Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 373
Scan 373
the history of the violin, 1864
11 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 351. See the scan on archive.org.
A town on its own line is one of the directory's headings. That is where the town on a maker's page comes from.
1cliff, near Hesket New Market, who was also an amateur fiddle-maker, and from whom some knowledge was gained. In 1800 he went to Carlisle to reside, and was engaged at the theatre to play the violin, and became acquainted with Joseph Forster in consequence of being made one of the musicians to the corporation; both also belonged to the band at the winter assemblies. In June 1807, Joseph Rook was appointed vicar-choral at the cathedral, and held that office until 25th December, 1840, when a retiring pension was given to him, which, in November 1850, he still enjoyed, and it is believed it was continued until his death, which took place in September 1852, and his body was interred at St. Mary's Church, Carlisle.
3In a letter, dated 7th December, 1850, alluding to violins, he writes—"I never made many; I have made Twelve Tennors, and Five Violoncellos; no Double Basses. I marked my name with a small stamp,
5"'J. Rook
6Carlisle.'
8I generally wrote my name in the inside of the Bellys with a black lead pencil."
10He could not supply a label, having mislaid or lost them. Only violins of this maker have been seen, the work of which was very neat, and the tone pure, but weak; the varnish of a brownish yellow colour, and transparent.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.