Bow & Bridge Violin and bow makers, as the old books printed them

Scan 398

The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1909

31 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 328. 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.

1the work. The sound-holes are striking, although not graceful in any way. The scroll is diminutive, but well cut. The varnish is very fine. In the catalogue of the effects of Tom Britton, mention is made of "an extraordinary Rayman."
3RICHARDS, Edwin, London, contemporary. Maker and repairer.
5Rook, Joseph, Carlisle, about 1800.
7ROSSE (or Ross), John, Bridewell, London, about 1562. Made Viols and Bandoras.
9Ross, John, London, about 1596. Son of the above. Maker of Viols. The varnish is excellent in quality.
11SHAW, London, 1655. Viol maker.
13SIMPSON, London, 1785.
15John Simpson,
16Musical Instrument Maker,
17At the Bass Viol and Flute,
18In Sweeting's Alley,
19Opposite the East door of the Royal Exchange,
20London.
22SMITH, Henry, London, 1629. Maker of Viols.
24SMITH, Thomas, London. Pupil of Peter Wamsley, and his successor at the Harp and Hautboy.
26Made by Thos. Smith, at the Harp and Hautboy, in Pickadilly, London. 1756.
28SMITH, William, London, about 1770.
30TARR, William, Manchester. Made many Double-Basses from about 1829.

The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.