Dealers, Restorers & Collectors of Fine Antique Instruments & Their Bows

The Artist Apollo, Rushworth & Dreaper, Liverpool 1917

Price Upon Request

This is a great violin imported from a fine workshop in Germany.  The original catalogue, of which we have a copy, states:

"The makers have been guided by the finest existing specimens of the greatest of all Italian masters; Antonius Stradivarius; the measurements, proportions and methods of construction being practically identical with the glorious originals.  Every detail of workmanship and finish shows the influence of centuries of violin-making tradition, and only the choicest natural seasoned woods have been used, so that each instrument may be classed as a fine specimen of the modern art.  They are covered with a beautiful transparent and refined oil varnish of great elasticity.  The tone is full, rich and sonorous, and equal in power and quality on all strings."

"As a solo instrument, it is impossible to buy any Violin that will give a greater or more permanent satisfaction." 

This is a great violin, in pure condition and we would recommend it to any level of player.  

The length of the back is 360 mm. 

V180 A Very Fine Violin Made by William Robinson, Plumstead in London, 1929. 

SOLD OR ON LOAN

A fine and magnificent violin made by William Robinson in Plumstead 1929.  

William Robinson spent his early years as a fine leather craftsman making saddles of a high degree.  Later he became a self-taught violin maker and quickly became a master of the craft. 

This particular violin, made in 1929 is of his best work, modelled on a Guarneri Del Gesu, the violin is absolutely superb in all respects.  The workmanship is first class, the rich oil varnish, impeccably neat purfling, elegant scroll and those characteristic ff-holes are magnificently executed. 

It's very easy to see why William Henley gave Robinson such a rave review in his book "The Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers" 

'These are really splendid in the matter of construction.  Attractive outline, with arching admirably suited to it - extremely comfortable (at the upper part) for the player.  Ingeniously cut sound-holes at which the most fastidious critic would not look askance.  Neat purfling most admirable in its regularity.  Edges finely rounded and appearance enhanced by the astute arching.  All the salient parts of the scroll are brought to a harmonious whole.' 'Finally (whatever little "secrets" he may have treated the interior to), he has achieved truly excellent results in free emission of a kind of mature tone that is a long way ahead of the rawness of new instruments.  We are conscious of the hundreds of new violins springing up like mushrooms, and having little more than a mushroom's stability, but many of Robinson's instruments are of that category which no cloud should cross on their future horizon, when the tone has completely matured and will capture the attention of the most dynamic bowist.'

The tone of this violin is rich, complex, full of warmth and projection with plently of charisma and character.

The length of the back is 354 mm. 

V149 A Fine Violin Labelled Paolo Fiorini, Markneukirchen, 1927

£4750.

A lovely violin made in Germany in the early 20th Century probably in the workshops of E H Roth and then imported into Britain by the famous London based instrument firm Beare and Sons.

The violin displays craftsmanship of the highest quality, the single piece back of quilted maple flickers and dances through the rich amber, gold and red varnish.  The scroll is elegant and delicate and the fluting of the F holes is beautiful. 

The condition is superb and near mint, the tone is rich, smooth and strong. 

The length of the back is 360 mm.

V149 A fine violin by H. E. Blondelet No Z154 Mirecourt 1926

£3,600

A very nice example of a violin made in Mirecourt, France in 1926 by H. Emile Blondelet.

This violin is in mint condition and has a lovely two piece back of a brilliant flamed maple.  The purfling is exquisite and the edgework is very good.  Branded in all the right places with the Blondelet stamp this is a great violin for an advancing student.

Described in Henley's Dictionary as "Excellent workmanship".

The length of the back is 356 mm.  

V115 Violin by George Lotte, Paris Circa 1875 

£3000

A nice violin by George Lotte who was a prolific maker who apprenticed with Derazey and then worked in J. B. Vuillaume's workshop in Paris untill 1875.  He produced many quality violins which became popular in England. 

This violin has been very well played and shows a few cosmetic signs of wear which is reflected in the price, but this is an otherwise sound violin which has been given a full set up by our professional luthier with a new bridge, levelled fingerboard and newly fitted pegs.  However the violin still retains it's original W. E. Hill and Sons chinrest. 

V181 Haynes, Foucher & Co. "The Ruggielli Violin" Mirecourt, Circa 1890

£3,000

A superb violin imported from France by the well know musical instrument firm Haynes, Foucher & Co. The Ruggielli violins were designed to be really excellent and reliable instruments for aspiring students, and to compare with some of the best Italian violins. 

This particular violin is a great example, really nice neat French workmanship, in surprisingly good condition for a well played and well travelled violin.  Its previous owner was allegedly the lead violinist with the famous comedian Ken Dodd's band. 

Sold with a copy of the original advert placed by Haynes in popular violin related litereature in the late 19th Century. 

The length of the back is 361 mm. 

V028 An Exceptionally Fine Violin by William Henry Tibbalds 1902

£4,200

A wonderful violin by the famous Brighton based firm W. H. Tibbalds and Sons.  This firm established in 1879 and was eventually bought by Albert Cooper of Winchester "I was called in to clear up the estate of the well know Brighton firm of W.H. Tibbalds after the sad demise of
Bert Tibbalds. Lodged behind the work bench was a bow by J.B. Vuillaume, it had obviously been there a
long time, probably lost during the war years. More out of respect for the family, and with their permission,
I decided to keep this fine example of French work."  This became the very start of the magnificent collection of instruments owned by Albert Cooper and provided the financial basis for the Albert Cooper Musical Charitable Trust a wonderful resource for budding young musician who can apply for generous grants to help fund tuition or the purchase of an instrument. 

V112 Fine Violin By An Unknown Maker

Price Upon Request

A beautiful violin made by an unknown maker.  This violin has characteristics of the finest violin makers from England and France, leading us to belive it is a composite violin.  The neck has been changed at somepoint probably due to damage as it is unlikely the violin is old enough to have had a baroque neck.   This is the reason for the immaculate neck graft and pegbox cheek repair on the D string done by a very proficient professional.

A violin which must be viewed to appreciate it's beauty. 

V108 Fine French Violin Labelled Thiery a Paris

£3,400

A superb violin possibly made by the French firm J.T.L at around 1890.  The violin is wonderfully made with a very attractive one piece back of vivid flamed maple along with a scroll which also displays this fine flaming. 

The length of the back is 356 mm.

V105 Maggini Copy by E. R. Schmidt

Price Upon Request

A beautiful violin made by the great German master Ernst Reinhold Schmidt. This is a fine copy of a Giovanni Paolo Maggini violin made in Germany around 1890. 

The violin is signed by E. R. Schmidt internally.

The length of back is 365 mm.

V006 J.T.L Geronimo Barnabetti Violin

£3,500

Jerome Thibouville-

The length of the back is 359 mm.