Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 379
Scan 379
the history of the violin, 1864
12 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 357. See the scan on archive.org.
1And "William Hill, Maker, in Poland Street,
2near Broad Street, Carnaby Market. 177—."
4The work of this maker so much resembles that of Edmund Aireton almost in every particular, except the volute of the head, that many persons would be deceived. The varnish is a beautiful transparent yellow colour; no doubt of oil. The tone is not rich in quality, although good; and if both vibrating-plates, particularly the upper one, were thickened in the centre, advantageous results would be obtained; or, first, for external appliances, may be tried a Parisian bridge of the present form of Aubert's make, which, there is little doubt, would prove beneficial, and make the tone more rich in quality. These suggestions may be applied to all the violoncellos of this family-name; but an exception has to be made with the present William E. Hill, whose work is not sufficiently known to offer an opinion. Joseph Hill was brother to the former William Hill, and the grandson, in his MSS., states that Joseph Hill lived in Dover Street, Piccadilly, and afterwards in the Hay-market, which dwelling was destroyed by fire, with the loss of all the stock in trade. After that calamity, he resided in the locality of Lock's Fields, Newington, Surrey, about 1792-3, and his death is believed to be in 1794. The printed label used was as follows:—
6"Joseph Hill, Maker,
7At the Harp and Flute,
8in the Hay Market,
917 London 69."
11The last figure put in with a pen. There are also copies of written labels, at the same place, in 1772. The grandson further states that this maker "enjoyed a high reputation in his day for his instruments, which have consi-
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.