Scan 235
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
12 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 75. See the scan on archive.org.
1ENGLISH MAKERS.
3BARRETT, John, 1718. An average workman, who followed the model of Stainer. His shop bore the sign of the Harp and Crown. Barrett was one of the earliest copyists of Stainer, and in the chain of English makers is linked with Barak Norman and Nathaniel Cross. The wood is generally of a very good quality, the varnish yellow.
5BARNES, Robert, 1780. Worked with Thomas Smith at the Harp and Hautboy in Piccadilly. Afterwards partner with John Norris.
7BARTON, George, 1810.
9BETTS, John, born in 1755, at Stamford, Lincolnshire, died in 1823. Became a pupil of Richard Duke. He commenced business in one of the shops of the Royal Exchange, where he soon enjoyed considerable patronage. The business was carried on by his descendants till within the last few years.
11John Betts does not appear to have made a great number of instruments, but employed many workmen, whose names will be found noticed in their order, into whose instruments he inserted his trade label. He was, perhaps, the earliest London dealer in Italian instruments.
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