of th e m a s ter s th e fa ct th a t h e a p p r e ci a t e d th e
a b s en c e o f p r e ci s i o n i n a n o ld i n s tru m e n t a n d n e ve r a t
,

t e m p t e d t o r e cti fy i t a s an or di n a r y r ep a i r e r wou ld c e r ta i n ly
,

d o fo r th e sa k e o f a p p e a r an ces
, S om e of th e o ld m a k er s i t
.
,

s e e m s c e r t a i n b ui lt t h e i r i n s tr um en t s wi th o u t a m ould wi th
, ,

t h e r e s u l t t h a t t h e cu r ve s a r e n o t a lwa ys t r u e a n d th e h a l ve s
,

o f th e i n s tr u m e n t ( o n e i th e r s i d e o f th e l on i t u di n a l a xi s n o t
g )
i n e x a ct c o n tr a fa cs i mi l e
-
Thi s a b s en c e of p r ec i s i on i n old
.

a r t a n d c r a f t w or k o f t e n i m a r t s a l i t t t h
p p e a s n g o n e o e

g e n e r a l e ffe c t b u t i t r e qui r e s t h e a r t i s ti c s en s e t o a i t
, pp r e c a e

it . Hi ll both a p p r eci a t e d a n d r ever en ce d i t .

Hi s r ever en c e i s fur th e r s h o wn by h i s ve r y s p a ri ng u s e o f
fr e s h ma teri a l I n hi s r es t or a ti o n s No a r ti s t ever d ep lor e d
.

mor e d e ep ly th e n eces sa r y r en ewa l of p a rt s whi ch could n ot

be r e s e t
-
. He r es t o r e d fa i th fully b e ca u s e h e p res e r ved
fa i th fully An d th i s i s th e es s en ce of all tru e r es tora ti on of
.

ar t wor k . I mita ti on of old wor k may b e t ol era bly fai th ful ,

but i t i s n ot old wor k a n d i t cann o t b e re fe rr e d t o a s s uch

,

i t 1 5 li k e t h e li f e l e s s b o dy th e S p i ri t h a s ta k e n i t s fligh t a n d
, ,

h a s l ef t b ut th e va gu e s e mbla n ce of wh a t i t once wa s An d .

i f h a p ly a n y li fe li ke s p i ri t i s i n fu s e d i n to th e r e p r o ducti on
-
,

i t i s not t h e s p iri t o f th e o ld b u t th e s p i ri t of a n ew li f e
,

a n d b e a r s th e i m r e s s o f th e mi n d n o t o f th e a n ci en t a r ti s t
p , ,

bu t o f t h e mod ern .
1 82 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S ‘

Th er e are whi ch a re s tor e r mu s t p os s es s th ey

two vi r tu e s -A

a r e t h e b a ckgr o u n d o f r e ve r en c e a s i t w er e— th e s e a r e ,

s e lf co n tr o l a n d s e lf d en i a l
-
A wri te r on Ch ri s ti an Art
-
.

o b s er ve s t h a t n ot o nl y p o li ti c a l b ut a e s th e ti cal r e e n er a
g
t i o n i s i n s ep a r a bly d ep en d en t o n s elf d en i a l a n d s elf—co n -

t rol . Thi s i s li ter a lly tru e o f th e a rt o f r e s tori n g vi o lin s .

Th e r e a r e h u n dr e d s o f o ld i ns tr u m en t s i n e xi s t e n ce whi c h
h a ve b een r ep a i r e d o r r a th e r i mp a ir e d by b u ngl e r s wh o
, ,
“
co u ld n o t r e s i s t t h e t e m ta t i on of t y i m f
p r n g o n s o e o
th e i r p a t e n t s o r o,f d i s c a r di n g a n o ld rib or t wo or even ,

t h e tabl e a n d s u b s ti tu ti n g b r a n d n ew w or k o f m o r e
, s ci e n ti

fic c o n s tr u c ti o n I t ca n wi th t ru t h b e sa i d o f th e s e old
.

wr eck s a s R u s ki n s ai d o f Er a Gi o con d o s l og gi a th a t th e y ’

h a ve b e e n d a u b ed a n d d a m n e d by t h e m o d e rn r e s t or e r .

I h a d n ot th e p riv il ege o f kn o wi n g th e gr eat Willi a m

Eb s wor th i n th e fl es h but I k n o w hi m i n th e s p i ri t a n d I
, ,

kno w h i m i n hi s Wor ks Th er e i s n o n a me i n fiddl e lor e for

.

Wh ich I f ee l a p r o fou n d er r es p e ct a n d th ere i s n othin g i n ,

fiddl e cra ft th a t I a dmi r e mor e th a n hi s b eauti fu l r e s t or a

ti o n s .

Th e Mes s r s . Hi ll —
i p . a
. th e m a k r e s en t
e r s fir m— a re
,

r ep a i r e r s e x e r ts u t h
and f v l w k l
, p a , or s o s e e r a or s o n c e e

br a t e d vi o li n m a k e r s a n d vi o li n s Na tu r a lly th e y h a ve a .
,

t u t t i T s t h t t h e y a r e w o r thi ly m a i n ta i n
g r e a r e p a o n o . a y a

i n g th e r ep u t a ti on o f th e i r f a th e r i s a t o n ce t o s a y t o o m u ch
a n d t o o l i tt l e . I t i s s a yi n g t o o mu ch b e cau s e n o i n di vi dual ,

o r c o mb i n a ti on o f i n di vi d u a l s c an i n my o p i ni on ever
, , ,

e qu a l th e w o n d er fu l w or k w hi ch Wi lli a m Eb s wort h Hi ll

a cc o m p li s h e d a s a r e s t o r e r o f cl a s s i ca l i n s tru m en t s Th a t .

wor k wh eth e r vi ewe d fr o m th e p oi n t o f vi ew o f quanti t y or

,

qu ali t y s ta n d s u n ri va ll e d No r c a n a n y i n di vi du al o r
,
.
,

c o mb i n a t i o n o f i n d i vi d u a l s e v e r a g a i n h a ve t h e sa m e
,

o pp o r tu n i t y of l e a r n i n g t h e m i n d o f t h e gr ea t I ta li a n m a s t e r s

as h e had . Th e o p p o r t u ni t y h e e nj o ye d h a s vi s i t e d th e
w or ld o n ly two o r th r ee ti mes I t ca m e on ce wh en Ta ri s i o .

tru dg e d th e d u s t y r o a d s o f I ta ly i t ca m e a ga i n wh en th e ,

e dl a r so ld h i s i ll go t t e n w a r e t o th e l ut h i e r s o f Pa ri s : i t
p
-
1 84 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

m en t s . Th e y ca n t h er e f or e f
o f e r c o p i es of th e m os t l
ce e

br a t e d S tr a di va ri s s uch a s t h e Me s s i e th e Tu sc a n
’ ’

, ,

th e B ett s th e Al ar d th e R o d e th e
,
’
i o t t i et c,
’

,
’
V ,
’
.

Th e p r ice of th e s e i n s tru m e n t s i s £ 35 Th e r e i s n o thi n g o f .

th e di n a r y tr a d e
or ff a b ou t thi s a n d th e b u s in e s s i s
p u ,

e x a ctly s u ch a s i t i s d e s cri b e d Ha we i s c o n cl u d e s hi s .

a c c o u n t o f t h e p r e s e n t e s t a bli s h men t by s a y i n g th a t i t i s

wh en c on s i d er e d i n all i t s br an ch e s th e l arg es t i n di vi dua l

vi ol i n d ea lin g i n d u s try i n t h e w o r ld
-
.

Th e firm a l s o m a k e fin e b o w s c a s es an d a ll fiddl e a cces , ,

so ri e s o n a s ca l e hi t h e r t o u n a t t e m t e d i n thi s c ou n t r y
p .

Th e ir b ow s h a ve a g r ea t r e p u ta ti o n a n d ar e u s e d by m a n y ,

di s ti ngui s h e d p l a ye r s Th e y a r e vi oli n a n d b o w m a ker s by

.

r o y a l a p p oi n t m e n t t o H M t h e K i n g H M t h e Ki n g o f . .
, . .

I ta ly H M th e Ki ng of Portuga l H M th e Ex ! u ee n
, . .
—
, . .

R eg en t o f S p a i n H M ! u e en Ma ri a P i a o f P or tu gal
, . . Th e y .

h a ve won th e f oll o wi n g a wa r d s for e xhi b i t s o f i n s t r u m en t s

a n d b ows — Pri z e Me da l Lo n do n 1 8 62 S ol e Gold Me d a l , , ,

S o ci e t y o f Ar t s 1 8 85 Gold Me d a l I n ve n ti o n s E xhi biti on

, , ,

Lo n d on 1 8 8 5 ; Go ld Me d a l P ar i s Un i ve r s a l E xh i b i ti o n
, , ,

1 88 9 Di p l om e d Ho n n e u r B ru s s e l s I n t e r n a ti o n a l Exhi bi
’

ti o n , 89 7
1 .

Th e y h a ve on e o f th e l a rg e s t a n d fi n es t c oll ec ti o n s o f
s t r i n g e d i n s tr u m e n t s i n th e w o r ld , t h e c o ll e ct i o n e mb r a ci n g

s o m e o f t h e b es t o f o u r o ld B r i ti s h fid dle s wa s v e r y . I
c ou r t eou s ly a ll o w e d t o i n s p e c t t h e c o ll e c ti o n a s h o r t wh i l e

ago , a n d wa s gr ea t ly i m p r e s s e d by t h e wo n d e r f ul w ea l th o f
a r t i t di s p l a y e d Th e Me s s r s H i ll ar e th e a u th or s of s e ve r a l
. .

i m p or ta n t w or k s a li s t o f whi ch wi ll be f ou n d i n th e p p en
, A

H I LTO N, TH O MAS J A M E S Gor l e s ton c on t em ,

p o r a r y A p.r o f es s i o n a l m a k e r r e p a i r e r a n d p l a y e r H e , , .

wa s b or n i n 1 8 6 8 an d c o mm e n c e d vi oli n m a ki n g a b o ut
,

t w en t y y ea r s a g o s i n c e wh en h e h a s c o m p l e t e d f or t y s e ven
,
-

vi oh n s s o m e o n t h e S tr a d a n d s o m e on th e B erg on zi m o d el
, ,
.

A gr ea t d eal of hi s ti m e i s tak en u p wi th r ep air s a n d h e ,

 VI O L I N A ND B O W M AKER S 1 85

m akes only th r ee or four n ew in s tru m en ts i n th e yea r . Th e

wor k i s car efully fin i s h e d an d th e t on e i s e xce lle nt ,
.

H IR C U T, L d on on : 0 . 1 60 0 .

H OL LA RD , , G E OR G E
C o m p t o n Du n do n 1 8 1 2 —
94
-
.

Ma d e a few fid dl e s a n d d i d a li tt l e r u s ti c r ep ai r i n g H e
, .

p l a y e d t h e fiddl e a t t h e l o c a l p a r i s h ch ur ch fo r ma n y y e ars ,

and wa s a ch ar a ct e r i n h i s wa y .

H OLL O WA Y J O H N Lon d on : 1 77 5 —9 5
, , . He wor ked
a t 3 1 G e r a r d S tr e e t S oh o I n di ffer en t wor k
, . .

H O P KI NS , Wor ces t e r n i n e t e e n th ce n tu r y .

Fai r ly g oo d wor k , b u t h e a r ti fi ci ally s e a s o n e d h i s wo o d .

H O R R I D G E WA LTE R P E R C I VAL S ta mfor d c o n

, ,

t e m p or a r y . B or n i n Y or k Ma rch 2 1 8 7 5 An a ma te ur , , .

wh o m a k e s l o vely vi ol in s on th e S tr a d m o d el He i s a .

r o f e s s i on a l w oo d c ar ve r a n d h i s s k ill i n t h e u s e of k e e n
p ,

e dge d t o ol s i s m a n i f e s t i n th e b e au ti fu l w o r km a n s hi p o f hi s

i n s tr u m e n t s .H e i s a p up i l o f Mr A L S ch ol es of R u s h d en . . .
, .

H O S B O RN, TH O MAS A LFR E D , Lon d on : 0 . 1 630 .

A mak er of l u t es and vi o s l .

H O S KI NS JA M E S Ca m er to n S o m e r s et e ar ly ni n e
, , ,

t e e n t h c e n tu r y Aver age work of n o p articula r mo d el

.
, .

Th e r e i s a fa i r ly we ll m a de ce ll o o f h i s s ti ll i n u s e i n th e
’

li ttl e vi ll a ge o f Ca m er to n .

H O WA RD H H , . I h a ve s ee n hi s na me as a

vi ol i n m a k e r s om e wh er e , bu t c an n ot tr a c e it .

H OXB Y , TH O M A S , Y rk o : n i n e t e en th c en tu r y .

HUD S O N G E O R G E S kegn es s : con t e m p ora ry A

, , .

s o n o f Ri ch a r d H u d s on w e ll k n o wn i n
p a rt s o f,La n c a s hi r e a s -

Di ck 0 New l ai th a fa m ou s c ou n tr y fiddl er
’

He h a s
”
-
, .
 86 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
‘

ma d e o ver a h u n dre d i n s tru m ents , on vari ou s m o d el s , of

g o o d a n d ca r e fu l w o r kma n s h i p .

HU M E A Pet er bor ou gh : c on t empo ra ry A p r o

, .

fe s s i o na l m a k er a n d p la y er I h ave n ot s een a ny of hi s.

H U M E , C H A RL E S D AVI D , H a w th orn e Melb ourn e ,

co n t e m p o r a r y A n a tive of Li ve r p o ol wh o emi gr ate d t o

.
,

Au s tr ah a a b ou t t w e n t y y e a r s a g o a n d wh o i s sa i d t o b e a ,

v e r y g o o d m a k er H e o b t a i n e d a Di p l o ma of Meri t for a ca s e
.

o f vi oh n s a t th e B en d i g o E xh i b i ti o n i n 1 9 0 3 .

HU M E R I C H A RD E di n b ur gh
, , : c . 1 530 . A fa m ou s

vi o l a n d l u t e m a k er .

HU M PH R EY S , I
R C HARD , Car n a r von c 1 7 60 . . A
r e p a i r e r of cry tha n (p l u r a l o f s m
i th ) a n d t h e m a k er o f ru s ti c

fid d les .

HU R L EY A R THU R , , To n du , Gl amo r ga n; co n t e m
Ha s m a d e a few vi o li n s o n an o r i gi n a l model
p o r a ry . .

I NG RAM , DA VI D E di nb urgh :
, 1 80 0 —10 . Average
wor k .

I NG RAM H E NR Y , , Du r h a m c . 1 8 20 . Very few of h i s

i ns tru m en t s h a ve b een s e en .

I NG RAM WALTE R , , B ri s t o l : c . 1 8 30 . Ve y r n ea t

w or k , but b ak ed woo d , an d p o o r ton e .

I R E S O N FRANK H E R B E R T Bis h op Auckla d

, ,
n

co n te m p o r a r y . An ma t eur wh o h a s ma d e a
a nu mber of

ni ce vi o li ns on th e mo d el of Wa lt er H Ma ys on . .
1 88 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

J O H NS TO N J A M E S P ollok s hi eld s : ni n e teenth cen

, ,

t ur y .Ale xa n d er Mur d och i n a li ttle wor k en ti tl e d , Th e

Fi ddl e i n S cotla n d h a s th e fo ll o wi n g n ot e o n h i s w or k
,
”

An a m a t eu r wh o h a s t ur n e d o u t s o m e of th e b e s t s p eci
m en s o f r e cen t vi o li n m a ki n g i n S co tla n d Mr Joh n s ton h a s . .

a fin e t a s t e for a n d a g e n u i n e a dmi r a ti on o f th e fiddl e a s

, , ,

well a s a s u p eri or p r a cti ca l g en i u s for i t s con s tr u cti on He .

i s th e p o s s es s o r o f a ve r y va l u a bl e S tr a d vi oh n
”
.

J O NE S , B ar n s ta p l e : c on t e mp or ary .

J O NE S D AVI D Mer th yr Tyd fil Gla m or gan 1 7 60

, , ,

1 8 40 . A mo s t i n geni ou s man wh o ma de cl ock s m ech a ni cal ,

t o y s a rt i fi ci a l t eeth a n d fidd le s a n d o th e r cu r i ou s thi n g s

, , , .

A fu ll a ccou n t of hi m a n d h i s nu mer ou s i n venti ons ap p ear e d

i n th e Me r th yr E xp r e s s s o m e y ear s a go .

J O NE S J O H N P or t Din orwi c N Wa l e s : 1 833 9 0 6

, , , .
—1 .

An a m a t e ur wh o m a d e a few fid d le s o f n o p a r ti cu l a r m o d el .

Th e w or kma n s h i p wa s r ou gh b u t th e t o n e wa s n ot s o ba d ,
.

He p l a ye d th e c ell o for m an y y e ar s a t th e p ari s h ch ur ch of

’

Llan fa i ri s ga er .

KELM A N J A M E S Ab , , e rch i r der N E , . . : n i n e t e en th

c en t u r y . Co mm on p la c e wor k an d t on e .

KE NDAL G E O R G E , , c ont e m p or a r y .

KE NDLE PH I LLI P H e fo d
, , re r : c . 1 8 20 . Aver age
wor k .

KE NNE DY ALE XAND E R , , Lo n d on : 1 69 5 —1 8

7 5 . V y
er

fair w or k on th e S t a i n e r mo del .

KE NNE D Y J O HN L d , , on on : 1 730 —1 81 6 . A n ep h e w
of Al e x n d e K enn dy I d i ffe
a r e . n r en t wor k .
 VI O L IN A ND B O W . M AKER S 1 89

KE NNED Y , TH O M A S , L d on on 1 8
7 4
—1 8 0
7 . He
wa s a p r om a ker a n d i t i s s a i d th a t h e m a d e a t l ea s t
h fic ,

two t h o u s a n d i n s tr u m e n t s o f a ll s i z e s Th e wor kma n s h i p .

i s go o d b ut t h e t o n e i s n o t o f e qu a l m eri t b e i n g o f t en h ar s h
, ,

a n d m e t a lli c A vi oli n wi th a birch b ack an d yellow varn i s h

.

h a d t h e f ollo wi n g l a b e l

THOS . K E NN E DY ,

LONDINI, 1 860 .

KI R KW O OD R O B E RT E di b u gh , , n r n i n e t ee n th c e n

tu y
r A g ld mith
. d l vo m t s , an a c e er a a e ur wh o ma de a

nu mber of lo vely vi oli n s .

KNA P TO N , Lo n d on : 0 . 1 8 30 .

K NI GH T, AL FR D , E Worces ter : 1 80 0 1 0
— . Or di n a r y
work .

L A NC A S TE R A R THU R , C A TTO N , Co l n e , La n ca s
s hi r e mp or ar y He wa s b or n a t Bi s h o p Auckl an d in
c on t e .

1 8 6 9 a n d wor k s n ow a t 5 S mi th S tr ee t Col n e a s a p ro
, , ,

fe s s i on a l m a ke r a n d r e p ai r e r He h a s m a d e a n u mbe r o f .

vi oh n s a few c ello s a n d o n e d ou bl e b as s on th e S tr a di va r i
’

, , ,

a n d G u ar n e r i m o d e l s Th e wor km an s h i p i s b eau ti ful an d

.
,

t h e t on e b r i gh t s w ee t a n d r e s p on s i ve
, , A vi oli n ma de t o .

th e m e mor y o f th e l a t e W H ar t l e y b an d m a s t er t o t h e .
,

ill fa t e d Ti ta n i c wa s m a d e o f ve r y fin e w o o d car efully

-
, ,

fin i s h e d i n eve r y d etai l a n d cover ed wi th oil var ni s h of

,

e xc e ll en t qu ah t y I t h a d a l ar g e a n d t e lli n g t on e
. H a rt l e y .

a n d L a n cas t er a t on e t i m e p l a y e d fi r s t vi oh n s i n th e Col n e

Orch estr a a n d La n ca s t er p l a ye d th e vi oh n a t hi s fri en d s

’

fu n er a l Th e wor k of th i s mak er i s b ou n d t o come to th e

.

front .
1 9 0 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
L A U GH E R W ILL IA M , , R e ddi t ch 1 b ou t 1 9 0 6
8 30 t o a .

Am f
a n u a ct ur e r o f s t ee l and p l a t e d p i n s by tra de wh o m a de ,

a nu mb er o f vi o li n s as a h o bby .

LE W S I , EDWA R D ,
z
L d on on 1 6 9 5 — 1 7 30 . A m agn i
fic en t o ld m a k e r wh o s e
wor k i s u nf or tu n ate ly ve r y r ar e
, , , .

I h a ve s ee n on ly th r ee vi ol ins of h i s ma ke on e of whi ch wa s ,

o n a m o d e l a p p r o xi m a ti n g t o t h a t o f Ma g g i ni th e w o o d , ,

wor kma n s h i p a n d t on e be i n g ver y fin e i n d eed Th e

, .

va r ni s h wa s a n oil o n e o f a ri ch g old e n r e d c ol our p er fe ct ly -

,

t r an s p a r en t a n d e l a s ti c
, No l abel of h is i s kn o wn . .

L I GH T E DWA RD L d
, , on on 7 80 —1 8 0
1 5 . A lu te and

h ar p m a k er ch i e fly : he ma de v er y few Vi o li n s .

L ND S
I AY , Newca s t le -
on Tyn e
-
: con te mp or ar y .

L I ND S A Y , D A V I D E d ll, ze ,
NB . . c on t e m p or a r y A n .

ama te u r wh o h a s m a d e a b o ut fo r t y vi o li n s o f g o o d w or k 1 -

man s hi p , on th e m o d el s o f S tr a di va r i a n d G u a r n e ri .

L I ND S AY , M I C HAE L , H S to k t o n o u Te es
c - -
1 8 37

t o a b ou t 1 9 0 6 H e wa s a p r o fe ss i on a l mak er a n d r ep air e r
.
,

an d ma de
l ar g e nu mb er of i n s tru m en t s chi efly vi oh n s
a , ,

on th e S tr a d m o d e l He u s ed e xc e ll en t woo d a n d a ver y
.
,

fin e a mb er oi l var n i s h o f h i s own m a k e Th e wor k i s c are '

.

fully fi n i s h e d all o ver an d th e s cr oll e s p eci a lly i s well carved

,

i n th e b e s t I t a li a n s t yl e Th e t o n e i s n ot Ver y p o wer fu l
.
,

bu t i s o f a ver y p l e a s i n g qu a h t y Li n d s a y h a d a p a r a ly ti c .

s ei zur e i n 1 9 0 2 wh i ch p ut a p eri o d to hi s ma ki n g a n d
, ,

duri n g th e few r em ai n i ng y ea r s of h i s li fe h e wa s u n a ble t o

d o a n yt h i n g b eyon d a li tt le r e p ai r i ng He wo n a m e d a l for .

an e xh i b i t o f vi ol i n s a t th e Li ve r p ool E xh i b i ti on s o m e y e ar s

a go He wa s a r ea l a r ti s t a n d h i s i n s tru m en t s wi ll i mp r o ve
.
,

wi th a ge a n d car e fu l u s e Facs i mi le l a b el .
1 9 2 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
c ou n t e r e i t s f
h a ve d e c e i ve d th e a bl e s t j u d ge s c a n o nly . I
r e i t e r a t e wh a t I
h a ve s ai d b ef or e th a t a ll th e t a le n t a n d s k i ll k

a cr a f t s m a n o f th i s s or t h a s wi ll n o t a t o n e fo r a li f e o f f r a u d .

L O TT, J O H N FR E D E R I C K Lon don c 1 79 5 4 8 5 3 , .

-
.

He wa s b orn i n G er m a n y i n 1 77 5 a n d i t i s s u p p o s e d th at h e
,

c a m e t o L on d o n a b ou t 1 7 5 H di d t h i d
9 e e . e re n a n

wa s b ur i e d i n t h e Ch ur ch yar d o f S t Gi l e s i n th e Fi e ld s .
- - -
.

H e wa s a c a b i n e t m a ke r a t fi r s t bu t u n d e r th e i n flu en ce of
,

Fe n dt h e b efor e l on g di s car d e d th at tr a d e for th e m or e

c o n g e n i a l o n e o f vi oh n m a ki n g I n 1 7 9 8 h e o b t a i n e d w or k
.

wi th Do dd for wh o m h e ma d e th o s e vi ol on cello s a n d d oubl e

,

b a s s es wh i ch h elp e d t o s well th e fa me a n d for tu n e o f th e ‘

En gli s h m a n Th e wor k o f L o tt m or e e s p eci ally h i s b a s s es

.
, ,

wa s o f t h e hi gh e s t or d e r an d i t i s th e u n a n i m ou s ve r di ct o f
,

e x p er t s t h a t i t wi ll b e a r c o m p ari s o n w i t h t h e b e s t I t a li a n

wo r k H a r t s u ms u p h i s m eri t s b ri efly by s a yi n g th at h e
.

wa s c er t a i n ly th e k i n g o f th e E n gl i s h d ou bl e b a s s m a k e r s
”
-
.

L U TO N, G EOR G E , Le i ces te r , c . 1 840 . Fai rly g o o d

w or k .

LYE , H NR , Ca m ert o n , S o mer s et

E Y c on t em p or a r y .

H e wa s b orn a t Ca m e r t on i n 1 8 32 a n d h a s h ved th e r e a ll hi s
,

h fe . He wa o fif y s i x yea r s e m p l o y e d a s c ar p en te r o n
s f r t -

th e Ca m e r t o n Cou r t E
s t a t e a n d d u ri n g t h e s e l o n g y e ar s h e
,

d evot e d a ll h i s S p a r e ti me to th e con s tru cti o n of vi oh n s .

An ar ti cl e on Ca m ert o n Co u r t an d i t s H i s t or y whi ch
”
,

a p p e a r e d i n Th e B r i s tol Ti mes a n d M i r r or for un e 6 J ,

1 9 1 4 co n t a i n e d th e f oll o wi n g r ef er e n ce t o Lye
,
Ca m e r ton
Co ur t a m a n s i on b u i l t a n d o ccu p i e d by Mr J oh n arr e t t
,
. J ,

an d a f t e r h i s d ea th by th e Mi s s e s a rr e tt Mi s s A M
J .

J arr et t f ou n d gr ea t p l ea s ur e i n w o o d ca r vi ng wh i l e Mi s s ,

E mi ly J wh o wa s m or e mu s i ca lly i n cli n e d wa s a n
a r r ett , ,

a cc o m p li s h e d or g a n i s t a n d vi ol i n i s t S e ver a l vi oli n s a n d
.

Vi ol a s wer e ma d e a n d s u p p li e d to h er by Mr H en r y Lye . .

Thi s r e mar ka bl e old g ent l e man al th ough over e g y two ,

i h t -

year s of age , can s till s ee to r ea d wi th out gla s s e s Hi s work .

 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 93

th e Co ur t de d a b ou t thr ee ye a r s but h e i s s ti ll
‘

at en a go ,

bu s y a t h i s fa vour i t e h obby a n d h a s a n u mb er of hi s vi oh n s ,

wai ti n g fo r p ur ch a s e r s Mr Lye i s n o w i n h i s e i gh t y
. .

four th ye ar but (th a n ks to s p l en di d h e alth a s t e a dy n e r ve

, , ,

a n d k e e n S i gh t ) i s s t i ll a bl e t o wi e ld t h e go ug e He h a s .

ma de a l ar ge n umb er of vi oh n s an d a con s i der a ble n u mb e r ,

of Vi ol a s a n d vi o l on ce ll o s Th e i n s tru men t s a re soh dl y

.

bui lt th e wor kma n s hi p of u ni form e xcell en ce a nd th e

, ,

t on e l arg e bri gh t a n d r e s p o n s i ve
, , .

MAC G R E G O R , Gla s go w n i n e te en th c en t u r y .

S a i d t o h a ve b een a g oo d m a k er .

M G I LL
‘
J A M E S C A M PB ELL Arr a n
, , : n i net ee n th

c en tur y . Fai r ly goo d wor k .

M ‘
I NTO S H , J AME S , Bl airgowri e 1 80 1 —73 . Good
w or k . He u se d S p i ri t va r n i s h , bu t i t i s p u t on so t hi n
t h a t th e t one i s ma teri ally i n j ur e d A Mr Ca s e o f 1 4
n ot . .
,

P ar k Aven ue H a n d s w or th Bir mi n gh a m own s th e fin es t

, , ,

s p e c i m en o f h i s w or k t h a t I h a ve s ee n I t h a s a b a ck out .

o n t h e s la b wi th a r a t h e r thi c k n e c k a n d s ou n d h o l e s t h a t
,

a r e r a t h e r s t r a i gh t a n d s ti ff th e m o d e l a p p r o xi m a t e s t o
t h a t o f A m a ti Th e r e i s a ch ar a ct e r a b ou t th e wor k whi ch
.

i s r a th er s t ri ki n g a n d th e t o n e of th i s fid dl e i s ce r t a i n ly g o o d
, .

He ma d e a b ou t two h u n dr e d a n d fif t y i n s tr u m en ts i n cl u di n g ,

vi oh n s Vi ol a s a n d vi ol on c e ll o s
, ,
.

M A CI NTO S H J O H N Ga l s t on N B , , , . . con te m p or a r y .

An a r t i s t a n d a n ti qu y ar wh o m ak e s vi oh n s en a ma teur .

M I NTO S H
‘
, W I LLIA M , Du n d ee co n t e mp or ar y Ve r y .

goo d w or k .

MAC KI NTO S H , Dubh n .

1 94 B RIT I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
M G EE
‘
, Be lfa s t : n i n e te en th c en tu ry .

M G E O R GE
‘
G E O R G E Edi n bu r gh : 1 7 9 6 1 8 20 A
, ,
- .

p pu i l an d f o ll o w e r o f M a tt h e w H ar d i e wh o m a d e e x c e ll en t

i n s trumen t s H e u s e d a s p iri t va rn i s h wh i ch i s o f a s li gh t ly
.

b etter qua h t y th a n th a t of H ar di e Th er e d oes n ot a pp ear .

t o b e m u ch o f hi s w or k l ef t .

M KENZI E
‘

b out
, MAL C OLM Du b a r to n
Ma d e m a n y i n s tr u m en t s o f
, m , 82 8
m eri t
1
to a 1 9 4
0 .
, a ve ra g e .

M LA Y
‘
, W I LLIA M Kin car din e ,
-
ou -
For th : 1 81 5 to
a b ou t 1 890 . Ve r y p o o r w o r k .

M NEI LL
‘
, J O H N E di n b ur gh
, : c on t e mp ora r y .

M NEI LL
‘
, Dubh n : ea r ly n i n e t een th c en tur y .

M NI C OLL AL E XA ND E R
‘
, , Pa dan ar a m : i
n n et eenth

c en tu r y . I di ffe
n r en t wor k .

M S W A N J O H N Pa r ti c k
‘
, , : c on t e m p or a r y An a ma .

f e u r wh o h a s ma d e a nu mb er of vi o l i n s o f a b ou t a ve r a ge

m e ri t .

M A G B IE J O H N F I S H E R Da ls ton con t e mp orar y

, , .

S a i d t o b e a go o d m a k er b u t I c a n n o t s a y as I h a ve n ot s e e n
, ,

h i s w or k .

M A LLA S , ALE XA ND E R L , e i th 1 8 2 6—9 1 . Mr . H on ey ~

man sa ys hi s l
vi o i n s a r e w ell m a d e wi t h , a g oo d t on e .

M A NN J O HN ALE XA ND E R Gl
, , as g o w 1 8 1 0- 8 9 .

It a p p e ar s f r o m t h e n u m e r o u s l e t t e r s th a t I h a ve r e c e i ve d

in r e f e r e n c e t o my r e m a r k s u p on t h i s m a k e r s w o r k t h a t I
’

h a v e ve r y m u ch u n d e r e s t i m a t e d th e a b i li t y o f Ma n n a n d th e
-

m er i ts o f h is i n s tru m en ts I t ma y b e th at I h a ve a n d .
,

th at th e f oll o wi n g r e m a r ks wh i ch I cull f r o m Th e Fiddle

1 9 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
M A NN T H , Ca r di ff an d B e df or d : c o n t e m p or a r y
. .

A ver y gi fte d ci vi l e n gin ee r wh o h a s m a d e a b ou t th ir t y

i ns tru me n ts o f ver y b e a u ti ful wor km an s h i p a n d g o o d t o n e
, .

He h as g i ve n mu ch ti m e a n d th ou gh t t o th e th e or y o f th e
c on s tr u c ti on o f s t ri n g e d i n s tru m en ts , an d is a k ee n ar t

c r i ti c .

M A NU E L , EVA N Mer th yr Tyd fil :

ly n i n e t e en th
, e ar

c en t ur y He m a d e m a n y fid d les a n d a few We ls h h a r p s
. .

I h a ve s een on ly o n e vi oh n o f his ma k e whi ch wa s o n th e ,

S ta i n er m o d e l h i gh a rch e d r a t h er well m a d e bu t wi th a
,
-
, ,

t on e i n cl i n e d t o b e h a r s h a n d s h r i ll .

M A R LA ND J OHN , S E P TI M U S , H urs t : ni n e

t e e n th c en t u r y Ve r y f a i r w or k
. .

MAR NIE , J O H N P a d a n ar a m
, : n i n et e en th c en t ur y .

P oor wor k .

MAR S HALL , J O H N L o n d on , : 1 75 0 — 60 . Fai r ly

g o o d wor k on th e S t a i n er m o d el .

MAR S HALL , J O H N Ab er d een , c on t e m p or a r y . He

wa s b or n i n th e p ar is h o f Me th h ck Ab er d e ens h i r e i n 1 844 , , ,

a n d h as b e en e s t a bli s h e d i n A b er d ee n n e a r ly h a lf a ce n tu r y - -

a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k er a n d r e p ai r e r H e h a s m a d e u p wa r ds .

o f th r ee h u n d r e d i n s tru m e n ts i n clu di n g vi o h n s Vi ol a s
, , ,

a n d v i o l on c e ll o s o f e x c e l en t w o r kma n s hi p a n d to n e He
l
.
,

h as f oll owe d th e Am a ti Gu ar n e ri S tr a di va r i an d Gag li ano

, , ,

m o dels : For m a n y y ea rs n ow h e h as wor k ed o n th e m od e l ‘

o f a b e a u ti fu l Al es s a n dr o Ga gh a n o wh i ch h e h a d th r ou gh h is

h a n ds for r e p ai r a n d o f wh i ch h e t o o k ca r e fu l m eas ur e m en ts
,
.

I e xa mi n e d qui te a n u mb er of th es e a t hi s wor ks h op i n
Wo olman S tr ee t a b out a year a go a n d th ough t th em
, ,

s o li dly c ons tru ct e d a n d w ell fin i s h e d i ns tru m en ts Mr . .

Mar s h a ll is hi gh ly r e s p e ct ed th r ou gh ou t th e n or th o f S c o t
l a n d a s a s k ilfu l r e p ai r e r a n d co n s ci e n ti o us ma n a n d th e ,

ct i cal e vi d en ce o f th i s r e s ec t i s th e a bun d an ce o f w or k
p r a
p
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 1 97

whi ch h e a lwa ys h a s i n h an d For th e p as t n i n e ye ar s h e

.

h as b ee n as s i s t e d by M r W i ll i a m
. Gl en n i e a m a k e r a n d ,

r e p ai r e r o f u n d o u b t e d a b i h t y Fa cs i mi le l ab el
.

Mars h a ll di e d on March 1 6 , 1 9 1 9 .

M A R TI N , Lo n d on . Li ttl e o r n o t hi n g is kn o wn of

M A R TI N H E NR Y, , No tti n gh a m c . 1 80 0 Fa i r ly
.

g o o d w o r k wh i c h w ou ld
,
be b ett e r b u t for t h e e xa g g e r a t e d

a r ch i n g .

M A Y S O N S TA NS F IELD Ma n ch e s t er con t e mp or a r y
, , .

S on p u p i l a n d s u c ce s s or o f Wa l t e r H Ma ys on
, ,
H e h as . .

ma de a b ou t tw en t y i ns tru men ts o n hi s fa th e r s mo del ’

whi ch a r e o f g oo d wor km an s h i p a n d t o n e I t i s t o o s o o n .

t o p r edi ct wh e th e r h e wi ll a t t ai n th e e x c ell e n c e o f h i s f a th e r ,

but h e h as u n d oub t e d a b i h ti e s .

M AYS O N WALTE R H E NR Y Man ch e s t e r 1 8 35

, ,

1 90 4 . H e was b or n a t Ch e e two o d n e ar Man ch es t e r o n , ,

No ve mb er 8 1 8 35 a n d wa s th e fou r th s on o f Ma r k a n d
, ,

E li zab eth Ma ys on His fa th er was a des ce n d an t o f a n a n ci en t

.

Cu mb e r l a n d fa mi ly an d i n t h e d a ys o f his p r o s p e ri t y o wn e d
,

c o n s i d e r a bl e p r o p er t y i n K e s wi c k Hi s m o th e r s m ai d e n
’
.

n a m e was G r e e n a n d S h e was a d a u gh t e r o f Wi l h a m G r e e n
, ,

th e p a i n t e r wh os e wor k was s o h i gh ly e s t e e m e d by Pr o fe s s or
,

Wi ls on Ch ri s to p h e r Nor th Ha r tl e y Col eri dge an d , ,

Wilh a m Wor ds worth th e p o et , .

 B RI T I S H
'

VI OL IN M AKER S

Ma ys on wa s duca t e d a t th e cel ebr a te d s ch ool o f Th omas

e

Wh all e y wh e r e h e ea r ly gai n e d di s ti n cti o n a t E n glis h c om

,

os i t i on hi s e s s a ys b ei n g o f t en s e l e ct e d by t h e h e a dm as t e r
p ,

for p u bli c r ea di n g b ef or e th e s ch o o l At th e a ge o f s eve n t een

.

h e wa s a p p r en ti c e d t o a fir m o f m er ch a n ts i n Man ch es t e r ,

with wh o m h e s erve d five years Duri n g thi s ti me h e .

d evot e d h is s p a r e h ou rs t o th e p urs ui t of mus i c a n d li ter a

t u r e an d h e con tri b u t e d ve rs es an d o c c as i on a l e s s a ys t o th e
,

p e ri o di ca ls a n d l o ca l p r e s s H e m a d e .hi s fi r s t fiddl e i n 1 8 73 ,

a n d v er y s h or t ly a ft e r w a r ds h e r e s ol ve d t o i v hi t
g e u p s p os

( h e w as n o w i n a g oo d p o s i t i o n w i t h a l ar g e fir m o f mer

ch a n t s ) a n d t o d e vo t e h i s li f e t o th e a r t a n d cr a f t o f vi o li n
.

m a kin g Fr o m th is ti m e t o th e e n d o f hi s li fe h e s t ea di ly
.

m a d e a t th e r at e o f a b out two i ns tru men ts p er m on th Th e .

t o t al n u mb er h e ma d e r ea ch e d th e h i gh figur e o f e igh t
h u n dr e d an d e l e ve n a ll e n ti r e ly m a d e by hi ms e lf wi th th e
, ,

e x ce p t i on o f t h e l as t i n s t ru m en t wh i ch was on ly h a lf
,

fin is h e d wh en th e h an d o f d eath was lai d u p on h i m Of .

th es e t w en t y s e ven w er e Vi ola s t w en t y o n e vi ol o n c ell os

,
-
,
-
,

a n d t h e r es t vi o li n s As fa r a s I can g a th er fr o m Ma ys on s
’
.

c o rr es p on d e n c e a n d f r o m my o wn o b s e r va t i on a b ou t on e
, ,

fourth o f th e t ota l nu mb er of i n s tru m en ts ma d e by hi m a r e

of h i s b e t t e r c l as s t h e r es
, t b e i n g o f a l o w er — s o m e o f t h e m
o f a mu ch l o w e r —
gr a d e o f e x c e ll en c e I t i s v e r y u n
. f o r t u

n a t e t h a t th i s fin e a r ti s t wa s d u ri n g t h e gr ea t er p art o f h i s

li fe e n tir ely a t t h e m ercy o f c rcu m s ta n ces cir cu m s ta nces

i —

o ve r whi ch h e c o u ld p o s s i bly h a ve no c on t r ol a n d for whi c h ,

h e wa s n ot a t a ll r e s p on s i bl e I a m mora lly cer tai n of o n e

.

thi n g th a t Ma y s on n e ver tu r n e d o u t a p o or i n s tr u m en t
,

fr o m hi s h a n d s by ch oi c e o r by n egl e ct B ut h e wa s p o or .
,

an d a t ti m e s ve r y p o or s o t h a t h e wa s o f ten obli ge d t o p ut
,

i n fe ri or m a t e r i a l i n t o h i s i n s tru me n t s a n d o ft en i nf e ri or ( or ,

l es s fini s h e d ) wor k t o o a n d th u s t o s a cri fice t o th e n eed

,

o f th e m ome n t mu ch o f h i s f a m e wi th p o s t e r i t y I t is .

wh en we con te mp l a te th e cru el lot o f a geni u s hk e May

s o n th a t th e tru th i s b orn e i n u p o n u s th a t p o ve r t y i s a

crim e .
 V I O LI N A ND B O W M AKER S 1 99

B u t Ma ys on s b es t wor k i s m a gn i fi ce n t I t wi ll b e ar
’
.

c o m p a ri s o n wi t h t h e fi n e s t w o r k p r o du c e d i n m o d er n ti m es

by a n y ma k e r i n th i s or an y o th e r cou n tr y I n hi s ear li e r .

d a y s h e ma de a n u mbe r of i n s tr u men t s on th e mo del s o f

S t r a di va ri a n d Gu ar n e ri bu t h i s s tr o n g mi n d r e fu s ed t o b e n d
,

for l o n g t o th e mi n d o f a n o th er a r ti s t e ven th ou gh h e w er e ,

a S t ra di va ri a n d h e s tr u c k o u t o n ori g i na l
,
li n es Th e .

m ea s ur e men ts o f h i s ori gi n al mo d el for vi oh n s

are

L e n gt h o f body I n ch e s .

Wi dth a cr o s s u p p er b o ut s
mi ddl e 3”

l ower
D e p th of r i b s a t l ower bo u t s

u pp e r

L e n gt h o f s oun d h ol e s
-

Di s t a n c e b e t we e n i s ’
at up p er

Th e a r chi n g is m o r e p r o n o u n ce d t h a n i t i s i n i n s t r u
S h gh tly

m en ts o f th e gr a n d S tr a d p a t t er n .

Ma ys o n ma de a b ou t a d o z en i n s tr u men ts wi th c a r ve d
b a cks th a t i s wi th la n ds ca p es flower s or figu r es car ve d
, , , ,

th e r eo n i n b as r eli e f Th e r eh ef 1 5 o n ly on e f or ti e th of a n
-
.
-

i n ch a n d th e e e c t i s w o n d e r fu l i n s o S h gh t a cu tti n g
,
.

Fi n e as th es e a r e h owever as wor ks o f ar t I d o n o t th i n k
, , ,

t h e y r e p r e s e n t th e fi ne s t s u cc e s s o f Ma ys o n fo r t on e p r ob a bly ,

t h e i n e qu a li t y o f t h i ckn e s s i n g d u e t o th e c ar vi n g a ffe c te d
th e t o n e d e t r i m n ally i t ce r ta i nly c ould n ot i mp r o ve i t
e t — .

Ma y s o n wor k e d a t va ri ous p l a c e s fir s t a t Th e Po lyg o n , ,

Lowe r Br ou gh ton n e xt i n Bur to n Ar ca de Dea n s gat e

, , ,

Ma n ch es t er wh e r e h e r e m a i n e d for s o m e ti me a n d ma de
, ,

ma n y i n s tr u m en ts ; h e r emo ve d th en ce to Cr oft H ou s e ,

Newby Bri dg e a t th e f o o t o f Wi n d er me r e wh er e h e r em ai n e d
, ,

for s i x y e a r s a n d m a de m u ch o f h i s b es t w or k
, Fr o m .

Ne wby B ri dg e h e we n t b a ck t o Manch es t e r o p e ni n g a s h o p ,

a t 6 2 Oxf o r d S tr e e t : h er e h e wor ke d for s ever a l yea r s .

200 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
I n 1 8 9 9 h e o p e n e d a w or k s h o p Hi gh Ho lb or n Lo n d o n at 25 6 , ,

bu t th i s ven tur e t urn e d o u t a di s as tr ou s fai lur e a n d h e was ,

o bli g e d o n c e m or e t o tu r n hi s f a c e t o wa r ds Man ch es t e r .

B r o k e n i n f o r t u n e a n d b r u i s e d i n s p i r i t t h e p o o r a r ti s t s ’

h e a lth gr a du a lly ga ve w a y a n d a p ar a ly ti c s e i zu r e a t th e ,

c l os e o f t h e y ea r 1 0 4 c o m l e t e d a w o r k a l r e a dy c o mm en c e d
9 p
by a d ve rs i t y He di e d i n his s even ti e th ye ar Fa cs i mi le
. .

l a be l

Ea ch i n s tr u m e n t was
m e d a n d th e l a b el was wor d e d
na ,

a c c o r d i n g ly Ma ys o n was a wa r d e d m e d a l s a t Cor k i n
.
,

1 8 83 I n ven ti on s Lon d o n 1 8 8 5 a n d Melb o ur n e i n 1 8 8 8

, , , .

Ma n y tr i bu t e s w e r e p a i d t o h i s g e n i us i n h i s li fe ti m e by men
wh o k n e w hi s w o r k w e ll a n d th e p r e s s wa s l a vi s h i n i ts
,

r ai s e o f th e o ld cr a f t s m a n wh e n h e h a d l ai d by fo r e ve r hi s
p
g g
o u e a n d c a li p e r s .

Ma ys o n p u bli s h e d s e ve r a l wo r ks i n cl u di n g Cola zzi , ,

Th e H e i r of Da l t o n Th e S t ol e n Fi ddl e ,
Vi o l i n ,

Ma ki n g e tc a n d h e l ef t a n u mb er o f o th e rs i n m a n u s cri p t
”
. .
, ,

M EA R E S R I C HARD Lon d on
, , : 1 6 60 — 80 . A ma k er of

lu te s and vi o s l .

M EA R E S R I C H A , RD , L d on on 67 5— 9 0
1 S o n o f th e
.

p r e c e di n g . He ma de a fe w vi o h n s , bu t l e f t th e t r a d e s oon
a ft e r th e d ea th of hi s f a th e r .

M EEK J A M E S Ca r lis le
, , c on t e mp or ar y H e was .

bor n at Cleator Cu mb erla n d i n , , 1 862 , a n d h as b e e n w o r ki n g

20 2 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

ME E I
R D TH , L Lon d on : 0 . 1 7 20 — 0 5 . Mr . W . M .

Gr ou n dwa t er o f S alfor d Ma n ch es t er h a d a fiddl e th r ough

, , ,

h i s ha n ds i n 1 9 1 0 l a b ell e d L Mer e di th S t Pa u l s .
, .
’

Ch ur ch ya r d Lon d o n 1 7 34
, wh i ch h e d es cri b ed as b ei n g
, ,

r a th e r l a r g e a n d s o m e wh a t on th e h u e s o f Ma ggi n i w i th ,

d ee p ri bs a n d cover e d wi th b r o wn va r nis h r a th e r thi ck i n

, ,

p a t e. T h e t on e w a s f a i r ly g oo d .

M E RL I N , JOS E PH , L d on on 1 6
7 5
—8 0 . S tai n e r
m o d e l fa i r ly g oo d w or k b u t r a th e r p o or t on e
, , . Th e var n is h
i s m o s tly d i r t y y ell o w or b r o wn of a n i n f e ri o r q u a li t y Hi s .

m ech ani cal p eg s for vi o li n s a n d cellos we r e i n de ma n d ’

at

o ne t i m e La b el
.

J OS E P HU S M E R LI N OREMONAE EMULUS ,
NO 1 04
.
, LONDINI, 1 7 7 9 , I M P R OV E D .

69 ! UEEN ANN ST R E ET E AST P ORTLAN D CHAPEL , ,

M IE R , Lo n d on : c . 1 7 80 .

M I LLE R , Lo d n on c . 1 7 5 0 . Li ttl e o r n o thi n g is

k n o wn of hi m .

M I LLE R , or M ILL A R B elfas t , c on te mp or ar y a pp ar

e nt ly . Th e R e v . F a th er Gr e a ve n g i ve s h i s n a m e i n hi s li s t .

M I LLE R AL E XA ND E R , , St . An dr ws e : 1 8 1 3- 7 7 . A
u
p p i l of Th o m as H ar di e
wor k i s ve r y g oo d bu t th e
. Th e ,

t on e o ft e n d i s a p p oi n t i n g A t h i s d e a th Mi ll e r l ef t a l a r g e
.

s t o c k o f e x c e ll e n t w o o d whi ch was b ou gh t by Mr John

, .

Logan o f B iggar
, .

M I LLE R J O H N Dun d e e , , c on t e m p or a r y . Hi s wor k

is s ai d t o b e ve r y go od .

M I LNE PATR I C K G , Ab d er e en : c on t e mp orar y . He

A
was b or n a t b e r d e en i n 1 8 7 3 a n d w or ks th e r e n ow a t 1 6 ,

G ui ld S tr eet as a p r o fes s i o n a l ma ker a n d r ep ai r er He is .

o n e o f t h e b es t o f p r e s e n t d a y S c o t t i s h m a k e r s He has .
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S

mad e a few vi oli n s o n th e Gu arn e ri mo del bu t n ea r ly a ll his ,

la t e r wor k i s o n th e g r an d S tr a d p a t t e rn He i s Ver y p a r .

ti cu la r a b ou t th e m a t eri a l h e u s es a n d on ly p u ts woo d in t o ,

h i s i ns tru m en t s whi ch th or ou gh ly s a t i s fie s him as t o i ts

r o e r s e as on i n
p p g a n d a c ou s t i c a l qu a h t i e s A ll t h e w o r k i s .

e x e c u t e d by Mr Miln e p er s o n a lly a n d e ve r y d e t ai l is
.
,

s c ru p u l ou s ly a t t en d e d t o a n d b ea u ti f ully fin i s h e d Th e .

va r n i s h i s a n o il on e t h e c ol o u r va r yi n g f r o m li gh t o r a n g e
,

to da r k r ed i t i s o f e xc e ll e n t qu ah t y a n d p e r f e c t ly t r a n s
p a r e n t . H e h a s m a d e a b ou t fif t y vi o li n s a n d a few Vi o l a s

a n d Vi o l o n c e ll os His i n s tru me n t s a r e we ll li ke d by p r o
.

fe s s i o nal p l a yers Much o f h is ti m e is t a ke n u p wi t h r e p ai rs

. .

Fa cs i mi le la b el

fi
I RI C K MIL NE
'

PA G . ,

M3 k! t 0
!
A B E R DE E N . 1

M I NE R D , . B R O WN , Dun f er m
l ine c onte m p or a r y .

M I TC H E LL , G E O R G E E d z ell , : —
1 82 3 9 7 . Ave r a ge

meri t .

M I TC H ELL J O H N Dun f ermli n e

, , co n t e m p or a r y .

M I TC H ELL , Ca p t a i n , Tor on to , Ca n a d a : c on
te m p or a r y . V er y g lo wi n g a ccou n t s oi h i s w or k h a ve
a p p e ar e d i n th e Ca n a di a n p re s s .

M O FF A TT W J , . Hi s Vi oli n s ar e o cca s i on ally

a d ver ti s e d i n c a t a logu es o f old i n s tr u m e n t s bu t I cann o t ,

s a y wh e n or wh er e h e w or k e d .

M O LY NE UX Dubh n , c 1 80 0 ver y fin e . . A
vi oli n o f hi s m a k e i s i n t h e D ub h n Mu s e u m whi ch i s ui t e , q
Ita li an i n ch a r a c t er Fa th er Gr ea ven th i n ks h e wa s a
.

foreign er wh o h a d s ettl ed d own in Dubh n i n ea r ly life .

2 04 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

M O NK , J O H N KI NG Le wi s h a m a n d Bla ckh e a th
, ,

c o n t e m p or ar y . H e wa s b or n i n 1 8 46 a n d i s a d e s c en d a n t
,

i n t h e di r e c t l i n e o f Ge n e r a l Mo n k o f Co mm o n w e al th fa m e
, .

H e h a s c a r r i e d o n b u s i n e s s fo r ma n y yea r s a s a p r o fe s s i on a l
'

m a ker a n d r ep a ir e r a n d i s c on s i d er e d a cl ever a n d c o n
,

s c i e n t i ou s c r a f t s m a n H e h a s m a d e a l a r g e n u mb e r o f
.

vi o h n s o n a m o d e l whi ch c l o s e ly a p p r o xi m a t e s t o t h a t o f

t h e g r a n d S tr a d H e u s e s e xc e ll e n t m a t er i a l a n d a lu s tr ou s
.
,

o i l v a rn i s h o f fin e qu a h t y r a n gi n g in c o l ou r fr o m p a l e a mb er
,

t o d e e p g old e n r e d H e i s o f a n i n ve n t i ve tu r n o f mi n d a n d
.
,

h a s i n t r o du ce d a n d p u t o n th e m a r k e t I b e li eve s o m e , ,

p a t e n t i m p r o v e m e n t s s u c h a s t h e t r i p l e b a r s y s t e m ,
”

th e Ma ggi n i b a s s b a r e tc All l o ve r s o f cl a s s ic a l m eth o d s

, .
,

a n d a d h e r e n t s t o th e o ld t r a di ti on s lo o k wi th s u s p ici o n
,

u p on t h e s e i n n o va t i on s a n d n o t wi t h ou t ver y g o o d r e a s o n s
,
.

Mr Mo n k h o w e ver m a kes i n s tru m e n t s o f th e o r th o do x

.
, ,

t yp e a n d hi s b es t w or k i s e xc e ll en t i n e ve r y wa y
, Fa cs i mi le .

l a b el

M O R G AN JA M E S , , E di n b u r g h 1 8 39 t o a b ou t 1 9 0 6 .

A ca b i n e t m a ke r wh o m a d e a nu mb er xc ell en t
of e vi o h n s

a n d o th e r s tri n g e d i n s t r u m e n t s d u ri n g s p ar e ti m e .

M OR G AN WILLIA M Dun n o tt ar Ca s tle S ton eh a ven

, , ,

c on t e m p o r a r y H e wa s b orn i n 1 8 44 a n d h a s b ee n k eep e r
.
,

o f th e c e l e b r a t e d c a s tl e o f Du n n o tt a r for m a n y y e a r s a n d a ,

r o fe s s i o n a l vi oh n m a ke r fo r t h e l a s t t e n o r d o z e n y e ar s
p .

H e h a s fit t e d u p a w or k s h op i n a p ar t o f th e r o m a n ti c old
‘

ru i n s o f th e ca s t l e by t h e Se a an d t h e r e t o t h e w ild m us i c
, ,
2 06 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

Me ss r s Pu tti ck 85 S i mp s o n l Ju whi ch
’
at . s s a e on ne 8 ,
1 90 6 ,
wa s well ma d e a n d had a g o o d t on e .

M O RR I S O N , A R C H I B AL D Gl
a sgow : 1 8 20 9 5 He ,
-
.

wor ke d i n Gr e at H a mi lto n S tr ee t wh er e h e h a d a mu s ic ,

s h op a n d wh e r e h e m a d e a l a r g e n u mb e r o f fid dle s of a ll
,

s or t s Hi s s h o p wa s a r en d e z vo u s o f fiddl e e n th u s i a s t s a n d
.

p l a y e r s w h o w e r e,k n o wn a b o u t Gl a s g o w a s Morri s on s “ ’

Ban d .
”

M O R R I S O N JAM E S Dun fermh n e , , n i n e t e e n th c en

tur y .

M ORR I S O N J O H N Lo n don w or k e d
‘

, , 1 7 60 1 8 2
—
7 . He
mos tly fo r th e tr a d e .

M O R TI M E R J O H N W ILLIA M Ca r di ff : c on t e m
, ,

p o r ar
y B orn a t G o m e r s a l n e a r Le e d s i n 1 8 5 7
.
, H e i s a , .

p pu i l o f W i lli a m H e a t on G o m e r s a l a,n d h e r e c e i v e d s o m e ,

i n s tru cti on a l s o f r o m W J Car t wr ig h t of Y ea d on . . He h a s , .

b een e s ta bli s h e d i n Ca r d iff for a b ou t fifteen yea r s a s a

p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k e r r e p a i r e r a n d d ou bl e b a s s
, p l,a y e r M r . .

Mor ti m er i s u ni qu e a m o n gs t vi oli n ma k er s : h e h a s s e ven

s on s a ll p r o f e s s i o n a l p l a ye r s e a c
, h o f wh o m p l a y s u p o n a n
,

i n s tru m en t o f h i s fa th er s m a k e Thi s s ur e ly c on s ti t ut e s
’
.

a r e cor d a n d i t i s w or th y o f r e m a r k th a t e ve r y m e mb e r o f
,

t hi s w o n d e r f u l fa m i ly i s a mu s i ci a n a n d a n a r ti s t o f u m
d oub ted a bih ty Mr Mor ti mer h a s ma d e a c on s i d er a bl e
. .

n u mb e r o f i n s tr u m e n t s i n cl u di ng vi o li n s Vi ol a s c e ll o s
’

, , , ,

a n d d o u bl e b a s s e s Hi s l ar g er i n s tru m en t s ar e not e d for

.

t h e ir full s o n or o u s an d r e s p o n s i ve t o n e
, , On e d ou bl e b a s s .

which I h a ve s e en was ma d e o f e xce p ti on a lly fin e a n d be au

t i fully fi gu r e d wo o d i t h ad a n i mm e n s e t on e o f e x ce ll en t
q u a h t y H i s s.m a ll e r i n s t ru m en t s whi ch a r e on a n o ri gi n a l ,

mo del ar e ver y c ar e fu lly con s tr u ct e d a n d h a ve a lar g e an d

, ,

t e lli ng t o n e Th e Vi ol a s a r e ma d e i n two S i zes t h e lar g er

.
,

o n e b ei ng 1 6 4 i n ch e s l on g wi th Wi dth s o f 8 ,
and 10 ,

He h a s u s e d va ri ou s va r ni s h e s s u ch a s Whi t ela w s
’
i n ch e s .
, ,
 VI O L IN A ND B OW M AKER S 2 07

B ri g g s ’

, and on me o f hi s larg er in s trumen ts an a mber

so

va r n i s h o f hi s o wn m a k e .

H a vi n g b een t r ai n e d or igi na lly a s a ca bi n e t ma ker a n d

wo o d car ver h e i s ve r y s kilf ul i n t h e u s e o f ke e n edg e d t o ol s -
,

a n d h i s r e p a i r s S h o w t h e p r a c t i s e d h a n d o f t h e qu a l i fi e d

cr a ft s ma n . B e i n g th e on ly p r o p er ly tr a i n ed r e p a i r er wi th i n
a r a di u s o f thi r t y o r f o r t y m i l e s a n d li vi n g a s h e d o e s i n a ,

p p
o u l o u s c en t r e a n d i n a v e r y m u s i c a l c i t y n e a r ly a ll hi s ,

ti m e i s t a k e n u p wi th r e p a i rs H e i s a n i n t e lli g e nt a n d
.

c on s c i e n t i o u s ma n a n a r d e n t mu s i ci a n a n e xcell en t
, ,

b a s s i s t a n d a p ai n s t a ki ng a n d c a p a ble cr a ft s ma n
, .

M U RD O C H , ALE XA ND E R Ab d , er e en : —
1 81 5 9 1 . S ai d
t o h a ve ma de a l a rg e nu mb er of i n s tr u m en t s .

M U R PHY B A R TH O L O M E W Co r k
, , 1 7 80 —1 8 0
3 .

M U R PHY , J OH N , Cor k : c . 1 —
8 2 0 50 . Po s s i bly a s on

of t h e p re c e i n g d .

M U R PHY D E NNI S Dubh n , , : c . 1 8 30 .

M URRAY , D AVI D G , or e bri dg e : co nt emp orar y An .

ama t eur of c on s i d er a bl e a b i li t y wh o h a s m a d e s ever a l

,

b ea u ti ful vi oh n s .

M U RR A Y , JAM E S , Du mfr i e s : c on t e mp or a r y .

M U R RA Y , J O H N B R O WN Clarebran d , co n t e m
p o r a r y . An a m a t e u r wh o h as m a d e s e ve r a l g oo d vi o h n s .

M US T FR E D E R I C K S hr ews bur y :
, , c . 1 80 0 . Am a ti

m o del wi th a mu ch e xa gg era te d ar ch .

M Y E R S C H A R LE S, , H e r efor d c . 1 8 20 . I h a ve s ee n

hi s na me i n l
a c a t a og u e o f o ld i n s tru m e n t s .

M Y LE S , FRANC I S , Car di ff : c . 1 8 40 . R a t h er p oo r

wo r k .
20 8 B RI T I S H V IO L IN M AKER S

NAYL O R , I S AA C , H ea di n gly ,
L d ee s : A
u
p p i l of R i ch a r d Du k e ,
man y of wh os e ch a r a c t e r i s t i c s he
r e p ro du c e d i n h i s w o r k .

NE WC O M B E , G E O R G E Le i ces te r , : n i n et e e n th c en

t ur y .

NE W TO N , I S AA C L d , on on : 1 77 5
—1 8 25 . He ma d e
mo s tly for th e t r a d e , p a r t i c u a r l ly for B e tt s . Fa ir ly g o o d
w or k .

NI C H O LA S , ED WA R D B , ri s to l c . 1 80 0 . Ih a ve s e e n

hi s na me i n a l
c a t a og u e o f o ld i n s tr u m en t s .

NI C O L TH O M A S , , Gla s t er la w : 1 8 40 t o a b ou t 1 9 1 0 .

He ma de a b o u t s e ven t y o r e i gh t y vi oli n s o n t h e m o d e l s o f

S tr a di vari a n d Gu ar n eri . Ca r e f u l wor k .

NI C O L S O N, JAM E S , S tir li n g : 1 77 9
0 — 0 . Hi s na me
a p p e ar e d in a S c o t ti s h c a t a ogu e s o l me year s ag o .

NI S B E T, W ILLIA M Li n t Mi ll P r e s to n ki r k : 1 8 2 8 , ,

1 902 A n e x tr a or di na ri ly ve r s a ti l e ma n o f wh o m t h e R e v
.
, .

G Mar j ori b a n k s V icar of S ten t o n wr o te a s follows i n th e

.
, ,

H a dd i ngton Cou r i er : I t i s n ot t o o mu ch t o sa y th a t i n
wh a t ever dir ecti on Ni s be t h a s tur n ed h i s e n ergi e s h e h a s
a lwa y s e xce ll e d h e i s a ma n p o s s es s e d n o t o nly o f r ar e
t e ch n i ca l S ki ll b u t o f s u ch accu r a t e a n d e x te n s i ve i n fo r m a
,

ti on g a th er e d ma i nly fr o m p er s o n a l o b s e r va ti o n a n d s tu dy
,

i n t h e fi eld s o f n a tu r al h i s t or y an d s ci e n c e Wh e th e r as ,

p h o t o g p
r a h e r w o o d c a,
r v e r c ar p e n t e r b a s ke t m a k er vi o h n
-
, , ,

ma ke r th e p r o du cti o n s of h i s g en iu s a n d la bour h a ve b e en
,

e qu ally a p p rec i a t e d e tc H e m a d e a h u n dr e d a n d
, .

t w en t y vi o h n s s o m e o n t h e Magg i ni a n d s o m e o n th e A ma ti
,

m o d el Th e wo r km a n s hi p i s excell en t a n d th e t o n e very
.
,

g oo d H.e w a s a w a r d e d t w o b r o n z e m e d al s for a n e xhi b i t

21 0 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

ma d e a b ou t s i xt y vi oh n s du ri ng s p ar e ti me Hi s wor k . is
ni c e ly fin i s h e d a n d h i s i ns tr u m e nt s h a ve a g o o d t on e .

O M O ND , JAM E S , Ki r b u s t e r , S tr o mn e s s 8 33 t o
1

a b o ut 1 9 7
0 . H e wa s o ri gi n a lly
lma s ter a s ch oo , but h a d to
i v e u p t h a t p r o f e s s i o n th r o u gh a b r ea k d o w n i n h eal th H-
g e .

i k e d u p w a t ch ma ki n g a n d r e p a i ri n g a n d a f e w y ea r s l a t e r
‘

c
p ,

vi o l i n m a ki n g a n d r e p ai r i n g a n d t o th e l a tt er c r a f t h e
,

a d h e r e d t o th e e n d o f h i s d a y s e ven t u a lly b e co m i n g a
,

r o f e s s i on a l m a k e r o f s o m e i m p o r t a n c e H m d i l l
p e a e n a .

a b ou t t h r ee h u n dr e d i n s t r u m e n t s i n clu di n g vi o h n s , Vi ol a s , ,

a n d vi ol on c e ll o s He w or k e d o n th e S tr a di va r i a n d Gu ar n eri
.

m o d el s b u t th e s e mo d el s i n a nu mb er o f hi s i n s tr u men t s
,

w er e c o n s i d er a bly m o di fi ed S o me o f hi s J o s ep h c o p i e s
.

c o uld h a r dly b e d e s cr i b e d a s c o p i e s a t a ll Th e wor k i s .

ver y c ar e f ully fi n i s h e d t h r o u gh o u t a n d th e t on e i s m o d e r
,

a t e ly p o w e r ful a n d o f a g o o d qu ali t y H e w ou ld h a ve .

o b tai n e d a l a r g e r t on e i f h e h a d gi v e n h i s p l a t es a g r e a t e r

t a p er . Hi s fid dle s a r e o ver s t o ck e d wi th w o o d I t i s a wi s e .

r v i s i o n t o l e a ve p l e n t y o f w o o d i n a n ew i n s tr u m en t b u t
p o ,

a g r ea t e rr o r t o l e a ve t o o m u ch a lm o s t a s gr ea t a s l e a vi n g
—

t oo h tt le Omo n d ob t a i n e d f ou r di p l o m a s o f m eri t a n d
.

br on z e me d als a t vari ou s E xhi b i ti on s .

O R C H RD , J O S A E PH , W o r c es te r : 1 8 40 — 50 . Hi s
n a me h a s a p p ea r e d i n o ld c a t a l og u e s .

O R TO N, PH ILLI P H , e r e orf d 1 8 45 —6 0 . Or di n a r y
w or k o f n o p a r ti c u l a r m o d el .

OS B O R NE H E NR Y
, , S h er b orn e , D or s e t : c . 1 8 60 .

P o or w or k .

O S M O ND , W M , E ve s h a m : 1 8 1 0 3 5
ILLIA He ma de -
.

a f e w f a i r ly g o o d i n s t r u m e n t s a n d a g o o d n u mb
,
e r a pp a r ,

en t ly t h a t c a n o n ly b e d e s cr i b e d a s r ou gh a m a t e uri s h w or
, , k .
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 21 1

E A
O TTL Y , J C O B , Bri s t ol : 0 1 80 0 . . I
h a ve s e e n h i s
n a m e i n c a t a l o gu es Of old i n s t r u m en t s m or e t h a n o n ce .

On e i n s tr u m en t a d ve r ti s e d wa s d e s cri b e d a s h a vi n g a l a r g e

a n d fin e t on e .

O U TR A M F R E DE R I C K
, e ly i t n th , ar n n e ee

c en tur y pp,
t ly
a I w vi li with h i m wri tt
ar en . sa a o n s na e en

in i nk on th e w d oo , a few y ea r s b a ck , wh i ch wa s a well ma de -

i n s tr u m e n t wi th a g o o d t on e .

O W N, E J O H N W ILLIAM Le ed s : c on t emp or a r y , .

He wa s b orn i n Le e d s Ma y 2 8 1 8 5 2 a n d i s th e o nly s o n o f
, , ,

Wi lli a m a n d H a n n a h Owe n Hi s m oth e r wh o s e ma i den .

,

n a m e wa s Ri mm e r wa s a p r o f e s s i on a l d e s ig n e r o f f a n c y
,

wor k a n d wa s c on s i d e re d t o b e Wi th out a r i va l i n th e
,

n or t h e r n c ou n t i e s i n th a t d e p a r t m en t o f ar t a n d cr a f t .

Ow en r e c e i ve d e a r ly e du c a ti o n a t a n e l e m e n t a r y s ch o ol i n
h i s n ati ve t o wn but i t wa s di s c o n ti n u e d a t a s t a ge whi ch
,

ma d e i t n e ce ss a r y for h i m t o s u p p l e men t i t by a tt en d a n c e
a t t e ch n i ca l c l a s s e s i n th e e v e n i n g s l a t e r o n i n h fe H e wa s .

a p p r e n ti c e d t o t h e en gi n e e ri n g p r o f e s s i on b u t hi s h e a l th ,

g i vi n g w a y h e w a s o bl i g e d t o r e li n q u i s h t h a t p r o f e s s i on a n d
t o s e e k h gh t e r w o r k Duri n g a l o n g i ll n es s h e h a d a t t e m p t e d
‘

vi ol i n m a ki n g a s a m e a n s o f whi li n g a wa y t h e i dl e h o urs ,

a n d s u c c e e di n g b e yon d hi s e x p ec t a ti o n h e re s ol ve d t o a d o p t

th e cr a ft a s a p r o fe s s i on a s s o o n a s h e alth p er mi tt e d He .

a c qu i re d a t h eo re t i c a l k n o wl e d g e o f vi ol i n c o n s tr u c ti o n fro m

b o o ks a n d a p r a cti ca l kn owl edg e fr o m e xp e r t wo r kmen a n d

, ,

fr o m a n e xten d e d vi s i t t o o n e of th e la rg er wo r ks h o p s i n
Fr a n c e .

H e c o mm en c e d a s a p r o fe s s i o n al vi ol i n ma k er a n d
r e p a i r e r i n 1 8 8 4 an d s i n c e t h en h e h a s c o m p l e t e d a b o ut tw o
,

h u n dr e d in s t r u m en t s i n cl u di n g vi oh n s Vi ol a s a n d vi ol on
, , ,

ce ll o s a n d h i s li s t of r e p a i r s ( o f whi c h h e k e e s a s tri ct
,
p
r e c or d ) i s a n e xt r a o r d i na r y o n e s t a n di n t j t v fi v
g a u s , o e r e

th ou s an d i n s tr u me n t s .

He w or k s on th e S tr a di vari a n d Guarn eri m o del s a l s o o n ,

212 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
a n o r i gi n a l on e , t h e p r i n ci p a l me a s ur e men t s of w h i ch ar e

L en gt h o f body
Wi dth a cros s up p e r bo ut s
mi ddle
lower
L e n gt h of C
’
s

i
’
s

Dep th o f r ibs 1 } i n ch di mi ni s hi n g to

Th e o u tl in e o f thi s m o d el i s ver y pu r e a n d e ver y i n di vi du a l

,

p a r t i s i n p e r f e c t k e e p i n g wi th t h e wh o l e T h e m a r g i n s a r.e

fu ll a n d th e e dg e s s tr on g S li gh tly r ai s e d a n d b eau ti fu lly

, ,

r ou n d e d .Th e s cr o ll i s a n e x qui s i t e p i e ce o f c a r vi n g a n d i n ,

t h e b e s t I t a l i a n s t yl e E v e r y d e t a i l o f t h e w o r k b o th i n s i d e
.
,

a n d o u t s i d e i s fi ni s h e d wi th s cr u p u l ou s ca r e
, Th e mi tr e s .

o f t h e r i b s w e r e g e o m e tr i c a lly t r u e i n a ll t h e i n s tr u m e n t s

e x a mi n e d by me h a vi n g f a c e t s o f n ea r ly a mill i m e tr e i n
,

Wi dth a mo d é o f fi n i s hi n g th i s li ttl e d e tai l whi ch I c on

—

s i d e r e d t o b e m o r e s u i t a bl e t o t h e m o d e l t h a n t h e kni fe
e dg e fa c et Th e s ou n d h ol es w er e c le a n cu t b u t th er e wa s
.
-
,

n o t h i n g m e ch a n i c a l a b o u t t h e m a s t h e r e i s e g , a b ou t m a n y ,
. .
,

o f t h e b et t e r c l a s s m o d e r n Fr en ch w o r k i n wh i ch t h e s o u n d ,

h ol e s a p p ea r a s th o ug h t h e y h a d b e en cu t o r p u n ch e d o u t
wi th on e bl o w wi th a n f S h a p e d t o ol -
.

Mr Ow en i s p a r ti cu l a r ly s u cc e s s fu l i n o b ta i n i ng a fin e
.

t on e ‘
. A vi oh n o f h i s ma ke whi ch I h a ve a n d whi ch h a s ,

b ee n i n r e gu l a r u s e for th e l a s t fift e e n year s h a s d evel op e d ,

a ve r y r e s p on s i ve b r oa d a n d b r i lli a n t t o n e a n d i t I s a t o ne
, , ,

whi ch i s i mp r o vi n g s t ea di ly e ver y yea r .

Hi s vi o l o n c e ll o s ar e s p eci a lly li ke d Th e l a t e Mr Va n
'

. .

B ie n e Mr Ar th ur Br oa dl e y Mr Da vi d Di xon a n d o th er
, .
, .
,

well kn o wn c elli s t s h a ve wr i tte n i n th e hi gh e s t t er ms o f

-
’

t h e i r m e ri t s Mr Owen i s a n e n th u s i a s t i n a n d for hi s ar t
. . .

To a n ou ts i d e r h e would d ou b t l e s s a p p e ar a s o n e th a t h a s
n o r oo m i n hi s s ou l fo r a n y thi n g s a ve fiddle s H e li ve s i n .

h i s wor k s h o p a ll th e y e a r r oun d a n d e ver y d a y o f t h e y ear

, ,
 V I o LI N A ND B o w M AKER S 21 3

xce p t S un da ys wh en h e se ek s a li ttl e r el a xati o n in th e

‘

e ,

for m of long wal ks duri n g th e d a y a n d s o me mu s i c i n th e

e veni n g . H e i s n ot a n en th u s i a s t o f th e ki n d Matth ew
Arn old h ad i n hi s mi n d wh en h e wrote th at u n fortun ately
few p e op l e wh o f e e l a p a s s i o n thi n k o f l ear n i n g a n ythi n g
f m
r o i t M Owen a l ar n t a g a t d a
r . h s e r e e l— h e h a s l e ar n t
t h at t h er e i s mu ch i n h fe w or th h vi n g for a n d th a t i n a rt , ,

e s p e ci a lly t h e g o o d th e t r u e a n d th e b e au ti fu l ar e w ort h
, , ,

p os s e s s i n g fo r t h e i r o w n sa k e T h er e c a n b.e l i tt l e d o u b t
t h a t hi s i n s tru m e n t s wi ll be much va lu e d i n t i me t o com e .

Fa cs i mi le lab el

Th e da t e i s not on th e lab el but i s i n s cri b e d b are

'

, on th e
woo d a fter th e ma ker s autogra p h ’

OX LEY J O S E PH
, Ca mb ri dg e : 0 1 80 0
, Hi s
. . na me
in o ld li s t 8 m l
a p p e ar s an ( 1 8 4) o f i n s t r u en t s fo r s a e .

P A M P H I L O N, D W R D , Lo n d on : 1 6 7 0 —9 0
E A A fine .

o ld m ak er i n m an y r e s p e c t s a n d i f h e h a d w or k e d o n a
,

be tt er mo del hi s wor k would r an k h igh er th an i t d oes Hi s .

mo del i s a s ort of cr o s s b etwee n th e Bre s ci a n a n d Tyr ole s e

t yp es t h e o u tli n e s cr o ll d oubl e p ur fli n b i B i
, , ,
g e n g r e s c an , ,

bu t th e ar chi n g di s ti n ctly Tyr ol e s e a n d o ft en a n e xa er a

gg ,

ti o n of e ven th a t p a tt er n H e us e d a n o il va rni s h o f go od
.

P
21 4 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

qu a h t y , r a n i
g gn in l
c o ou r fr o m p a e a l mb er to ligh t bro wn .

Th e t o n e of hi s in s tr u m en t s i s n ot l ar ge , b u t i t i s c l e ar ,

s w ee t , a nd r es p on s i ve .

P A NO R M O , E DWARD Lon don : , ni nete en th c e n tur y .

He wa s a s on o r gr a n d s on (i t i s n ot c er t ai n whi ch ) of V i n
cen z o P a n or mo He w or k e d i n Lon d on a n d i n I r el a n d
.
.

P A NO R M O , G E OR G E , Lon d on : ni n e t een t h c en tur y .

P A NO R M O , G E O R G E LEWI S L on d on : c 1 8 1 0 —40 , . .

H e wa s t h e s e c o n d s on o f Vi nce n z o P a nor mo an d wo r k e d ,

i n Oxf or d S tr e e t a n d a ft er w a r d s i n H i g h S tr e et S t Gi l es
, , .

i n t h e F i eld s
- -
H e wa s an e x cell e n t b ow ma k er b ut d i d
.
,

n ot r e a ch th e s a m e h i gh s tan d a r d i n vi o lin m a kin g a s hi s

f a th e r .

P A NO R M O , J O S PH , on don c 1 80 30 He wa s
L 0 E
-
. .

th e e ld e s t s o n o f i ncen o P a n or mo a n d w or k e d i n New
V z
‘

Com p t on S tr e e t a nd l at er i n i n g S tr eet , S oh o
, K
H e wa s a n .

e x c ell e nt c r a f t s ma n a n d hi s vi ol on c e ll o s h a d a h i gh r e p u ta
,

ti o n a t o n e ti m e V
e r y fe w o f hi s i n s t ru m e n t s a r e l e f t o r
.
,

( w h i ch w o u ld b e n e ar er t h e m ar k
) v e r y fe w o f t h e m ar e

n ow k n o w n a s hi s w o r k .

PAR R , D N KE , Lon d o n A IEL —

1 700 45 Th e i nf or ma .

ti o n whi ch i s u s u a lly g i ve n a b ou t thi s m a k er i s mi sl ea di ng ,

a n d m o s t wri t er s c on t en t t h e m s e l ve s wi t h r e p ea t i ng e ar ly

e r r or s i n a lm o s t t h e s a m e w o r d s H art Hawei s a n d Mi ss .
, ,

S tai n er gi ve hi s p eri o d a s 1 7 40 8 5 a n d Fl e mi ng a s 1 7 1 5 5
,
-
,
—8 .

AS a m a tt er o f f a ct t h e re a r e u n d oub t e dly g en ui n e e x a m p l e s
o f h i s w o r k s ti ll i n e xi s t e n c e b e a r i n g t h e d a t es 1 7 00 1 70 8 , ,

1 71 2 1 71 9
,
1 726 a n d 1 7 32
, The ea rli e s t whi ch
, h a ve
. I
a ct u a lly s e en an d t ri e d i s d a t e d 1 7 1 2 a s p e ci m e n whi ch h a s ,

b een p r o n ou n ce d g en ui n e by th e Me s s r s H i ll a n d th e .
,

Me s s r s H a rt an d whi ch a l s o t h i n k g en ui n e all e xce p t th e

-

, I ,

s cr oll Mr Ri ch ar d Hi lt on of D erby H ou s e Ma tl ock

. .
, ,

B ri dge i s ( or wa s t en y e ar s a go ) th e o wn er of thi s i n t e re sti ng

, ,
VIOLA P AR K E R .

To face 21 5 .
 VI O L I N A ND B o w MAKER S
a n d ear ly e xa mp l e o f Pa r ker s a r t I h a ve i n my p os s e s s i on
’
.

a ve r y b e a u ti ful vi oh n o f hi s m a k e o n t h e S t r a d m o d e l a n d , ,

i n hi s b es t s t yl e b e a ri n g a l a b e l d a t e d 1 7 1 9 Thi s i s g e nui n e
'

.
,

i n a ll i t s p a r t s a n d i s o f e x ce ll e n t w or km a n s hi p a n d t o ne
,
.

Wh a t i s con s i d er e d t o b e th e fin es t Par ker vi oh n i n e xi s ten c e

i s o wn e d by Cla r k s o n Cl o s e Es q Th e Po p l a r s New to n Pa r k
, .
, , ,

Le e d s . Th i s i s o n th e Lon g S tra d mo del wi th ri ch ,

g o ld e n r e d o il V a r n i s h o f fin e p at e a n d l u s t r e
, T hi s i n s tr u .

m en t i s c on s i d er e d by th e Me s s r s Hi ll t o b elon g to th e ye ar
.

1 70 0 o r t h e r e a b o u t s
,
. I t i s n o t d a t e d a n d i t i s i m p o s s ib l e
,

t o b e c er t a i n wh e n i t wa s m a d e bu t I c e r ta i nly t hi n k i t ,

r e s e mbl e s t h e i n s t r u m en t s m a d e i n 1 7 2 6 a n d 1 7 3 2 m u ch

m or e th a n i t do e s th e i n s tr u m en t s m a d e i n 1 7 1 2 a n d 1 7 1 9 .

I t h a s b e en s ur mi s e d th a t Pa r k er wa s a p u p i l o f P a mp h i lon ,

o r o f Ur quh a r t o r o f b o th b u t o n wh a t gr o u n d s I qu i t e f a i l
, ,

t o u n d e r s t a n d a s th er e i s n o t th e r e m o t e s t s i mi l a r i t y b e tw ee n
,

hi s w or k a n d t h e w or k o f e i th er o f th e s e ma k er s I t is .

n o t n e c e s s a r y t o s u p p o s e t h a t h e wa s a p u p i l o f a n yb o dy ,

for h e wa s a b o r n a r ti s t a n d e n d o w e d by n a tur e wi th a
,

s p e ci a l a p ti t ud e fo r t h e u s e o f fin e e dged t o o l s - .

Hi s wor k i s th o r o u gh ly B ri ti s h i n ch a r a c t er i t i s s o li d ,

ch a s t e an d V e y
,
r c o rr e c t — i e c or r e c t i n t h e s e n s e i n
. .

whi ch th e word i s u s ed wh e n i t i s a p p li e d t o th e p o e tr y
o f th e c l a s s i c a l s ch o o l . I d o n ot thi n k th e Wor k o f a n y of
o u r o ld ma k ers r e fl ec t s s o c l e a r ly t h e s ir i t o f t h e e i h t e e n th
p g
c e n t u r y a s d o e s t h a t o f D an i el Pa r k e r I ma y b e r a th er .

fa n ci ful but I l oo k u p on h i m a s th e P op e o f old B ri ti s h

,

fiddl e ma k er s th a t i s to sa y wh at Ale xa n d er Po p e wa s t o
, ,

t h e r e s t o f th e p oet s th a t wa s D a ni e l Pa r ker t o th e r e s t o f
,

th e o ld fiddl e ma k er s . Po p e i s n o t o u r g r e a t e s t p o et n or ,

i s Par k er o ur gr e a t e s t lu thi e r Th er e i s n ot o n e o f o ur old

.

ma ker s wh o s e wor k h a s i n ter e s t e d me mor e a n d I h a ve b e en ,

a t p a i n s t o s e e k o u t h i s i n s tr u m e n t s a n d t o ca r efully e x a mi n e

th e m wh e n I h a ve co m e a cr o s s th e m Ar t t o my mi n d .
, ,

r e ve al s t h e s p i ri t o f a n a e qui t e a s f u lly a n d c l e a r ly a s
g
li t er a tur e do e s Wh o th a t i s fa mi li ar wi th th e wo r k s o f
.

H ogar th will d en y th at th e y t ell u s qui t e a s much a b out

21 6 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S

th e st at e y i n th e eigh te en th centur y a s th e wri ti n gs

o f s oci et

o f Joh n s o n A ddi s o n S t eel e La mb S wi ft e t c

, , do An old , , ,

fiddl e i s c ert ai nly n o t e xp ect e d t o t ell a s mu ch a s a n old

i t u r a n o ld b oo k d o e s b u t i t t e ll s a lo t t o t h e ma n wh o
p c r e o ,

kn ows h ow t o i nter p r et i t s l a n gu age Old Wi lli a m Ebs .

w ort h Hi ll u s e d t o s a y th a t h e c ould tell fr o m th e i n t ern al

o r g an i s m o f th e fiddl e th e ki n d o f t ool th at h a d b e en u s e d i n

f a s hi on in g i t An d th e con n oi s s eur i ma gi n e s th at h e ca n
.

s e e i n th e c o n t our c u r ve s a n d s t yl e o f a fiddl e th e r e fl ec ti o n
, ,

o f t h e f a c e o f t h e ag e i n whi ch i t wa s c o n s t r u ct e d th at i s ,

i f th e i n s tr u m e n t i s a g oo d e xa m p l e of th e w or k o f a t yp i ca l
ar ti s t .

I s ee Pa r ker s wor k th a t corr ectn es s whi ch I s ee i n

in
’

t h e p o e t r y o f th e c l a s s ic a l s ch o o l Th er e i s a b ou t i t th e .

s a m e s en s e o f s o h d i ty s an i t y a n d m a th e m a ti ca l e x a c t n es s
, ,

th a t i s o b s er va bl e i n t h e wr i ti n g s o f P op e a n d hi s n u m e r ou s
s a t e lli t e s a n d i mi t a t o rs We kn ow n oth in g a b out th e ma n
.

e x ce p t wh a t i s r e c or d e d i n hi s w or k b u t th a t i s enou gh t o ,

i n f or m u s th a t h e wa s an a rt i s t of gr ea t a bih ty wi th t a s te s ,

( m o u ld e d a n d r e gu l a t e d i n th e m a n n er o f th e a g e t h a t w er e
)
s tri c t ly c h a s t e a n d c oldly c orr e ct .

He c op i e d S ta i n er N Ama ti a n d S t ra di va r i b ut hi s S tr a d
, .
, ,

c o pi e s a r e fa r a n d a w a y hi s b e s t w or k Th e t on e i s a lwa ys .

fin e a n d in s o m e i n s tan ces a lm o s t e qu a l t o th e t on e of
,

B a n k s b es t A ma ti co p i e s Th e p l a te s o f th e vi o h n s ar e w ell
’

s t o ck e d wi th w oo d a n d wi th d u e c a r e th e i n s trum en t s ma y
,

b e e x p ect e d t o l a s t i n fir s t cl a s s c o n di ti on a n oth er h u n dr ed -

year s a t l ea s t Comp ar a ti vely few o f hi s in s tru m en ts h a ve

.

hi s own l a b e l I n th e m h e m a d e p ri n ci p a lly fo r th e tra d e

.
,

a n d i t i s n o t i m p r o b a b le th a t h e s o m et i m es so ld hi s fiddle s

i n th e whi t e I t d o es n ot m a t t er wh o s e l a b el s th es e fin e
.

o ld i n s tru m en t s c a rr y th e y a r e ea s i ly r ec ogni z e d by th e
,

e x p er t wh o h a s m a d e a s t u dy o f th e w o r k of t h e old E n gli s h

S ch o ol .

PATE R S O N J A M E S E di n b urgh : 1 8 34 9 8
, A
, .

c a b i n et m a k e r by t r a d e wh o m a d e a n u mb er o f vi o l i n s o n

t h e Gu arn er i m o d el a n d a fewon th e
,

, Co un t Ces sol
 VI O LIN A ND B o w M AKER S 21 7

S t r a d m o d el . He b t ai n e d a b r o n z e m e da l
o for a ca s e o f

vi o h n s a t th e E di n burgh E xhi biti on 1 8 9 0 , .

P A TR I C K W ILLIA M , , St . An dr w e s : c on t e m p or a r y .

P A Y NE , R S outh S h i eld s : con t e mp orar y .

P EA R C E G E O R G E Lon d on , , : —
1 8 20 5 6 . He w o r ke d
for S A F or s t er
. . .

P EA R C E J A M E S TH O M A S Lo n d on 1 7 8 1 8 1 0
, , 0- .

Th ey w er e b r oth er s a n d h a d th eir w or ks h op i n P et er S tr e et
, ,

S a ffr on H i ll In di ffer en t wor k

. .

P EA R C E W ILLIA M Lo n d o n n i n et e en th c e n tu ry
, , .

Aver a ge a bilit y bu t h e ma n a g e d t o o b tai n a b r on z e med al a t

,

t h e I n t er na t i o n a l E xhi bi ti o n L o n d on 1 8 8 5 , , .

P E M B E R TO N E D WA RD L o n d on : c 1 6 60 Li ttl e
, , . .

o r n o thi n g i s r ea lly k n o wn o f hi m Th e l e g e n d o f th e E a r l .

o f L ei c e s t e r vi oh n h a s b ee n l ai d t o r es t a n d i t w ou ld b e ,

of n o i n t e re s t t o r e vi ve it a ga i n .

P R R , J M S , i lkenn y : c
E Y A E K . 1 7 80 1
— 80 0 . He wa s
a c ou s i n of Th o m a s P er r y of Du bh n , , an d a p r o t é g é o f th e
Or mon d e f a mi ly of K
i lk enn y Ca s tl e , —s o F a th er Gr e a ven
,

i n for ms u s He ma d e a lar g e n u mb er o f in s tru m en t s , of

.

r a th er r ou gh w or km an s hi p bu t o f e x c e ll en t t on e ,
.

P E R R Y J O S EP H Du bli n
, Pr ob a bly a n oth er
,

c ou s i n of Th o m a s P e r r y H e i s s a i d t o h a ve m a d e a l a r g e
.

n u mb er o f i n s tru m en t s o f e xc ell en t w or kma n s hi p a n d t on e .

Th e R e v Fa th er Gr e a ve n s a ys th a t s o m e of h i s Vi oli n s a r e
.

al mo s t o n a l e ve l wi th t h e w or k o f B en j a mi n B an k s Th i s .

i s sa yi n g a ver y gr e a t lot an d i t d e e p en s my r e gr et th a t I
,

h a ve n ot s ee n a n y o f hi s w or k .

P ER RY , TH O MA S , Du bh n : c .
75 7
1 —1 81 8 . A n ew

li g h t i s th r own on th e i l fe an d w or k o f th i s ce e l b r a t ed o ld
 8 B RITIS H VI OL IN M AKER S
‘

21

m a k er i n an a rt i c e l
bli s h e d i n th e Mu s eu m
i n t e r e s ti n g p u

B ulletin o f t h e Na ti o n a l Mu s e u m o f S ci e n c e a n d A r t
,

Du bh n fo r J uly 1 9 1 1 by o n e of th e A s s i s t a n t K e e p e r s
, , , ,

Mr A Mc Go ogan Th e a r ti cl e i s th e r e s u l t o f a ve r y
. . .

i n s ta ki n g r e s ea rch an d t h e vi o li n w or ld i s t ly i d b t d
p a
gr e a n e e

t o Mr Mc Goog a n fo r th i s t i m ely a n d va lu a bl e c on tr i b u ti on
.

t o t h e li t e r a tu r e o f t h e l e a di n g i n s tr u m en t I r e p r odu ce .

h e r e a l a r g e p o rt i on of t h e a rt i cl e for th e b e n e fit o f th o s e wh o
t a k e m or e th an a p a s si n g i n t e r e s t i n t h e hi s to r y o f B ri ti s h
Vi olin make r s th at wi ll b e mor e s ati s fa cto r y a n d m or e h on e s t
t h a n i f I w e r e t o p a r a p h r a s e o r c o n d e n s e i t a n d c l ai m a n y
c r e di t for my s e lf Mr Mc Go og a n wr i t e s :
. . I t i s a p i ty
t h a t r e s e a r ch whi ch h a s d o n e s o m u ch t o war d s i llu mi n a ti ng
,

t h e hi s t o r y o f th e I ri s h h a r p s ich or d a n d p i an ofor t e m a k er s
o f th e e i gh t e e n t h c e n tu r y h a s d on e s o li tt l e t o p l a ce t h e
,

l i f e s tor y of Th o m as P e rr y th e gr e a t vi oh n ma ker o f th e
-
,

s a m e p er i o d on a firm f ou n d at i on
, A t p r e s en t t h e r e i s .

n othi n g b e t t er t o r e ly u p on t h a n th e u n s ci e n ti fi c r e c o r d s o f

t ra di ti on Eve n th e c ou n tr y o f Perr y s ori gi n i s n ot kn o wn

’ ‘

for c e r ta i n Gu e s s wor k h a s a s s ign e d h i s birt h t o th e year

.

1 7 6 7 b u t ci rcu m s t a n c e s S h o w th a t h e m u s t h a ve b e e n b or n
,

a t l e a s t t e n y e a r s e ar li e r I t i s s a i d t h at li k e Molyn e u x
.
, ,

h i s Du blin p r e d e c e s s or i n th e a r t o f vi oh n m a ki n g h e wa s o f ,

Hu gu e not d e s cen t I t i s a l s o s ta te d th a t h e wa s r el at e d t o
.

Clau d e P i e r r a y a n ot e d vi oh n m a k er wh o fl ou ri s h e d i n
,

P a ri s . Alh ed wi th th e tr a di ti on th at a s s oci ate s h im

wi th Clau d e P i err ay o f Pari s i s a n o th er o f a c o n t r a di ctor y
o r d er wh i ch w ou ld h a ve u s b e li e ve t h a t Th o m a s P e rr y wa s

o r i gi n ally a p u p i l o f Du k e t h e L o n d o n m ak er ,
Th e o nl y .

f ou n d ati on for thi s a s s er ti on h e s in th e fa ct th a t P err y s ’

e a r li er Vi ol i n s t h e i n s tru m e n t s h e m a d e b e f o r e c o mi ng t o
,

I rel an d a r e di s tin ct ly of t h e c on t e m p or a r y En gh s h t yp e
,
.

Accor di n g t o th e tr a diti on a l a ccou n t (whi ch i s un as s oci ate d ‘

wi th a n y p ar ti cula r d a te ) Th o m a s P err y o n fir s t co mi n g t o
, ,

D u bli n s e t u p i n b u s i n e s s i n a h ou s e n e ar Ch ris t Ch ur ch yar d

, ,

i n a l oca li t y l o n g s i n c e a lt er e d b e yo n d r e c ogn i ti on B e t h at .

a s i t ma y t he fi r s
,
t d e fi n i t e t r a c e o f P e rr y i n I r e la n d a t a
 VI O L I N A ND B ow M AKER S 21 9

s p e ci fic a ddr e s s oc cur s i n 1 7 87 wh e n h i s na m e i s r ecor de d ,

i n Wi ls on s D u bli n D i r ectory a s a mu s i ca l i n s tru me n t m a k er

’
,

o f No 6 A ng l e s e a S t r e e t
. Y e a r a f t e r y e ar h i s r e s i d en c e i s
.

i v t t h a t a dd r e s s u n t i l 1 80 3 wh e n h e r e m o ve d t o No 4
g e n a , .

i n th e s a me s tr e e t a n d th e r e r e m ai n e d u nt i l th e p eri o d of hi s
,

d ea th .

Tr a di ti on a ccoun ts for t h e gr e at di ffer en ce b et w e e n th e

fid d le s ma d e i n E n gl a n d by Th o m a s P e rr y a n d t h o s e a ft er
war d s ma d e by hi m i n I r elan d by t h e p la u s i bl e a s s er ti on
t h a t h i s Dubh n m a d e i n s t ru m e n t s w e r e m o d e ll e d o n a r a r e
-

o ld I t ali a n vi ol i n le n t h i m by th e Duke o f L e i n s t e r Th er e
'

ca n b e l i t t l e d ou b t t h a t h e f oll o w e d h e r e t h e A m a ti m o d e l ,

bu t e ve n i f we acce p t th e L ei n s t e r s t or y i t d oe s n ot a cc ou n t
,

fo r hi s knowl e dg e o f t h a t mys t eri ou s ri ch g old e n a mb e r , ,

va rn i s h h e e m p l o y e d a n d t o whi ch mu ch ( bu t o f c o u r s e n o t
,

a ll) o f th e fin e qu a li t y o f h i s vi o h n s wa s d u e Accu s tome d .

t o r e ce i ve a g oo d p ri c e fo r h i s i n s tru m e n t s s o m e ti m es a s ,

mu ch a s £2 0 h e wa s p ar ticul arly car efu l i n th e s el e cti on an d

,

s e a s o ni ng o f th e w oo d For t h e b elly o f hi s vi ol in s h e
.

u su a lly ch os e a d el i ca t e ly gr a i n e d S wi s s p i n e w o o d m a ki n g
-
,

t h e b a ck a n d s i d e s o f m a p l e Alth ough h e n ow r a nks a s on e

.

o f th e b e s t o f t h e l a t er e i gh t e en th c e n tu r y i n s tru m e n t

maker s h i s r ep uta ti on i s wh olly p o s th u mou s a n d o f c o m

, ,

p a r a t i v e ly r e c e n t d a t e C o n.n oi s s e ur s h a ve a w a k e n e d t o h i s

m eri t s a n d h i s vi oh n s a lr ea dy va lu able a r e fou n d t o

, , ,

c o mm a n d a s t ea di ly i n c r e a s i n g p ri c e m or e p art i cul ar ly a s
-
,

c o m p ar a ti ve ly few o f th e m a p p ear t o b e e x t an t Th e .

Na ti o n a l Mu s eu m i s i n p os s e s s i on o f five n o t a bl e e x a mp l e s
o f hi s w or k ; a qu ar t e t f o r m e r ly t h e p r o p e r t y o f S i r Fr a n ci s
‘
,

Crui s e an d a d ou bl e b a s s V i ol wh os e va lu e ma y b e e s ti
, ,

ma ted wh en it i s s ai d th at n o oth e r Per r y in s tru m ent of th a t

c l a s s c a n n ow b e tr a ce d .

I t h a s b e e n o cca s i o na lly s t a t e d th a t th e fir m o f Th o ma s
Pe rr y wa s a lt ere d duri n g hi s li feti me to P err y Wilki n s o n ,

t h a t P e rr y t oo k i n t o p a rt n e r s hi p a qu o n d a m a p p r e n ti c e o f
hi s n a m e d Wi lh a m Wi lki n s on wh o h a d m arr i e d h i s d a ugh t e r ,

Eh za b eth Th i s i s n o t th e ca s e th e fir m r e m ai n e d Th o ma s
.
,
‘
2 20 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

Perr y t ill hi s d e ath whi ch t ook p la ce a s a tr an scri p t of

, ,

h i s will i n th e Pu bli c R e c or d Ofii c e s h ow s i n 1 8 1 8 a n d n ot , ,

i n 1 8 30 a s i s fr e qu en tly s t a t e d
, Fr om t h e p e ri o d of hi s
.

d eath u n ti l a t l e a s t 1 8 3 1 (a ccor di n g t o th e e vi d en ce of
Wils on s D u bli n D i rectory ) th e bu s i n e ss wa s car ri e d on a t No
’
.

4 A n g l e s e a S tr ee t u n d e r t h e n a,m e o f P e rr y W i lki n s o n
‘
.
’

Fr o m 1 8 31 t o 1 8 34 th e sa m e Dir ector y gi ve s only th e n a m e

o f Willi a m Wi lki n s o n i n c o n n e xi on wi t h t h a t e s t a bl i s h m en t .

B ut o n r e f e r ri n g t o P ettigr ew a n d D a lton s D u bli n D i rectory

’

for th e n e xt few y ea r s we fin d th at fr o m 1 834 t i ll 1 8 3 8 th e

,

fir m wa s kn o wn a g a i n (i f i n d e e d a n y ch a ng e h a d p r e vi ou s ly
t a k e n p l a ce ) a s Pe r r y Wi lki ns on I n 1 839 th e bu s in e s s .
’

di s a p p ear s a lt og eth er fr o m An gl e s ea S tr eet but i n th a t , ,

a n d th e f o ll o wi n g y ea r we fin d a Wilh a m Wi lki n s on m u s i c al
, ,

i n s t r u m en t m a k e r t r a d i n g a t No 5 E s s e x ! ua y a n d r e s i di n g
, .
,

a t No 5 R o sa n n a Pl ac e P or t ob ell o
. Tr a di ti on h ow ever
, .
, ,

s a y s thi s wa s n o t Th o m a s P err y s s on i n la w Conn oi s s eu r s

’
- -
.

h a ve f r e qu en tly n o te d th e b ewi ld er i ng i n e qu a li t y i n P err y s

’

vi oli n s wi th o u t e ve r di vi n i n g th e r ea so n Th e wh ol e thi n g .

i s d u e t o a l a ck of hi s t or i ca l kn owl e dg e a n d t o a b u nchi n g
t og e th er of vi oh n s m a d e by Th o m a s P err y b ef or e 1 8 1 8 wi th
vi ol i n s by Wi lki n s on t r a di n g a s P err y Wilki n s on a fter ’

, ,

th a t d a t e Th er e c an b e li ttl e d ou b t th a t af ter P e rr y s d e a th
’
.

th e s ta n d a r d o f qu a li t y wa s s eld o m i f e ver m a i n ta i n e d , ,
.

Th e f a ct i s P e rr y an d Wilki n s on w er e n ever i n a ctu al

,

T e t e r m s o f P e rr y s wi ll cl e ar ly d e m o n s tr a t e s
’
r t r s hi p h
p a n e .

th i s . H er e we h a ve a t on ce th e s e cr et of th e i n equ ah ty o f
m a k e of th e c on s i d er a bl e di ver s it y i n th e s tyl e of cop yin g
,

t h e m o d e l [ n oti c e d by Fl e mi n g ] a n d o f th e di ffer e nce i n

’

th e var ni s h R e s p o n s i bih t y for th e i nf eri ori t y o f P e rr y

.

Wi lki n s on s vi oh n s mu s t n ot th er efor e b e s a ddl ed u p on

’

Th om a s P err y Wilki ns on was ap p ar ently mor e arti s an

.

th an ar ti s t a n d a fte r P e rr y s d ea th th er e wa s a p ai n ful
’

l oweri ng of th e s tan d ar d On ce th e s e fa cts a r e gr a s ped.

th e r e wi ll b e a not a bl e a p p r eci a ti o n o f Pe rr y vi oh n s a n d a
c orr e s p o n di n g de p r eci at io n of t h o s e m anu fa ctur e d by Perry

Wi lki nson .
”
22 2 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

by tr a d e H e c o mm en ced t o m ak e vi oh n s i n 1 8 9 8 a s a
.

h obby a n d l a tt erly h e h as tu r ne d hi s a tt e n ti on s eri ou s ly t o

,

t h e cr a f t a n d c on t e mp l a t e s t a k i n g Vi ol in m a ki n g an d
,

r ep a ir i n g u p a s a p r o f e s s i on H e h a s gr eat n a tu r a l a b i l i ti es
.
,

i s a n a d ep t a t a ll k i n d s of w o o d c a r vi n g a n d h as s tr i ct t a s t es ,

in all m a t t er s a r ti s ti c H e h a s m a d e a n u mb er o f Vi o l i n s
.

on th e S t r a d m o d el wh i ch a r e o f e x c e ll e n t c on stru cti o n a n d
, ,

h a ve a g o o d t on e He wi ll m a k e a s p l e n di d a dd i ti on to th e
.

s m a ll b an d o f Wel s h vi o l i n m ak er s .

PH I LL I P S O N E D WAR D No r ton Gr os mon t H er e

, , , ,

for d : c on t emp or a r y He wa s b om i n Al vi n gh a m Li n
.
,

c oln s h i r e i n 1 8 59 a n d i s a We s l e y an e va n g el i s t by c a lli n g
, , .

H e h a s m a d e a b out t wen t y vi ol i n s en a ma teu r H e t a k es a .

k een i n ter es t i n e ver y b r an ch o f a r t i s very s kilful i n th e ,

u s e o f k e en e dg e d t o ol s a n d m a k es b ea u t i fu l i n s tru m en t s
-
, .

P I C KARD HAND E L , , Leed s : n i ne te en th c en tu r y .

P I NE , Lon d on : ni n et e en th c en tu r y .

P LA NE WAL TE R Gl as g ow :
,
S tra d m o d el
,
—
1 8 04 7 9 . .

Th e w orkm an s h ip i s g oo d b u t th e va rn i s h i s a h ar d s p ir i t
,

o n e an d th e t on e l ou d a n d m et a ll i c
,
H e i s s ai d t o h a ve .

m a d e a few s up eri or i n s tru men ts bu t I h a ve n ot s een ,

an y thi n g by hi m wh i ch c ou ld b e d es cri b e d a s
”
s up eri or .

P O W E LL R O YA L A ND TH O M A S L o n d o n : 1 77 0
, ,

1 8 00 Th ey w er e b r oth er s w h o di d m os t o f th ei r w or k for
. ,

Will iam F ors ter S on Car eful work but ra th er weak t on e .

,
.

P R E S TO N , Lo n d o n : c . 1 7 20 .

P R E S TO N J A M E S , , l h a ve s e en h is na me in
c at a l ogu e s b u t k n o w n oth i n g
,
of h im .

P R E S TO N J O H N Y ork 1 7 8 8 0 0 H e was cap able

, ,
—
0 1 .

o f go o d wo r k b u t m o s t o
,
f h
’

i s i n s t r u m e n t s s h o w c a r e l es s n es s .

Th e t o n e i s of ten ver y g oo d .
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKER S

mp ora ry
c ont e . S ai d to b e an

e xcell en t b ow m ak er . A p up il of Tu bb s .

P R IE S TLE Y A W , . L d ee s : n i n e t een t h ce n t u r y .

P R I ES TNAL L , J O H N, : 9 99 R och d al e
Or i gi n 1 81 — .

ally a j oi n er a n d p a t t er n m a k er h e b ec a m e a g o o d m ak e r ,

a n d a v er y s ki lfu l r ep a ir er H e m a d e a l to g eth er t h r ee
.

h un dr e d vi oli n s th ir t y Vi ol a s s i x c e ll o s an d e i gh t d ou bl e
’

, , ,

b as s es all o f g ood workm a n s h ip a n d ver y f ai r ton e Hi s

,
.

wor k h a s on e s er i ous dr a wb a ck t h e var ni s h i s t o o s oft a n d , ,

h a s n ever dr i e d p rop er ly a t l e as t i t h a s n o t d ri ed on a
—

s p eci m en whi ch I s e e o cc a s i o n ally an d wh i ch wa s m a d e ,

th ir ty y e a rs a g o H e s tam p e d hi s n a m e o n th e b a ck o f h i s
.

i ns tr u m en t s u n der th e b u tt o n a n d th e n u mb er i s p u n ch e d
,

o n t h e b u tt on i t s elf— a ver y t a s t el es s m e th o d .

P YC R O FT, ER NE S T , Man ch es ter c . 1 8 74 . Hi s

fid dles h a ve b een a dver ti s e d f ro m tim e t o ti me ,
but I h a ve
n ot s e e n a n y o f t h em .

RA E , J O H N B atter s ea : c on t emp or ary H e wa s b orn

, .

a t Mac du N B Oct o b er
, . .
, a n d I s t h e eld e s t s on o f

J ames R a e an d a gr an ds on of J oh n R a e o f Forglen Turri ff

, , , ,

a f a m o u s m a k er o f b a gp i p e s H e i s emp l o y e d i n th e Na tu r a l
.

H i s tor y d ep ar tmen t of th e B ri ti s h Mu s eu m a n d m a k es ,

vi oh n s d uri n g s p ar e t i m e H e m a d e h i s fir s t fiddl e as l o n g
.

a g o a s 1 8 6 9 an d S i n ce 1 8 8 3 wh en h e g o t hi s p r e s en t a pp oi n t
, ,

m en t h e h as m a d e two or th r ee n ew in s tru m en t s ever y y ear

, .

H i s w or k i s s oh dly c on s tr uct e d an d b ea u t i fully fi ni s h e d .

S o m e of h i s vi olin s a r e o f r a th er m a s s i ve p r op or ti o ns an d ,

t h eir p l a t es l e ft r a th er thi ck i n wo o d b u t th e qu a li t y o f t h e ,

t on e i s e xc e e d in gi y g o o d n o twi th s ta n d i n g : I thi n k i t s

q u a h t y w o u ld b e s t i ll b e t t er if t h e t hi c k n es s o f t h e p l a t es

wer e S hgh tly r educed a n d th e tap er s ligh tly i n crea s e d Mr

, . .
2 24 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

in s tru m en t s h a ve a h a n d s om e ap p e ar an ce an d th er e
’
Rae s ,

i s a s trikin g b oldn es s of ch ar a cter a b ou t th e m whi ch i s ver y

r efr es h in g a n d p l ea s in g Hi s w oo d i s m agn i fic en t
. H e h as .

u s e d Ca li f orni a n p i n e ( S equ oi a gi ga n tea ) for t h e t a bl es o f a

n u mb er o f h i s vi oh n s Th e bl o ck s w er e c u t f ro m a t re e
.

wh i ch h a d r each ed th e h eigh t of 2 7 6 f eet an d whi ch wa s o ver ,

t hi r t een h u n dre d y e ar s o ld wh en i t wa s cu t d o wn i n 1 8 7 2 .

Th e r eed o f th i s p i ne i s v er y n a rr o w an d o f gre a t r e gu ,

lar i ty a n d i t s a cou s tic al qu ah ti e s a r e s urp ri s i ngly g oo d

, .

F acs i mi l e l ab el

RA E BU R N AL E XA ND E R , , Leven , F i fe con te m
p o rar y V e r y g
. oo d w o k r .

RA B U R N, G O R G R We s t Cald er : c on temp or ar y
E E E .

H e wa s b orn a t La r go war d n ear S t n dr e w s i n 1 8 4 6

,
He . A ,
.

h a s m a d e a b out s even ty i n s tru m en ts o n th e S t r a d a nd

J o s ep h m o d el s Th e w ork i s g o od
. .

R AE B U R N J O H N , , Largo war d : n i n e teen th cen tur y .

H e wa s b orn In th e p ar i s h o f Ca r n ee , i n b 1 8 33 ,
an d wa s th e
elde s t b r oth er o f th e R a eb ur n s p r e vi ou s ly m en ti oned He .

m a d e o ver a h u n dr e d vi olin s on v a ri ou s m o d el s o f f a i rly ,

g o od w o r km a n s h ip a n d t on e .

RAM S A Y WILL IA M B igg

, , ar c on t e mp orary . He
h as m a de a few vi oh n s on th e S tr a d m o del .

R A Y M N
A JA C O B L
, on d o n : c 1 62 0 5,
0 H e wa s .
- .

b orn i n th e Tyr ol an d c ame to E n gl an d a b ou t 1 6 2 0 an d

, ,

w ork e d firs t i n B lackrn a n S tr eet ( L o n don ) th en a t B ell ,

Y ar d S outh wark I n all p rob abili ty h e w

, .
a s th e fi m k
rs t a e r
22 6 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S
h as m a d e a b ou t twen ty vi oh n s wh ich , ar e beauti ft
fi n i s h e d a n d h a ve
, a l ar g e a n d t e lli n g t on e .

ROB E R TS J O H N , , S hr ews b u ry c . 1 69 0 . A r a t h er

s m all vi oh n , o n th e S t a i n er m od el wi th ver y d ar k varn i s h

, ,

an d a s ma ll s wee t t on e
, ,
b ear i n g h i s l ab el Wa s th r ough my
,

h a n d s a few y e ar s a g o .

R OB E R TSL W S , Morri s ton

, E IS wan s ea He wa s , .

b orn a t Mo rri s ton in 1 8 6 8 an d di e d th er e i n 1 9 1 7 H e was

, .

th e o nly Wel s h m a n wh o s e e ff or ts i n vi ol i n m a k i n g h a ve
as s um ed a n y ver y d efi ni te p r op or ti on s Th e Wel s h ar e a .

v er y m u s i c a l n a ti on a n d i t i s o f t en a p u zzl e t o o u ts i d er s
,

wh y th ey h a ve s o s a dly n eg l ecte d th e o r ch es tra an d th e s tu dy

o f th e vi o li n Th e exp l an a ti on p r ob a bly i s th a t th e y h a ve
.

d evoted all th eir ti m e to an d con cen trated all th eir effort s

o n t h e d ev el op m en t o f v o cal m u s i c B ut a b etter d a y h as .

a lr ea dy d a w n e d u p o n Wa es a n d th e r i s i n g g e n er a ti o n o f
l ,

Wel s h m u s i cian s i s n ow tu rn in g i t s a ttenti on t o i n s trum en ta

ti o n .

R ob er t s m a d e a l arg e n u mb er of Vi olin s an d exe cu ted ,

s o m e r a th er i m p or ta n t r ep a ir s fr o m t i m e t o ti m e Mo s t .

o f h i s i n s tr um en t s ar e o n an o ri gi n al m o d el b u t for th e l a s t ,

two o r th r e e y e a r s o f h i s l i fe h e w ork e d o n t h e S tr a d m o del

e x cl u s i v ely . I n h i s ea r l i er w or k h e e vi n ce d t o o s tr on g a
t e n d en c y t o d ep ar t fr o m th e t r a di ti on al m eth o ds b ut ,

l a tterly h e h a d a b an d on ed all eccen tr i citi es a n d h a d s ettl ed ,

d own t o s eri ou s w or k Th e i n s tr um en ts o f th e l as t th r ee
.

y ears pf h i s li fe a r e ex cellen t i n ever y way Wo o d work .

,

m an s hip var n i s h a n d to n e gi ve th em a p l ace i n th e fr on t

, ,

r an k o f m o d er n B ri ti s h w o r k R o b ert s wa s o f an i n ven ti ve
.

t u r n o f m in d a n d h a d m a d e a ver y i n ge ni o u s c ali p ers d rill

,
-

a t ool wh i ch a t on ce d r i ll s th e p l a t e s a n d d et er m i n es th e

g r a d u a t i o n o f t h ei r t hi c k n e s s e s All t h e t o.o l s s p e ci a lly

r e q u i r e d for t h e cra f t h e h a d m a d e fo r h i m s elf H e wa s a n .

o ri gi n al i n ever y wa y an d a dr e a m er o f dr e a m s
,
Whils t .

workin g for th e fu tur e h e li ve d i n th e p as t I n s p iri t h e .

b el onged to th e da y s wh en ar tis ts cu t th eir own t imber ,

 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 2 27

ma de th eir own var ni s h j a n d s a t thr ee l eg g ed s t o ol s

‘

on -

p r o d u cin g t o n e p o e m s for all ti m e H e wo n t h e g o ld m e d al

-
.

i n th e Vi o li n m aki ng c omp et i ti o n a t th e R o y al Na ti on a l
Eis teddfod of Wal es h eld i n Ne a th in 1 9 1 8 H e was wi th ou t .

d o ub t a geni u s an d h i s early l os s i s mu ch t o b e d ep l or ed
,
.

ROG ER S ,
—
, B a llymac ar e t t , I l d
r e an : con t e mp
or a r y .

He is m en ti o n e d in F a t h er Gr ea v en
’
s li s t .

R O M NE Y G E O R G E l t on a n d L on d o n 1 7 34— 1 8 0 2
, , Da .

Thi s was th e c el eb r a te d a r ti s t wh o r a nk s th i r d i n th e r oll ,

o f E n gl a n d s gr e a t p or tr a i t p ai n t er s I n e ar ly l i fe h e was a
’
.

c a b i n e t m a k er a n d w o o d c a r ver a n d h e m a d e a n u mb er o f ,

vi o l i n s wh i ch h e or n a m en te d wi th c ar ve d figu r es I t
,
.

w ou ld b e b es i d e th e p u rp o s e t o gi ve bi ograp hi cal p ar ti cular s

h er e : th es e a r e t o o w ell k n own , b u t th e foll o wi n g f ac t s
r el a ti v e t o h i s vi o l i n m a ki n g wi ll b e i n t er e s ti n g a n d p er h a p s ,

n ew t o m an y Th e y ar e t a k en fr o m Georg e R omn ey by
.
,

Ar th ur B Ch a mb erl ai n . To s o m e ex t en t o b s er v e s thi s
.
,

b i ogr ap h er R o m n e y r e t a i n e d h i s l o ve o f th e S i s t er a r t
,

th r o u g h ou t h i s li fe U p t o th e l as t h e k ep t a vi ol i n o f hi s
.

o wn m a ki n g i n h i s s tu di o a n d n ow a n d th en p l a ye d up on ,

i t wh en th i n ki n g ou t th e de s i gn for a p i ctu r e fi n di n g i n ,

mu s i c as o th ers h a ve d on e a s ti mul u s t o h i s i magi n ati on

, , .

Mr Ch a mb erl ai n al s o qu o te s th e foll o wi n g p ar agr a p h fr o m

.

Cu mb er l a n d o n e o f R o mn e y s e a r l i er b i ogr a p h er s wi th th e
’

, ,

c a u ti on h o w e ver th a t th e t al e i s a n e x a gg er a ti o n
, , S mi t .

t en a l s o wi th a n e mb r y o p a s s i o n for th e c o n c or d o f s we e t
s o u n d s wh i ch h e h a d rob a bly n e v er h e a r d b u t i n hi s dr e a m s
, p ,

h e con cei ve d th e i d e a o f t r a n s p l a n ti n g th e ar ts o f Cre m on a

t o hi s n a ti v e t o wn o f D a l t on a n d b eg an a m an u fa ct o r y o f ,

vi o l i n s wh i ch h e d i s p o s ed o f t o th e rur a l a m a teu rs wh o
, ,

were p e rh ap s a s li ttl e i n s tru cte d i n th e u s e o f th es e i n s tru

, ,

m en ts a s h e h a d b een i n th e form a ti on o f th em (p .

ROO K , JOS E PH , Ca r li s l e : 85 2
0 . H e d i d n ot
—
1 77 0 1 .

m k m y
a e an men ts in s tru . H e wa s a p p oi n te d vi c ar ch o r al -

at th e ca th e dr a l Ca r li s l e , , i n 1 8 0 7 wh i ch p o s t h e h eld till
,
228 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

1 8 40wh en a r etiri n g p en s i on was gi ven to him A Mr

, . .

H er b er t H o d s o n of 2 6 B ar cl a y R oa d Cr oyd on S u rr ey
, , , ,

o wn e d a c ell o o f h i s m ak e i n 1 9 1 2 wh i ch h e s a i d wa s w ell
’

m a d e a n d h a d a g o od ton e .

ROS S , D O NALD , E di nb urgh : 18 1 7 till a b out 1 9 5

0 .

He m a d e a b out fifty vi oh n s on th e Maggi ni m od el .

R OS S , J O H N, Lond on : 0 . 1 5 60 -
1 60 0 . A m a k er of
l ut es a n d vi o l s .

R O WL EY A G
Ca r di ff : c o n t em p or a ry
, . H e i s n ot .

a ctu a lly a m a k er bu t h e h a s va r n i s h e d m a n y i n s tru m en ts

,

for o th er m a k er s w i th a ver y b ea u ti ful va rn i s h of h i s own

m ake H e h a s s tudi e d th e va rn i s h p r obl em for m a n y ye ar s ,

a n d t h ou gh h e may n o t h a ve s o l ved th e ri d dl e o f Cr e

mon a h e h a s cer ta inly s ucceed e d i n p r o duci ng a var ni s h of

,
”

won d er ful l us tre an d tr a n s p ar en cy .

R U DD I M A N, J O S E PH Ab er de en 1 7 6 0— 1 8 00 , I .

h a ve n o t s een a n y o f h i s w or k Mr Al ex an der Wi l s o n . .
,

a d v o ca t e o f A b er d e en h a s a Vi ol i n o f h i s m a k e W
, ,
hi ch i s s ai d ,

t o b e o f g o o d w or km an s h i p a n d t on e .

R Y LAND S J O H N B , , r i s to l: c . 1 80 0 . Hi s na me h as
ap p ea r e d i n li s t s o f old i n s tru m en ts .

S
S ABY H H , . Ca p e To wn , S . Af i c r a : c on te mp orary .

He was b orn a t B ur ton L a ti m er North a mp ton s hi re i n 1 8 60 , , ,

a n d e m i gr a t e d t o S o ut h A fri ca i n 1 8 9 0 H e i s a p up i l o f .

th e l a te W Ca l o w th e Vi ol i n m a k er o f Notti n gh a m wi th
.
, , ,

wh o m h e r em ain ed for five years H e is es ta bli s h ed a s a .

p r o fe s s i o n a l m a k er a n d r ep a i r e r a t 75 Pl ei n S t r e e t Ca p e
‘

Town wh er e h e h as work ed up a fin e b u s i n es s con n ec ti on

,

a n d won for h i m s elf a gr e a t r ep u t a ti on a s a fir s t cl a s s m ak er -

a n d r ep a i r e r Hi s Vi oli ns a r e s ai d t o b e b ea uti fully m a de

.

'
,

a n d to p o s s es s a l ar ge b ri lli a n t a n d r es p o n s i ve t o n e
,
At ,
.
2 30 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

S HA W , J O H N L o n d on , :
‘

c . 1 65 0 . A Vi l m ke
o a r .

S H A W J Man ch es ter
, : con t e mp or a r y .

SH AW , TH O M A S , Co ve , S co t l a n d con te mp or ary .

An a m a t eu r of g oo d a v er a g e a b ili ty .

SH E PH E RD H G B , . r i gh t o n : co n t e mp ora r y .

SH E PLEY G E O R G E B
, , ri s to l : 1 8 30 40
— . P oor w or k .

S H ERD O N , D A NIEL Gl ou , ce s t e r : 1 8 45 - 6 0 . H i gh
a r ch , a n d p o o r w o rk .

S H R O S B R EE , H E NR Y J A M E S A d el i d , S Au s a e, .

t r a li a c o n t e m p or a r y . H w b i L d i
e as or n n on on n 1 8 5 8 a n d ,

follo we d a s ea far i n g lif e fr o m 1 8 7 2 t o 1 88 0 v o y a gi n g t o

,

A del ai d e fOr th e s ec on d ti me i n t h e l a tt er ye ar wh en h e ,

en t e r e d t h e s er vi c e o f S i r E T S mi th wi th wh o m h e . .
,

r e m a i n e d t i ll h i s r e t i r e m en t f ro m b u s i n e s s S h o r tly a f t e r .
,

h e t o o k u p Vi o l i n m a k i n g a n d r ep a i r i n g J u dgi n g fro m .

v a ri o u s n o t i ces wh i ch h a v e a p p e a r e d i n t h e A u s tr a l i an p r es s

fr o m t im e t o ti m e a n d fro m m a n y p ri va t e l ett er s wh i ch I
,

h a ve r e cei ve d i n r e f er en c e t o h i s w o r k t h er e c a n b e n o
, ,

d o ub t th a t Mr S h ro s b ree s i n s tru m en t s r ea ch a v er y h igh

.
’

s t a n d a r d o f e x c ell en c e I t h a s n o t b e en my g o o d f o r tu n e t o
.

s e e a n y o f th e s e i n s t r u m en t s an d I th er e f or e c a n e x p r es s n o ,

o p i n i o n a s t o th ei r m e r i t s Th e e di t or o f M u s i c (A d el a i d e )
.
,

r e f er ri n g t o t h i s m a k e r s s u c c es s a t t h e Ce n t u r y E x h i b i ti o n
’

h eld i n A d el a i d e i n 1 9 0 0 r e m ar k s t h u s
,
Th e c o mm en d a
,

t or y r e fe r e n c es w e h a ve fro m ti m e t o t i m e m a d e t o Mr H J . . .

S h ro s b r e e s s k ill a s a l u th i er h a ve b e en v er y a m p ly cOn firme d

’

by th e j u dg es for mu s i ca l i n s tru men ts t h e e xh ib i t

c o m p ri s e d hi s Nos 7 a n d 8 vi ol i n s h i s r ecen tly c on s tru ct e d
.
2

vi o l a ,
an d s o m e a s s or t e d b ri d g es Wi th th eir b rillian t .

c o a ti n g s o f o il a mb er v a r n i s h t h e i n s t r u m en t s c er t a i n ly m a k e

a s p l en d i d S h o w a n d th e a w a r d s gi ve n ar e a s f oll o w s
,
firs t
 VI O L IN A ND B O W M AKER S 2 31

for fir s t fo r Vi ol a fir s t fo r mu s i cal a p p li an ces ( bri dg es

vi oh ns , , ,

a n d a s p e c i al p ri z e for th e b e s t e xh i b i t o f i t s g r o u p
”
.

Fa cs rmi le l ab el

5 mg
m ames 3 1
4 1 1 5 1
1 11 . facizhat

3 01 m5
m . 1
g mlia 3 mm1 8
un r

S I M P S O N JA M E S , S O N,
81 L d on on : 1 7 8 0 — 1 8 00 .

Pr ob ably n ot a ct u a l m ak er s b u t , merely de al er s wh o
emp l o ye d o th er s to m ake for th em .

S M P S O N , TH O M S , B i rm i n gh a m
I A
con t e mp or a r y .

B or n a t B ur n l ey in 1 8 6 6 H e wor ke d a t H an ds wo r th for a .

fe w y e ar s b u t i s n o w s et tl e d a t B i r mi n g h a m a s a p ro f es s i o n a l
,

m a k er a n d r e p a i r er . He h as ma de a nu mb er of Vi o l i n s on

a n o ri gi n a l m o d el b u t hi s l a ter i n s tru men ts a r e o n th e S tr a d

,

m o del a n d S h o w muc h b ett er wor k Th e w o o d i s o f fin e

,
.

qu ali ty an d th e wo rkm a n s h ip i s ca r efu lly a n d b ea u tifully

,

fini s h ed On e o f hi s vi oli n s wh i ch I tr i e d r ecen tly h a d a

.

p a r t i c u l a r ly f ull a n d b ri ll i a n t t on e .

S I NC LAI R W ILL IA M ,P i t s l i g o A n a m a t eu r , New .

wh o wa s li vi n g a few ye ar s a g o a n d p o s s i bly i s s till l i vi n g , ,

wh o h a d m a de a g o o d n umb er o f Vi o l i n s o f f a i rly go o d w or k
m an s hi p .

S KE FF I NG TO N W ILLIA M KI R KLA ND Gl , , a s go w :

c on e t mp y Av g m i t
or ar . er a e er .

S M ILLIE , ALEX A ND E R Gl , a sgo w c o n te mp o r a r y .

B o rn at H a lls i d e Ca mb u s la n g i n
, ,
1 8 47 . He h a s w o r k ed a t
v a ri o u s
p l a c e s i n Gl a s g o w a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k e r r e p ai r e r , ,

an d d e al e r H e h a s m a d e a l ar g e n umb er o f vi ol i n s Vi o l a s
.
, ,

an d Vi ol o n ce ll o s o n t h e S t r a di va ri a n d Gu arn eri m o d e l s
, I .

h a ve n o t s e en a n y o f h i s m or e r ec en tly m a d e i n s t ru m en t s ,

b ut th ey a r e s a i d t o b e s up eri or i n ever y wa y t o h i s w or k o f
 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
!

232

t en year s a go : i f th a t i s xcep ti o n allyso, th e y mu s t be e

fin e . H i s i n s tr um e n t s m a n y y e a r s a g o ra n k e d i n my ,

o p i n i o n wi th t h e b e s t t h a t a r e m a d e i n G r ea t B ri t a i n t o d a y
,
-
.

Th e woo d wa s o f th e v er y b e s t d e sc ri p ti on a n d th e c r a f ts ,

m a n s h ip i n e ver y p a rt of th e w or k sh o we d th e mi n d a n d S kill
o f a b o r n a r ti s t Th e t o n e o f all h i s vi oh n s wh i ch I h a ve
.

t ri e d i s v er y s o n o r ou s a n d b ri lli a n t p o s s es s i n g th a t s u b tl e ,

s o m ethi n g whi ch we c a ll t h e I t a li an qu ah t y .

Mr S milh e h a s n ever e xh ib i ted a n y o f hi s i n s tru m en ts

.
,

th e s p iri t o f ri valr y b ei n g qu i t e f or eign t o h i s g en i al n a tu r e

a n d u n a s s u m i n g m a nn er .

Fa cs irn ile l a b el

S M TH , I Weth erby c on te mp or a r y .

S M I TH , ALB E R T , To malo s s e t ,
E y I r el an d
n n i s c o r th ,

mp or ar y A n a m at eu r wh o i s
c on t e . s ai d t o h a ve m a d e s o m e

g oo d i n s t r u m e n t s .

S M I TH , A E . Mal d on : con te mp or ar y . 1 h a ve n ot

s ee n hi s l a ter work ,
bu t it i s s a i d t o b e v er y g oo d .

S M TH , I ALE X H O WLA ND .
, E d i n b u rg h : n i n e t e e n th

c e n tu r y . S tr a di vari and Gu a r n er i m o d el s . G oo d ton e .

S M TH , I H E NR Y L o n do n , c . 1 6 30 . Am k a er o f vi o s l .

S M TH , I J A S P E R L on d on , : n i n e t een th c e n tu r y .

S M I TH J O H N Gl a s g o w c o n te mp orar y B or n a t
, , .

F a u ldh o u s e Li n li th g o ws h i r e i n 1 8 5 9 H e w or k e d for s o m e
, ,
.

y ear s a t F alki r k a n d h e h a s h ved i n di ffer en t p a rt s of

,

Gla sg ow a n d el s ewh er e He wor ks on va ri ou s m o del s bu t

, . ,

chi efly on an origi n al o n e whi ch i s o f v er y full p r o p orti on s ,

2 34 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S
SP I C E R J O H N L on d on : 0
, , . 1 667 . I t is n ot a t all

cer t a i n t h a t h e wa s a vi o h n m a k er .

S P I C E R W ILLIA M L on d on
, , 0 . 1 86 0 7 0
— .

ST A NLE Y , ROB ERT A Ma n ch e s t er con temp or a r y .

I a m n ot wh eth er
c ert a i n h e w or k s i n Ma n ch e s t er a t p r es en t ,

b u t h e was t h er e a fe w y ea r s a g o H e i s a p u p il o f J a mes .

B a rr o w o f S alfor d an d of J a mes Cole o f Ma n ch es ter He

, , , .

h a s m a d e o ver t wo h u n dr e d i n s tru m en t s i n cl u d i n g V i oli n s , ,

Vi ol a s cell os an d d o u bl e b a s s es I h a ve n ot s e en hi s wor k
,
’

, .

o f t h e l a s t t en y ear s a n d h a v e n o i n f orm a t i o n a s t o wh a t i t i s
,

l ik e .

ST E PH E NS G B B , . ri s t o l : c . 1 7 8 0 . V yf
er a ir w or k .

S T RR I AT , D A I
V D , E di n b u r gh : 0 . 1 8 1 0 20
— . Th i s i s a

m agn i ficen t old m a k er H i s wor k i s qu i te equ al to th a t o f .

Ma t th e w H a r di e a n d h a d h e l i ve d a few y ea r s l o n g er a n d
,

p r o d u ce d a n y thi n g l i k e t h e n u mb e r o f i n s t r u m e n t s H a r di e

di d I h a v e li ttl e h e s i t a ti o n i n s a yi n g t h a t th e t i tl e o f
,

S c o tti s h S tr a di va ri w ou ld h a ve b e en h i s a n d n o t H a r di e s
’
.

Mr H o n eym an s a y s t h at S ti rra t foll o we d th e m o d el o f

.

S t r a di va ri t h i s ma y b e g en era lly tru e b u t i n th r ee i ns tru ,

m en ts wh i ch I h a v e s een th e m o d el o n ly a p p r o xi m a te d t o ,

th a t o f th e gr a n d S tra d Th e fi n e s t S ti r ra t fiddl e i n e x i s t
.

e n c e I t h i n k i s o w n e d by Dr G e o r g e R ai m o n di Y o u n g l a t e
, ,
.
,

o f 7 8 4 P a r k A v e n u e Ne w Y o r k a n d n o w o f V e ve y S wi t z e r
, , ,

l a n d Th e o u tli n e o f t h i s i n s tru m en t i s p u re a n d th e
.
,

cu r v e s w ell b a l a n c e d a n d v er y gr ace ful Th e p ri nci p al .

m e a s ur em en ts a re
L e n gt h of body
Width a cr o s s u p p er bout s
mi ddl e
l o wer
L e n gt h of s o un d h ol e s
’
-

Cs
Dep th o f ri bs 1 1 i n ch d I mI ni s hing t o
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKER S 2 35

Th e wo rkm a n s h ip i s fini s h e d wi th e xtr eme c a r e a n d

d el i c a cy a n d i f th e fiddl e h a d b e en co ver e d wi th th e ri gh t
,

va r n i s h i t w o u ld e a s ily p a s s a s a n o ld I tali an Th e .
”

va rn i s h i s e vi d en tly a s p ir i t o n e v er y th i nl y l a i d o n o f a
, ,

d a r k r eddi s h b r o wn ti n t i t h as n o t p en e tr a t e d a n y di s t a n c e
-

i n t o th e woo d a n d i t i s n o t i n s u ffici e n t t h i c kn es s t o m a t eri

,

a lly a ff e c t t h e t o n e Th e t on e i s m o der a t ely p o wer ful a n d

.
,

wo n der fu lly cl ea r bri gh t a n d m ell o w ver y s ui t a ble fo r

, , ,

s o l o w o r k i n s m a ll h a ll s a n d dr a wi n g r o o m s Mr H o n eyman
-
. .

s a y s t h a t S t i rr a t was d es cri b e d a s a d eli ca t e l oo kin g ma n -

,

wi th cu r ly h a ir a n d th in wh i te h a n ds a n d th a t h e di e d ,

a t a n e a r ly a g e j u s t wh e n h e m i e d t o b e c o m e a t
, p r o s g r e a er

ma ker th a n h i s m a s ter ( Ma tth ew H ar di e ) Th a t n a tu r e .

h a d e n d ow e d h i m wi th s om e o f h e r ch o i ces t gi ft s i s v er y
e vi d e n t f r o m th e fe w i n s tru m en t s o f h i s m a k e t h a t s ti ll

r em a i n I t i s n o t c er t ai n t h a t h e u s e d a l a b el
. I n th e .

Vi oli n s I h a ve s een h e i n s cri b e d h i s n a m e p l a c e a n d d a t e o n , ,

th e b a r e w o o d wi th a h a r d p e n ci l I a m i n d eb te d to th e
.

c o u r t es y o f D r R a i m on di Y o u n fo r t h e f oll o w i n g f a c s i m i l e
.
g
of t h e i n s cr i p ti o n i n h i s vi oh n .

S TO N M N, H E A E
xe t er : c o n temp or a ry B o rn i n th e .

p a ri s h o f Ze a l Mon a ch o r u m i n t h e c o u n t y o f D e v on Ma r c h
, ,

2 7 1 8 5 6 a n d n o w w or k i n g a s a p r o f es s i o n a l m a k er r e a i r er
, ,
p , ,

a n d d e a l er a t 3 U n i on Te rr a c e S t S i dw e ll s
, ,x e ter H e.
,
E .

wa s a p p r en ti c e d
j o i n er y tr a d e a n d wo r ked for a n
to th e ,

ec cl e s i as ti ca l b u i ldi n
g fir m i n E x e t e r fo r a b o u t t w e n t y f our -

year s for th e l as t five of wh i ch h e wa s th eir for eman Duri ng

, .
2 36 B RI T I S H V IO L IN M AKER S
s
p a re ti m e h e s tu di ed th e V o l
c o n s tr u c ti o n o f
i i n a n dth e
did ,

s om e r e p a i r i n g n o w a n d a g a i n H e gr a d u a lly ac qui r e d a
.

t h o r o u gh k n o wl e d g e o f th e c ra ft a n d r e s o l ve d t o gi ve u p h i s
,

p o s t a s f o r e m an j o i n er a n d b e c o m e a V i o li n m a k e r a n d
r ep a i r er . Th i s w a s fift een year s a go By dil igen t a p p lica
.

t i o n h e h a s n o w r e a ch e d a hi gh d egr ee o f p r o fi ci en c y i n hi s
a rt a n d i s r ec ogn i z e d a s th e b es t r ep a i r e r i n t h e S o u th We s t
,
-

of E n gl an d . H e i s un d o u b te dly a ver y cl ever a n d s kilf u l

c r a f t s m an . I h a ve s een s ome o f hi s r es tor ati on s a n d c o n ,

s i d e r t h e m e qu a l t o a n y thi n g d o n e by t h e m o s t s ki ll e d

re p a i r er s o f L on d on o r P a ri s : th e y a r e n o t m e r e cl ever
j oi n er y work b u t re s tor a ti on s i n th e tr u e s en s e o f th e w o r d
,
.

H e h as n o t m a d e m a n y n ew i n s tru m en ts h i s t i m e b ei n g ,

a lm o s t e n ti re ly o c c u p i e d wi th t h e S i s t er b r a n ch o f t h e cr a f t .

Th e few h e h a s m a d e a r e o n th e S tra di va ri m o d el a n d a r e ,

ca r e fu lly c o n s t ru c t e d a n d b ea u t i fu lly fi n i s h e d Mr S t o n e . .

ma n i s h igh ly r esp ec te d for th e tr a n s p a r en cy of h i s ch a ra ct er

a n d for h i s u p r igh t n e s s a s a man of b u s i n e s s .

S TO TT, G E OR G E T Li v erp oo l co n t e m p or a r y . I
h a ve n ot s e en a n y o f h is wo rk .

S TR EE TS J A M E S , , S u n d erl a n d
mp ora r y An c on te .

a m a t eu r wh o p ro du c es e x c ell e n t w o r k A Vi o l a o f h i s ma k e.

wh i ch I s aw a n d t ri ed s om e y ea r s a g o migh t p a s s for th e
wo r k o f a n exp eri en ced p r of es s i on a l ma k er .

S TR O NG , J OHN , S o m er s e t s h i r e c 1 6 5 0 A n o.ld .

Vi ol m a k er wh o i s ,
th o ugh t t o h a v e li ve d s o m ewh er e i n th e
n eig h b ou rh o o d of B r i s t o l .

S TR O NG , M ATTH E W , H u dd er s fi eld : n i n et eenth

cen tu r y .

S TU R G E H B ri s tol and H u dd er s fi eld : 1 —

80 0 6 0 . A
,
2 38 B RI T I S H VI O L I N M AKER S
TAYL O R , E D WA R D H ull , : n i n e t ee n th cen t u r y .

TE NNA NT, J A M E S L es mah ag ow :, n i n et e e n t h c en

t ur y .

TH O M A S WA TKI N S wa n s e a : 1 849 t o a b o ut 1 9 0 8
, , .

He m a d e a b ou t S ix t y o r s ev en ty vi oh n s a few V i olas a n d , ,

o n e o r t wo c e ll o s H e wa s ca p a bl e o f g oo d w o r k a n d s om e
’
.
,

o f h i s i n s tr u m e n t s h a v e a v e r y g o o d t o n e He wa s Very .

erra t i c a n d w o uld n ev er s e t t l e d o wn t o s t e a dy w ork

, .

TH O M P S O N , Ma n ch e s t er n i n e t e e n th cen t u r y .

TH O M P S O N, ROB ERT L d
on on : 1 7 49 4 6 H e — .

w or k e d a t th e S ig n o f th e B as s vi oh n -
,
i n S t P a ul s .
’

Ch ur ch y a r d R a th er o r di n a r y w or k o n th e
. S t a in er m od el .

TH O M P S O N, C H A R L E S S A M U EL L d , on on : C .

1 7 8 0 . S on s of t h e p r ece di n g , an d hi s s u c c es s or s in b u s in es s .

Ch i e fly d ea l ers .

TH O RL E Y , N Fa i l s wor th Ma n ch e s ter : 0 1 8 0 0— 30 o r , .

l a t er He m a d e s e ver a l ver y g o o d c ell o s b es i d es o th er

.
’

i ns tr u m en t s H e wa s a m emb er o f H a ll é s or ch e s tra
’
. .

TH O R LE Y , T Man ch es ter n i n et e en th c en tu r y A .

s on o f t h e p r ec e i n g d m a de
. He a nu mb er o f vi o li n s and a

few
’
ce llos . F a ir ly g o o d wor k .

TH O R NE , W . H .
, To t t en h a m : con te mp o rar y .
(
An
am at eu r wh o h a s ma d e on ly a few vi o lins , s o m e wi th ver y
p ec u l i a r s o u n d h o l e s .

TH O R NL E Y , Ol dh a m n i n et e e n th cen t u r y .

TH O R O WG O O D , H E NR Y , Lon d o n : c . 1 7 6 0 . No
i n s tru m en ts of hi s ar e kn own .

TI FF I N, M I LL E R , Car l i s l e : con t e mp orar y .

V IO L IN BY O I N
T B .

To face 2 39 .
2 40 B RI T I S H VI O L IN MA KE RS

g o ld en gl o w — l mp i d fir e o f a mb er whi ch th e Cr e mon es e
th a t i
var n i s h h a s a n d i t wa s h a r dly t o b e e x ec t e d t h a t o n e
, p
B ri ti s h a r ti s t s h oul d s u ccee d wh er e every o th er B ri ti s h a r ti s t
h a d fa i l ed . I a m n ot s ur e t h a t To bi n s va rn is h wa s alwa ys ’

o f h i s own m a kin g i t va r i e s b o th i n c o l o ur a n d p at e
, Wh il e .

wor kin g for o th er s h e would n a tur ally u s e h i s e mp l oy er s ’

H ar t s ai d ver y m a n y y ea r s a go th a t in c u tti n g a s cr oll

[ T o b i n ] w as u n e q u a ll e d a m o n g s t E n g l i s h m a k e r s Th e .
”

o b s er va ti o n i s p er f e c tly j u s t b u t i t h a s p o s s i bly t a k e n t h e
,

e y e o f t h e c on n oi s s e u r a w a y fr o m o th e r b ea u t i ful f e a tu r e s o f

To b i n s w o r k a n d th e m o r e s o s i n c e e ver y s u b s e qu e n t wr i t er
’

o n o ld B r i t i s h vi oh n s h as r ep e a t e d t h e r e m a r k p arr o t l i k e -
.

To b i n s s cr o ll s a r e n o t fi n er t h a n hi s o u tl i n e h i s cu r ve s
’

, ,

or h i s s o u n d h o l e s
-
An y o n e wh o h a s c ar e fully e x a mi n ed a
.

fin e e x a mp l e o f h i s a r t a n d wh o h a s t h e c a p a ci t y t o a p p r e
,

c i a t e s u b t l e di ff e r e n c e s o f s t yl e wi ll h a v e o b s er v e d h o w th e
,

c u r v es o f th e p l a t e s m el t a n d fl o w i n to th e g en tl e
ch a n n el n e a r t h e I s a w qui t e recen tly a fin e or a n ge
r ed To b i n a n d wh en I l oo k e d a t i t s s u r f a c es t h ro u gh i t s
”

b ea u ti ful va r n i s h I c o uld n ot bu t th i n k th a t H og art h s ’

li n e o f b ea u ty a n d B ur n s li ly di p p ed i n wi n e wer e ’

b th i n t e b ack
o h o f t h a t d dle t h e o n e i n th e fo r m an d th e
fi —
,

o t h er i n t h e c o l o u r .

S a n dy s a n d F or s t er s a y th a t To b i n d uri n g th e l a t t er p art
o f h i s li f e k e t a s h o
p p i n W es t S t r e e t S o h o I h a v e s e a r ch e d
, .

old d i r ec t o r i es a n d r ec or d s i n v a i n fo r an y e vi d en c e o f thi s ,

a n d I d o n o t th i n k i t i s c orr ec t I f h e h a d a S h op a t all i t
.
,

wa s e vi d en t ly o f s o m o d e s t a p re te n c e a s t o alt og eth er e s c a p e
t h e a tt en ti o n o f d i r e ct o r y c o mp i l er s H e p o s s i bly s old a few
.

fid dle o ddm en ts a n d e xp o s e d o n e or two o f h i s i ns tru m en ts

,

i n th e wi n d o w for s a l e b u t th a t c ou ld h ar dly b e c all ed

,

ke ep i n g a s h op Wh atever i t wa s th a t h e k ep t i t
.
”
,
”

fa il e d t o keep hi m p o o r man for h e en d e d hi s d a y s i n th e

, ,

S h or e di tch p o or h ou s e Li ke th e gr eat J oh n D o dd a n d
.

Ma t th e w H a r di e he fo un d r es t i n a p aup er s
’

,
“ “ c - m “ ! .

gr a ve .
J AM E S TU BB S
fa e p
.

To c . 241 .
 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S
’

242

I c all d up e on h im o n A u gu 5 st , l a s t ye a r m e d an d s e e

t o b e a lm os t a s a ct i ve a n d a s k ee n a s h e was t w en ty fiv e y e a r s -

a go , wh en I fir s t m a d e hi s a c qu a i n t an ce H e cer tai nly .

l o ok s g o o d fo r a n oth er t en ye ar s wo r k H e i s a man o f ’
.

m edi u m h eigh t o f r a th er s p a r e b u t wir y figu r e ver y s h r ewd

, ,

a n d s o m e wh a t r e ti ce n t a n d i n c o mm u n i c a t i ve i n h i s m an n er .

H e s eld om S p e a k s e x c e p t wh en s p o k e n t o a n d h i s a n s w ers ,

ar e u s u a lly b ri e f a n d c a t eg or i c al Th e en th u s i a s t or s cri bbl e r

.

wh o e n t er s th e h t tle S h op a t 9 4 Wa r d o u r S tr e e t wi th t h e ,

i n t e n ti on o f dra wi n g i ts o ccu p a n t i s cer ta i n t o g o a wa y

a d i s a p p o i n t e d ma n Tu bb s i s i n vu l n e r a bl e a n d cri ti ci s m
.
,

o r p ra i s e a r e e q u a lly l os t u p o n hi m On o n e p o i n t on ly i s i t
.

p o s s i bl e t o r o u s e h i s s u s ce ti b i l i t y
p i f y o u c on f u s e h i s n a m e

wi th th a t o f a n y o th er b o w m a ker o f th e n a m e of Tu bb s you ,

a r e l i k ely t o d r op i n for a w ar m ti m e o f i t H e i s a ch a r a c
.

t er ,
i s J a m e s Tu bb s H e i s a ma n o f t h e g o o d old s ch o ol
.
,

p l a i n s
,
i m p l e s t r a
, i g h t f o r w a r d w i t h a,
r a t h e r c r u s t y e x t e r i o r ,

b u t wi th a s o li d h e a r t a n d p l e n t y o f s ob er s en s e H e i s ver y .

di ffer en t fr o m th e t yp i c al b u s i n es s ma n o f t o d a y wh o i s ,

e s s en ti a lly a ma n o f th e w or ld wi th o f t e n a s l i c e o f t h e fl es h
,

a n d t h e d e vi l t h r o wn i n .

Up t o a b ou t s i x o r s e ve n y e a r s a g o Mr Tu bb s m a d e a t th e
! T ”

.
,

r a t e o f s e v e n t o t e n n e w b o w s p er m o n t h H e mu s t th er e f or e
.

h a ve m a d e a l t og e th er b e t w e e n f o u r a n d five th o u s an d b o ws ,

o f o n e s o r t a n d a n o th e r Th e s e a r e all o f u n i fo r m ex c el
.

l en c e a s r eg ar d s workm an s h ip a n d fi n i s h th o ugh th ey ,

p o s s i bly m a y n o t b e o f t h e s a m e e x c e ll e n c e a s r e g ar d s

m a t eri a l I n s o l a rg e a n u mb er i t would b e ex tr aor di n ary

.

i f th e w o o d w er e a b s olu t ely o f th e s am e h igh s t an d ar d o f

p e r f ec t i o n B u. t t h e b e s t o f th e s e b o ws ( a n d a l a r g e p er

c e n t a g e o f th e m h a v e t h e v er y fin es t m a t eri al ) a r e i n my ,

o p i n i on , e q u a l t o th e b o ws o f Fr a n go i s To u rt e V o i ri n , ,

P ecca t e H enr y o r a n y o th er gr ea t b ow m ak er p a s t o r
, , ,

p r es e n t . O p i n i o n s d i ff e r o f c o u r s e b u t t h a t i s my h on es t
, ,

o p i n i on . To a p p r eci a t e th e fin e q u al i ti es o f a Tubb s b ow
on e m u s t b e a ccu s t o m e d t o t h e u s e o f i t On e wh o h as u s ed
.

a F r en ch b ow for a n u mb er of y e ar s d oes n o t t a k e ki n dly t o

 VI O L IN A ND B OW M AKE R S 2 43

a Tu bb s at fi r s t : th er e i s s om eth i ng a b out th e feel ‘

o f i t ( a s t h e e x p r e s s i on g o es ) wh i ch p u zzl es h i m a n d h e ,

l o s es or i ma gi n es th a t h e l os e s p erfec t con tr ol o ver th e

, ,

mo vemen ts o f h i s b ow a rm Wh en I r e a d ( or h ea r d s o me
.

a r ti s t or o th er r em a r k ) s o m e th i n g t o t h i s e ff e c t y ea r s a g o I

t h ou g h t i t c ou ld h ar dly b e p o s s i bl e b u t wh e n I tri e d th e
,

e x p eri m e n t fo r mys elf I f ou n d i t wa s p o s s i bl e e n o u g h Th e .

fa c t i s th e b al a n ce o f a Tu bb s b ow i s r a th er di ffer e n t fro m
,

t h a t o f a n y o th er b o w a n d t h e r e f o r e a ff ect s t h e mu s cul a r
,

a c ti o n o f th e a r m di ff er en t ly .

B u t t h er e i s n o t t h e s l i gh t es t d ou b t a b ou t i t t h e b al an ce ,

of a Tu bb s i s s ci en ti fi c ally a rr a n g e d th a t i s t o s a y i t
—
,

i s t h e c or r ec t b al a n ce for a n ar m o f g o od a vera g e s tr en g th ,

a n d wh os e m u s cl es h a ve d e v el o p e d n o r m a lly Mr Tu bb s . .

m a k e s h i s b o w s o n t h e p ri n c i p l e o f p r o p o r t i o n a n d b a l a n c e
la i d d own by th e l a t e W S B Wo olh ou s e th e e mi n en t
. . .
,

m a th em a ti ci a n a n d well kn own mu s i ca l en th u s i a s t wh o held

-

t h a t th e p ri m a r y e s s e n ti a l o f a p er f ec t b o w i s th a t I t s w eig h t
a n d p r o p o r ti o n s ( d i a m e t er s ) a r e s o a r r a n g e d t h a t t h e s ti ck

vi b r a t es wi t h a b s o l u t e u n i f o r m i ty t h r o u g h o u t i t s wh ol e

l en g th Wo olh o u s e s c o n tri b u ti on t o th e s ci en ce o f b ow
.
’

m aki n g i s very va lu abl e b u t I a m r a th er i n ch n e d t o th in k

,

t h a t i t t en d e d t o o b s cu r e t h e i mp o r t a n c e o f a n o th er gr e a t
factor i n th e m a ki n g o f a g o o d b ow vi z th e p u ttin g i n o f th e
, .

s p ring o r ca mbr e .To d e t er mi n e t h e d ep th an d s w eep

o f t h e c u rv e i s a m u c h m o r e d i ffi c u l t p r o bl e m th a n t o d e t er

mi n e a n d a rr a n g e th e gr a du a ti o n o f di a meter s A g a u g e wi ll .

h el p t o o b t a i n t h e c or r e c t p r o p or ti o n s b u t th e e ye a n d th e
,

fe eli n g o f r es i s t a n ce a l on e mu s t fix u p on th e qu a n ti ty a n d
s w ee p o f t h e cu r ve .

Mr Tu bb s wa s a s s i s te d fo r m a n y yea r s by hi s s o n A lfre d
.
,

a v er y s ki lfu l w o r km a n a n d a n e x c ell e n t r e p ai r er wh o d i e d ,

i n No ve mb e r 1 9 1 2
, . H e h a s n o a s s i s t a n t n o w a n d i s th e r e ,

for e n o t a bl e t o m ak e m a ny n ew b ows an d h e i s oblig ed t o ,

c u r t a i l t h e a m ou n t o f r e p a i r s h e u n d e r t a k es H e ob ta i n e d
.

a g o ld m e d a l fo r a n ex hi b i t o f b o ws a t t h e I n ven ti o n s E xhib i

ti o n L o n d on 1 88 5
, , .
2 44 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
TUB B S WI, LL IA M L n d , o on c . 1 8 1 4 1 878
-
F a th er .

of th e p r ec e di n g m a d e m an y b ows
. He , p r i n c i p a lly fo r t h e

d e al ers a n d hi s w or k wa s s a i d to b e ver y g o o d H e wa s a
, .

s o n o f Th o m a s Tu bb s a l s o a b o w m a k er Th er e w er e a n d
, .
,

t h ere ar e t o d a y s e vera l o th e r m e mb er s o f th e Tu bb s
-
,

fa m ily c o c d w
n n e t e i t h t h e b o w-m a ki n g b ra n ch of th e cr aft ,

b u t I k n o w n o th i n g o f t h e m o r t h eir w or k .

TU R NE R , WILL IA M L on don , : A m aker of

VI ols .

TU S O N, R O B E R T, Gr a ves to wn c on t e m p or a r y .

TW EE DAL E , C H A RL E S L W es ton Otl e y , ,

Yo k r s

c o n t e m p o ra r y H e i s th e Vi car o f W es t on b u t
.
, S I n ce he
a d ve rt i s e s hi s vi ol i n s fo r s a l e h e i s t r e a t e d h er e a s a qu as i

p r o f
e s s i on a l m a k er a n d n o t a s a mer e a ma t eur He was
, .

b or n a t S ta i n l a n d n ear H ali fa x a n d i s a s o n o f Dr Th om a s
, , .

Tw e e d al e s u r g e on a n d o f Mar y d au gh t er o f Ch ar l es Oa t es
, , , ,

an e n gi n eer o f Cra n s h a wb o rt h
, R o s s en d ale B o th hi s , .

an d s i r e s w er e a m a t eu r vi oh n m a k er s a n d o n e o f th em Mr

genj amin Tweedale ma de s evera l vi oh ns of excellen t

, .
,

wor km an s h ip a n d t o n e a n d wa s a n en th u s i a s ti c d evo te e of
,

th e vi oh n a n d th e l ea d er o f a ll th e o r a to r i o s an d co n cer ts i n
h i s n ei gh b o u r h o o d Mr Tweed al e h a s b een i n t er es ted
. .

fr o m h i s y o u th i n th e a r ts cr a fts a n d s ci en ce s a n d i t wa s , , ,

h i s f a th er s i n t en t i on t o m ak e a n engi n eer o f h i m Mr
’
. .

Tweed al e s en i or di e d i n 1 8 8 5 a n d y ou n g Twee d al e t u rn e d ,

h i s en e rg i e s i n t o a n o th er ch a n n el A t th a t ti m e h e b ec a m e .

d eep ly i n ter es te d i n a s tr o n o my a n d h e gr ou n d a n d p oli s h ed ,

th e S p e cu l a fo r hi s o wn r e fl ec ti n g t el e s c o p e s u p t o t en
i n ch es i n di a m e t er Wi th th es e i n s tru m en t s h e di d a g ood
.

d eal o f work a n d i n d ep en den tly d i s co ver ed th e tri p l e t ai l ed

,

c o m et o f 1 8 8 6 ( co m e t f ) J us t a b out thi s p eri o d on e of .

B en j a mi n Twee d al e s vi oh ns ca m e i n to h i s p os s es s i on a n d
’

h e t a u gh t h i m s elf t o p l a y u p on i t H e s o o n b eca m e m or e .

i n t er es t e d i n i t s c o n s tr u ct i on th a n i n p l a yi n g a n d h e p r o ,

c u r e d H ero n All e n s b oo k a n d u n d er t h e ch ar m of t h a t
’ '

-
,
”
work co mmenc ed to ma ke a fiddl e an d he d i d n o t r es t ,
2 46 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

In a ddi ti on to h i s a r ti s ti c w or k , and th e c ar e o f a c o u n tr y
p a r i s h , Mr . Tw e e d al e h a s b u te d m a n y a rti cl es on
c on tr i
~

s ci en t i fi c a n d p s y ch i c a l s u bj ec t s t o v a ri ou s m a a zi n es an d
g
p p
a e rs .H e h a s m a d e a n o t a bl e c on t r i b u ti o n t o p s y chi c a l
r e s e a r ch i n h i s b o o k Man s S ur vi va l a ft er D e a th
’

a -

wor k wh i ch h a s r u n i n t o s ever a l e di ti on s a n d h a s h a d a ,

wi d e cir cu l a t i on .

F a cs i mil e l a b el

TWEE D Y , J A ckli n gt o n : c on te mp orar y .

TW E M L O W , S P . . S a n db ach Ch es h ir e c on te mp o r ar y
, , .

An m a teur wh o h as
a m a d e a n u mb er of Vi o li n s of b ea u ti ful
wor km an s h ip an d t on e He i s well t o d o a n d th erefore
.
- -
,

a bl e t o p r oc u r e th e v e ry b es t m a t eri al a n d to d evo t e a n
,

a b u n d a n ce o f t i m e t o t h e c on s tru c ti on of e a ch i n s tru m en t .

H e i s p rep a ri n g fo r th e p r es s a w or k o n vi oh n m aki ng .
 VI O LIN A ND B O W M AKER S 2 47

U
UR ! UH A R T ALE XA ND E R I n verg or d on : co n tem
, ,

p o r ary A n. a m a t e u r wh o t u rn s o u t a n o cca s i ona l v i oh n

o f g oo d w o r km a n s h i p a n d t on e .

U R ! UH A R T D O NAL D Ta i n N B con temp or ar y , , , . .

B orn a t B albl a ir n ear I n verg or d on i n 1 8 5 9 H e h as ma de

, , .

a co ns i d era bl e n u mb er o f vi ol i n s o n th e gr a n d S tr a d m o d e l ,

whi ch a r e o f ver y b eau tiful co n s tru cti on wi th a m o d er a t ely ,

p o w e r f u l S w ee t
,
an d r e s p o n s i v e
,
t o n e H e i s t h e m a k e r o f a .

fine o i l va rn i s h a l ar g e s t o ck o f whi ch h e h a s r e ce n tly di s

,

o s e d o f t o Mr Wi lli a m Gl e ni s t er o f L o n d on
p .
, .

U R ! UH A R T, TH O M A S On e , L d on on 1 65 0 8 0 -
.

o f o u r e a r ly o ld m a k er s th e b e s t p a r t o f wh o s e w or k i s th e
,

varn i s h whi ch v er y cl o s ely r e s embl es t h e

, tali an va r n i s h I .

I h a ve s e en o n e vi oli n o f h i s m a k e whi ch wa s mu ch a rch ed , ,

a n d h a d a s w ee t b u t s m a ll t one .

V A U GHA N , D AVI D ROB E RT , Ch es t er : co n t e m

p o ra r y . S tr a d m od el fai r ly g o o d wor k .

V C I KE R S , R CH I ARD B , a th : 0 . 1 870 . Ve y f r air

w orkm an s hip ,
b ut p oor m o d el .

V OL N M
I I AKE R S GU ILD ’
Guild or s ch ool . Thi s i s a

of vi ol i n m a ki n g e s t a bl i s h e d a t 35 S ou th En d R oa d H am
p ,

s te a d L on d o n N W
, , I t s full ti tl e i s
. . Th e B ri ti s h Vi ol in
Mak ers Guild a n d i t i s d es cri b ed in th e p a mp hl et exp l an a
’ ”

t ory o f i ts obj ec t a s Th e o nly a ll B r i ti s h m an u f ac t ory

p ro d u c i n g v i o l i n s V i o l a s v i o l,o n cell os a n d b a s s es a t c o m
, ,

i i C i l i m d M
”

p e t t v e o n t n e n t a p r c e s I t s a n a i
g gn i
. r e ct o r r , .

Alb er t J R ob ert s in a l etter i n th e p r es s wri tes th at

.
,

a rrang em en t s ar e b ein g m a d e fo r th e em l o ym ent of

p
2 48 B RI T I S H VI O L I N M AKE R S

di s abl ed so ldi er s an d l
s ai o rs , an d th a t t h er e ar e l
a so
v a c an ci es for i rn p r o ver s and a few ar ti c e l d p u p il s d es ir ou s of
l ea rn i n g th e ar t o f vi oh n m a ki n g -
u n d er t h e gu i d anc e o f a

S kill e d s t a ff o f E n g l i s h F r e n ch a n d R u s s i a n i n s t r u c t o rs n ow
, , ,

e n gaged .I vi s i ted th i s i n s titu ti on or f act or y i n Augu s t , ,

of t h e y ear 1 91 5 wh en th e m a n a gi n g dir ector wa s

,

g oo d e n o u g h t o t a k e me o v e r t h e w o r k s h o p a n d t o e x p l a i n ,

t o me t h a t t h e G uil d h a d two d e fi n i t e o bj ect s i n Vi e w ( )

1
t o t e a ch vi ol i n m a k i n g a n d ( 2 ) t o p r o d u ce a h i gh cl a s s
,
-

fa ctor y vi oh n a t a p ri c e th a t wo uld e n a bl e th em ( th e Guild )

t o co mp et e s u cce s s fu lly wi th th e f o r ei gn er E ver y p a tri o t .

wi ll a gr ee th a t th e o bj ects a r e very s en s i ble a n d p r a i s e

wo rth y Th er e i s n o t a S h a d o w o f d o u b t a b ou t i t th e
.
,

fa ctory fiddl e h a s c o m e to s t a y Th e con n oi s s eu r may .

fli n g hi s sc or n a n d u tt er hi s m al e di cti on bu t th e B ri ti s h ,

p u bli c w ill s m i l e a t hi m a n d p u r ch as e i t s t hi r t y S h i ll i n g fiddl e .

Well S i nce th er e mu s t b e fa ctor y fid dles let th os e u s ed i n

, ,

B ri tai n I s a y b e o f B ri ti s h m a n u factu r e I e xp r es s mys elf

, , .

t h u s i n all s i n c eri t y fir m b eli ev er i n u n i ver s al b r o th er h o o d

,

t h o u gh I b e for my s ens e o f b r o th er h o o d d o e s n o t b i d me
,

l ove my n eigh b o ur (th e foreign er ) better th an mys elf ( i e my . .

own n a ti o n ) .

Th e ti m e i s p r op i ti ou s for th e f ou n di ng of a n i n du s try o f
thi s d esc ri p ti on , and a ll i ts p r o m o t e r s n ee d t o m a k e i t a

s u c ce s s is o r g a ni z a ti o n , c o n ce n tr a ti o n , co - o p e ra ti o n , a n d a

r ea s on a bl e b eli ef i n th em s elves .

V O YLE , B E NJAM I N , S wan s ea : 1 86 0 -

7 0 . A ver ag e

m er i t .

V O YS EY, HUB E R T H erefor d : , c . 1 8 40 . I qui te

r ece n tly s a w a k i t wi th h i s l a b el i n i t .

WAD E J O S E P H , , Le e d s ni n et een th cen tur y .

WAD E W ILL IAM , , Le ed s n i n et een th cen tur y .

250 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
Th e fi n es t Wa m s l ey th a t I a m acqu ai n te d wi th i s a vi ol a ,

da te d 1 734 o wn e d by th e Mes s rs G eorge Wi th er s an d S on s

, . .

WA RD , D u bh n : c 1 7 5 0 — 1 8 0 0 A fin e Vi oli n o f
. .

h i s m a k e on a m o d el cl o s ely a p p ro xi m a ti n g t o th a t o f th e
,

r a n d S tr a d i s i n t h e D u bl i n m u s eu m H e w n r t i s t
g , as a a .

o f u n d o u b t e d a b i l i t y a n d i t i s a p i t y t h a t l i t t l e o r n o th in i
'

, g s

kn o wn o f him F a th er Gr ea ven m en ti on s h i m bu t i s u nabl e

.
,

t o gi ve a n y p a r ti c u l ar s .

WA RD LAW R I C H A RD , , Ca r d iff : 1 89 1
0 —
9 0 0 . An
a m a t eu r o f a verag e a b il i t y .

WA R R I C K A L eed s : c o n t emp or a r y B orn a t R ea d

, .

i n g i n 1 8 6 3 H e i s a p u p i l o f Mr G A Ch an o t o f Man ch es t er
. . . .
, ,

wi th wh o m h e s er ve d a n a p p r en ti ce s h i p o f s ix y ear s fr om ,

1 88 4 t o 1 8 9 0 H e w or k s o n va r i o u s m o d el s b u t ch i efly on
.
,

t h e two p r i n ci p al cl a s s i c a l o n es H e h a s m a de a l arge .

n u mb er o f i n s tr u m e n t s o f all s i z e s an d h e h as a n e x t e n s i ve ,

r ep ai ri n g b u s i n e s s H e u s e s e x c ell en t m a ter i a l a n d th e w or k
.
,

i s b ea u ti fu lly fi n i s h e d th r o u gh ou t Th e va rn i s h i s o f hi s .

o wn m a k e ,
a n d h a s m u ch t h e s a m e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a s t h e

v ar n i s h t r a di ti on a lly a s s o c i a t e d wi th t h e h o u s e o f Ch an o t .

I t i s m a de i n f ou r c ol o u rs y ellow r e d di s h y ello w b ro wn ,
-
,

r ed a n d r u b y
,
H e wa s a wa r d e d t h e s ol e g old m e d al for a
.

c as e o f v i ol i ns a t th e L ee d s I n t ern a ti o n al E x hi b i ti on i n 1 8 9 5 .

WA I K RR C , R E G I NALD , Nort h a m p to n : —
1 880 1 9 0 2 .

A n a m a t eu r o f a v er a g e a b ih t y .

WA TS O N FR A NK R och d ale con temp or ary B orn

, , .

at R och d al e i n 1 8 66 wh er e h e h as b een es t a bl i s h e d for a b ou t

,
 V I O L IN A ND B O W M AK E R S 25 1

t wen ty fiv e y e a r s a s a p r o fes s i o n a l m a k er a n d r ep a ir er
- He .

h a s m a d e a b o ut a h u n dr e d a n d fif ty vi ol i n s a n d a fe w Vi o l a s ,

a n d vi o l o n c ell o s Th e wo r k i s car e fully fi n i s h e d t h r o u g h o u t

. ,

a n d t h e t o n e i s p o w er fu l a n d v e r y g oo d for o r c h e s tr a l
,

u
p p r o s e s H e . i s s a i d t o b e a v er y s k i lfu l r ep ai r er .

WA TS O N J O H N L er wi ck S h e tla n d : c o n temp ora r y

, , , .

A Pr es byteri a n cl ergyma n wh o h a s m a d e a b out fift y vi ol in s

o f g o o d w or km a n s h i p a n d t o n e Th e o u tli n e o f hi s in s tru .

m en t s i s r a th er qu a i n t o th erwi s e th e wor k i s fa ultl es s Mr

,
. .

Wa t s o n wa s oblige d t o r eti r e fr o m t h e a c ti ve wor k o f th e

mi n i s tr y l a s t y ea r th r o ugh fa ili n g h e alth .

WA TT ALE X A ND E R S TO C K S I n ver keith i n g 1 8 5 9

, ,

t o a b o u t 1 9 0 6 o r a l i ttl e l a t er
, H e m a d e a few i n s tr u m en ts .

o f b ea u ti f u l w o r km a n s h i p A co p y o f t h e Ce s s ol S tra d
.

wa s a w o n d er fu lly f a i th fu l fa c s i m il e of th e o ri gi n al H e wa s .

a ma n o f a n i n g en i o u s a n d i n v e n ti v e t u r n o f m i n d .

W EA V E R , S A M U EL L d , on on : 1 7 8 0— 1 800 . Or di na r y
w or k .

WH I TAKE R H E NR Y Plym ou th , , : c . 1 875 .

WH I TE J O H N Ca m er to n S o m er s et c 1 8 40—5 0 He
, , , . .

m a d e a n u mb er o f vi oh n s a n d vi o lo n cell o s o f g oo d a vera ge
m er i t s om e o f whi ch w er e i n u s e i n vill ag e ch urch es i n th e
,

n ei g h b o ur h o o d o f Ca m er t o n b e f o r e th e a d ve n t o f t h e h a r

mon iu m o r s m all or g a n .

WH I TE H EAD , Cork : 0 . 1 8 0 0- 30 . Am k a er o f

ki ts .

WH I TELA W J A M E S Gl a s g o w : 1 8 5 2— 1 9 04 Th e
, , .

c el eb r a t e d di s c o v e r er o f th e a mb er o i l v a rn i s h wh i ch b ea r s

h i s n am e ( V i d e I n tr o du c ti o n )
. .

WH I TE S I D E H E NR Y Li verp o ol , , and S o l va , P em
br ok es h ire : 1 7 49
—1 8 24 . He was th e b uild er of th e fir s t
25 2 B RI T IS H VI O L IN M AKER S

S m a ll s li gh th o u s e a n d m a d e a l a r g e n u mb er o f mu s i ca l
,

i n s t ru m en ts in cl u di n g s p i n e ts h a r p s i ch or d s a n d Vi o li n s
, , , .

On e o f hi s vi o l i n s w hi c h i s o n a m o d el a p p r oa ch i n g t o th a t
,

o f S tr a d i va r i i s i n my p os s es s i o n
, i t h a s a b e ech b a ck a n d ,

a p o w e r f ul b u t r a t h e r h a r d t o n e H e wa s a r em a r k a bl e .

man a n d a c e ve r c r a l ft s m a n . di ed a t S olva i n
He 1 8 24 , an d

wa s b u ri ed at Wh i tch ur ch ,
P emb r ok es h ir e .

WH I TMA R S H E M MANU EL L o n d on n in eteen th , ,

cen tu ry A p r olific m ak er Th ere i s or wa s ver y r ecen tly

. .
, ,

a m a k er o f t h i s n a m e i n L o n d on b u t I d o n o t t hi n k h e i s th e ,

Wh itm ars h wh os e wor k wa s l a r gely a dver ti s ed m an y y ears

a go .

WH I TTAKE R B U TTO N & L ee ds , , : 1 8 05 30 — . Ch i efly

d ea l ers .

WI G A N , I
DAV D , S h r ew s b u r y : 1 8 9 0—1 9 0 4 . An a ma
t eu r .

W I GH TMAN G E O R G E L o n d on , , : 0 . 1 7 6 0 .

W ILKI N G H H ull , . : c on te mp orar y . An a ma teur .

WI L KI NS O N B L eed s I a m n ot cer tai n wh eth er

, S . .

h e i s n ow h vi n g I h ave c om e a cr os s h i s n am e s om ewh ere ,

bu t c an gi ve n o p a r ti cul ar s .

WILKI NS O N W ILLIA M, , D u bl i n : c 1 8 1 8 t o a b o u t .

1 8 39 H e wa a s o
. s n i n -
la w o f Th om a s P err y a n d c ar ri e d
-
,

o n b u s i nes s u n d er t h e n a m e o f P err y an d Wi lki n s on ,

a l th ou g h P e rr y h a d a b s ol u t e ly n o h a n d i n th e m a ki n g o f t h e

i n s tru m en ts whi ch b ea r th e d u a l n a m e ( vi d e Th o ma s
P err y Th e i n s tru m e n t s whi ch ar e l ab ell ed P err y a n d
Wilkin s on whi ch wer e r ea lly th e wo r k of Wilki n s on
,
and

o r o f hi s a s s i s ta n t s are m u ch i n f eri or t o th e w o r k o f Th om a s
,

P er r y .

WIL K S ALF R E D Man ch es ter , ,

1 890 1
—
9 4
0 . An a ma
t our .
To face i
) . 25 3
.
 VI O L IN A ND B o w M AKER S 2 33 ,

W ILLI AM S AL FR ED; Ch eltenh a m : 1 840 t ill a b o u t

,

1 9 1 0 o r a h t tle l a t er
,
H e m a d e a l ar g e n u mb er o f vi ol i n s
.

o n v a ri o u s m o d el s .

W ILLIA M S B E NJA M I N A ,
He , b era von 7 6 1 8 39
8 -
1 .

m a d e a b o ut eigh ty vi oli n s o n th e A V er y D k e m a t i m o d el
u -
.

o o d w o r km a n s h i p To n e ra th e r s m a ll b u t o f g oo d qu ali t y
g . .

WILLIA M S , 0 . R Ma n ch es t er .

W IL S O N , Wh i tby : c . 1 820 .

W IL S O N J J T Lon d o n c on temp orar y A b ow

, . . .

m a ker wh o work s p ri n cip ally for th e tr a de H e wor ke d

,
.

for s o m e t i me wi th J a m es Tu bb s a n d l a t e r wi th C E Tu bb s , . . .

I d o n ot kn o w th at I h a ve s een a ny of h i s b ows bu t th ey ar e ,

sa i d t o b e v er y g oo d .

W IL S O N J A M E S L Gr eenock con t emp or ar y A n

, .

a m a t eu r wh o h a s p r o du c e d e x c ell en t w o r k He won a g o ld .

med al fo r a n e xh ib it o f vi oli n s a t th e Gr ee n oc k E xh i b i ti o n
h eld i n 1 8 9 3 H is i n s tru m e n t s h a ve a b ea u ti ful t o n e
. .

W ILTO N J A M E S Wh itby I d o n o t kn ow wh eth er

, , .

h e i s a li ve b u t h e wa s wo r ki ng u p t o ei gh t or t en yea r s a g o
, .

WI S E , C H R S TO PH R , I E L d on on : 0 . 1 65 6 . Ch i efly a

m a k er o f vi ol s .

WI TH E R S , E D WA RD L d 808 75 , H e wa s on on : 1 -
.

L
bo rn i n o n don D ecemb er 2 3 1 8 0 8 a n d di e d th er e D ecem
, , ,

b er 1 9 1 8 7 5
, .H e b o ugh t th e b u s i n es s o f R &r W D a vi s . .
,

3 1 C o v en t r y S t r e e t H a ymar k e t i n 1 8 4 3 a n d s e t u p i n th a t
, , ,

year a s a p r o fe s s i on al m ak er a n d r ep a ir er a lth ough h e h a d ,

h a d l it tl e p r evi ou s tra i n i n g H e s oon b eca m e an e x p ert

.

c r a f ts m an a n d l o n g b e for e th e e n d o f h i s c ar eer wa s r ec og
,

n i ze d a s o n e o f th e b es t m a k er s n gl a n d h a d p r o du ce d i n E
th e n i neteen th c en tu r y u p t o th a t t i m e H e f oll owed th e .

S tr a d i va r i a n d G u ar n eri m o d el s ex cl us i vely a n d m a d e a ,
25 4 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
l arg e n u mb er o f i n s tru m en ts i n clu di n g vi oli n s Vi ol a s an d
, , ,

vi o l on c ell o s Th e s et o f i n s t ru m en t s k n o wn a s th e Wi th er s “ ’
.

qu art et n ow i n th e p o s s es s i on of th e Mess r s Wi th ers o f

,
”

.
,

War d ou r S tr eet a re a mon g th e fin es t i n s tr u me n t s ever ma d e

,

i n thi s c o u n tr y On e o f th e Vi ol i n s o f thi s s et h a s b een s old

.

a n d r e s old twi c e for t h e s u m o f £ 5 0

-
i t s p u r ch a s er o n o n e
oc c a s i o n b e i n g Mr L d EgV ille wh o p res en te d i t to Wil
. .
’

h elm i . I t s c o mp ani on vi oh n was s o ld a t fir s t fo r £ 30 b u t ,

i t r ea l i s e d l a t er n o l e s s t h an £ 1 2 0 — S o th e l a t e Mr E Wi th er s . .

i n f orm e d me Th a t s ee m s a n en orm ou s s u m for a n En gh sh

.

fiddl e of th e ni n et een th c en tu r y Th e t en or wa s s old fo r .

£4 0 ,
a n d th e V i o l on c e ll o for £ 5
1 0 .

Ma u co te l a n d B oulla n gi er wo r k e d u n d er E dwa r d Wi th er s
a t o n e time th es e w ere cl ever wo r km en a n d w er e o f gr ea t ,

a s s i s t a n ce t o t h e E n li s h m a n a t a t i m e wh en t h e f a m e o f
g
hi s i n s tr u m en t s h a d cr ea t e d a gr ea t er d em a n d for h i s w or k
th an h e w o r k i n g a l o n e c ou ld s u p p ly
, ,
Wi th er s di ed a t th e
.

a g e o f S i x t y s e v en a n d wa s b u r i e d i n B r o m p to n Cem e t er y
-
,
.

F a c s i m i l e l a b el

WI TH E R S E DWARD A ND S O NS L o n do n Mr
, , . .

E dwar d With er s th e fa th er Wa s b orn i n L on do n Octob er

, , ,

2 2 1 8 44 a n d di e d th er e Ma y 1 0 1 9 1 5
, ,
H e wa s th e eld es t
, , .

s on o f t h e p re ce di n g E dw a r d Wi t h ers a n d wa s tr a i n ed by ,

h i s f a th er a n d by J a ck L o tt
,
H e co mm en ce d b u s in es s a t
.

C v n t r y S t r e e t i n 1 8 5 6 w h i ch h e r e mo v e d a f ew y ea rs
3 1 o e , ,

l a ter t o th e p r es en t a ddr es s o f th e fir m War d our S treet ,

.

He w ork e d wi th hi s f a th er for a b o u t t wen ty five y ears -

,
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKE R S 255

d ur i n g wh i ch tim e h e m a de a la rg e n u mb er o f n ew i n s tru
m en ts a n d ex ecu te d n ea rly all th e p ri n cip al r ep a ir s th a t
,

wer e en tru s t e d t o th e fir m Li ke h i s fa th er h e cop i e d

.
.
,

e x c l u s i vely t h e t wo p ri n c i p a l m o d el s a n d n eve r a t t e mp t e d ,

i n a n y wa y t o m o di fy th e m e a s ur em en t s o u tl i n e a n d c ur ves , ,

o f S tra di va ri a n d G u ar n er i b eh e vi n g t h a t t h e e vo l u ti o n o f

v i o l i n m o d e l s h a d r e a ch e d I ts c ulmi n a t i n g p o i n t wi th th e s e

t wo m a s t ers H e m a d e a l t og e th er a b ou t th r ee h u n dr e d
.

i n s t r u m en t s i n cl u di n g Vi o l in s
,
Vi ol a s a n d vi ol on cell os , , ,

All th es e a r e m a d e o f very ch oice wo o d a n d con s tru cted ,

wi th th e ut mo s t car e Th e work i s b ea u ti fully fi n i s h ed a n d

.
,

t h e va r n i s h i s o f e x cell en t qu ah ty a n d r i ch a p p e a r an c e .

On J u n e 1 1 89 3, h e wa s a p p o i n t e d by R oya l Wa rr a n t
,

v i o li n m ak er t o H R H th e l a t e D u k e o f S a x e Cob u rg
. . .
-

G oth a t h en D uk e o f E din bur gh

, .

Mr Wi th er s p l a y e d th e v i oli n vi ol a a n d cell o a n d wa s
.
, ,
’

p a s s i o n a t ely d e v ot e d t o cl as s i ca l mu s i c H e fre qu en tly .

h a d qu ar t e t a n d s ym p h o n y p ar ti e s a t h i s p ri va t e r es i d en ce ,

Ehn wo o d Atki n s R o a d Cl ap h a m Par k Hi s s on s wh o

, , .
,

n o w c a rr y o n t h e b u s i n es s are : E dwar d S i dn ey Mun ns

, ,

b or n i n 1 8 7 0 S i dn ey B ern a r d b or n i n 1 8 7 3 a n d D o ugl a s
, , ,

S i dn e y b o r n i n 1 8 79
, Th e t h r ee h a v e r ec ei v e d a th or o u gh
.

g r o u n d i n g a n d p ra c t i ca l t r a i n i n g i n t h e i r a r t a n d ar e c l e ver ,

cra f t s m en Fa cs imil e l ab el
.

W I TH E R S G E O R G E A ND S O NS L on d on con
, ,

t emp or ar y Mr G e org e Wi th er s i s a s on o f E dw ar d Wi th ers ;

. .

se ni or a n d a b r oth er o f th e l a t e E dwa r d Wi th ers o f Wa r d ou r

~

, ,
25 6 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

S tr ee t . He an d his bu s i
s on s a r e d e al er s in a larg e wa y of

n e ss wh o s e e s t a bli s h m e n t a t 2 2 L e i c e s t er
, q fa mili a r S u are i s
t o e ver y c o n noi s s eu r a n d vi r tu os o i n th e c o u n tr y All o f .

t h e m a r e p r a cti ca l vi oli n m a ke r s b u t Mr Wi th er s s e n i or
e

, .
, ,

h a s n ei th er m a d e n o r r ep a i r e d a n y i ns tru m en t s th es e m a n y
y e a r s th e b u s i n es s o ccu p yi n g th e wh ol e o f h i s ti me H i s
‘

, .

t wo s on s ( wh o a s s i s t h im i n th e b u s I n e S S ) r ece i ve d t h ei r
tra i n i ng i n Mi r ec o u r t a n d on e o f th e m Mr G u a r n er i u s , , .

Wi th er s i s a n e x cell en t cr a fts ma n a n d h a s m a de a few

, ,

vi oh n s q u i t e r e ce n tly .

Th i s fir m i s j u s tly cel eb r a t e d for i ts l on g h on or a bl e a n d , ,

s u cc e s s f u l r e c o r d i t s r ep u t a t i o n i s s e c o n d t o n o n e To h a ve .

b u s in es s deali n g s wi th th e Mes s r s Wi th er s on ce 1 5 t o es teem .

th e m for ever a fter a s men wh o a re a ctu a te d by th e h i g h es t

p r i n c i p l e s .

WI NRA M J A M E S E din b u rgh co n temp or a r y A

, , .

cl ever a m a t eu r m a k er a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l t e a ch er o f t h e vi o h n

wh o h a s m a d e a n u mb er o f b ea u ti fu l i n s tr u m en t s He i s a .

b orn a r ti s t a n d w ould d oub tles s m a ke h i s m ar k a s a p ro

,

fes s i on al m a k er .

W O OD G , , F L on d o n : n i n e t ee n th cen tu r y . Very
g o o d w o r k .

W O O D I NG J T S wa n s ea c o n t emp or a ry He i s
, . .

s a i d t o b e a g o o d m a k er a n d a n e x c ell e n t r ep a i r er I h a ve .

n o t s e en a n y o f h i s w o r k a n d can n o t e x p r e s s a n Op i n i on a s t o ,

i t s m er i t s .

WO O D NEY , H .
, Ma nch es t er : n i n e t een th cen tur y .

W O O D WA R D ,
B i r m i n gh a m : c 1 8 2 0 I a m n o t . .

c er t a i n h o w ev er a s
, ,
t o hi s p eri o d an d I k n ow n oth i n g a b ou t
,

h i s wor k .

WO RD E N J A M E S P r es to n : 1 8 39 to a b ou t 1 9 0 8 or
, , ,

a y ear o r two l a t er H e wa s a d es c en d a n t o f th e Wor de ns.

o f old Wo r d en H a ll an d hi s m o th er wa s d escen d ed fr om th e,
25 8 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

a p p ert a in i n g t o th e Vi oli n H e h op es t o d evo te a gr ea t

.

d eal o f ti me i n S wi tz er la n d to h i s b el oved h obby of vi oli n

m a ki n g Hi s kn o wledg e a n d wo n der ful s kill a r e a s u ffici en t
.

gu a r a n t e e o f t h e e x c e ll e n c e o f h i s fu tu
. r e w o r k
Y O U N G M A N M H a li fa x H e w ork ed th ere ten y e ar s
, .

a g o b u t I d o n o t k n o w wh eth er h e i s th er e n o w
, Hi s w or k
.

wa s c a r efu lly fi ni s h e d a n d o n e o f hi s vi oh n s
, I tri e d
h a d a v er y g o od t one .
 PA RT I II

D I C T I O N A R Y O F V I O L I N A ND B O W
M A K E R S C O N T I N U ED

A Li st of Present-Day Makers , and a few Old Makers ly

recent

di scovered .
2 62 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
B E R R Y P E TER Ki k aldy , wh ere h e wa s b or n
, r c , NB . .
,

in 1 8 7 9 He w or k s o n a n origi n al m o d el a n d h as m a d e a
.
,

n u mb er o f i n s tr u m en t s o f b ea u t i ful w o r kma n s h i T h
p e .

d es ign of h i s s cr oll i s ori gi n al an d th e b u tt on i s cu t in th e ,

f or m of a s h o e Th e m a teri al i s e xc ell en t a n d th e va rn i s h
.
, ,

wh i ch i s an oil o n e o f a d ar k g old en b r o wn ti n t i s of g o od ,

qu ali ty Th e t on e i s m od er a t ely p o werful of a r ee dy

.
,

quali ty eve n a n d very r es p on s ive Th e m a ker i s a tal ented

, , .

a m a t eu r .

B IR CH , TH O MAS , H er efor d ; c . 1 85 0 . Average

a b i li t y .

B I RD R I C H M O ND H E NR Y Li verp o ol He wa s b or n
, , .

a t Wa l s a ll S t a ff o r d s h i r e i n 1 8 6 9
, a n d h a s b e en e m p l o y e d
, ,

for th e l a s t s i x y e a r s by th e Me s s r s R u s h w or th a n d Dr e a p er .

t o d o t h ei r Vi ol i n r ep a i r s a n d t o m a k e t h ei r h i gh cl a s s ,
-

i n s tru m en t s t o or d er Up t o th e p r e sen t ( 1 9 1 9 ) h e h a s m a d e
.

a h u n dr e d v i ol i n s n i n e V i ol a s a n d ei gh t e e n vi o l on c ell o s
, , ,

foll o wi n g u s u ally t h e S tr a di va ri or Gu a rn eri m od el Th e .

w o rk ma n s h i p i s b e a u ti fu l e v er y d e t a i l o f th e w o r k b oth ,

i n s i d e a n d ou t s i d e b ei n g fi n i s h e d wi th th e u tm os t a ccu r ac y ,

a n d p o i n ti n g u n m i s t a k a bly t o th e m a s t e r m i n d a n d th e

cu n n i n g h an d P ar ti cu l ar a tt en ti o n i s p ai d t o th e gr a du a
.

ti o n o f t h e th i c k n e s s e s o f th e p l a t es th e m a k er b ei n g o f t h e ,

o p i n i o n t h a t t h e s e cr e t o f th e I t a li an m a s t er s li e s i n t h a t

p a r t o f t h e w o r k M r B i r d m.a i n t a i n s t h a t a f t er l o n g
.

m edi ta ti on a n d i n n u mera bl e ex p er i m en ts h e h a s fi n a lly

u nr a v elle d t h e my s t er y o f t h e I t a li a n t o n e a n d a ffir m s ,

co n fid e n t ly t h a t h e c a n r ep r o du c e a c cu ra t ely t h e t o n e o f

a n y p a r t i c u l a r i n s t r u m en t o f t h e c l a s s i c a l p e r i o d Th a t i s .

a b old c l a i m t o a d v a n ce a n d wi ll p r ob a bly e v o k e r e b u k e i f
,
!

n o t r i di cu l e fr o m t h e c r i t i c s B u t Wh a t e ver th e or y ( or .

fa d as s o m e w ou ld ca ll i t ) t h i s m a k er ma y h old a n d
”

, ,

wh atever th e cr i ti cs ma y s a y i t is cer ta i n th at h e i s i n th e ,

fr on t r an k o f m o d er n B r i ti s h vi o l in m ak er s ; a n d th a t h i s
wo rk will b e a r c o mp ari s on wi th th e b es t th a t h a s b een p r o
d uce d i n mo d ern times He i s cer ta i nly ri gh t i n hi s f un d a
.
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKER S 263

men tal p ri n cip le th at th e b es t m od er n wor k i s th a t wh ich

m os t a ccur a t ely r ep ro duc es th e s ali en t fea tur es o f th e b es t
wor k o f t h e I t a li a n m a s ter s A cti n g on thi s p ri n cip l e Mr
.
, .

B i r d s ets ou t t o cop y a s a ccu r a t ely a s hi s kn owl e dg e an d s ki ll

e n a bl e h i m t h e g r a n d i n s tru m e n t s o f J os ep h a n d A n t o n i o
, .

A n d w ell d o es h e a cc o mp l i s h th e t a s k I r ecen tly ex a mined .

“
two vi o li n s o f h i s m a k e o n e va r ni s h e d an d on e ,
i n th e
wh i t e whi ch wer e ex a ct r ep r odu cti on s as far a s wo od a n d ,

workm an s h ip wen t o f a S tr a d of t h e gr a n d p eri o d a n d i t

, ,

mu s t b e a dmi t ted th a t th ey wer e i n s tru m en t s wh i ch I th i n k

t h e wh i t e a p r o n e d m a s t er hi m s elf w o uld h a ve r ea di ly
-

a dm i t t e d t o t h e f ell o ws h i p o f hi s o wn Th e t on e wa s .

p o w e r f u l b ri ll
, i a n t e v en , a n d r e e
, dy I t h a d fin e ca rr y i n
.
g
p o w er ,
a n d a n i n e x h a u s t i bl e r e s er v e s i n c e i t d i d n o t g i v e ,

ou t o r brea k e ven wi th th e vig or ou s u s e o f a cell o b ow ’

.

B LI GH T , R Ex e t er : c . 1 8 30 . V er y g o o d w or k .

B RO WN J Wes t Mar s h n e ar Gr eat Gri ms by

, , . H e wa s
a l i v e a n d w or ki n g a few y ea r s s i n c e .

BUXTO N H E NR Y , , Ch e s t er c . 1 84 5 . S t ai n er m o del
p oor w o r k .

BUX TO N J A M E S B ri s t ol c 1 8 30 A r ep ai r er a n d
, , . .
,

p r o b a bly a m a k er o f n o p a r t i c u l ar r e p u t e A fe w y e ar s a g o .

I s aw a n old vi oli n b e ari n g a p ar ti a lly obli tera t e d l ab el

wh i ch h a d a n am e lik e B u x t on or s om eth i n g s imila r o f , ,

B ri s t o l .

BYR O N HU M PH R Y Oxfor d : c I 8 oo 2 0 A vi oli n

, , .
-
.

re ce n t ly s e e n b o r e t h e l a b e l : H um p h r y Byr o n feci t i n ,

Ox o n a n d w a s o n th e A m a t i m o d el va rn i s h e d ld
.
g o en ,

br o wn I t wa s well ma de a n d h a d a s weet t on e
. .

B YR TH , W ALTE R No tti n gh a m c 1 8 0 0 Wh eth er

, . .

h e wa s a m aker or o nly a r ep air er i t i s i mpos sible to s a y .

 '

264 B R I TI S H VI O L IN M AKER S
B YTTLE , J S w an s ea 0. 1 85 0 . Pro b a bly on ly a

r ep a i r e r .

BYW A TE R H E NR Y B r i s tol c 1 8 00 A ra th er n i ce
, , . .

l o oki n g vi oli n wa s r ecen tly p i ck ed u p i n a curi os ity s h op

b ear i n g th e l ab el Ma de by H enr y Bywa t er i n B ri s t ol , ,

wi th ou t a d a t e Th e m aker h a d e vi den tly th e wo r k o f

.

R i ch ar d D u k e i n hi s m i n d a n d t h e v a r n i s h wa s ver y s imi l ar
,

t o a n d q u i t e a s g o o d a s t h a t u s e d by D u k e b u t t h e t o n e wa s ,

n o t e q u al t o t h e w o r km a n s h i p a n d ce r t a i n ly n o t t o be ,

c o m p ar e d w i t h t h a t o f th e old E n gli s h m a k er
‘

CO AD AL B E R T , , R e d r u th , Co r n wa ll : c on t e mp or ar y .

H e wa s b or n a t Ca mb o r n e Cor n wa ll i n 1 8 8 4 a n d i s n ow , , ,

e s t a bli s h e d a t Mo u n t Pl ea s a n t R e dr u th H i gh w a y R e dr u th , , ,

a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k er A s far a s I a m a w a r e h e i s t h e o n ly
.

Co r n i s h m a k er n o w li vi n g a n d w or k i n g i n hi s n a ti ve c ou n t y .

Co rn i s h m en l i k e t h ei r fir s t c o u s i n s t h e Wel s h a r e by i n s ti n c t
a n d t e mp er a m en t a n ar t l o vi n g p e o p l e b u t li k e t h e m a l s o
-
,

h a v e n e gl ec te d t o a g r e a t e x t en t th e ar t o f vi ol i n m a ki n g .

H o w t o a cc ou n t for th i s n egl e ct a n eg l ec t whi ch a mo u n ts —

t o a b err a n cy i s m or e th a n I c ar e t o a t t e mp t
—
Th e e ff o r ts .

o f thi s m a k er ( i f th ey m e e t wi t h t h e s u cc e s s t h e y d es e r ve )

will g o a l o n g wa y t o wa r d s s u p p lyi n g th e s h or t comi n gs o f -

Cor n w all Mr Co a d i s a di s ci p l e o f th e l a t e Wa l ter H

. . .

Ma ys on o f Ma n ch es ter a n d h a s a d o p te d t h a t c el eb r a te d
, ,

m a ker s ou tli n e a r chi n g a n d th i ckn es s es an d h i s w or k

’

, , ,

s h o ws t h a t th e s p iri t o f th e m a s t er d o th r es t o n th e di s
c i p le
. H e u s es h a n d s o m e wo od o f th e fi n e s t qu a li t y a n d ,

m a k es o n ly fo u r o r five i n s tr ume n ts p er y ea r d evo ti n g mu ch ,

t i m e a n d t h e gr e a t es t c a r e t o t h e c on s tru cti o n o f e a ch o n e .

Th e w o r k i s b ea u ti fu lly fi n i s h e d e v er y d e t a i l e vi n ci n g t h e ,

g o o d t a s t e o f t h e b o r n a r t i s t a n d t h e p e r f e c t s ki ll o f th e

tr a i n e d c r a f t s m a n S om e c on n oi s s eu r s w oul d p er h a p s fin d
.

fa ult wi th thi s mak er s w or k on th e s c or e o f e x ce s s i ve

’

thi ck n es s i n th e p l a t es a n d I h a v e n o d o u b t th e thi ckn e s s

,

migh t b e ver y s li gh tly r e du ce d wi th o u t i n j u r y t o th e r ob u s t

nes s and brillianc of th e t one B t i t i l w a s s afer to
y u s a y .
2 66 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

b een i n s er ted i n th eir p l a ce Collin gwo od s b es t w ork i s i n .

’

e v er y wa y w or t h y o f a p l a c e b e s i d e t h e fi n e s t w or k o f

B an k s F ors ter Duk e a n d P a r k er

, , , .

Ch a r l es Ch a ll en g er E s q o f Ti vert on S t A n dr e w s P ar k
’
.
, , , .
,

B ri s tol h a d a n A m ati cop y by Colli n g wo o d co ver ed wi th an

, ,

o ra n g e col ou r e d o il v a rn i s h of g r ea t l u s tr e a n d tr an s p ar en c y
-
,

a n d Wi th a b e a u ti fu l t on e whi ch e q u a ll e d if i t di d n o t s u r
, ,

p a s s
,
t h e v e r y b e s t w o r k w h i ch e v e r c a m e f r o m th e h a n d s o f
B en j a m in B a n k s .

On e s w a ll o w d o es n o t m a k e a s u mm er an d p er h a p s t o ,

h a ve m a d e o n e fin e vi o li n d oes n o t c on s ti tut e a man a vi oh n

m ak er b u t i t cer ta i nly s h o ws wh a t h e i s ca p a bl e o f B u t
, .

t h e fa m e o f Co lli n g wo o d d oe s n o t r e s t o n th e m eri t o f th e
s o li t ar y e x a m p l e j u s t n a m e d th er e a r e o th er fin e s p e ci m ens
o f h i s h a n di w or k i n t h e co u n t r y D r B r o a d o f A lm o n s . .
,

b u r y Gl ou ces t er s hi r e h a s or h a d on e Th i s g en tl em an
, , , , .
,

wh o i s a k e en c o n n oi s s eu r h a s s e en s ever a l o f Co lli n g w oo d s
’

fid dle s fr o m t i m e t o t i m e a n d s a ys t h ey w er e all b eau ti fu lly

,

m a d e p o s s es s i n g a r e mar ka bly s we et a n d m ell o w to n e A

,
.

few y e a r s b a ck a fin e A m a ti c op y wi th g o ld en b r o wn ,

v a r n i s h wa s k n o ck e d d o wn a t P u t ti c k S i mp s on s for £ 35
’
.
,

Th i s s p eci m en wa s i n Colli n g w o o d s b es t s tyl e a n d i t h a d all

’

t h e ch a r a ct eri s ti c s o f I t a li a n w or k Mor e th an li kely by n ow .

i t h a s h a d i t s l egi ti m a t e l a b el r em o ve d a n d o n e b ea ri n g a ,

cla r u m et ven era bi le n omen i n s er t e d i n s t e a d .

C O NK ER TO N, E . R .
, Newar k : c on t e mp or ar y . Ha s
m a de so m e ex cell en t Vi oli n s and Vi o la s .

D AVIE S VI NC E NT Erw d , , mp ora r y A ccor d

oo co n te .

i ng to r e li a bl e r ep or t h e h a s m a d e s e v er a l b ea u t ifu l i n s tru
,

m en t s ,
b u t I h a v e n o t s e en a n y o f h i s w o r k .

D A V Y W I LLIA M B l to , , o n, L a n ca s h i r e . A l i tt er a t eur

wh o d e vot e s h i s s p a r e m o m en t s t o th e m a ki n g o f vi olin s an d
Vi ola s ,
a n d h a s p r o d uc e d s o m e in s tru m en t s wi th a wo n d er

fully fin e t on e Hi s ou tlin e a n d m o de l ar e or igi n a l s h o win g

.
,

a m a r k e d di ver g e nc e fr o m th e tr a di ti ona l t yp e b u t th er e i s ,
 VI O LIN A ND B O W MAKER S 2 67

n othi n g o u t r é o r g r o t e s qu b
d o es n o t
e a ou t th e m . Mr D a vy
.

a i m a t a hi gh d egr ee o f fi ni s h b u t con c e n tr a t es h i s kn o wl ed g e,

an d s kill o n p r o du c i n g i n s tr u m en ts wi th a gr a n d r i ch a n d , ,

m ell ow t on e .

D X O N, I FR D T AL
on d on : E
c o n t emp o r ar y L . A
vi oli ni s t who m a k e s vi oli n s an a ma teu r h a v e n o t s ee n . I an y

o f hi s w or k b u t i t i s s a i d t o be e x c ell en t
,
.

D U NC A N JA M E S , , Clu n y ,
Ab d er e en s h i r e , wh ere h e
wa s b or n i n 1 8 7 1 , He h as ma de u p to da t e . t w e n t y n in e -

vi o l i n s a n d on e d o u bl e b a s s vi o li n whi ch -
. A I e x ami n e d
r e c en tly wa s o n a n o r i g i n a l m o d el b u t m o s t o f hi s i n s t r u ,

J
m en ts a r e o n th e o s ep h m o d el a ft er H o n eym a n s dr a wi n g s ,
’
.

Th e wo r kma n s h i p i s mu ch a b o ve th e a ver a g e a n d th e ,

m a teri al u s e d i s s el ecte d wi th gr e a t c a r e He u s es va r n i s h .

o f h i s o wn m a k e wh i ch i s a n o il o n e o f g o o d
,
u a li t y a n d ,
q ,

p er ec t f ly tr a n s p a r en t . Th e t on e of t h e i n s tr u men t I t ri e d
wa s l a rg e ,
r i ch , a n d fr ee .

D U NL O P , ALE XA ND E R , B r o xh a m ,
Li li th g w hi
n o s re :

c o n te mp ora r y S tr a d m o del s ligh tly m o di fied Go o d

. .

m a t eri a l va r ni s h an d wor kma n s h ip I h ave s e en o nly o n e

, , .

s p ec i m en of h i s w ork a n d th i s h a d a b ea u ti ful t o n e
, .

E VA NS , I S AA C P R O B YN, Mer th yr Tyd fil con

te mp ora r y H e h a s m a d e a few vi o l i n s o n th e A m a ti an d
.

Gu arn eri mo d els He i s a ke en c onn ois s eu r a n d a g o o d

.

lli s t
O

ce .

F A R R E LL W ILL IA M J A M E S L o n d on con tem

, ,

p or a r y . H e wa s b o r n i n S o u th S h i e ld s i n 1 8 7 0 a n d h e n ow
work s a t 1 8 1 Ca l ed on i an R o a d wh er e h e c arri es on th e ,

bu s i n es s o f m aki n g a n d r ep a iri n g a n d tra des a s Fa rr ell 8: ,

Co d ea li n g i n vi oli n w o o d a cces s ori e s etc

.
, A s a y ou t h
, , .

h e s h o w e d a p ti tu d e for th e u s e o f k e en —e dg e d t ool s a n d a ,

p r e d i l e c t i o n for w oo d ca r vi n g s o th at wh en h e deci d ed l a ter ,

o n t o t ak e u p vi o l i n m ak i n a s a h bby h f u d t h a t h
g o e o n e ,
268 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
re qu i d re v er y li ttle
i n s tr u c ti on i n th e t ech ni c al p art of th e
cr a f t . H e h a s a s o u n d p ra c t i ca l k n owl e dg e o f ti mb er , ,

wh i ch h e h a s gl ean e d du ri n g h i s t ra vels a br o a d a n d m or e ,

e s p e ci a lly du r i n g a s o j o u r n i n t h e f ore s t s o f We s t fri ca for A ,

wh i ch h e p a i d d ea r ly h a vi n g fo ur ti m es c o n tr a ct ed malari a
,

f ever . He w ork s p r i n c i p a lly on th e S tra d and G u a r n eri

mo d el s ,
b u t h i s i n s tr u m e n t s d es cri b e d as cop i es
ca n n o t be
i n t h e s tr i ct s en s e o f t h e w or d s i n ce th e y s h o w d ep a r tu r e s ,

fr o m th e cl a s s i ca l m o d els i n s ever a l l i ttle m a tter s o f d eta il ‘

,

s u ch a s e g th e s cr o ll wh i ch i s o f a n e n ti r ely di ff er en t
, . .
, ,

p a t t e r n f ro m t h e c l a s s i c a l s c r o ll a n d i n d ee d f ro m a n y s c r o ll , , ,

I h a ve e ver s een b efor e Th e woo d u s e d by Mr Fa rr e ll a s . .

,

was n a tu r a lly t o b e e x p ec t e d i s o f th e fi n e s t d es cri p ti on a n d , ,

th e va r n i s h wh i ch i s o f o r a n g e t i n t i s a l s o o f e x c el len t
, ,

qua li ty Th e ton e o f th e vi oli n I t r i e d wa s r o b u s t r es p on

.
,

s i ve eve n
,
a n d c a rr i e d w e ll
,
Mr F a rr ell i s a k e en a r ti s t
. .
,

a n d h a s i n p rep a r a t i o n a w o r k o n v i o li n c o n s tr u c ti on in ,

wh i ch h e d e a l s p r i n ci p a lly wi th th e v e x e d q u es ti on o f
‘

H ow t o r ep r o du c e th e I t a li a n t on e .

F EA R H A R R Y H a n ds w or th B ir min gh a m c on tem
, , ,

p o r a r y H. e w a s b o r n a t B r i x t on i n 1 8 7 8 a n d c o mm enc e d ,

t o m a k e vi o li n s an a ma teu r i n 1 9 1 2 s i n c e wh en h e h a s co m ,

p le t e d a b o u t a d o z e n i n s tr u m en t s H e i s p a r ti c u l ar ly .

s u c ce s s f ul i n o b t a i n i n g a r i ch m e ll o w t on e ,
.

FI S H ER G E OR G E , , Ch el t en h a m : c 1 8 2 0 1 s aw . .

r e c en tly a v i ol i n b e a r i n g thi s n a m e a n d d a t e wh i ch h a d ,

r a th er a g o o d t on e .

F LE TC H E R J O S E PH H itchi n H er ts : , , ,
—
1 81 0 25 . A
vi o li n b ear i n g t h i s l a b el wa s f a ir ly w ell m a d e a n d h a d a g o o d
t on e .

F O U C H E R F E L I X L o n d on 1 888 1 9 1 7 S on a n d
, ,
—
.

p p
u i l o f Mon s G e o r g e s F o u ch er a F r e n c h m a k er a n d e x p e r t
.
,

wh o h a s b e e n r es i d e n t i n L on d on fo r m a n y y ea r s H e li ve d .

a t 2 5 Wi n g a t e R oa d R a ve n s co u r t P a r k W On Ma r ch 2 0
, , . ,
FE L IX F O U C H ER .

To face p . 269 .
 V I O LI N A ND B O W M AKER S 269

1 9 1 6 he
,
d i n th e E a st S u rr ey R egi men t a n d wa s s en t
e nli s t e ,

t o F r a n c e t e n w e eks l a t e r wh e r e h e was kille d i n a c t i o n o n

,

Augu s t 2 4 1 9 1 7 He ma de two h un dr ed a n d fifty vi o lin s

, .

a n d t wo v i o l o n cell o s Th e wor km a n s h i p m or e e s p e ci ally

.
,

o f hi s l a t er i n s t r u m en t s i s b ea u t i ful e vi n ci n g t h e a r t i s t m i n d
, ,

a n d th e t r a i n e d h a n d i n e ve r y t u rn o f th e c h i s e l a n d g o u g e .

Th e n u mb er o f i n s tr u m en t s h e c o mp l e t e d i s v er y l ar g e fo r
o n e s o yo un g b u t t h er e i s n o t th e s l ig h t e s t evi d en ce o f
,

h u r r y i n a n y o f t h e v i oli n s o f h i s m a k e th a t I h a v e s een He .

wa s a b o rn a r ti s t a n d by hi s e a r ly d e a th B ri t a i n h a s l o s t
,

o n e wh o w o ul d h a v e gr e a t ly h elp e d t o b r i n g lu th er ze t o th e
’

h i gh es t d egr ee o f p erf e c ti on i n t h i s c ou n tr y I r ecen tly h a d .

th e o p p or tu n i ty o f s e ei n g a n d tr yi n g th r ee o f hi s vi o li n s
on e wa s a m a g n i fi cen t c o p y o f a G a g li a n o a n d a n o th er a n ,

e x ac t c o p y o f a B S F en dt b u t n o t ( I o b s er ve d wi th
. .
,

s a ti s fa c ti on ) b e a r i n g a fr a u dul e n t l a b el Th e i m i ta ti on wa s .

c l e v er e n o u gh i n th e ca s e o f th e l a tt er t o d ec ei v e ( h a d s u ch

b e en i ts i n t en ti on ) a n exp er i en c e d con n oi s s eu r Wo o d a n d .

v ar n i s h h a d b een m a t ch e d t o p er f ec ti o n an d m a r k s o f w e ar ,

r ep ro d u ce d m os t m i n u t e ly To my mi n d th e ti m e a n d
.

e n er g y ex p en d e d o n a f a cs i mi l e r ep r o du c ti o n o f t h i s ki n d a r e

wa s ted a n d th e r es ul t s er ves n o p u r p os e o th er th a n a s a
,

d em on s tr a ti on of cl ever n es s E x tr em ely cl ever y ou n g .

Fou ch er wa s Wi th ou t a d oub t a n d i t i s gr a ti fyi n g to th i n k,

th a t h e d i d n o t s p en d m an y o f hi s p r e ci o u s m o m en t s

( m o m e n t s t h a t w e r e a ll t o o b r i e f a
-
l a s ) i n-
w a n t o n e x h i,b i t i o n s

o f m er e cl ev ern es s b u t t h a t h e c o n s e cr a t e d t h e b es t p a r t o f
,

hi s t i m e t o t h e p r o du cti on o f g en u i n ely ar ti s ti c a n d u n s op h i s
ti ca ted w o rk .

F a cs i mil e o f lab el

7 a m . T e a c he r .

L U TH I fi R .

B o mb”
2 70 B RI T I S H VI OL IN M AKER S

F O U C HE R G E O R G E S Lon d on : c on temp ora ry

, , .

B ro th er o f th e p r e ce din g I h a v e n o t s e e n a n y o f h i s w or k
.
,

b u t h e 18 s ai d t o b e a p r o mi s i n g y o u n g a r ti s t .

F O X, I S AAC , Ca n t er b u r y : c on temp ora r y H e wa s .

b o rn in L oath Li ,
n c o ln s h ir e i n 1 8 5 6 a n d i s e s t a bli s h e d a t
, ,

4 U pp er B ri dg e S tr eet Ca n terb ur y a s a gu n ri fl e an d
, , , ,

c a rt ri dg e m an u f a ctu r er He h as m a d e vi oli n s an d Vi ol as
.

for m an y y ea r s a s a h o bby a n d h i s w or k r ea ch e s a h i gh
, ,
-

s ta n d ar d o f e x c ell e n c e H e u s es very b ea u ti ful woo d an d

.
,

th e w or km an s h ip a n d t o n e a r e e x cee di ng ly g o o d .

F O X, R C H I ARD , En field To wn mp or ar y , L d on on con t e .

H e i s e s ta bl i s h e d a t I O Fyfield R o a d a s a p i an o for t e d ea l e r
a n d t u n er a n d m a k es vi o li n s d u r i n g l ei s u r e t i m e
, Hi s .

i n s tr u m en t s ar e s ai d t o b e ex c ell en t b o th a s r eg ar d s w or k ,

m a n s h i p a n d t on e I h a ve n o t s een a n y o f h i s w or k bu t I
.
,

h a v e s een s p e ci m en s of h i s va r n i s h whi ch i s b e a u ti fully ,

brilli a n t a n d o f th e very fi n es t qu ali ty H e h a s exp eri

, .

men t ed i n vi oli n var n i s h for a l on g n umb er o f y ear s an d h e ,

h a s cer t a i nly s u ccee d e d i n p r o d u ci n g a m ix tu r e o f r a r e

ex cell en ce .

FU L TO N H E NR Y Li verp o ol : c 1 8 0 0 A very well

, , . .

m a d e vi oloncell o wi th thi s l a b el wa s r ecen tly for s al e i n a

s e c on d h a n d s h 0 p i n o n e o f th e ar c a d e s i n Li verp o ol
-
.

G O F TO N, R O B R T, Wh i tby B a y E 1 8 44—9 0 He ,

m ad e a b ou t th irt y vi oli n s a n d a n u mb er o f b an j os He wa s .

a cl ever c r a ft s m a n a n d s o m e o f h i s i n s tru m e n ts s h o w
,

b eau tifu l w or k H e wa s a cab i n et m ak er by tr a d e a n d m a d e

.
,

i ns tru m en t s d ur in g s p a r e f irn e On e wh o k n e w h i m d es cri b es .

h is work in a q
u a in t m a nn er th u s : H e could m a k e a
l ovely fiddl e a n d wh en h e h a d fin i s h ed i t yo u would j u s t
,

th i nk i t h a d gr o wn on a tr ee .

G RA H A M R Ca dox ton B arr y : co n t emp o ra ry He

, , .

i s a n a ti ve o f B ro mp t on Cu mb erl a n d a n d a p u p il o f J a mes
, ,
2 72 B RI T I S H V I O L I N M AKER S

H A R R O D R O B E R T E x eter c 1 7 8 4 A vi olin wa s
, , . .

r ec en tly s ee n b ear i n
g h i s l a b e l Ma d e a n d s o ld by R o b er t

H a rr o d fr o m L o n d o n I n S t P eter s Ch ur ch ya r d E x on . .
’

, .

1 8
7 4 .

H A RV E Y E , . I
P owi s : con temp or ar y
V C TO R , Di n a s .

H e i s a s o n o f Mr E H ar ve y th e vi oli n m a k er o f P en a r th
. .
, , ,

a n d a v er y m i s i n b i
p r o g eg n n er .

H A R V E Y E U G E NE Di n a s P o wi s con temp orary A

, , .

b r o th e r o f t h e p r ec e d i n g a n d a t a l e n t e d a n d p r o m i s i n g
,

b eg i n n er .

H A Y J A M E S Gu i ldfor d S u rr ey : c on temp or a r y H e
, , , .

wa s b or n a t F a r m o f H il t on F o r fa r s hi r e A p r i l 2 3 1 8 6 9 a n d , , , ,

h a s b een t r a i n e d a s a n el e ctr i ca l a n d m ech an i c a l e n gi n eer ,

i n whi ch p r o f es s i on h e i s n o w ac ti n g a s a c o n s u l t an t An .

a m a t eu r o f gr e a t a b i li t y a n d s ki ll wh o h a s m a d e s ever al ,

l o vely i n s tru m en ts on an or igi n al m o d el .

H A Y NE S H C S o u th s e a con temp or ar y He wa s
, . .

b orn a t Grea t Ma lvern i n 1 86 7 a n d i s n ow es tabli s h e d a t , ,

B on n i e c ot G old s mi th A v e n u e S o u th s ea a s a p r o fes s i o n a l
, , ,

m a k er a n d r es t or er H e co me s o f a mu s i c a l s t o ck a n d h a s
.
,

t a k en a k een i n t ere s t i n mu s i c m u s i ci a n s a n d i n s tr u m ent s , ,

fr o m h i s y ou th u p H e i s a br o th er t o th e w ell kno wn
.
-

P r o f B a tti s on H a yn es s om e ti me e x a mi n er t o th e R o yal
.
,

Co lfeg e o f Mu s i c a n d th e R o y a l A c a d e my o f Mu s i c a n d a
, ,

n ep h e w o f Wi ll i a m H a yn es t h e wi d e ly k n o wn o r g a n r ec i t a l ,

ist . H e h a s w or k e d p r o fe s s i o n a lly a s a vi o li n m a k er a nd
r e s t o r e r fo r t w e n t y five y e a r s a n d h a s m ad e a c o n s i d e r a bl e
-
,

n u mb er o f vi o l i n s b u t h i s ti m e i s ri n ci p ally t a k e n u p wi th
, p
r e p a ir s Hi s m o d el i s o ri gi n al a p p r o x i m a ti n g t o th a t o f
.
,

J o s ep h Gu arn eri u s Th e wo rkm a n s hip i s g o o d bu t Mr

.
, .

H a yn e s ch i e f a i m i s p er fecti o n o f ton e r a th er th an el eg a n c e
’

o f co n s tr u c ti o n a n d i t m u s t b e a dmi t te d th a t h e i s r em a r k
,

a bly s u cce s s fu l i n ob t a i n i n g a l ar g e e ven re s p o n s i ve a nd

“

, , ,

s w e et t on e .
 VI O L I N A ND B O W M AKE R S 2 73

H A X TO N G E O R G E Gl as go w : con temp or ar y H e
, , .

wa s b o r n a t K i n g s k et tl e F if es hi r e Oct o b er 1 9 1 8 7 8 a n d, , , ,

b eg a n to m ake vi o lin s a b ou t t e n y ear s a g o foll owi n g th e ,

S tr a d a n d J o s ep h m o d el s Up t o th e p re s e n t h e h a s .

comp l e t e d thir t y five i n s tr u m e n ts -

o f e x c ell e n t w or km a n ,

s h ip a n d t o n e A J os ep h Cop y r ecen tly s een by me wa s

.

b eau ti fu lly fin is h e d an d h a d a l arg e r i ch a n d m ell ow ton e

, , , .

Thi s m a k er i s a b orn ar ti s t an d in th e fr on t r a n k o f S co tl an d s
’

p r e s e n t d a y l u t hi er s .

H E ND E R S O N J O H N B r oxbu r n Li n li th go ws hir e
, , ,

c o n t em p o r a r y H e wa s b orn a t D u n d a s i n t h e p ari s h o f
.
,

D alm en y Li nli th g ows hi r e on No ve mb er 1 3 1 8 42 a n d h a s

, , , ,

b e en es t a bli s h ed a t J a n efield Co tt ag e B r o xb u r n for a l ong , ,

p e r i o d a s a p r o f es s i on a l m a k e r a n d rep a ir er H e i s a m a n o f .

u n i qu e p er s o n a li t y an d p o s s e s s e d o f a s t o n i s h i n g v er s a til i t y
, .

A li ter ar y fri en d h a s fur n i s h ed me wi th th e foll o wi n g a cc ou n t

o f h im H i s fi r s t c o n n ec t i on wi th c r a fts m a n s h i p wa s a s a
bl a cks mi th s a p p r en ti ce b ut a b ou t n i n e mo n th s s u ffice d t o
’

qu en ch hi s as p ir a ti on s i n th a t dir ecti on H e n ext tri ed .

farmi n g an d b eca me an exp er t p l ou gh man I n th e yea r

, .

1 8 6 1 h e wo n th e s e co n d p ri z e a t t h e Mi d a n d W es t L o thi a n

p l o u g hi n g c o m p e t i t i on an d i n t h e s a m e, y e a r h e w on t h e

fir s t p ri ze a t a S i mil ar c omp eti ti on a t Curr i e Hi s n ex t .

v en t ure wa s a s a p i t e n gi n e m an a n d a f t er a b ou t e igh t y e a r s ,

a t t hi s w o r k h e o b t a i n e d e mp l o ym e n t wi t h th e Oa kl a n d Oil

Co a s e n gi ne er
. A fterwa r ds h e s er ve d with th e B r o xb ur n
.

Oil Co for th i rt y two y e ar s b u t b e c o mi n g p o ss es s e d o f

.
-
,

e x t en s i v e p r o p er ty h e r et ir e d s o m e ye ar s a g o s i n c e wh e n h e ,

h a s d ev o t e d th e gr ea t er p a r t o f h i s ti m e t o vi o li n m a ki n g
a n d r e p a i ri n g b u t n o t all fo r h e i s a l s o a n ex p er t fl ori s t , .

H i s vi o li n s a r e n o t e d m or e for th ei r w o n d er fu l t on e th a n for
t h e i r w o r km an s h i p Th ey h a ve o b t a i n e d fir s t h on ou r s a t
.

va ri o u s i n d u s tr i al ex hi b i ti on s h eld i n E di n b u rgh a n d Gl a s

g o w for t h ei r t o n e M a c k e n z i e M.u r d och th e S co tti s h ,

P a g an i ni Mr Will F in dla y Mr An dr ew B a rt h ol omew a n d

,
’
.
, .
,

oth er cel eb r a t e d S co t ti s h ar ti s t s h a v e p l a y e d u o n t h e m a n d
p , ,

o nounced th emto b e e ual to th e b est m od ern ins truments

p r q
2 74 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
for t on e Al th y ear s h e
o ug h a dva nced in is s urp r i s i ng ly
m
.

y ou th fu l a n d b r i mm i ng o v er wi th
, p a wky hu o ur , g o o d
s en s e , an d th e m i lk o f h um an ki n d n ess .

H OD G S O N , Al v e r s t on e : c . 1 8 77 . Hi s na me has
a p p e ar e d r ec en tly in a dvertis emen t s .

H O YL E E D WA R D To dmor d en Y or ks h ir e : con tem

, , ,

p o r a r y . H e w a s b o r n a t C arr h ou s e F o ld C r os s s t o ne -
,
-
,

To dm or d e n A p ri l 1 7 1 8 4 1 , H e was tr a i n e d a s a c a b i n e t
, .

m a k er a n d b eg an t o m ak e vi ol i n s i n 1 8 8 1 s in ce wh en h e h a s
, ,

c o m p l e t e d s e ve n t y th r e e f oll o wi n g va r i ou s m o d el s a c c o r d i n g
-
,

t o th e di ct a t es o f h i s f an cy H e u s e s a var n i s h o f h i s o wn.

m a k e wh i ch i s a n oil o n e o f va ri o u s s h a d es b u t m os tly o f
, , ,

d a r k b r own a n d o f g o o d qu al i ty Th e wor km ans hi p a s wa s

, .
,

n a t u ra lly t o b e e x p e c t e d i n th e c a s e o f on e wh o h a d b ee n

t r a in e d i n th e u s e o f e dg e d t o o l s s h o w s n o thi n g of th e p r en
’

ti c e h an d b u t i s hi g h ly fi n i s h e d th r o u g h ou t
, Th e ton e i s .

o we f l u a n d o f g o o d q u a li t y — e v e n f e b r i h t d
p r , r e g a n , , ,

p l ea s i ng .

HU M PH R E Y S R O B E R T Ti mb erl a n d n e ar Lin coln

, , ,

c o n temp o r a r y H e wa s b o rn i n th e y e a r 1 8 5 9 a n d b eg a n t o
.
,

m ak e vi olin s i n 1 888 H e foll o ws th e S tr a d a n d J os ep h .

m od el s a n d tu rn s o u t th re e or fou r i n s tr u men t s every y ea r

, ,

wh i ch a r e o f ex cellen t w or kma n sh ip a n d h a ve a l arg e a n d

t ell i n g t on e H e i s ver y c a r e fu l i n th e s el ec ti on o f hi s
.

m a teri al a n d ever y d et a i l o f th e w o r k i s a ccu r a tely fi n i s h ed

,
.

A g e a n d c ar e ful u s e will gr ea tly i mp r o ve h i s i n s tr u m en ts .

I RWI N E J B ra dfor d Y o r ks hir e : con temp o r a r y

, .
, .

H e wa s b orn i n B r a dfor d i n 1 8 7 5 a n d c o mm en ce d t o m ak e ,

vi o l i n s i n 1 9 1 3 H e h a s m a d e a b o u t t w enty in s tru m en t s
.
,

all o f g o o d h o n e s t s ol i d w or km an s h i p a n d v ar n i s h e d wi th
, , ,

An ders on s a mb er oil v arn i s h Th e ton e i s ver y g o o d

’
. .

J A NS O N E D WA RD P O PP LE WE LL L eed s an d
’
,

Man ch es t er c 1 8 40 7 5 o r a li ttl e l a ter p erh ap s Un for

— .
, ,
.

tunat ely th er e i s n o cer tai n t y a s to wh en a nd wh er e h e Was

,
2 76 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

Co lli n gw oo d , a n d on e or t wo o th er s , a s we d o of th e w or k o f
B a n ks , Du k e F or s ter P ar ker et c th a t we s h o uld h a ve t o
, , , .
,

r e vi s e o u r e s ti m a t e o f t h e r el a ti v e m eri t s o f o u r E n li s h
g
m a ker s D ou b tl es s th er e a r e a g oo dly n umb er o f Tob i n s
.
,

J a n s on s e tc in exi s tence bu t th ey h a ve l os t t h eir i den ti ty

’

, , ,

a n d ar e s aili n g a b o u t u n d er th e I t a l i a n fl a g On ce u p on .

a t i m e i t wa s s a i d t h a t t h e p oor y e h a v e a lwa y s wi th you

t o t h e d ev o t ee s o f th e fiddl e i t w ou ld b e m ore a p p r op ri a t e
th e r o gu e y e h a v e al w a y s wi th y ou Of c ou r s e i t
”
t o s ay , .
,

mu s t n ot b e fo rg otten th a t th e m a j ori ty o f th e i ns tr u men ts

o f s u ch men a s To b i n h a ve b or n e f al s e l a b el s f r o m th e s t a r t ,

th a t i s t o s a y th e y h a v e c a rr i e d a t ra d e l a b el o r t h e
, ,

e mp l o y er s l a b el a n d n o t t h a t o f th e a ctu a l m a k er Mi sa p
’

, .

ro r i a ti o n i s a n o th er b es e t ti n g S i n o f t h e fiddl e t r a d e
p p .

S o m e o f th e fi n e s t o f o u r p r e s en t d a y a r ti s ts ar e l o s t t o th ei r
o wn g e n er a ti on an d t o p o s t er i ty b ec a u s e i n th e s tru ggl e fo r

e x i s t en c e th e y h a v e t o k n u c kl e t o a n d s ell t h ei r b i r th ,

r i g h t for a m e s s o f p o tt a g e t o th ei r m or e f or tu n a t e b r e th r en

i n p l a i n w or d s th ey a r e ob li g e d t o s ell th ei r i n s tru m e n t s
,

u n l a b ell e d t o t h e t r a d e .

Th e l a b el i n Mr H o l t s vi ol i n r u ns
’
.

’
t
' '

d w d P I a n s on Pe e r
E a r .

M a n c h est er An n o 18 7 2
,

Th e two la s t figu r es are fill e d in wi th a p en .

J ER M Y, A R THU R K i l d Lond on : c o n temp or

, ngs an ,

ary He is
. a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k er a n d rep a i rer a n d i s s a i d ,

t o b e a c l e v e r a r ti s t I r egr et I c a n n o t s a y a n y th i n g a b ou t
.

hi s w o r k a s I h a v e n o t s e en a n y o f h i s i n s tr u m en t s
,
He .

wa s b orn a t Old F o r d L o n d on i n 1 8 6 7 a n d h a s b een , , ,

e s t a bli s h e d a t 6 Cr o s s w a y K i n g s l a n d for a n u mb er o f y ea r s
, , .

J E R V I S FR A NK B elfa s t : c 1 8 0 0
, , . . Th i s i s a no th er
old m a k er a b out wh o m li ttl e or n oth i n g i s kno wn Two .
ED WA R D K EE N N
A .

To fa ce p . 2 7 7.
2 78 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

b ea u ti ful S tr a d c op i e s . Th e o wn er o f thi s p a r ti cul ar S tr a d

i s Ca p tai n J
os h u a Wa ts on , o f H er b er t P a r k D u bl i n wh o , ,

e n tr u s t e d i t t o t h e c ar e o f Mr Ca th ca r t till th e
. en d o f th e
war . Thr ee y ea r s a go Mr . K een a n ma de a c op y of th e
S tr a d for Ca p t a i n Wa t s on an d c on cer n i n g thi s , Mr fiddle .

Ca th ca r t wr i t es me I t h a s th e b e s t t on e o f all th a t h e
h a s e ver m a d e I
h a d i t for a c ou p l e o f w e ek s b e f or e Cap t a i n
.

Wa ts on was d em ob ili s ed a n d f ou n d co ul d p i ck i t u p
, I I
i mm e di a t ely ft er p l a yi n g o n th e S tr a d for s om e ti m e a n d
a ,

p l a y o n i t wi th p l ea s u r e a n d I t h i n k,t h a t a v e r y s e v e r e

t es t, e s p eci a lly a s th e S tr a d ( call e d t h e V i eu xt e mp s

H au s e i n on e o f th e old d o cu m en t s c on n ected wi th i t ) i s a
m agn i ficen t i n s tr u m en t a n d i n p er fe ct con di ti on I .

r ec e n tly h a d h er e for i n s p ec ti o n an o th er co y o f thi s S tr a d

p ,

m a d e by Mr K ee n an fo r Ca p ta i n Oa kl ey o f S A fr i ca a n d
.
, .
,

i n my h on es t Op i n i on th e i n s tr u m e n t s u mm e d u p i n i ts elf a ll
th e e x c ell en t q u ali ti e s t h a t a c o p y c a n e ver cl a i m t o p o s s e s s .

Th e a r t o f th e cop y i s t c an n o t p o s s ibly I t h i n k r ea ch gr e a t e r , ,

p e r f e c t i on t h a n i t h a s r e ach e d i n t h i s i n s t a n c e M a t e r i al .
,

v a r n i s h fi n i s h an d t o n e p r o cl a i m e d i t t o b e u e p lu s u ltra
, , .

Th i s i s n ot e x tr a v a g a n t b u t j u s t p r a i s e Th e l u th i er s a r t
’
.
,

h a s b een u n d er a c l ou d i n I r el a n d fo r w ell n i gh a ce n tur y -

,

b u t th e s tr on g ra ys o f th e s u n h a ve b e en p i er c i n g th r ou gh th e
cl o u d d u r i n g th e l as t fe w y e a r s a n d alr e a dy t h e ar t i s ,

s h a k i n g h er wi n g s a n d p r ep a r i n g fo r a n o th er fli gh t Th e .

h o m e o f Cel ti c a r t th e l an d o f th e P e rr y s o f To bi n D el an e y
, , , ,

D oll ar d Molyn eu x e t c
, ,
i s y e t c a p a bl e o f n obl e t hi n g s
.
, .

Th er e i s e ven n o w a c o n s i d e ra bl e n u mb er o f n a ti ve vi o l i n
m a k er s s o m e of th e m men o f gr e a t t a l en t a n d s kill a n d i t is
, ,

n o t h a z ar d ou s t o p r o p h e s y t h a t t h e Em e r a ld I s l e will h av e

h er o wn s ch o ol o f Vi ol i n m a ki n g b e for e m a n y m or e d e c a d e s

h a ve p a s s ed .

Mr K een a n h a s m a d e a few vi o li n s on t h e J o s ep h m o d el
. ,

a n d s e v er a l o n a n o r i gi n a l m o d e l a n d h e won t h e fir s t p ri z e ,

wi th o n e o f th es e a t a n exhib i ti o n h eld i n 1 9 1 3 i n co n n ecti on

wi th th e R oyal D ubli n S oci ety B u t i t i s s i n c e h e a d op te d .

th e S tr a d m od el th a t h e h as m a d e th e gr ea t s tr i d e s wh i ch
 VI OLI N A ND B o w M AKER S 2 79

h a ve b r ou gh t hi m s o far t o wa r d s th e s u mmi t of hi s a mb i ti on ,

a n d h e will b e w ell a d vi s e d i f h e a dh er e s t o t hi s m o d el t o th e

en d o f h i s j ou r n ey I t i s t o b e h op ed th a t h e will b e p a tr on
.

i s ed s u ffi ci en tly w ell i n h i s n a ti ve l a n d t o e n a bl e h im t o
di s p en s e wi th r ep a i ri n g an d d ev o t e th e w h ol e of h i s ti me t o
m a ki n g .

F a c s i m il e o f l a b e l
M A DE B Y

EDWARD KEENAN,
DU B LI N .

A NNO

KNI GH T FR A NK , R mp orar y H e
R ei g a t e c o n te .

wa s b or n i n 1 8 7 0 a n d c o mmen ce d t o m a k e vi o li n s i n 1 9 1 7
‘

.
,

A violi n I r e cen tly ex a mi n ed s h owed th a t h e h a d ma de ‘

won d er fu l p r ogr e s s i n th e a r t i n a s h o r t s p a ce o f ti m e Th e .

in s tr u m en t h a d a fin e t o n e d u e p r i n ci p a lly I thi n k t o th e
, , ,

v er y ch oi c e q u a l i t y o f t h e p i n e i n t h e t a bl e .

LA M B , J O H N, S h i r e m o o r , Newc a s tl e -
on Tyn e
-
1 823
1 9 3
0 . H e m a d e a c on s i d er a bl e n u mb er o f Vi o l i n s o f va ri o u s ,

m o d el s . S o m e o f h i s b e tt er c l a s s w or k i s n o t wi th o u t m er i t .

LA M B J O H N S h i m
, , re o or co n te mp or ar y . S on of th e
p r ec di g J h L mb b
e n o n a , or n in 1 85 5 . H e h as m a d e a b ou t
t h ir ty Vi o li n s and two Vi ol a s , on n o p ar t i c ul ar m o d el .

LEAD E R J A M E S H E NR Y B i t l :
, , r s o 0 . 1 83 0 —
4 0 . I
tly
r ec e n w q i t l ki g ld fiddl b
sa a ua n - oo n o e ea ri n g th i s l a b el
i t wa s well m a d e , of g o o d m a t eri al , and h ad a v er y fa ir t on e .

LEAKE H H , un t e l y: d e l o ok
c . 1 820 . A ra th er cru

i n g old fiddl e wi th a v er y g oo d t o n e h a d h i s MS l a b el
, , .

in it Th e m a t er i a l w a s ex c ell en t a f a ct wh i ch p r ob a bly
.
,

acc o u n ted fo r th e go o d t on e ,
2 80 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

LEE P E R C Y L d o
, , on n : m p o r ar y H e I s e s t a b
c on te .

li s e
h d t 6 A hf d H
a s or ou s e A s h f or d R o a d N W a s a
, , . .
,

p r o f e s s i o n al m a k e r a n
, d V i o l a p l a y e r a n d i s c o n s i d e
, r e d by
s o m e o f t h e pr i n ci p a l L o n d o n d e a l er s t o b e on e o f t h e a bl e s t

r ep r e s e n t a t i ves o f th e m o d er n B ri ti s h sch ool o f vi o li n

m aki n g H e wa s b or n i n H u dd er s field i n th e y ear 1 8 7 1
.
,

a n d i s t h e f o u r th s o n o f t h e l a t e Mr J o s ep h Le e W o oll e n
.
,

m er ch a n t a n d s om etim e org a n i s t a n d ch oi r ma s t er o f S t
, .

J oh n s Ch u r ch o f th a t town H e wa s e du ca t ed a t th e
’

, .

p r i v a t e a c a d e my o f M r W . E T .h o m as . a W e l s h m a n w h os e
, ,

s ch o o l a t th a t ti m e e n j o y e d a hi g h r ep u t a ti on i n t h e di s tri ct .

H e c a m e t o L on d o n a t th e a g e o f s ev en t ee n wh e n h e wa s ,

a p p r e n t i ce d t o th e fir m o f Me s s r s G e or g e R o er s a n d S on s
g .
,

p i an o f or t e m a k e r s w h
, e r e h e g o t h i s fi rs t i n s i g h t i n t o t h e

mys teri es o f fiddle con s tru cti on a n d b eca m e i n ter es te d i n ,

t h e s tu dy o f a co u s ti c s S o on a f ter h e h a d s erv e d h i s
.

a p p r e n ti c es h i p h e j oi n e d t h e r a n k s o f t h e mu s i c al p r o f e s s i o n

a s a vi o l a p l a y er ,a n d di s c ar d e d p i a n o f ort e m a ki n g He .

n e x t t o o k a c o ur s e o f i n s tr u c ti o n i n Vi o l i n m a ki n g a t t h e g

war eh o us e o f Me s s r s H ayn es o f Gr a ys I nn R o a d a n d s oon

.
gg ,

, ,

a c q u i r e d a h i gh d e gr e e o f p r o fi c i e n c y i n th e cra f t Hi s .

o u t p u t o f i n s tr u m en t s i s n o t g r e a t h a vi n g m ore t h a n o n e
s tr i n g t o h i s b o w h e i s n o t e n tir ely d ep en d e n t on m a ki n g a n d ,

i s a bl e t o d ev ot e e x tr a ti m e a n d c ar e t o th e c o n s tru ct i o n o f
e ac h fiddl e . Th e b ulk o f h i s p r o d u c ti o n c on s i s t s o f Vi ol a s ,

for th e m a ki ng o f wh i ch h e ( a s a Vi ol a p l a yer ) con s i d er s h e

h as s p e ci al a p ti tu d e a n d fi t n es s .

I n th e op i n i o n o f a r ti s t e s wh o p l a y u p o n Mr Le e s Vi ol a s
’
.

th e i n s t r u m en ts p o s s e s s a r e m a r k a bly fin e t on e a n d ar e
!

m a g n i fi cen tly m a d e an d b eau ti fu lly fin is he d .

Mr L ee h a s r ece n tly t u r n ed h i s a tte n ti o n t o m e di a eval

.

a n d p r e r e n a i s s a n ce i n s tr u m e n t s
-
A vi al d a mour wh ich h e
.
’

fi n i s h e d a b ou t s i x m on th s a g o a n d whi ch i s figur e d h er e i s
, ,

wor th y in every wa y t o b e p l a c e d b e s i d e th e fin es t e x a mp l e
e x t a n t o f th e o ld Vi o l m a k er s ar t Mr H en r y S a i n t G e o rg e
’
-
. .
,

wh o wa s p e r h a p s o u r gr e a t e s t l i vi n g a u th or i t y o n t h es e o ld
i n s tru m en t s s p ok e v er y hi ghl y o f i t
, .
 VI OL IN A ND B O W M AKER S 2 81

It ma y mar ke d h er e t h a t a n e ffor t h a s be en m a d e
be re

wi th in th es e l a s t few y ea r s to r evi ve c er ta i n m e di a eva l a n d

p o s t m -
e d i a e va l t y p e s o f s t ri n g e d i n s t ru m en t s b ut t h e ,

e ff o r t I t hi n k i s o n ly a p a s s in g wh i m a n d ca n r e s ul t i n n o
, , ,

r e a l a d va n t a g e Cr a z es o f t h e ki n d b r e a k o u r e v e r y n o w
.

a n d a gain I n Wa l e s we h a ve t r i e d h ar d t o r e vi ve i n t er e s t
.

i n th e t ri p l e h ar p a n d we h a ve e ve n tri e d t o re vi v e t h e
,

c l u m s y cr zfj lh b u t wh a t a v a il e th i t t h e h an d o f th e c l o c k
, ,

will n o t b e p u t b a ck ! H a wei s ver y p er ti n en tly r em ar ks

th at t h er e i s s om e th i n g i n e x o r a bl e a b o u t t h e co n s en s u s
o f p os t eri t y I n di vi du al s may ch a fe u n der i t a n d wri ter s
.
,

ma y tr y t o r e ver s e i ts v er di c t You e ven h a ve cr a z es for .

th e r e vi va l o f n egl ec t e d p o e t s p ai n t er s a n d m u s i ci a n s b u t
, , ,

y o u w i ll n e v e r s u c c e e d i n p u s hi n g f r o m t h e i r p e d e s t a l s t h e

g r e a t g o d s w h o m p o s t eri t y h a s o n c e d ec i d e d t o b o w d o w n

An d i f th i s i s t ru e o f i n d i vi du al men a n d t h i n gs h ow
”
to .
,

mu ch mo r e tru e i s i t o f t yp es whi ch r ep r es en t th e m a x i mu m ,

e ff o r t o f n a t u r e a n d a rt a n d whi ch a r e b ei n g e te r n a lly
,

e vol ve d fr o m t h e l e s s t o th e m or e p er f ec t V i o li n m a k er s
s h ou ld n o t t a k e a p l u n g e b a ck i n t o m e di a e v a li s m b u t s h o u ld ,

end ea v o u r t o c a t c h a g li m p s e of th e a g e t o c o m e an d s e e

vi s i o n s o f t h e fiddl e t h a t i s t o b e— u nl es s i n d ee d t h e y t h in k , ,

t h e fiddl e t yp e i s a lr e a dy p er fect Th a t Mr L ee i s a n a r ti s t
. .

o f ex cep t i o n a l t a l en t i s m a n i f es t an d t i t y w il l t h k
‘

p o s e r , a n

h i m i f h e d ev o t e s hi s t i m e a n d e n erg y t o th e c o n s tru c ti o n o f
h i gh c l as s Vi ol a s
-
H e h a s a mp l e s co p e i n t hi s d i r e c ti o n fo r
.

h i s p owe r s To b egi n wi th h e m i gh t p r o fi t a bly d e v o t e s om e

ti m
.

e t o th e s tu dy o f t h e p ro bl e m o f di m e n s i on a n d c u b i c

c a p ac i t y fo r s t ra n g e a s i t ma y s e e m t h e r e i s y e t a d i v e r s i t y
, , ,

o f op i n i on a m o n g t h e b e s t m a k e r s a s t o wh a t t h e l e n t h
g ,

wi dth s an d d ep th o f t h e p er fect vi ol a s h o uld b e Th e

, .

m atter h as b een s ettl e d l o n g a g o a s far a s th e o th er i n s tru

m en ts ar e con cern ed bu t b o th m ak er s a n d p l a yer s ar e i n a s
,

fid g et ty a m oo d a s e ver a b o u t t h e vi ol a .

LI GH T G E O R G E E x , , e t er P e ri o d
.
p r o b ably th e las t
qu a r t er o f th e ei g h t e e n t h c en t u r y On ly . on e or t wo vi o li n s
2 82 B RI T IS H VI O L I N M AKER S

b ea ri n g hi s l a b el h a ve b een s een bu t th es e s h owed very ,

c a r ef u l w o r k a n d h a d a s w ee t a n d m ell o w t o n e l a ck in g i n
, ,

p o w e r .

LI ND S A Y W ILLIA M H E NR Y, , Ca r di ff co n t e mp or ar y .

H e h as ma de on ly on e or t wo i n s tr u m en t s .

L O C K G E O R G E H ER B E R T
, , M A . S h r e w s b u ry :
co n t e mp o r a r y H e wa s b or n a t D or ch es ter
. i n 1 8 5 0 wa s ,

a t Ca mb r i d g e fr o m 1 86 9 t o 1 8 7 3 a n d s i n c e t h a t d a t e h a s ,

li ve d i n S h r ews b ur y wh ere h e wa s m a th ema ti ca l m a s t er

,

h e w e ll k n o w n S h r e w s b u r y S ch o ol f o m 1 8 73 to 1 9 0 4
( a t t -
) r ,

wh en h e r et i r e d .

H e h a s m a d e v i ol i n s a s a h o bby for m an y y ear s a n d h a s ,

c o m p l e t e d fift y o n e i n s tr u m e n t s a l t o g e th er i n cl u di n g t wo
-
,

Vi ol a s a n d th r ee c ell o s Th e wor km a n s h i p i s e x cell en t a n d

’
.
,

t h e t o n e l a r g e b r i lli an t a n d r e m ar k a bly r e s p on s i ve
, , He i s .

a v e r y c l e v e r a m a t eu r .

L O NS D ALE W P P , . r es t o n : e ar ly p a r t o f th e n in e

t e e n th ce n t u r y .

M A RD O N , J . C Ex e t er : c . 1 85 0 . I t is n o t c er ta i n

wh eth er h e wa s a m a k er ,
or o n ly a r ep a i r e r .

M A TH E R , S wa n wi c k
ly p ar t o f th e ei gh teen th e ar

c e n t ur y A c ell o o f h i s m a k e h a s b een s een wh i ch wa s of

.
’

h an d s o m e w o o d w ell m a d e a n d h a d a v er y fin e t on e
, , .

M NEI LL
’
J O H N E di nb u rgh con temp or ar y H e wa s
, , .

b orn a t Tr a n en t H a d di n g to n s hi r e i n 1 8 4 8 an d m a d e h i s
, , ,

fir s t Vi oli n a b ou t t wen ty y ear s ag o s i n ce wh en h e h as ,

c o m p l e t e d t w e n t y t wo i n s tr u m e n ts H i s t i m e i s p r i n ci p a lly
-
.

t a k en u p wi th r ep a i r s a n d h e gr e a t ly r egr e t s t h a t h e h a s n o t
,

had th e Op p or tu n i t y t o p er f e ct h i m s elf i n th e a r t o f m a ki n g ,

al b ei t h e h a s m a d e s o m e g oo d fid d les whi ch h a v e a p o w er f u l ,

a d r e s p on s i v e t on e v er y u s e fu l for o r ch es tr a l p u rp o s es
n ,
.

M Neill i s s a i d t o b e a s kilful r ep a ir er
‘
.
2 84 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

d es ign i ng th e vari o u s for m s o f figh tin g s h i p s b o th a bo ve a n d ,

b el o w th e wa t er an d by th e gr ea t es t g o o d f or tun e h e h a s
,

b een trai n e d u n d er Fr ou d e th e fir s t a n d l ea di n g auth ori t y

,

i n th e w or ld o n t h e m a th e m a ti cs o f n a va l a r ch i t ect u r e He .

h a s m a d e a n u mb er o f Vi ol i n s o n a n ori gi n a l m o d el wh i ch a r e ,

o f b e a u ti fu l w or km an s h i p a n d h a v e a ver y fin e t on e .

PAG E A R THU R LE W I S U xbri dge c ontemp or ar y

, , .

H e wa s b or n a t Mi d h ur s t W S u s s e x i n 1 8 7 9 a n d com
, .
, ,

menc ed t o m ak e Vi oli n s i n 1 9 1 2 H e fo ll o w s t h e gr a n d .

S tr a d m o d el u s i n g m a t e r i a l o f e x c ellen t q u a li ty a n d a
, ,

va r n i s h whi ch l o o k s li k e Wh i t el a w s of g old en or or a n g e
’

r e d c o l ou r H e h as m a d e o n ly a fe w Vi ol in s as yet b u t
.
,

h op e s t o p r o d u ce th em m or e r a p i dly i n f u tur e Th e w o r k .

i s e x c ell en t a n d th e t o n e l a r g e b r i ll i a n t a n d r es p o n s i ve
!

.
, , ,

R CHI A RD S O N A R THU R , Cr ed i ton D ev on co n , ,

t e m p orar y H e was b orn a t S ta v ely D e r bys h ir e i n 1 8 8 2

.
, , ,

a n d h e n o w li ve s an d w o r k s a s a p ro f es s i o n al m a k er a t

B u t ts P a r k Co tt a ge P a r k R o a d Cr e di t o n
, fter r ecei vi ng , . A
a g oo d e d u c a t i o n h e w a s a pp r en ti c e d t o t h e w oo d -
c ar vi n g
an d p a t t er n -
m aki n g t r a d e a n d wh en h e h a d fin i sh ed hi s
,

tr ai ni n g h e wa s a ck n o wl e dg e d t o b e an ex cep ti on ally i n t elli

‘

g e n t a n d c l e v er c r a f t s m an B e f o r e h e .s e ttl e d d o wn a t
Cr e di t on a fe w y ears a g o h e t r a velle d a b ou t a gr ea t d e al
, ,

i n t h e p u r s ui t o f hi s c all i n g an d h e m a d e i t a p oi n t t o s t u dy
,

wor k s o f ar t o f ever y d es cri p ti o n wh er ever h e wen t i n clu d , ,

i n g p a i n ti n g s cul p tur e a r chi t e ctur e an d es p eci a lly woo d

, , ,

c a r vi n g s
. H e h a d r a r e o p p ort u n i ti es an d m a d e th e full es t ,

u s e o f th e m I n a ddi ti on t o b ei n g a n e x p er t w o o d c ar v er
.
,

he h a s d i s p l a y e d gr e a t t al e n t a s a wa x m o d ell er a n d s o m e ,

o f h i s o ri gi n a l d es i gn s ar e w or k s o f ar t Nee dl es s t o s a y .
,

h e i s a l s o a g oo d dr a u g h t s m an .

Th i s ki n d of e ar ly t r ai n i ng b a s e d u p on a s ou n d g en er a l
,

e d u c a t i on i s I v eri ly b eli e ve th e b e s t p os s i bl e i n tr o du c ti o n
, , ,

t o th e ar t a n d cr a ft o f Vi ol i n m a ki ng I con s i der i t to b e .

s u p eri or t o a r eg ul ar a pp r e n ti ces hi p s er v e d i n a n a teli er a f ter ,

th e Con tin en t al f as hi o n whi ch u s u ally b egins a t th e age o f

f

,
 VI OLI N A ND B ow M AKE R S 28 5

fou r te en or e ven ear li er i n man y in s t an ces wi th th e s ca n ti es t

, ,

kn owle dge of e v en th e r u dim en ts o f s ci en ce a n d wi th b a r ely ,

t h e s k ill t o dr a w s t r a i gh t l i n es a n d s i mp l e cu r ve s Vi oli n .

m aki n g i t s h ould b e b o rn e i n mi n d i s a s ci en ce an d a n a rt
, ,

c o mb in e d A sci ence t each es u s t o kn o w a n d a n ar t t o d o

. , .

I t i s a s ci en ce i n s o fa r a s i t i n v es ti g a t e s t h e n e c e s s ar y p ri n
c ip les a n d for m s o f c on s tru c ti on a n d t h u s t ea ch es u s t o
,

u n d er s t an d h ow th e p r i n c i p l e s ar e di s co ver ed a n d th e
kn owl edge o f th em a p p li ed i t i s an a rt wh en i t i s o ccup i e d
i n fr a mi n g a n u mb er o f p r a c ti ca l ru l es an d i n gi vi n g t o ,

m a t eri al cer ta in d efini te form s I t i s a d elu s i on t o th i n k.

th a t Vi o li n m a k i n g i s o n ly a k i n d o f g l ori fi e d c a r p en tr y or
c a b i n e t m a ki n g Man y vi o li n m ak er s r eg a r d i t a s s u ch
.
,

wi th th e r es ul t th a t th ey n ever ( ex cep t p er h ap s by a cci d en t )

p r o d u c e a gr e a t Vi o l i n a v i oli n —
w h i ch i s a t o n c e a w o r k o f
ar t a n d a gr e a t mu s i c a l i n s tr u m en t Wh en a Vi oli n m a ker .

t ell s me th a t h i s ch i ef a mb i ti o n i s t o m a k e a fiddl e th a t i s
b e au tiful to l oo k a t I c a nn o t h el p th i n ki n g th a t hi s kn o w
,

l edge o f th e cr a ft i s s o mewh er e i n t h e n eigh b ourh o o d o f

z er o An o th er t e ll s me th a t h e s imp ly works for ton e a n d
.
,

c ar es n o th i n g fo r a p p e ar a n ce a n d I h ea r s o m e th i n g whi s p er
,

t o me H e h a s n o t th e S kill t o m a k e a thi n g of b eau t y ,

b u t h e wou ld if h e c ou ld Th e c o n clu s i o n o f t h e wh o l e
.

m a tter a n d my a p ol ogy for th i s digr es s i o n i s th i s let h i m

, ,

wh o a s p ir e s t o b e th e S tr a di vari or t h e Gu arn e r i o f t h e fu tu r e
tra i n h i s b r a i n t o thi n k h i s e ye t o s ee a n d h i s h a n d s t o d o
, , .

Mr R i ch ar ds o n w e n t t h r ou gh a l o n g c our s e o f ri g o r ou s
.

t r a i ni n g a n d th e r es u l t i s m a n i fe s t b o th i n t h e fin e t o n e an d
,

i n th e gr a c efu l li n es o f hi s i n s tr u men t s A s t o t o n e th e .
,

re s ul t o f t h e Cobb e t t c o mp eti ti o n i n whi ch Mr R i ch ar d s on s

’
.
,

vi o li n won t h e fi r s t p ri z e i s s u ffi ci en t gu a r a n t e e o f ex cell e n ce
, .

A n d th e w orkm an s hi p i s e qu a l t o th e t o n e On e n o t a bl e .

fe a tur e o f th e co n s tru cti o n i s th e c ar eful gr a du a ti on o f th e

t h i ck n e s s es o f t h e p l a tes An oth er i s th e di s cr imin ati on
.

s h o wn as t o t h e p r o p er q u a n ti t y o f w o o d th a t s h ould b e

le ft i n th e p l a t es Mr Ri ch ar d s on wor ks h i s p l a t es n ei th er
. .

t o o th i n n or t oo th i ck To wor k th e m t oo thin i s o f cour s e

.
, ,
2 86 B RI T I S H V I O L IN M AKER S

a f a t al m i s t a k e , l o f Vi o li n m a k er s t o d a y
b u t t h er e i s a s ch oo -

wh i ch a p p ar e n tly th i n ks i t i mp o s s ibl e t o err o n th e s i d e o f

thi c k n es s .I t ca n n o t b e t o o s tr o n g ly i n s i s t e d u p on t h a t i t
i s a b ig mi s t a k e t o l e a ve t o o m u c h w o o d A well k n own .
-

wr i t er o n th e Vi oli n h a s b e en p r e a chi n g th e th ick p l a t e ~

d o c tri n e s o i n d e fa tig a bly th a t h e h a s con ver ted a h os t o f

m a k e r s t o h i s V i e w s m a n y o f t h e m a g a i n s t t h ei r r e a s o n
, ,

b u t h e h a s wo n n o c o n v er ts a m on g t h e c ogn o s cen t i a n d t h e ,

err o r o f t h e d oc t r i n e i s s u ffi c i en tly d e m o n s tr a t e d i n i t s

p r a c ti c e . R e a s o n a n d e x p e r i e n ce a b u n d a n t ly c on fi r m th e
v e r d i c t p r o n o u n ce d by Hy a ci n th A b el e l o n g a g o I f th e
woo d i s t o o th i ck th e t on e wi ll b e p o or a n d wi th ou t a n y
,

r i ng i ng q u a li ty i f th e w o o d i s t o o th i n t h e t on e wi ll b e ,

h o ll o w a n d tu bby Th e Vi o l i n a n d i t s S t o r y in Th e ,

S tr a d Li b r a r y p , .

Mr R i ch ar d s on h a s t wo mo d el s th e gr a n d S tr a d a n d a
.
,

m o d el o f h i s o wn whi ch ma y b e d e s cri b e d a s th e g r a n d S tr a d
,

s l i g h t ly m o d i fi e d i n o u t l i n e E v er y d e t a i l o f h i s w or k i s
.

fi n i s h e d wi th el a b or a t e c a r e a n d t h er e i s th a t gr a n d eu r , ,

r e fi n e m e n t a n d wh a t t h e F r en ch c a ll e ta t d e r ep os a b o u t t h e
'

, ,

c o m p l e t e d in s tr u m e n t whi ch gi v es i t a d i s ti n c t i n d i vi d u a l i t y
, ,

a n d i s v er y p l e a s i n g t o th e e ye o f t h e c o n n o i s s e u r .

Th i s m a k er i s o n t h e s u n n y s i d e o f f or ty a n d th er efo r e a ,

c o m p a r a t i ve ly y o u n g ma n a n d I v e n tu r e t o p r e di c t t h a t
, ,

g i v e n h ea l t h a n d a l i t t l e e n co u r a g e m e n t h e w i ll p r o d u c e ,

w or k th a t will n o t o nly c o n tr i b u t e t o m a i n t a i n th e tr a di ti o n s ,

b u t wi]l r a i s e t h e s ta tu s o f t h e c r a ft i n B r i t a i n
. .

R TC HI IE ALE XA ND E R L d
, m p or a r y , on on : c on t e

A n a m a t eu r wh o h a s m a d e o nly a few i n s tr u m en ts b u t wh os e ,

w or k s h o ws s u ch ex tra or di n a r y t a l en t th a t i t c omm an ds
a t t en t i o n I r ecen tly ex a min ed a s p eci m en of i t a n d
.
,

e n t e r e d th e f oll o wi n g r e m a r k s i n my n o t eb o o k A m os t
fa i th ful a n d a ccu r a t e co p y o f th e gr a n d S tr a d m o d el E x cel .

l en t m a t eri a l b ea u ti fu l wor km a n s hip va r n i s h a s o ft ela s ti c

'

, , , ,

tr a n s p a r e n t a n d b r i ll i an t m i x tu re
,
— ve r y s i m i l ar t o U r qu

h ar t s v arn i s h Ton e l a rg e r e e dy r e s p on s i ve a n d ri n gi n g
’
. .
, ,

A b orn ar ti s t an d a s de xterou s a cr af t s man a s a n y now

,
‘
2 88 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S
ROG ER S G E OR G E Co nli g Co Do wn r el an d c on I
m
, , , .
,

te mp or a ry A n . e x c ell en t m e mb e r o f t h e s a ll b u t
g r o w in g
b a n d o f m o d er n I ri s h m a k er s H e h as m a d e a n u mb er o f
fin e i n s tru m e n t s on t h e S tr a di va ri m
.

o d el I t i s w or t h y o f .

r e m a r k t h a t t h e m a j o ri t y o f I r i s h m a k er s h a v e a d eci d e d

r e f e r e n c e for t h e S tr a d m o d el wh S tt i h m k
p e re as c o s a e r s ,

h a ve a p en ch a n t fo r th e J o s ep h m o d el P erh a p s th e n a ti on al .

t e mp er a m en t h a s s o m e th i n g t o d o wi th th e r es p ec ti ve ch oi ce .

Th e I ri s h a r e fer vi d s ymp a th e ti c an d r es p on s i ve ; t h e
, ,

S c o tch d ou r p er s i s t en t a n d p ra c ti ca l
, Wi th th e excep ti on
, .

o f I t a ly t h e r e i s n o s oi l i n t h e w or ld m o r e r i ch i n a r t r
p o

d u cti b il i t y th an I r ela n d Th e cou n tr y whi ch p r o du ce d th e

.

fin e old a r ti s t s o f a c en tur y a g o i s c a p a bl e o f e ven gr e a t er

th i n g s a n d wh e n th e E m er a ld I s l e i s r eg en er a t e d a n d i t s
,

s o rr o ws f o r g o t t en th e m el o dy o f fid dles th a t a re ye t u n m a d e
,

wi ll gl a dd en th e l a n d Ar ti s ts o f th e t yp e o f Mr R og er s
. .

will h a s t en th e co mi n g o f th e n ew a ge .

S M P S O N,
I F RANK TH O M A S D u n m o w Es s ex , ,

c o n t e mp or a r y B or n i n th e p a ri s h o f Gr e at S ali n g Es s ex
.
, ,

in 1 8 8 7 H e wor k s o n th e S tr a d m o d el als o o n a n or i gi n a l
.
,

m o d el wi th fl a t a r ch i n g a n d o th er di ff er en ti a ti n g ch a r a c
, ,

t er i s t i c s H e i s p ar ti cu l a rly c ar e ful i n th e s el ec ti o n o f hi s
.

m a t er i a l a n d h as h a d th e r a r e g o o d f or tu n e t o p i ck u p
,

ch o i ce b i t s o f m a p l e a n d p i n e wh er e i t i s di fficul t t o —
,

i m a gi n e i n th e s e d a y s o f ti mb er fa mi n e
,
Th e th i ck n es s es .

are v er y c ar e fu lly gr a d u a t e d a n d t h e w o r k i s c a r e fu lly ,

fi n i s h e d a n d b ea u ti fully va r n i s h e d Th e t on e i s l arg e a n d .

t e ll i n g . H e i s a v er y c a p a bl e cr a ft s m a n a n d if h e w er e t o ,

a dh e r e t o t h e S t r a d m o d e l a n d t o c op y e ver y d e t a i l s cr u p u
,

lou s ly h e wo u ld p ro du ce fin e w or k
, .

S O W R BY , E A L . Ma n ch es ter c onte mp or ar y . He
h a s m a d e vi o li n s en a ma teu r fo r a nu mb er o f y ea rs an d
, h as
l a tely d b u s i n es s a t 8 7 F i t z G eorg e S tr eet a s a p r o
op en e ,

fes s i on al m a k er a n d r ep a ir er I h a v e n o t s e en a n y o f h i s .

m or e r ecen t wor k but h i s ea r li er work evi n ce d a ver y s p eci al

,

a p ti tu d e for t h e c r a f t a n d a ugu r e d w ell for a s uc c es s fu

, l
 V I O L IN A ND B o w M AKE R S 2 89

car eer S o wer by h a s a t h or ou gh k n o wl e dg e o f t h e

. Mr .

hi s tor y o f th e cra ft a n d o f th e p ri n ci p l e s o f fiddl e c on s tru o

,

t i o n a n d t h er e i s n o r eas on wh y h e s h o uld n o t m ak e hi s
,

m a rk .

S TE D M N, R O Y S TO N, ey t o n A s s ex p er i o d a b o u t L , E ,

th e mi d dle o f l a s t c en tury Mr Ch arl es H ol t o f eices ter . .

, L ,

r ep or ts h a vi n g s e en a vi o l a o f h i s m a k e whi ch wa s o f ,

e xcell en t workm a n s h ip ,
an d h ad a v er y fin e t on e .

S TO C KD ALE W ILLIA M Ackli, , n g ton , No r th u mb er

lan d :mp or ar y H e h as ma d e a n u mb er o f vi oli n s
co n t e .

o n va r i o u s m o d el s t h e l a t er o n e s b e i n g o n th a t o f G u a r n e r i
,
.

I h a ve n ot s een a n y o f th em .

S TU R D Y , AL FR ED .An old fiddl e , a s c ri b ed t o th e

mi ddle o f l a s t cen tu r y ,
h a d th i s n a me o n a l a b el wi t h o u t
,

d a te or n a m e o f p l ac e .

A YL O R S TE PH E N O LI V E R L i t
T , t m , e ces er : c on e

p I
or ar
y m i d b t d t. M Cha l H l t n t h e Vi li e o r . ar e s o , e o n

i f L i
c o n n o s s eu r , t f p t i l o p t i t
e c e s er ,
g hi or ar cu a r s r es ec n s

m k a d I t k th
er , a n pp t i t y h f t h a kei g h i m
e o f or u n er e o an n or

h is l bl e a s s i s ta n ce Mr H ol t wri t es
va u a .R eg a r d i n g .

S t e p h e n O li ver Ta yl or I m u s t fir s t o f a ll s a y th a t h e i s th e
,

s on o f Mr S t ep h e n Ta yl or th e well k n o wn or g an b u ild er
.
,
-
,

a n d th a t h e i s h i m s elf a n o r g a n b u ild er fi rs t a n d a Vi o l o n c e ll o ,

m a ker a fter B u t h e i s n ever th el es s a c on s u mm a t e a r ti s t

.
, , .

H e h a s b e e n b r o u gh t up fr o m chi ldh o o d a m o n g fid d le s a n d ,

a ll ki n d s o f w o o d s Hi s c ello s a r e r e ally t h e fi n e s t
’
et c , .

th i n g s i n t h e wa y o f n e w i n s t r u m e n t s t h a t I h a ve s e en o r
h ea r d Th ey ar e b u il t o n th e l i n es o f G iu s ep p e G u a rn er i s
’
.

vi o li n s wi th th e l o n g G o t h i c s ou n d h o l e s an d th e e ff e c t i s
,
-
,

v e r y s t r i k i n g a l t o g e th e r h a r m o n i o u s
, a n d p l ea s i n g t o t h e ,

eye . I h a ve p l a yed o n s ever al o f th es e c ell o s Th ey a r e ’

.

a ll m a d e o f b ea u t i fu lly fig u r e d w oo d i n f a c t i t i s ex tre m ely —

,

h a n d s om e i n th e b a ck a n d r i b s a n d th eir a p p e a ran ce i s —
299 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

gr an d a n d m a j es ti c Th e t on e i s a ll th a t could b e d esi re d
.

fu ll r o u n d a n d a s m ello w a s th a t o f a n y old i n s tr u m en t I
, ,

h a ve me t wi th Th e s cr oll s t o o a r e qu i t e r e m ar k a bl e for
.
, ,

t h e ir b o ld ye t e x qu i s i t e c ar vi n g
, i n fin e th e co n c ep ti on o f ,

t h e wh o l e d es i gn i s th e q ui n t es s en c e o f vi g o ur a n d ele
n ce
g a .

Mr Ta yl or h a s
. d a l ar g e s to ck o f e xtr emely old wood
s ecu re ,

o f th e fi n es t a co u s t i c a l q u ali ti es figu r e a n d gr a i n a n d h e , , ,

h u s b an d s i t wi th t h e gr e a t e s t c a r e a n d va l u es i t a b o v e ,

r u b i es I t s e em s t h a t h e d o es n o t m a k e t o s ell n or ca n he
.
,

b e p r e v a i l e d u p o n t o p ar t wi th a n y o f hi s w or k h e l o v e s th e
ar t for i t s o wn s a k e .

TAYL O R , R O B E R T, L e i ce s t er c on t e m p or a r y H e .

is a p r o es s i o n f
l m a k e r a n d r ep a i r e r a n d
a ,
h a s h i s w or k s h o p
a t 5 An n S t r ee t Mr H o l t wr i t es r e s p ec ti n g h i m
. . He i s
n o t r e l a t e d t o Mr S t ep h e n Ol i v er Ta yl or m e n ti on e d a b o v e
.
, ,

a n d h a s n o t h a d t h e s a m e a d v a n ta g e o f b ei n g t ra i n e d t o

w o o dwor k a lb ei t h e i s a s p l en di d cr a fts m a n a n d i s tu r ni n g
, ,
!

o u t s o m e e x c e ll e n t fid dle s H e p a y s s p eci a l a tt en ti on t o
.

t h a t v er y i mp or t a n t p a r t o f fiddl e c on s t r u c ti o n V i z th e , .
,

g r a d u a t i o n o f t h e t hi ck n es s es o f t h e p l a t es a n d h i s s u c c es s ,

i n o b t a i n i n g a g oo d t on e i s t o b e a t tr i b u t e d l a r g ely t o h is
s ou n d k n o wl e dg e o f t i mb er an d o f t h e p ri n ci p l e s o f a c ou s ti c s
, .

I h ave b e en a bl e t o o ffer h i m a dvi ce fro m t i m e to tim e , ,

d u r i n g t h e v a r i o u s s t a g e s o f t h e w or k a n d I m u s t s a y t h a t ,

I h a ve fou n d him to b e a m os t i n tellig en t d ilig en t a n d , ,

a t i e n t w or k e r H e i s f u ll o f e n th u s i a s m for h i s a r t a n d I
p
:

.
,

c er t a i n ly t h i n k h e o u gh t t o r e a ch a h i gh s t a n d a r d o f e x c el

l en c e .

Mr Ta ylor s u bmi tt e d a Vi ol i n fo r my i ns p ecti on s om e ti me

.

ago ,
a n d a c ar eful t r i a l o f t h i s i n s t r u m en t e n a bl e s me t o

e n d o r s e t h e f o r e g oi n g r e m a r k s Th er e w a s v er y li ttl e in
.

t h e w or km a n s h i p t o j u s ti fy cr i ti ci s m a n d th e t o n e wa s ,

e x c e p ti o n a lly g oo d .

TH O M P S O N , F elki ngton ,
Northumb erla n d u
29 2 B RI T I S H VI O L IN M AKER S

W ILLIA M S TH O M A S E dgb as ton B irm ing h am c o n

’

, , ,

t e mp o r ar y H e wa s b or n a t L a n g l ey G r ee n Wo rc es t er s hir e
.
, ,

i n 1 86 4 a n d li v es n o w a t 9 3 Le e B an k R o a d E dg b a s t o n
, , .

Al th ough h e con s i der s hi ms elf only a n a mateur m ak er hi s ,

w ork r each es a h igh s ta n d ar d o f ex cell en ce a n d wo uld b ri ng ,

n o di s cr e di t t o t h e b e s t p ro fe s s i on al m a k er i n t h e co u n t ry .

H i s l a s t e ffor t i s a f a c s i mi l e o f a L or en z o a n d To mm a s o
-

Car c a s s i a n d i s a v er y cl ever b i t o f w or k
, H e i s a b orn .

a r ti s t a n d i t i s a p i t y h e d o es n o t t a k e u p t h e w or k
,
p ro

fe s s i on ally .

W I TH E R S J O S E PH L o n d o n co n temp ora r y Th e
, , .

li fe s tor y o f th is Gr a n d Old Man o f th e Go u g e s h ould

b e gi ve n a s i t i s r el a t e d by h i m s elf i n a l e tt er t o me d a t e d ,

Mar ch 1 8 1 9 1 9 , H e s a ys . I wa s b or n a t P op l ar L on don ,

E a s t o n th e 2 8 th o f Ma y 1 8 38 a n d wa s th e only b oy i n a
, , ,

fa mily o f s even ch ild r en My fa th er a n d m oth er were b o r n

.

i n L on d on a s w er e al s o my gr an dfa th er gra n dm o th e r a n d
, , ,

dm h my f h d M m ’
i h
’

g r e a t -
g ra n o t e r o n , a t e r s s e y o t er s .

l w e e S t h h i l i n g fr o m A b er d e en A t t h
p pe o e r c o c a , e a g e ,

o f s eve n I was s e n t t o a d a y s ch oo l whi ch I a tt e n d e d till I ,

wa s four te en wh en I wa s a p p r en ti c e d t o my fa th e r wh o wa s
, ,

a s hi p wr i g h t w or k i n g fo r Me s s r s Gr een a t t h ei r s hi p b u il di n g
, .

y ar d a t B la ckwa ll I w or ke d a t fir s t on g u n b o a ts whi ch
.

wer e b ei n g b u ilt for th e g o vern men t a t th e ti me o f t h e

Cr i m e a n w ar a n d I al s o w o r k e d o n th e fi r s t a r m o u r p l a t e d
,
-

v ess el s e v er c o n s tr u c t e d On A u gu s t 1 1 8 6 0 my f a t h er
.
, ,

me t wi th a f a t a l a cci de n t a n d my m ot h er a n d yo u n g s i s t er
,

th en h a d n o on e t o l o ok t o for s u p p o r t b u t me s o I h a d t o ,

t a k e my fa th e r s p l a ce i n th e h o m e
’
I kep t on wor ki n g a t .

my tra de i n th e s h i p y a r d till 1 8 7 9 I co mm en ce d t o m ak e .

v i o l i n s a s a h o bby a t t h e a g e o f ei g h t ee n a n d r ecei v e d s o m e ,

i n s tru cti o n fr o m a m ak er n a m e d L a mb er t wh o h a d w or k e d ,

wi th J a m es B ro wn o f S p i t alfield s I n th e ye a r j us t n a med
, .

I e xh ibi te d a vi olin a t th e Wes tmi n s ter I n du s tri al Exh ibi

ti on a n d wa s a w ar d e d th e fi r s t p ri z e fo r m u s i ca l i n s tru m en ts
,
.

Thi s E xhi b i ti o n was o n a l ar g e s c al e an d was h eld i n a ,

 VI O L I N A ND B O W M AKER S 29 3

t emp o r ar y bui ldi n g i n ! u een Vi ctori a S tr ee t Wes tmi n s ter , ,

fr o m Ma y 1 ti ll S ep t emb er Th e j u dg e s s p o ke s o hi g h ly o f
.

my Vi oli n th a t I th ough t i t a ff or de d me a fa vo ur a bl e Op p or
t u n i ty t o s t a r t a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a k e r I a c te d o n th e
.

i m p ul s e a n d s et u p b u s i n es s a t 1 5 8 Ca l e d o n i an R o a d N
, , .
,

a n d I a m p l e a s e d t o s a y I h a ve n e ver h a d c a u s e t o r egr e t i t .

Fro m th e tim e I s tart ed my ca r eer a s a p ro fes s i on a l m ak er I

n e v e r m i s s e d a n o p p or tu n i t y t o i m p r o v e my k n o wl e dg e o f

t h e Vi o l i n a n d I d i l i g en tly a p p li e d my s elf t o t h e a c qui r in g

,

o f p er f ec t s k i ll i n t h e u s e o f t he t o ol s p ecu l i ar t o th e c r a ft .

I wa s a r egul ar Vis i tor a t th e gr e a t E xh i b iti on o f s tri ng ed

i n s tru m en ts h eld a t S o u th K e n s i n g t on i n 1 8 7 2 a n d p a i d ,

th e cl o s es t a t t en ti on t o t h e f a m o u s fid dles g a th er e d t o g eth er
th er e . Th e Mes s i e S tr a d f a s ci n a t e d me a b o ve a ll t h e
o t h er i n s t r u m e n t s i t h eld me s p e ll b ou n d a n d i t wa s wi t h
-
,

diffi cul ty t h a t I c o uld te a r mys elf a wa y fr o m i t Th a t .

fiddle h a s p u rs u e d me all thr o ugh my li fe s i n c e I fi r s t s a w

i t a n d h a u n t e d me i n a ll my dr ea m s
, I h ave wor k e d a t my
.

fi d dl e s u n d er i t s s p ell a n d h a ve t ri e d t o ca t ch s o m e o f i t s
,

s p i ri t i n or d er t o i mp r i s on i t i n my wo r k U p t o t h e p r es en t
.

I h a ve ma d e a b ou t a h un dr e d a n d fift y vi oli n s twelve

‘

Vi ol a s a n d a few Vi ol o n c ell o s I a m n ow n ear ly eigh t y o n e

, .
-

ye ar s o f a g e bu t my s igh t i s a s cl ear a n d my h an d a s s te a dy
, ,
‘

a s th e y w er e fif t y y ears a g o t h a n k s t o t h e l i f e I h a v e l i v e d
, ,

wi t h o u t a lcoh ol o r t o b a cco i n a n y s h ap e or for m Th e .

n u mb er o f i n s tr u m e n t s I h a v e m a d e i s s m a ll c o n s i d e r i n g t h e
,

l on g yea rs I h a ve l ab ou r ed bu t th a t i s b eca u s e I ha ve b een

,

b u s ily occu p i e d wi th r ep a irs a ll th e ti me I s h a ll n o t m ak e

.

man y mor e fid dles my ma teri al h a s b een u s e d up a n d my ,

work h a s b een d o n e .

Th e l a s t vi oli n m a d e by Mr Wi th ers i s on th e ta bl e b efor e

.

me n o w a n d a s I l o o k a t i ts p u r e o u tli n e a n d gr a ce ful curv e s

,

I ca n b u t a dmir e a n d won der Th e s cr oll i s o f b old de s ign

.
,

s ymm etri c a l wi th e as y fl o wi n g l i n e s a n d j u s tly p r op or ti o n e d

, ,

t o t h e b o dy o f t h e i n s tru men t whil s t th e p urfii n g i s i nla i d

,

V
a
g i n b ro k e n ly a n d e v e nl y wi t h o u t a t r e m o r O n e l o o k s in
.

vai n fo r t h e s li g h t es t evi d en c e o f old a e i n a n y l i t t l e d eta il

g
U
294 B RI TI S H VI O L IN M AKE R S

of th e w ork Th e to n e h a s a ri ch r ee dy qu ali ty th at i s n ot
.

o f t e n h e ar d i n a n ew i n s tr u m e n t a n d i t i s s w e e t ev en a n d
, , ,

p e r f ec tly r es p o n s i v e .

F a cs i m i l e o f l a b el :
Ma d e b y
'
J O S EP H W ITH ERS .

Ag e d 8 0 Y e a rs
Lo nd o n, A D
. . 1 9 18

W O RTH I NG TO N J O H N H er efor d c 1 8 2 0 Ex ag
, , . .

g e r a t e d S t a i n e r m o d e l f a i r w o r km a n s h i p a n d t o n e .

WO U LD H A V E No r th S h i eld s : 0 1 8 7 0
, I am . .

n o t c er t a i n wh e th er h e wa s a n ac t u a l m a k e r o r m er ely a ,

d ealer S ome o f th e i n s tr um en ts whi ch h a ve h i s l a b el a r e

.

well m a d e .

WR I GH T P E TE R Gl o u c es ter P ro b a bly ’

, , : 0 . 1 84 0 —
50 .

o nly a r e p a i r e r .
 A p p en Ix

TH E FR O NT I S P I E C E

Th e m agni ficen t qu ar tet of o ld E n glis h i n s tru m en ts

s h o w n i n t h e fr o n t i s p i e c e i s o wne d by J E S m i th Es q. .
, .of ,

B a ys wa t er L on d o n Th e vi oli n s a r e by D an i el P ar ker an d
, .

R i ch ar d D u k e th e vi o l a by B e n j a min B a n k s a n d th e
, ,

Vi ol on c ell o by Old Willi a m F or s ter Th e i n s tru m en ts .

a r e t yp i ca l ex a m p l es o f t h e old E n li s h s ch o ol an d i n e x ce l
g ,

l en t c o n di ti o n The P a r ker Vi o li n i s I th i n k o n e o f th e mos t

.
, ,

s u p e r b s p e ci m e n s o f t h i s fin e o ld m a k er s w o r k i n e x i s t en ce
’
.

I h ave s een a l toge th er a b ou t t wen ty of h i s fid dles bu t n on e ,

th a t w o u ld qui t e m a t ch thi s o n e I t i s o f th e L on g S t r a d
.

m o d el wi th a l o v ely or a n g e r e d va rn i s h o f ex cellen t qu a li t y
,
-
.

I t h a s th e qu a i n t d ro op o f th e u p p er c o mers s o ch a ra c t er i s ti c
o f P a r k er i n hi s h a y m o m n t s I t i s fi u r e d h e r e by i t s e lf
pp e .
g
a s an e x a mp l e o f t h e cr a ft p o e t r y
-
o f B r i t i s h g en i u s .

Th e o th er i n s tr um en t s o f th i s s et ar e a l s o e a ch n o t a bl e i n
i t s o wn wa y b u t s p a c e wi ll n ot a ll o w o f a d et ail e d d e s cri p ti on
,
.

Th e qu ar t e t mu s t b e s een b e for e i t s e x c ell en ce ca n b e fu lly

a p p r eci a t e d .
 A pp e n d i x B

B I B L I O G RA P H Y

Th e foll owi n g i s a li s t o f s om e o f th e m or e i mp or tan t

E ngli s h b o ok s on th e violin a n d i s i n ten d ed a s a gu i de t o th e
,

s t u d e n t wh o i s d es ir o u s o f a c qu iri n g a f a i r ly wi d e a n d

a ccur a t e k n o wl e dg e o f th e in s tr u m e n t a n d i t s li t era tur e .

Th e a u th or h a s in p r ep a ra t i o n a n d h op es t o p u bli s h s h or tly
, ,

A C omplete B i bli og r a phy of the V i oli n i n clu din g B ri ti s h a n d ,

“
F or eign w or k s a s w ell a s Vi oli n S ch ool s a n d b ook s o f
,

i n s tr u ct i o n .

B R OA D H O U S E , J O H N F a ct s a b ou t Fi ddl es
. . Vi o
li n s old a n d n ew . L on don n d ( 1 8 79 ) W R eeves
, . . . . 8 v0 .

p a m p hl e t .

D AV I D S O N P E TE R , . Th e Vi lio n : I t s Co n s tr u cti o n
lly a n d p r a cti cally tr ea te d e t c L o n don : F
t h e or e ti ca , . .

P i tm an E di n b u r gh Gla s g o w Du n d e e 1 8 8 1 S m a ll 8 V 0
.
, , , . .

Th er e w e r e f o u r e d i ti o n s o f t h i s w or k th e fi r s t o f wh i ch
[ ,

wa s p u bl i s h e d i n 1 8 7 1 I t i s n o w ver y s ca r ce ]
.

E NG EL C A R L R , . e s e a r ch e s in to th e E ly H i t ry
ar s o of

t h Vi li
e F m ily L d
o n a . on on , 1 88 3 No v ll
e E weo, C
r o .

8 vo .

F ETI S F R A NCO I S J O S E PH No tice o f An th o n y

, .

S tra d i va r i th e cel eb r a t e d Vi o li n m a k er k n o wn by th e n a me -
,

of S tr a d i va r i u s Pr ec ed e d by H i s tori ca l a n d Cri tical

.

R es ear ch e s o n th e Ori gi n a n d Tr a n s for m a ti on s o f B ow

I n s tr u men ts an d fo ll owed by 3 Th e ore tical An alys i s of th e
,
.

29 8
3 0 0 A PP END I X B

H R ON- E ALLE N , E DW A RD . V i olin -Ma k i n g , as it

Was an d Is b e in g a H i s t ori cal ,
Th eor e t i c a l , an d Pra cti ca l
Tr e a t i s e on t h e S c i e n ce and A r t of Vi li
o n -
Ma kin g for th e ,

u s e of Vi li
o n Mak er s
Pl a yer s A ma teur a n d Pro fe s s i on a l
an d , .

W i th u p war d s o f 2 00 I llu s tr a t i on s by th e Au th or P r e .

c e d e d by a n E s sa y on t h e Vi o li n a n d i t s P os i ti o n a s a Mu s i c al

I n s tru m ent L on don 1 88 5 Wa r d L oc k B owd en Co

.
, , , , .

D emy 8 v0 [ T h i s i s t h e b es t b oo k o n Vi oli n m a k i n
.
g t h a t -

h a s ever a p p e a r e d i n a n y la n gu a g e fl

H ILL W E , S O NS . An tonio S tra divari : His Li fe

. .

an d Wo r k L on don 1 9 0 2 4to
.
, . .

S econ d e di t i o n 1 9 0 9 8 vo , ,
.

[ Th i s fin e m o n o g p
r a h w i ll r em a i n fo r a ll t i m e th e S t a n d ar d
wor k on S tra diva ri ] .

H ILL W E S O NS
, . . . Gi o . Pa o lo Maggin i : Hi s L ife
a n d Wor k L on d on 1 8 9 2
.
, .
4 t o .

H O NE Y M A N WM C , . . V
Th e i oli n : H ow t o Ch o os e
On e E d i n b ur g h 1 8 9 3 : E
.
, . K Ohl er 85 S on Cr 8 v0 . . .

H O NE M Y A N WM , . C . S cot ti s h Vi li
o n Ma k ers Pa s t
an d Pr es en t . E di n bu rgh ,
1 89 9 : E . K hlo er 8: S on . Cr .

8V0 .

R EAD E , CH A R LE S . AL os tAr t R evi ve d . Cr em on a

Vi li n
o
“

and V ar n i s h . F ou r l ett er s d es cr ip ti ve of th os e
e x hi b it e d 8 7 2 a t t h e S ou th
in 1 en s i n gt o n Mu s eu m a l s o K ,

g i vi n g t h e d a t a for p r o du ci n g h e tr u e v a r n i s h e s u s e d by th e
t
g r e a t C r em o n es e m a k er s R ep r i n t e d fr o m t h e P a ll M a ll .

Ga zette by G eor g e H M Mu n t B ir ch field . . z , .

Glou ce s t er 1 8 7 3 oh n B ello wes

,
J
a r g e 8 v o p a mp h l et . L .

A ND Y S
S W ILLIA M A ND F O R S TE R S I M O N
, , ,

A ND R E W Th e H i s t or y o f th e Vi oli n a n d o th er I n s tru
.

m en ts p la yed on with th e B ow fr om th e r emo tes t tim es to ,

th e p r es en t A ls o a n a ccou n t of th e p rin cip al mak ers

. ,
 A PP END I X B 3 0 1

Engli sh a n dFo r elgn wi th n u m er ou s i llu s tr a ti on s L on don

, .
,

1 86 4 : J.R S m
. i t h A dd
,
i s o n a n d L u c a s D e my 8 v 0 . .

S TO EVI N G , PA UL . Th e S to r y o f th e Vi li
o n . L d
on on ,

1 9 4
0 Th e Wa l ter S co t t P ubli s h in g Co .
,
Lt d .

TH E S TR AD LI B R AR Y Ab . ou t a d o z en or m or e
e x c ep ti on ally u s eful h a n db o ok s h a ve b e en i s s u e d i n t hi s
s er i e s . L o n don °

Th e S tr a d o ffi c e .
 A pp e n d i x C

TH E WE L S H CR WT H
Th a t t h e cr zizth ( crzeth p p ,
r o e r as d i s t i n g u i s h e d fr o m
cr zeth tr i tha n t o r t h r e e —s tr in e d cr ulth wa s a l i
’

, g ) p po u ar n s t r u

m en t i n Wa les for h u n dr ed s o f y e ar s i s a bu n da n tly evi den t

fr o m th e n u m er o u s r efer en ce s t o i t i n th e Wel s h b ar di c
r e ma i n s . Th e b ulk o f th es e r e fer en ce s b el on g t o th e fift e en th
an d s i x t e e n th c en tu r i es a o d n u mb e t o t h e s e v e n t e n t h
, g o r e ,

a n d a few t o t h e fir s t h a lf o f t h e e i h t e e n th c en tu r y
g . I h a v e

m a d e a l ong a n d dili g en t s ear ch for r efer en ces t o th e er reth

i n t h e li ter a tu r e a n d u n p u bli s h e d m a n u s cr i p t s o f th e s eve n
t e en th a n d eigh t e e n th c en tu ri e s a n d I h op e b e for e l o n g t o
,

p u bl i s h t h e r es u l t o f t h i s i n t e r e s t i n g l a b o u r i n a v o l u m e o n

th e Mu s i ca l I n s tr u m en t s o f th e W e l s h . Mr H eron All en i s
.
-

c o rr e ct i n h i s s t a t e m en t t h a t th e cr rfi zth e x i s t e d i n W al e s

t o co mp a r a ti v ely r ec en t t i m e s ,
b u t i s in err or wh en h e s a ys
th a t i t di s a p p ear e d a b o u t t h e y e ar 1 8 0 1 . Th er e w a s a
fa mily o f er reth p l a yer s i n th e Gwau n va ll ey n ear F is h gu ar d , ,

li vi n g d o wn t o 1 8 2 7 Th e la s t m emb er o f th e fa mily wh o
.
,

wa s c a ll e d S ha ms y Crwthwr ( D emeti a n di a l e ct J a m es th e —

cr wth
p l a y e r
) d i e d a t a n a d v an c e d a g e i n th e y e a r n a m e d ,

a n d wa s b u ri e d i n th e ch u r ch y a r d o f Llan u ch llwy d og . Th er e
wa s a er reth p l ay er b eari n g th e b ar di c n a m e o f y Crwthwr
,

M wy n ( th e m eek er reth p l a yer ) a t Car m arth en i n 1 8 1 0 .

Th er e wer e s ever a l em i n e n t crzixth p l ay ers s ca t t er e d a b out

Wa l es b a ck i n th e mi ddl e o f th e eigh t een th cen tu ry H ere .

i s a li s t o f cr zdth m ak ers m o s t o f wh o m w ere a l s o p er for m er s

,

u p o n th e i n s tru m en t

Da fydd a p S h on Foru s Tr efn ewyd d c 1 6 9 0

, , . .

302
3 4
0 B RI T I S H VIO L IN M AKER S
wr es ts F u r th er evi d en ce i s foun d in th e bri dge c on
.
,

s tr u c t e d t o c a rr y t w el ve s tri n g s n ear ly l e v e l a n d ver y low , .

Th e t a i l p i ece a n d fin g er b o ar d a p p ear t o h a ve b e en i n tr o
- -

d u ce d a ft er t h e s tri n g s w er e r edu ce d i n n u mb er Th er e i s .

a t ra d i t i on al r e cor d o f a c er t a in Crwt h yr s i c i h ld b
[ t s o u : e

cry th or ] n a m e d Mor g a n wh o i s s a i d t o h a v e l y d t hi
, p a e o n s

i n s tru m en t in Carn ar von or a t Newb or ough e ar ly i n th e

, ,

p r e s e n t c en t u r y b u t t
, h er e i s n o r e c o r d o f h o w h e p l a y e d i t ,

an d , i n t h e a b s en c e o f an y m a r k s h o win g fr i ct i o n a t th e
p a r t w h er e t h e c hi n u s u a lly r e s t s I a m d i s p o s,e d t o t h i n k
t h a t i f u s e d a s a b o w ed i n s tru m en t i t wa s p l a y e d fr om t h e
, ,

kn ee a fter th e m an n er o f th e Vi ol d a gamb a or Vi ol d a m our

,
’

a n d i n t h a t c a s e t h er e w ould b e n o di fficu l t y i n l a y i
p n g
p i z zi ca t o p a s s a g e s o n t h e t w o h a r p s t ri n g s a p p e n d e d a t t h e

s i d e o f th e fin g er b o a r d a n d a b o u t whi ch t h er e s e em s t o b e
-
,

mu ch my s t ery Th e a va il able i n for m a ti on i s h owever s o

.
, ,

s l ig h t t h a t I a m n o t d i s p o s e d t o d og m a t i s e a n d i t i s q u i t e ,

p o s s i bl e t o h o ld e i t h e r t h a t i t w a s p l a y e d i n t h e w a y I
d es cri b e or th a t it wa s p l a yed i n a m a n n er r es emblin g th e
,

g u i t a r a —
n i n s tr u m e n t w h i ch w e w i ll d o w e ll t o r em emb er

wa s i mm en s ely p op ul ar th r ou gh ou t E n gl an d e a r ly i n la St
c e n tu r y an d i n d e e d u n ti l th e all d e vo uri n g p i a n o fo rt e dr o ve
, ,
-

i t fr o m th e fi eld On e th i n g I a m p r etty s ur e o f i s th a t th e
.
,

cr zizth in i t s o r i gi n al f or m wa s n o t h eld a n d p l a y e d i n th e
, ,

sa m e wa y a s t h e m o d ern Vi o li n .

Th e V o el a s H a ll cr zizth i s figur e d in Mu s i cal I n s tru m en t s

H i s tori qu e R ar e a n d Uni qu e by A J H ip ki n s
, , ,
”
. . .

An i n s tru m en t s o m ewh a t r es embli n g th e crzi th i s s ti ll i n

u s e a m on g th e B a s qu e s o f t h e Pyr en e e s Th e l a t e T H . . .

Th o m a s t h e w ell kn o wn a rt i s t a n d an ti qu a ri an o f Ca r di ff
‘

-
, , ,

s a w a s tr o lli n g m i n s t r el b o y i n t h e s tr e et s o f Men t o n e i n th e

s u mm er o f 1 8 8 0 p l a yi n g u p on wh a t l ook e d lik e a er reth b u t ,

mi n u s th e wings Th e min s trel p l a yed th e a ccomp a ni m en t

.

t o a qu a i n t p l ai n ti ve m el o dy wh i ch wa s s u n g by a li t tl e gi r l
,

wi th a l ovely voi ce .

A s eri ou s attemp t wa s m a de year s ago by Alderm an

S a mu els on ( a lr ea dy r eferr ed t o ) an d oth er s wh o wer e
 A PP END I X 0 3 5
0

i n t er es ted in Wels h mus i cal in s trum ents t o r evi ve th e ,

cri eth . Th e Alderman g i ves a n a c coun t o f hi s effor ts i n th e

e

m hl e t j u s t q u o t e d fr o m I t s ee m e d t o me h e wr i t e s
p a p , ,

a ft er my s tu dy o f th e a n ci e n t erreth th a t i t p o s s es s e d
,

fea tur es wh ich i t would b e worth my wh ile t o a ttemp t t o

r e p r o du ce i n s u ch a m o difi e d for m a s w ould r e n d er i t s u i t a bl e

t o m o d er n u s e S o I co mm i s s i on ed a p ra cti cal vi oli n m a k er

.
,

i n th e p ers on o f my you n g fri en d J oh n Byr om o f L i verp ool , ,

a fo r m er p u p i l o f G A Ch a n o t a m u s i c a l i n s tru m en t m ak er
. .
,

o f s o m e em i n e n c e t o co n s tru c t fo r me an i n s t ru m en t on t h e
,

lin es o f y r hen gr zi/th Cy mrei g l es s ru d e in ou twar d form yet

, ,

i n es s en ti al s th e s a m e H e h a s c a rr i e d o u t h i s i n s tr u ct i on s
.

s k ilfully a n d h er e i s th e r es u l t
, I t h a s a c om p a s s e q u a l t o
.

th e Vi o li n an d th e t en o r co mb i n e d a n d h a s a t on e wh i ch ,

ma y b e d es cri b e d a s ap p r ox i m a ti n g t o th a t o f t h e V i ol
d a mo ur or Vi ol d a g a mb a I t i s ca p a ble o f gr ea t r a n g e o f
’
.

s t yl e an d e ff ec t a n d l en d s i t s e lf a dm ir a bly fo r e x a m p l e t o
, , ,

s u ch c omp o s i ti on s a s S tr a d ell a s Ch a n s on d Egli s e (P i eta

’ ’ ’

S i g n ore) a lr e ady a rr a n g ed for vi o li n h arp a n d or g a n

, , ,

etc . a n d m an y o th er c o mp os i ti o n s of a s i m il a r ch a r a c

t er . I n s h ort h er e i s o n e of ou r old n a t i on al m u s i cal

,

i ns tru m en t s r eco n s tru ct ed ca p abl e o f e ffecti ve u s e i n m o d ern

,

mu s i c a n d o nly wan ti n g en th u s i a s tic you n g Wels h mu s ici an s

,

t o m a k e i t th eir own I h op e s in cerely th a t s om e s uch may

.

b e le d by my ex p er im en t t o gi ve i t a tri al .

Thi s h o p e e arn e s tly a n d co n fid en t ly ex p res s e d wa s n e ver

, ,

r e al i z e d a n d t h e s tr e n u o u s eff or t t o r e vi v e o n e o f t h e old
,

n a t i on a l in s tr u m en t s o f Wa l e s c a m e t o n o th in
g .
 A pp e n d i x D

L E G EN D A R Y O R I G I N O F S TR IN G E D
IN S T R U M ENT S

K eltic l ds a b out th e origi n an d d evel op m en t o f

eg en

s t r i n g e d i n s tru m en t s h a v e e s c a p e d t h e a t t e n ti o n o f wr i t er s

on t h e Vi o l i n an d ye t t h e y a r e a s i n t er es ti n g i n t h e m s el ves
, ,
“

a n d a s v al u a bl e t o t h e an ti q u a r i an a s ar e t h e l eg en d s o f ,

a n ci e n t Gr eec e E g yp t o r I n di a
, I n a d di ti on t o th e my th o lo
, .

i c a l s t o r i es gi ven in c h a p t er V t h e f oll o wi n g a r e n o t e
g
wor th y : th ey ar e t a ken fr o m th e H i s t or y o f D o w n a n d
Co n n or , by th e R ev F a th er J a m es O La verty P P
.
’

, . .
,

MRI A
. . .

( )1 Th er e Once li ve d
Cu il a n d h i s wi f e Ca n och
a man , , ,

l a c h Wo r a n d th e wi fe con cei ve d a h a tr ed t o hi m a n d s h e
, ,

wa s fl eei n g fro m hi m t h r o ugh wo o d s a n d wi ld ern es s es a n d ,

h e wa s a lwa ys f o ll o wi n g h er On e d a y t h e w om an c a m e t o .

s e a s h ore o f Ca m u s P f O Cur ry t h i n k s thi s i s t h e

’
th e [ r o es s or

m o u th B a n n ] a n d s h e h ear d th e wi n d ma kin g mu s i c
of th e ,

th r o u gh t h e s i n ews o f a wh a l e s S k el e to n a n d th e s weet
’

s o u n d s l u ll e d h er i n t o a d eep s l e ep H er h u s b an d p er .
,

cei vi n g t h e eff e c t o f s w eet s ou n d s c u t a tr ee i n th e w oo d s a n d ,

form ed fr o m i t a mu s ica l i n s tru m en t ( cr ui t or cla i rs ea ch)

a n d p u t s tr in g s o n i t i n i m i t a t i o n o f th e s in e w s o f th e wh a l e s
’

s k el e t on Th u s h e for m e d a n i n s tr u m en t t o c alm th e a n gr y
.

t e mp er o f h i s wi fe a n d th a t s a y s th e l egen d wa s th e o ri gi n
, , ,

o f s tri n g e d i ns tr u m e n t s .

( )
2 Th e cr u i t or c la i r s ea
,
ch w a s i n v en t e d a s sa i th th e
, ,

l eg en d by Da gh da th e gr ea t K ing or d emi go d o f t h e
, ,
-

306
3 0 8 A PP END I X D

h i gh d egree o f afi u en ce i n o n e n igh t a n d th i s i s h o w th e ,

h a p p y ch a n g e c a m e a b o u t At a l a t e h o u r o n e wi n t er ni g h t
.
,

wh en th e g o o dm a n o f th e h ou s e h a d r etir ed t o r es t hi s wi fe ,

h ear d s o m eb o dy a p p r o a ch th e d o o r an d s u dd en ly s tri k e u p
o n a fiddl e Th e mu s i c was s a d an d weir d li k e th e s ou ghi n g
.
,

o f th e win d i n t h e ch i m n e y i t gr a d u a lly gr e w l ou d er a n d
lo u d er till th e very h o u se s h o o k w i th th e s t or m of s oun d s
, .

Th e old man c a m e d o w n a n d t im i dly o p en e d th e d o or .

Th er e a few p a ces a wa y s t oo d a mi n s tr el a s m a ll man w i th

, , ,

l o n g h a ir a n d b ear d a s wh it e as wo ol p l a yi n g u p on a ver y ,

larg e fiddl e an d t eari n g a wa y a t th e s tri n g s wi th a m on s tr o u s

,

b o w a s t h ou gh h e w er e b e n t u p o n wa ki n g t h e d e a d t h a t
,

s l ep t i n t h e ch u r ch ya r d n ea r by A t l a s t h e s top p ed a n d
.
,

b ecko n e d t o th e g o o dma n t o fetch a m a tt ock m aki n g ,

m oti o n s wi th h i s b ow t o con vey h i s m ea n i n g Th e go o d m a n .

,

with fe ar i n h i s h ear t a n d tr emblin g i n eve r y li mb br ou gh t ,

t h e m a tt o ck a n d p r o cee d e d t o di g a t a s p o t i n d i c a t e d by t h e
s tr an g e l i tt l e man wh o s t o o d by o c c a s i on a lly gr i n n i n g a n d
, ,

s h o wi n g a m ou th fu l o f l ar g e p h o s p h or es c en t t e et h
, A f t er .

d iggi n g h a r d for a n h our or mo r e h e ca m e u p on a l ar g e i r o n ,

ch e s t wh i ch u p o n b ei n g o p e n e d wa s fo u n d t o b e fill e d w i th
, , ,

g o ld c o i n a n d p r e c i o u s s t on es T h e l i t t l e
. man n o s o on e r ,

t h an h e b eh eld th e tr e a s u r e wh ip p e d h i s fiddl e t o h i s c hi n
,

an d s tru ck u p a m ar t i al s tra i n wh i ch i n cr ea s e d i n vo l u m e
,

a n d v e l o ci t y t ill th e v er y b e ll i n th e c h u r ch t o w er r a n g a n d ,

th e t r e e s s h ook a n d d o or s a n d wi n d o ws r a ttl e d
, Th e .

c o mm o t i o n h a d n o t l a s t e d a m i n u t e wh en t e a r i n g d o wn t h e ,

h i ll th er e c a m e a c a rr i a g e d r a wn by t wo h ug e b o ars a n d
, ,

dr iven by two m o n s t er gr eyh ou n ds i n to th i s th e min s trel

j u mp e d a n d g all op ed a wa y l ea vi n g th e mys ti fie d old coup l e
,

t o th e en j o ym e n t o f th eir w e alth .

Th er e a r e s ev er a l v er s i on s o f thi s fa i r y t a l e all di ff eri n g ,

i n d et a il b u t r el a t i n g p r a cti cally th e s a m e thi n g a b o u t th e

, ,

fiddl e .
 A pp e n d i x E

V I O L I N FAT I G U E

In my r em ark s on t h e p r e s er v a t i on o f i n s trum e n t s I h a ve
l a i d s tr e s s o n t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f g i v i n g v l bl e old vi oli n s
a u a

ri o ds o f r e s t T h e q u e s t i on h as b e en di s cu s s e d t im e a n d
p e .

a g a i n wh e th e r old fid d les e v er g e t l y d ”

p a e o u t a n ,d i t h a s

b e en a n s wer e d wi th e qu al c on fid en ce a ffi r m a ti vely a n d
n e g a ti v ely . Th e qu e s t i on i s r e a lly on e wh i ch c a n b e d et er
mi n e d t en t a ti vely Th e Me s s r s H ill ( wh o s e u n ri valle d
. .

o p p o r t u n i t i e s for th e s tu dy o f old i n s t ru m e n t s c l a i m fo r

t h em a r es p ect fu l h ea r i n g a t a ll times ) a s s e ve r a t e th a t i t i s,

p o s s i bl e t o w e a r o u t t h e t on e o f old vi o li n s I w
. i ll a g ai n

q u o t e t h eir w o r d s To cl os e o n e mo s t e a rn e s t wor d
—
.

I n s tru men ts by co n ti n u al u s e a r e ap t t o b eco me wear y .

Th e y ma y e ven Vi rt u a lly b e ki ll e d Gi ve th em r e s ts We
. .

feel i t a du ty t o u rg e m o s t s tr o n gly th a t fin e i n s tru men ts

s h o u ld n o t b e b r o u gh t t o p re m a tu r e d ea th by cea s el es s u s e
”
.

( A n t o n i o S tr a d i v a r i H i s L i f e a n d W or k p , .

Th e R e v H R H a wei s a p p ear s t o h o ld t h e s a m e Vi e w
. . . .

H e s a ys °

Th e wi t ch er y o f t h e Vi oli n for c o ll ect or s i s

p e r h a p s m o r e d i ffi c u l t t o e x p l a i n . V e r y o f t en t h e s e fa n ci er s

d on t p l a y an d s till m or e o ft en t h ey s eem t o h a ve a n
’

o bj ect i on t o o t h er p e o p l e s tr in gi n g u p t h eir t r e a s ur e s a n d

p l a y i n g o n t h e m I. t i s th e c o n s t r u c t i o n n o,t s o m u c h t h e

s o u n d o f th e vi ol i n t h a t d ep ri v e s t h e c o ll e c t or o f hi s s e n s e s
,

b u t we o u gh t t o b e v er y t h a n kfu l t o th e s e m on o m a n i a cs fo r ,

wi th ou t th e m th er e would b e few m as terp i eces s till ext an t

t hr o u gh th e m th e v i o li n go e s i n t o a p er i o d o f D e va ch a n or ,

e n for ce d r e s t i i
”
.
( O ld V o l n s p , .
3 1 0 A PP END I X E

Mr . P a ul S to evi n g i s emp h a ti c o n th e m a tter h e s ays

I S h ould li k e i n th i s c on n ecti on t o vin di ca te th e ri ch a ma
t eur a n d Vi o li n c o ll ec t or wh o i s c o mm o nly ch i dd en b ec a u s e
,

o f h i s wi thh o ldi n g s u ch p r i cel es s tr e a s u r es fro m t h e h an d s o f

t h e p r o fes s i on al wh o c an p u t t h e m t o b e tt er— vi z
, t h e ir
p pr o er u s e S a v e f or
. s u c h t e m p orar y c o n fi n e m e n t c on s i d er ,

h o w few o f th es e o ld i n s tru men ts w ou ld h a v e s t o o d t h e

c o n ti n u a l m er c ile s s s tr a i n a n d s t r if e o f p r o f e s s i o n a l li f e t o
,

whi ch th ey a r e n ow s u bj ect e d I d o n o t kn o w wh eth er i t .

i s a r ea l fa c t b u t i t i s a ffi r m e d t h a t s o m e o f t h e b e s t S tr a di
,

v ar i vi ol i n s h a v e a lr e a dy b ee n p l a y e d o u t Wor k e d t o d e a t h , ,

l eft a m er e wr eck o f th eir for m er s elf a s far a s t on e i s co n

c ern e d . I c an alm o s t b eli eve i t for I kn o w fr o m exp eri en ce
,

t h a t a Vi ol i n wh e n p l a y e d on for h o u r s a t a s tr e t ch will g et
, ,

t ir e d an d th e v o i ce h u s ky li k e a n o ver w or k e d s i n g er
,
-
o n ly

r e s t w ill r e s t or e th e t on e t o i t s u s u a l b r i g h t n es s a n d r es p o n

s i v en e s s Th e l a t e D r J o s ep h J o a ch i m i n a l e tt er t o me
. .

d a t e d fr o m G a s t ei n A u gu s t 1 3 1 8 9 8 wr i tes :
, I t is a n
, ,

u n d o u b t e d f a ct th a t o ld vi o li n s i f o v er p l a ye d b eco m e -

fa tigu ed I fin d i t n eces s ar y t o k eep th r e e o r four i n u s e s o

.
,

a s t o gi ve my f a v o ur i te i n s tr u m e n t p er i o d i c a l r es t s Why .

c o n ti n u al p l a yi n g s h ou ld p r o du ce f a t i g u e i s m o r e th a n I c a n

s ay ; t h er e ar e m a n y th e or i es a bo u t t h e my s t er y b u t n o ,

s a t i s f a c t o r y s ol u t i o n .

I h a ve c orr es p on d ed with s ever a l emi n en t p r o fes s or s a n d

vi r tu os i o n t h e s u bj e ct a n d o n e a n d a ll a r e a gr e e d t h a t old
,

vi o li n s b ec o m e w e a r y if o v e r w o r k e d E xp eri en ce s eems
-
.
,

t h er e for e t o l ea v e n o d o u b t a t a ll a b ou t t h e m a t t er
,
.

No w h er e ar e s o m e v er y di ffi cult a n d i n t er es ti n g p r obl em s
'

t o s o lv e Wh y s h ould over wor k p r o du ce fa tigu e i n d ead

.
-

m a t t er Wh y i n d ee d s h ould i t b e c a ll e d over work i f th e

—
, ,
-
,

i n s tr u m e n t w ith wh i ch i t i s p r o duc e d o r o n whi ch i t i s ,

p er f or m e d i s d e ad P, W h a t a r e th e d e t er m i ni n g fa ct or s

o f f a t i g ue P Wh er e i s th e b ou n d ar y li n e o f r ea s o n a bl e
w or k ? Wh y d o es r es t r es t or e t h e t on e wh er e th e
h a r m i s n o t irr ep a r a bl e A t wh at p oi n t o f o ver w or k -

d o es th e i n j ur y t o th e t on e b eco m e irr ep ar abl e ? Wh at i s

3 1 2 A P P END I X

tr ac k . I f for ll ul ar in coh es i o n th ey s ub s titut e d ecen

ce

t r ali z a ti on of m i n d th ey m ig h t a rr i ve a t s o m e s o r t o f
a g r e e m en t a n d b r i n g u s a t l e a s t a l i ttl e n e ar e r t o a s o l u t i o n
,

o f th e my s t er y A s b e ari n g o n t h i s fas ci n a ti n g s u bj ec t I
.
,

woul d r efer th e r ea d er to a very lu ci d ar ti cl e i n th e p a g e s o f

The H i bber t J ou rn a l v ol x iii No 3.
, Mi n d a n d Ma tt er
A h yl oz oi s tic Vi ew by Fl eet S urgeon C Mar s h B ea d n ell
,
-
.
,

R N wh ere h e wi ll fin d a l ong p as s ag e on m e m or y i n t h e
. .
,

i n or g a n i c w orld .
 A pp e n d i x F

WO O D A ND T O NE

I t is re m a rk abl e li ttle we k n o w a b o u t the to n e

h ow
q u a li ti es of v ari ou s kin ds o f wo o d H un dr e ds o f th o us an ds
.

o f ex p er i m e n t s h a v e b e en c o n d u ct e d wi t h a Vi ew t o ( a
) a

r e d i s c o v er y o f t h e I t a l i a n v ar ni s h or ( b ) t h e di s co ve r y o f a
-
,

g o o d s u b s t i t u t e ; b u t co m p a ra t i v e ly fe w w i t h t h e o bj ect

o f arr i v i n g a t a fu ller a n d m or e a ccu r a t e k n o wl e dg e o f t h e

s ou n d p r op er ti es o f ti mb er For a g en er a ti o n or m or e i t
.

h as b e en t a k en for gr a n te d th a t th e on ly s u i ta bl e ki n ds o f
wo o d fo r Vi oli n m aki n g a r e m a p l e a n d p i n e No t a few .

lu th i ers I s u s p ect ap p ear to b e obli vi ou s o f s o el em en tar y

, ,

a f ac t a s t h a t t h e n a m e s m a p l e a n d p i n e a r e s p eci es
t erm s e ach i n cl u di n g a l ar g e n u mb er o f v ari eti e s
, Th er e .

a re b e t we en fifty a n d s i x t y v a ri e ti es o f m a p l e ( a cer ) and ,

q uite a l o ng lis t of vari eti es o f p i n e (pi n u s ) twen ty eigh t i n - -

t h e Un i t e d S t a t es alo n e a n d i f we a d d th e fir s ( a bi es ) t h e
—

n u mb er i s v er y c on s i d er a bl e i n d ee d .

Whi ch va ri ety o f map l e a n d whi ch of p i n e d i d th e

, ,

I ta lia n m a s ters u s e ? I d o n ot thin k th e ques ti on s i mp l e ,

t h o u gh i t a p p e ar c an b e an s w er e d wi th an y th i n g li k e c er
,

t a i n ty . M Ma n gi n o b s erves th a t th e old m as ter s u s e d a

.

ki n d o f p i n e called a z ar ole (wh ich a noth er Fr en ch

wri ter M S imon tre i den tifi es with pi n u s epi cea ) but wh ere
, .
, ,

d oes h e g et h i s i n form a ti on from ?

I n s t a n d ar d th e or eti cal w or ks t h e wh ol e s ubj ect i s d i s
mi s s ed s umm ari ly by s a yi ng th a t th e b es t m ap le for vi oli n
m aki ng gr ows on th e s ou th er n s l op es o f th e Carp athi an s an d
i n s om e p a rt s of t h e E a s tern Al p s an d th a t th e b es t p i n e
,

313
3 1 4 A PP END I X F

co m es from S il es i a La Valteli n e Les Gris on s Le S immen

, , ,

th a l e t c
, .

Th e f a ct i s nob o dy k n o ws wh er e th e b es t v ar i eti es of
,

m a p l e an d p i n e gr o w n or even wh a t a r e th e b es t vari eti es

, .

I n d ee d I d o n o t th i nk s u ffici en t i s kn own on th e s u bj ect of

,

vi o li n a c ou s ti c s t o w ar ra n t eve n th e b el i e f th a t m a p l e a n d

p i n e ar e t h e b e s t p o s s i bl e w oo d s for t one W e h a v e f a ll.e n

i n t o th e p er n i ci ou s h a b i t o f t a ki n g t o o m an y th i n g s for
ra n t e d wh er e a s i n s tr i c t s ci en t i fi c i n q u i r y n o th i n h u ld
g , g s o

b e t a k en for gr a n t e d Wi th in th e a r ea c over e d by th i s
.

s u bj e c t th er e r em a i n s a n u n k n o wn r e g i o n w a i t i n g th e a d ven t
,

o f a cu r i ou s e x p l or er D r F el i x S a va n t d i d s p l en di d wor k
. .
,

b u t h e on ly j u s t en t ere d th e b or d er l a n d .

I am w ell a wa r e th a t violin m akers h a ve fr om time to

t i m e tr i e d v a r i ou s k i n d s o f w o od an d th a t ex p er i m en t s h a ve
,

b een m a d e w ith diff er en t m eta l s gl a s s l ea th er e tc b ut , , , .

,

s p or a d i c t e s ts an d e x p er i m en ts by u n l e t t er e d me n ar e n o t
‘

lik ely t o l ea d t o a n y gr ea t d i s cover y Th e s ubj ect d eman d s

’

a d eep a n d p er s i s t en t s ci en ti fi c s tu dy ex t en di n g over m a n y ,

y ear s a n d o ver m an y coun tri es Woo d s fr o m a ll p ar ts o f

.

th e w o r ld fr o m d iff er en t s oil s o f d iff er en t var i eti es an d

, , ,

o f d i ff er e n t s p e ci e s o ugh t t o b e tr i e d i n en dle s s c o mbi na

,

t i on s th e r es u l t s b ei n g c a r efu lly tab u l a te d t o en a bl e u s t o

, ,

a rr i v e a t d efi n i t e r es u l ts Th i s i s of c ours e l a rg ely a
.
, ,

qu e s tion of ti me an d m on ey bu t an ab un dan ce of b oth h as

,

b een s acrifi ced i n th e p u rs ui t of th at ign i s fa tu u s th e I tali an ,

va rni s h .
3 1 6 A PP END I X G

dd l V ea l O E l O F eel M F m
fi e .
[ . . v e e , v . .
, . . vea u ] a n d vellu ,

vi tu li n e, ar e , o f c o u r s e c ogn a t e w o r d s
, .

Th e d i s a p p ea ra nce o f t i n vi ol ( vi ola a n d vi u la ) i s i n
a c c or d a n c e w i th on e o f t h e s o u n d l a w s wh i ch g o v er n t h e -

p a s s a g e o f p o p u l a r s p o k e n L a t in i n t o t h e R o m an c e d i a l e c t s ,

wh er eby a m e di a l c on s o n a n t b e twe en t wo vow el s i s g en er

a lly s y n c o p a t e d ,
as ,
e g magi s tr um in m o dern Fr en ch
. .
,

b eco m es ma i tr e ; s eca ra m s ti r ; rotu n d um r on d e tc , .

I f th e a b o v e b e th e corr ect etymol ogy o f th e wor d s fid d le

a n d vi oli n ( an d th e w ei gh t o f s ch o l a r s h i p i s i n i t s f a v o u r ) i t ,

s e e m s a h a r d f a t e wh i ch h a s o v er t a k en th e f o r m er n a m e .

Th er e i s n o r e as on wh y fidd le s h ou ld fa ll i n t o di s fa vour .

L e t u s h op e t h a t a n o th er g en era ti on wi ll h a ve a tr u er a pp r o
c i a t i o n o f h i s t o r y a n d a k e en er s en s e o f th e fi tn e s s o f th i n g s
'

Th e p o or w or d cr owd h a s ha d t o g o by t h e b o ar d l o n g a g o ,

bu t i t wa s q u i t e a r es p e c t a bl e w or d b ei n g r el a t e d t o th e ,

G a e li c cr ui t a n d th e Wel s h crrhth .

I t i s r e m a r k a b l e h o w i n t h e gr o w t h o f l a n g u a g e n a m e s
, ,

a n d w or d s wh i ch on c e w er e con s i d er e d fi tti n g a n d p ol i t e

h a ve c o m e t o i n d ic a t e s om eth i ng wh i ch i s off en s i ve ta k e
e g
. . th e w or d s g o s s i p vulg ar cl own p a g a n s illy e tc
, , , , If , , .

t o th e l i s t o f d egr a d e d wor d s m u s t even tu a lly b e a dd e d th e

wor d fid d le th a t will b e wh en i gn or an ce i s a ll owed t o s i t i n
,

j ud gm en t a t th e ga tes o f el ega n ce .
 A pp e n d i x H

C L I MATE A ND T O NE
Th a t cli m a t e h a s a gr eat d eal t o d o wi th th e qu a lity o f th e
t o n e o f vi o li n s i s a fa ct th a t d oes n o t a p p ea r t o n e e d d e m on
s tr a t i o n ,
n e ver th el es s i t h as b e en q u es ti on e d . My o wn
o b s er va t i on s e x t en d i n g o ve r a q u ar t er o f a c en tu r y a n d t h e
, ,

t e s ti m on y o f o th er s wh o h a ve i n t e r e s te d th em s el v es i n t h e
s u bj e c t , e n a bl e me t o s a y ver y e x p li c i t ly t h a t t h e fiddl e

l k h e gr e a t S a m u el J o h n s on i m h ff d by h
( u n i e t ) s u c a ec t e t e

wea th er Two th i n g s es tabli s h th e fac t

. A d amp o r
v a r i abl e cli m a t e a ff ect s d etri men ta lly th e t on e o f o ld
i n s tr u m e n t s Th er e i s n o th i ng ( u n l e s s i t b e a cci d e n t or
.

th ef t ) th a t a rt i s te s wh o own fin e old fid d les s o m u ch d r e a d

a s d a m p m u r ky w ea th er a n d t h e f ou l o v er h e a t e d a t m o
, , ,
-

s p h er e o f a c o n cer t r oo m .Dr J oa ch i m on ce t o ld me th a t h i s
.

S tra d p o s i ti vely r efu s e d t o s i n g in a h u m i d r o o m . Th e m o r e

p e r f e c t t h e c on s ti tu t i o n o f t h e fiddl e a n d th e s w ee t er i t s
,

v o i ce ,
t h e m o r e i s i t a ff ect e d by c li m a ti c ch a n g e s F or
.

t h i s r ea s on i t i s p r ob a bl e th a t we r ar ely or n ever i n t hi s
co u n tr y h e ar th e gr e a t S tr a d a n d J os ep h a t t h eir b es t .

( )
2 A w a r m cli m a t e h elp s t o m a tu r e n ew i n s tr u m e n t s .

I h ave s een i n s tr umen ts th at were made by Bri ti s h m akers

t we n ty t o t wen t y five y e ar s a g o whi ch h a d b een for a
-
,

nu mb e r o f y e a r s i n a w a r m c l i m a t e — s o m e i n I n d i a s o me i n
,

B riti sh E a s t A fri ca E gyp t a n d I t aly th e t on e o f which

, ,
—

h a d m a tur e d w on d er fully I t W ill s u ffi ce t o n a m e o n e

.

i n s ta n ce . I n t h e yea r 1 8 9 5 th e l a te J a m es H ar d i e o f ,

E din b urgh ma d e s p eci ally t o my or d er a fin e violi n o n th e

,

Ma ggi n i m od el h e m a d e al s o a s i mil ar i n s tru m en t t o th e

317
31 8 A P P END I X H
or d er o f a gentl em an wh o went i n th a t y ear to E a s t Afr i ca ,

t a k in g t h e fiddl e wi th h i m S o m e tim e a go th i s l a t t er
.

i n s tru m en t ca m e i n to my p os s es s i on a n d I h a d th e op p or ,

t un i ty t o j u dg e o f t h e eff ect o f n ea rly t w en ty y e a r s o f

tr o p i c a l h e a t o n th e c o n s ti tu ti o n an d t o n e o f th e fiddl e It .

wa s ver y m ar k e d : t h e w oo d h a d a g e d i n a p p ea r a n c e th e ,

g l i n t o f t h e v ar n i s h h a d b e en m u ch s o f t e n e d a n d t h e t o n e ,

h a d d ev el op e d a m a tu ri t y wh i ch a n ex i s t enc e o f fifty y ear s

i n En g l a n d w ou ld n o t h a ve gi ven i t Th er e i s n ow a va s t
.

di ffer en ce i n th e ton e of th es e two H ar d i e fid d les .

Ca n w e i n thi s c o u n tr y i s th e q u e s ti o n w i th our g r ey
, ,

s k y a n d gr u mp y c l i m a t e e ver h op e t o i m p a r t t o o u r n e w
,

fid d les a full an d p er fect m atu r i t y P I f e a r n o t We c a n .

i mp or t w o o d fr o m A lp i n e h ill a n d Cr o a ti a n d a l e we c a n
r ep r o d u c e th e g r a c e ful l i n es o f S tr a d o r J os ep h w e ma y
y e t s u c c e e d i n a d o rn i n g o u r w or k w i th Cr e m o n a r u by b ut

o n e t h i n g r e m a i ns fo r e v er b e y o n d ou r g r a s p th e m a t u r i n g —

war mth o f th e g en erous cli m ate o f th e fa ir l an d o f I t aly .

P ri n ted i n Gr ea t B r i ta i n for R OB ER T S c or r P ubli s h er , P n nn xo s r nn R ow. LOND ON

.
.

by B UTLER TANNEB . FR O M: