John Betts. , 1803Viola, John Betts It's questionable how many violins Betts himself made, but he employed an illustrious group of makers such as Tobin, Vincenzo and Joseph Panormo, both Bernard Simon Fendts and John Furber, along with other less well known names. If on the other hand, you are a person who cannot afford to buy such a violin, you might be able to actually own a fine violin which is very close, for a fraction of the cost. The 1704 Betts violin is named after John Betts, a violinmaker in London who bought the violin in excellent condition for one guinea in 1820. 1730, "Kreisler", Violin by Giuseppe Guaneri, Cremona, ca. His instruments reflect the same care and artistry admired in the cremonese masters. I wrote an article, in collaboration with Steve Sirr, and Steve Rossow, on the Betts, which is available in the May 2010 issue of "the Strad" Magazine, published in London. Fax: +1 212 202 4660, Tarisio London London, Sign up to receive Carteggio features directly. Berlin, 10719 Gregg Alf was in charge of the varnishing of this violin, and did a beautiful job. Users may need to contact The Strad for any re-use of the articles. United Kingdom, Email: info.london@tarisio.com Company number: 9889926. The Library of Congress would like to learn more about these materials and would like to hear from individuals or institutions that have any additional information or know of their history. The workmanship is solid and sober, without being refined and artistic like the work of Betts' master. Please follow the link to confirm your registration. Cookie Policy Unfortunately, your registration has been declined by the auctioneer. Steve Sirr and John Waddle have been CT scanning violins, violas, and cellos since 1989. Ward of London. Betts Workshop Violin, London circa 1820. I am part of an ongoing collaboration with Luthier Stephen Rossow and Radiologist Steven A. Sirr, MD., on a project that uses existing and emerging technologies to explore the structure of- and ultimately replicate- famous violins. Betts, No. Email (*) Message (*) Enter Captcha. Please contact: Performing Arts Reading Room. Betts business became a focus for the market for old Cremonese violins. . 1790 Length of back 35.4cm, stop 132/193mm photograph | 19 photographs : color | Photograph (Form). 11th Floor New York, NY 10019 John Betts was born in Stamford, England, in 1752. John Betts John Willis Betts, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed. If you choose to continue using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. John Betts cello, London circa 1810 First Name (*) Last Name (*) Privacy Policy This website uses cookies to ensure that we give you the best user experience. He was universally known as " Old John Betts," and was well respected and patronised. Article. If you currently own a John Betts Violin, click the button below to receive a free valuation: 2023 Brompton's Auctioneers Limited | The First Floor 33 Percy St. London W1T 2DF, Web design by Karolo Submit button. It is of a good Stradivarian model with quite rudimentary antiquing to the varnish. John Betts school / circle: fine antique English violin circa 1820, Renting or leasing a violin from Corilon violins. Not surprisingly, the nephew thought the violin should belong to the firm, but Arthur claimed that since he bought it with his own money, (one guinea) it was his. It simply isn't true that old violins always sound better than new ones. My great-grandfather ordered a violoncello of Betts in the year 1780, to be made by Betts himself. A CNC machine is a precision carving machine. John Edward Betts (also known as John Betts I, 1755-1823) was an English luthier, a crafter of stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars and harps. Once we have obtained CT scans of a violin and have chosen wood that matches the wood of the original, Steve Rossow can carve duplicate parts digitally, using his CNC machine. This area corresponds with the dimensions of the original fingerboard giving a clue to the range of notes that a musician could play. (born February 17, 1949 in Moncton, New Brunswick) is a teacher and a New Brunswick politician. Highest auction price achieved. John died in 1823 and the shop continued as the centre of expertise in London, under his sons John and Arthur, until 1867. In about 1820, an individual entered Betts' shop at the Royal Exchange in London and offered the violin in its pristine state. This violin has an electric vibrancy, as though the sound is just waiting to burst out. . By the time this fine antique violin was crafted in approximately 1820, John Betts was already able to look back on an impressive oeuvre. Photograph (Form). Three Stradivari violins and eleven modern violins were played in a controlled double blind test. We hold two auctions a year at Sothebys in London, generally in March and October. The workmanship and varnish have much the same characteristics the latter being, as a rule, of a tint which is a shade warmer than the varnish of Duke. a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate. Next to him is Gregg Alf. It was he who established the great Betts workshop in Holborn's Royal Exchange around 1782. Chris Germain is third from the left in the front row. Betts was very careful in selecting and preparing his wood, and his craftsmanship is equally precise. These cookies collect data to remember the choices users make on the website. Can you tell which is which? Fax: +44 (0) 20 7900 3354, Tarisio Berlin Italian instruments to London, and was partly responsible for the ascent of, Sales Tax (New York, London and Berlin Sales), Panormo The life and work of Vincenzo and his sons Latest research, new biography, 22 instruments and bows, LSO Digital Exhibition, Violins of the LSO Violin Festival. Professional violin, to quote a veteran Gypsy style player. London By the time this fine antique violin was crafted in approximately 1820, John Betts was already able to look back on an impressive oeuvre. As on the "Tuscan-Medici" viola [see below], the top under the fingerboard is not varnished in an area extending down 5.5 cm from the neck foot. John Betts came from Stamford, Lincolnshire, and came to London in 1765 to apprentice with Richard Duke, rising to become the shop foreman after seven years, and eventually buying the business from Duke's daughter, reforming the company under his own name by 1781. . photograph | 18 photographs : color | Photograph (Form). He studied violin making under Richard Duke. In the United States, the 'Betts' found a home first in the collection of John Taylor Roberts, [32] and then with Gertrude Clarke Whittall, who, in 1935, donated it along with three other Stradivari instruments a violin, a viola, and a cello and four Tourte bows to the Library of Congress of Washington, D.C. It remained a treasured part of Betts' collection, but after the death of his son in 1852, the violin came into the hands of Hills of London and then a succession of distinguished owners. It was great to have the "Betts" violin in Oberlin for the two weeks of the 2011 workshop. Photography by Ellen Broughton. 244-250 West 54th Street Article. Photograph (Form). Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our site, detect errors, and provide better overall analytics. The 1704 "Betts" Stradivari violin was crafted by Antonio Stradivari, an Italian manufacturer of string instruments who lived from 1644 to 1737. You can find out the value of a Violin by John Betts and the amount you could expect if you sold your John Betts Violin at auction. He famously bought the 'Betts' Stradivari violin for the sum of one guinea from a naive customer around 1820. In London, he apprenticed as a luthier with Richard Duke, one of the city's most notable violinmakers of the 18th century. Instruments made at the workshop are offered for sale to the public, with the proceeds going to keep the workshop in operation. John Waddle has assembled the violin, varnished it and set it up. Below, on the left is a photo of the top of the Betts, compared with a CT scan of the top, and aphoto of our new digitally carved copy of the front of the Betts. Email: He came to London to work for Richard Duke in Holborn in 1765. The oevure of John Betts began with his training under Richard Duke, one of the most highly esteemed English luthiers of the 18thcentury who passed his craft along to only three students: his son Richard Duke Jr., John Betts, and Betts nephew Edward Betts, who later worked at his uncles workshop; together they carried on Dukes great artisanal legacy within their own family tradition. Dismiss. John Betts (1752-1823) In 1765, around the age of 13, John Betts made the 160 kilometer journey to London from his hometown of Stamford. Betts made fewer instruments in his later years, his reputation as an expert and connoisseur fully established. Lob 352mm. His shop employed many of the best contemporary makers, including Joseph and Lockey Hill, and later Vincenzo Panormo and Bernard Simon Fendt. Upon his death in 1823, he left the shop to his younger brother and pupil Arthur, as well as his nephew Charles Vernon. , circa 1800Viola, John Betts Fendts. | Choose whether this website uses functional cookies or cookies for tracking and performance, as described. He became known as an expert dealer and businessman, and was appointed Official Valuer of violins to the Customs Office. We offer buyers and sellers a bespoke private sale service, sourcing exceptional instruments and bows and matching them with the most discerning buyers Tim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow to recommend an auction estimate and reserve price for your instrument or bow Tim Ingles and Paul Hayday will offer an initial evaluation of the authenticity and value of your instrument or bow. Next to that is a photo of the new copy. The front is two pieces of straight grained spruce and the varnish is a beautiful reddish-brown typical of the best English instruments of the period. This catalog data provides the details known to the Library of Congress regarding the corresponding items and may assist users in making independent assessments of the legal status of these items as related to their desired uses. photograph | 16 photographs : color | Photograph (Form). He drilled holes for the upper and lower lobes and then connected them rather than working from a stencil type of pattern. It will be varnished in June of 2012. The one inserted into the violoncello just referred to reads : The violin has a two piece back of highly-figured, quarter sawn maple which is book-matched. Please contact us for more information. Article. If you are interested in purchasing one of the instruments, contact Chris Germain. All rights reserved. (1752 1823), Little is known about the early life of John Betts, son of Edward Betts, a farmer from Stamford. Betts Workshop Violin, London circa 1820. You already have a Tarisio account. We use this information to help choose the woods used and to guide us in the making of accurate copies. The Betts violin was the focus of the 2011 Oberlin Workshop, and John Waddle, Steve Sirr, and I were excited to have renowned makers such as Gregg Alf, Chris Germain, Bill Scott, Raymond Shryer, and Sam Zygmuntowicz join us in working on a group project creating a copy of the Betts, using a top, back, neck, and scroll that I had carved using CT . 86-87 Wimpole Street The Strad magazine has generously allowed us to reproduce two articles in this presentation: Exhibition Report: Born in the USA (July 2006) and National Treasure (November 2006). A panel of experts there chose our violin over the three Stradivari's in the test. Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of craftsmanship . , circa 1790Violin, John Betts His own workmanship was replaced by the efforts of his many employees after Read more. 28-30 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 1HG. The next picture shows Stradivari's beautiful arching being re-created using our new process. . 35.6 cm London, 1810 c. after "Nicolo Amati", 73.6 cm London, Early 19th C. [Workshop of]. Gregg Alf is shown here carving the final shape of the blocks in the rib structure of the copy. London This violin has been purchased, and donated to the Library of Congress. One of the most important and influential violin makers in England in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, John Betts was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1752. John Betts cello, London circa 1810 John Betts cello, London circa 1810 First Name (*) Last Name (*) My Phone. Violin - We were allowed to play it. Composite, newer top (19th century) original back and sides. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permission ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. Amati, in collaboration with leading experts, have published a few key books in the field of stringed instruments. Here is a picture of Raymond Shryer smoothing the top for the Betts copy with a scraper. The violin was made in 1704, and retains what is believed to be its original untouched label. Ingles & Hayday would like to send you information about our events and services, by post, telephone and email. We use the digital information from the CT scans to make STL (stereolithography) files to directly transfer the carving of Stradivari's original archings into new tops and backs, and to directly transfer the shapes of Stradivari's original necks, and scrolls, using a CNC machine made and operated by Steve Rossow. [Web.] Here is a vioiin being scanned. Brompton's is delighted to offer complimentary Violin appraisals for insurance, probate or sale purposes. Next to that is a photo of the new copy. He was not an exceptional luthier but he had a good eye for business and was therefore able to provide a livelihood for many of the most notable makers of the day. Sam Zygmuntowicz was in charge of the neck and scroll, and is shown here putting the final touches on the neck. In 1781 he was established independently in Holborn, moving to Royal Exchange in 1782. Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, "Betts". Below, on the left, is a photo of the back of the Betts. Some people have been surprised that modern violins could sound as good as a Stradivarius, but in three well documented tests now, this has been proven to be the case. Books from Amati. Contact Us. As apprentice to the renowned maker Richard Duke, John Betts (1752-1823) developed into one of England's most respected violin dealers and experts in the 18th and early 19th centuries. John Betts Auction Results. The Betts Stradivarius violin was the focus of the workshop. Here is a picture of John Waddle playing the Betts. By 1781 he was working independently and hired his first apprentice around that time. Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, "Betts". In 1765 he moved to London to apprentice with Richard Duke and after seven years he became shop foreman, eventually buying the business from Duke's daughter. The tone is moderately powerful, and very sweet and mellow. The Betts family name came to prominence in the violin making world thanks to the work of John Betts, born in Stamford in 1752. Betts was a talented maker himself and also employed some of the most talented English makers of the period, including Vincenzo Panormo, Joseph Hill II, Henry Lockey Hill, John Furber and both B.S. violins@hebberts.com, Laurent Bourlier (III), Mirecourt, c.1820. Inscribed inside the top in the upper treble bout are the words: The Betts / Stradivarius; in the lower treble bout the inscription reads: Purchased from / the duchess / of Camposelice / by W. E. Hill & Son / March 1892. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. The Oberlin violin makers workshop has been in operation for fifteen years. Flagship Location 7711 Eastern Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 New Gaithersburg Rental Location 830 Muddy Branch Road Gaithersburg, MD 20878 A tradition of excellence since 1996 Call us for more information (301) 652-7070 1 (800) 317-9452 Hours Tues - Fri. Flagship Location: 10:00am - 6:00pm . Article. JOHN BETTS A VIOLIN, LONDON, CIRCA 1780 Unlabeled, branded at the button BETTS ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON, branded at the end pin J. BETTS, length of back: 13 13/16 in. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200155591/. It was he who established the great Betts workshop in Holborns Royal Exchange around 1782. After many years working for Duke, Betts became the foreman of his workshop and eventually took over the business. - 115 auction price results. In about 1820, an individual entered Betts' shop at the Royal Exchange in London and offered the violin in its pristine state. Meet the team and read about our relationship with Sothebys, Ingles & Hayday Ltd, 77 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 6RF | London: +44 (0) 20 7042 7337 | Visit our London Shop, 6th June Catalogue Rosenberg Collection Part II, Looking to buy or sell an instrument by this maker >. The violin in the photo above has been sold. Even Stradivari violins need adjusting from time to time. The workmanship and varnish have much the same . How much is my John Betts Violin worth? John Betts came from Stamford, Lincolnshire, and came to London in 1765 to apprentice with Richard Duke, rising to become the shop foreman after seven years, and eventually buying the business from Dukes daughter, reforming the company under his own name by 1781. Brompton's reference library, in association with Claudio Amighetti, provides you with the price of a Violin by John Betts from Brompton's March 2012 auction results. Betts was one of the first in this country to do extensive business in Italian instruments, and a large number of fine violins found their way into this country in his time. If you currently own a John Betts Violin, click the button below to receive a free valuation: Violin Valuation. Apprenticed to Richard Duke in 1765, subsequently buying the business from Dukes daughter Anne. In 1923, Jay C. Freeman of Wurlitzer approached Waddell in Scotland and came away with the "Betts" as well as the "Leduc" Guarneri. 2023 Fine Fretted String Instruments. John Betts violin label. Oxford, OX1 4DH Using the same digital computer files generated by Steve Sirr, and used to make the parts for the violin made in Oberlin, Steve Rossow has carved Stradivari's archings into the new top, and back, and Stradivar's original shapes of the neck neck and scroll on his CNC machine. Over the course of its history the shop produced a large range of instruments, from inexpensive models with painted purfling to some of the most exquisite Stradivari and Guarneri copies in the history of British violin making. He moved to London at the age of 12 to apprentice with Richard Duke. Songs and Music. - The auction record for this maker is $61,875 in Nov 2001, for a cello. London It's questionable how many violins Betts himself made, but he employed an illustrious group of makers such as Tobin, Vincenzo and Joseph Panormo, both Bernard Simon Fendts and John Furber, along with other less well known names. They liaised with my insurers and started work within days . Betts himself became Official Valuer of violins to the Customs office. Article. Most work is branded Betts, Royal Exchange on the upper back. The "Betts" is among the most legendary violins from Stradivari's workshop. This instrument is now in my possession, and in excellent condition, having been recently repaired by Mr. J. W. Owen of Leeds. The Library of Congress is providing access to these materials for educational and research purposes and makes no warranty with regard to their use for other purposes.
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