Books › The History of the Violin: And Other Instruments Played on with the Bow from the Remotest Times to the Present, Also, an Account of the Principal Makers, English and Foreign, with Numerous Illustrations, 1864 › scan 285
Scan 285
The History of the Violin: And Other Instruments Played on with the Bow from the Remotest Times to the Present, Also, an Account of the Principal Makers, English and Foreign, with Numerous Illustrations, 1864
12 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 263. See the scan on archive.org.
1In 1731 the following was in use; a lyre with the crown on the top of it, printed on the left corner before the name, and in the date only two figures were printed, leaving space for the other two, to be added by a pen:—
3"Made by John Barrett, at ye Harp & Crown in Pickadilly, London, 1731."
5The value of this maker's violins, in 1802, was considered to be six guineas; since then they have produced eight and ten guineas; but now a cloud o'er-shadows them as well as all other English makers.
7The name of Joseph Hare is little known as a violin maker, nor can it be stated of whom he learned the art; however, he deserves especial notice as being, it is considered, the first person in England who used the flat model in his instruments. The varnish was a rich red colour, very good, and transparent. From the improvement in the principles or mode of work, and a varnish of different colour and brilliancy than previously used by the makers, it may be inferred that he was self-taught, and the first of a new school, but having no imitators until more modern times, when the Stradiuarius pattern became paramount. The following is a copy of the printed label used:—
9"Joseph Hare at ye Viol & Flute near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill London 1726"
11Peter Wamsley was a maker that once stood high in repute, his violoncellos more especially realizing great prices; the work was good and neat, with a bias towards the outline and model of John Barrett, but modified. Most of his violins, violas, and violoncellos, have only
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