Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 277
Scan 277
the history of the violin, 1864
9 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 255. See the scan on archive.org.
1this is doubtful when the dates are compared. James the Sixth of Scotland ascended England's throne 24 March, 1603, and entered London 7 May, 1603; yet nothing is known of this maker's instruments until about the date previously given.
3Who instructed Edward Pamphilon in the art of violin making, or from whence he came, cannot now be ascertained. It is generally considered that Thomas Urquhart was his master, and the style of work, the colour and description of varnish favour this opinion; however he was not so successful with his violins as the elder maker. The outline is not graceful, the short-bouts are too long and out of proportion with the upper and lower parts of the instrument, the model high and swollen, and the sound-holes rather small. The varnish is either oil or turpentine of a red colour and brown tinge with a yellow ground, and now looks rich and beautiful, which age no doubt has greatly assisted. The violins—and no other instruments have been seen—are strong in wood, the tone clear, pure, and penetrating. The professors of this period greatly approve of them for orchestral uses. The following is a copy of a genuine written ticket or label, and the maker seems rather precise, as the day of the month is also added:—
5"Edward Pamphilon
6April the 3rd 1685."
8Little can be related of —— Pemberton, the Christian name is not known, and some doubt exists whether he was the younger or the elder of the firm; if the latter, the supposed date of 1680 may be wrong, and he may be the J—— P——, 1578, the maker of the violin, presented to the Earl of Leicester by Queen Elizabeth; should this be so, he would be the first of the English makers that
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