Bow & Bridge

Fendt, William

1833–1852

As printed

  1. A dictionary of violin makers (1896)

    Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses.

    scan page 36, line 9See the scan

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 36, line 9

    2. Fendt, Martin, second son of Bernhard Fendt; b. July, 1812, in London; d. July, 1845, in Bell Alley, Coleman Street. Pupil of his father; he had talent, and was one of the good workmen employed by Arthur Betts, brother of John Betts.
    4. Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses.
    6. Ferati, Pietro. Was working in Sienna about 1754-64. His instruments are inferior, and he used brown varnish of bad quality. In a violin of very ordinary make, with broad purfling and thick brown varnish, was the label: "Pietro Ferati, fecit Siena, 1764."

  2. A dictionary of violin makers (n.d.)

    Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses.

    scan page 38, line 9See the scans: 38, 38source record

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 38, line 9

    2. Fendt, Martin, second son of Bernhard Fendt; b. July, 1812, in London; d. July, 1845, in Bell Alley, Coleman Street. Pupil of his father; he had talent, and was one of the good workmen employed by Arthur Betts, brother of John Betts.
    4. Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses.
    6. Ferati, Pietro. Was working in Sienna about 1754-64. His instruments are inferior, and he used brown varnish of bad quality. In a violin of very ordinary make, with broad purfling and thick brown varnish, was the label: "Pietro Ferati, fecit Siena, 1764."

  3. An encyclopedia of the violin (1925)

    FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade.

    scan pages 45, 47 · line 4See the scans: 45, 47source record

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 45, line 4

    1. of Bernhard, his eldest brother. Jacob was a highly talented violin maker, who copied the instruments by Stradivarius and Lupot with great success. He generally worked for dealers, and had always the ambition to make his instruments appear a great deal older than they really were.
    3. FENDT, MARTIN, London, b. 1812, d. 1845.
    4. FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade.
    6. FENT, FRANÇOIS, Paris, 1765 to 1791. One of the ablest Parisian violin makers of his time. He worked upon the Stradivarius model, using only the best wood. His varnish was a reddish brown which now of course appears much darker and seems nearly black. Vidal calls attention to the fact that nearly all the Fent instruments are infested by worms. The label used by Fent is reproduced on Plate 15.
Show all 8 printings

  1. An encyclopedia of the violin (n.d.)

    FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade.

    scan page 49, line 4See the scan

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 49, line 4

    1. of Bernhard, his eldest brother. Jacob was a highly talented violin maker, who copied the instruments by Stradivarius and Lupot with great success. He generally worked for dealers, and had always the ambition to make his instruments appear a great deal older than they really were.
    3. FENDT, MARTIN, London, b. 1812, d. 1845.
    4. FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade.
    6. FENT, FRANÇOIS, Paris, 1765 to 1791. One of the ablest Parisian violin makers of his time. He worked upon the Stradivarius model, using only the best wood. His varnish was a reddish brown which now of course appears much darker and seems nearly black. Vidal calls attention to the fact that nearly all the Fent instruments are infested by worms. The label used by Fent is reproduced on Plate 15.

  2. The Violin: Its Famous Makers and their Imitators (1875)

    FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double Basses.

    scan pages 244, 246 · line 4See the scans: 244, 246source record

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 244, line 4

    1. other copyist. Had he been allowed to copy the form of the old masters, as Lupot did, without imitating the actual wear of the instrument, we should have had a valuable addition to our stock of instruments of the Panormo class.
    3. FENDT, Francis, London. Fourth son of Bernard.
    4. FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double Basses.
    5. FERGUSON, Donald, Huntley, Aberdeenshire.
    6. FINDLAY, James, Padanaram.
    7. FIRTH, Leeds, 1836.

  3. The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1884)

    FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses.

    scan page 382, line 4See the scan

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 382, line 4

    1. has ever been done before or since, and finally, an amount of style is thrown into the work which transcends the ingenuity of any other copyist. Had he been allowed to copy the form of the old masters, as Lupot did, without imitating the actual wear of the instrument, we should have had a valuable addition to our present stock of instruments of the Panormo class.
    3. FENDT, Francis, London. Fourth son of Bernard.
    4. FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses.
    6. FERGUSON, Donald, Huntley, Aberdeenshire.
    7. FIRTH, ——, Leeds, 1836.

  4. The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1909)

    FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses.

    scan pages 371, 377, 385 · line 5See the scans: 371, 377, 385source record

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 371, line 5

    2. FENDT, Francis, London. Fourth son of Bernard; also worked in Liverpool about 1856.
    4. FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses.
    6. FERGUSON, Donald, Huntley, Aberdeenshire.

  5. British Violin Makers (1920)

    FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated.

    scan pages 182, 184 · line 5See the scans: 182, 184source record

    Read the transcript line

    This is what the software read off the scan, not the page itself. The cited line is marked, and three lines either side are shown for context.

    scan page 182, line 5

    2. FENDT, MARTIN, London. Son of Bernhard Fendt. He worked for Betts.
    4. FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated.
    6. FENWICK, ——, Leith. His instruments are occasionally advertised for sale, but I have never seen one.

Named in 8 books printed between 1875 and 1925. Read by software from scans of those pages, not yet checked by a person against the page. Entries from 8 books stand under this name, and the software judged them likely the same person. Tell us if that is wrong and we will split the record.

Know something about this maker? Tell us.

Details and sources

Record note

Nothing on this site confirms this record beyond what one or more sources state, and that is the whole basis for it: A dictionary of violin makers (1890); A dictionary of violin makers (1890); A dictionary of violin makers (1896); An encyclopedia of the violin (1925); An encyclopedia of the violin (1925); An Encyclopedia of the Violin (1926); British Violin Makers (1920); British Violin Makers: A Biographical Dictionary of British Makers of Stringed Instruments and Bows and a Critical Description of Their Work (1920); The Violin: Its Famous Makers and their Imitators (1875); The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1875); The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1884); The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1909); the violin its famous makers and their imitators (1909); The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1909). Entries from 8 books stand under this name, and the software judged them likely the same person. Tell us if that is wrong and we will split the record. No claim beyond that has been invented here, which leaves the record not established; tell us if you can change that.

What the books say

Places and dates of work
Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
Fendt, William, second son of Bernhard Simon; b. 1833, in Finch Lane, London; d. 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. Pupil of his father; he became a very clever workman, making excellent violas and double-basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852. Youngest son of Bernhard Simon Bendt, and an apprentice of his father. As he died very young he only made a few instruments, but those he produced were of the highest grade. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, WILLIAM, London: 1833-1852. Son of Bernard Simon, and a very clever workman. His violas and double basses were celebrated. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double Basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double Basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses. reported1
Places and dates of work
FENDT, William, London, born 1833, died 1852. Son of Bernard Simon Fendt. Was an excellent workman, and assisted his father in the manufacture of several of his Double-Basses. reported1
Born (date and place)
Born 1833. As printed in the cited source: “FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833” reported1
Died (date and place)
Died 1852. As printed in the cited source: “FENDT, WILLIAM, London, b. 1833, d. 1852” reported1

How the pages were read

16 of the 16 lines here were read from machine text (software that turns a photo of a page into words), not by a person looking at the page image. 7 of them rest on a section heading above a list of names, not on a trade word printed on their own line: “A DICTIONARY OF VIOLIN MAKERS.”, “VIOLIN MAKERS IN EUROPE”, “VIOLIN MAKERS.”, “ENGLISH MAKERS.”, “SECTION XII.—ENGLISH MAKERS.”, “German Makers”, “SECTION X.—GERMAN MAKERS.”.

Notes

  1. Read from machine text (software that turns a photo of a page into words, or a typed transcription), not by a person looking at the page image. ↩

The books behind this record

This record draws on 8 sources. Each is listed below with how it was read, because a claim read from a photo of the page is stronger than one read from machine text.

  1. Stainer, C. (Cecie), 1867-1937, A dictionary of violin makers (London: Novello, n.d.). archive.org, dictionaryofviol00stai. https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofviol00stai.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 38, line 9

  2. Stainer, C. (Cecie), 1867-1937, A dictionary of violin makers (London: Novello, n.d.). archive.org, dictionaryofviol1899stai. https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofviol1899stai.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 38, line 9

  3. Stainer, C. (Cecie), 1867-1937, A dictionary of violin makers (London ; New York: Novello, Ewer, 1896). archive.org, dictionaryofviol00stai_0. https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofviol00stai_0.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 36, line 9

  4. Alberto Bachmann, An encyclopedia of the violin (1925). archive.org, encyclopediaofvi0000albe_h3k7. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofvi0000albe_h3k7.machine textcited for 3 linessource record

    scan page 45, line 4

  5. Bachmann, Alberto and Ysaye, Eugene, An encyclopedia of the violin (New York, Da Capo Press, n.d.). archive.org, encyclopediaofvi0000bach_r6r5. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofvi0000bach_r6r5.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 49, line 4

  6. Alberto Bachmann, An Encyclopedia of the Violin (1925). archive.org, encyclopediaofvi0000albe_u1d5. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofvi0000albe_u1d5.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 47, line 4

  7. W. Meredith Morris, British Violin Makers (London: Robert Scott, 1920). archive.org, bwb_W9-CSA-426. https://archive.org/details/bwb_W9-CSA-426.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 184, line 5

  8. W. Meredith Morris, British Violin Makers: A Biographical Dictionary of British Makers of Stringed Instruments and Bows and a Critical Description of Their Work (R. Scott, 1920). archive.org, britishviolinmak0000wmer. https://archive.org/details/britishviolinmak0000wmer.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 182, line 5

  9. The Violin: Its Famous Makers and their Imitators (1875). archive.org, bwb_W9-CSA-425. https://archive.org/details/bwb_W9-CSA-425.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 244, line 4

  10. Hart, George, 1839-1891. [from old catalog], The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (London, Dubau and co. [etc.], 1875). archive.org, violinitsfamous01hartgoog. https://archive.org/details/violinitsfamous01hartgoog.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 246, line 4

  11. Hart, George, 1839-1891, The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (London, Dulau and co. [etc.], 1884). archive.org, violinitsfamousm84hart. https://archive.org/details/violinitsfamousm84hart.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 382, line 4

  12. The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (1909). archive.org, violinitsfamousm00hartuoft. https://archive.org/details/violinitsfamousm00hartuoft.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 371, line 5

  13. the violin its famous makers and their imitators (1909). archive.org, violinitsfamousm0000geor. https://archive.org/details/violinitsfamousm0000geor.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 385, line 5

  14. Hart, George, 1839-1891, The violin: its famous makers and their imitators (London: Dulau, 1909). archive.org, violinitsfamousm00hart. https://archive.org/details/violinitsfamousm00hart.machine textcited for 1 linesource record

    scan page 377, line 5