John Betts (1752 - 1823) was apprenticed to Richard Duke in 1765 before becoming established independently in 1781 in Holborn, then the Royal Exchange. Here is a picture of the 2011 Oberlin Workshop participants. Length of back 35.4cm, stop 132/193mm John Betts London. These cookies collect data to remember the choices users make on the website. JOHN BETTS, NO, 2, NORTH PIAZZA, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDINI, FECIT, JANUARY 9, 1782 His shop was staffed by some of the best 18th and 19th century British craftsmen, including Vincenzo Panormo, Joseph Hill II, Henry Lockey Hill, Richard Tobin, Bernard Simon Fendt, and John Furber. Items included here with the permission of the rights holders are indicated as such in the bibliographic record for each item. One of the great advantages to having a dealership in conjunction with a workshop is that the makers had access to all sorts of beautiful and important Italian instruments to copy. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7900 3354, Tarisio Berlin Instruments made at the workshop are offered for sale to the public, with the proceeds going to keep the workshop in operation. 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. 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 Next to that is a photo of the new copy. To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Tarisio Auctions About the violin. This violin from about 1790 is stamped on the back Betts / Royal Exchange / London. In the last year, they spent several months painstakingly putting back together my severely damaged 1790 John Betts cello. - 115 auction price results. Tel: +1 212 307 7224 Photograph (Form). 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. It was he who established the great Betts workshop in Holborns Royal Exchange around 1782. Kemp Hall Passage,
. . It bears its original label. 1871, Violin by Giuseppe Guarneri, Cremona, ca. In 1781 he was established independently in Holborn, moving to Royal Exchange in 1782. John (I) Betts. The striking one-piece maple back of medium and broad curl descending from left to right; the maple ribs of narrower curl; the maple head of broad curl; the two-piece spruce table of mostly fine grain narrowing toward the flanks; the varnish a golden . 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. Here is a picture of the 2011 Oberlin Workshop participants. While these craftsmen produced a very important body of work, particularly the cellos which have become highly sought-after, Betts greatest importance was as a violin expert. Arthur Betts and Charles Vernon continued the shop for a few years before Arthurs famous purchase of the 1704 Betts Stradivari for the princely sum of one guinea. Article. Violin making is what John was trained to do at The Violin Making School of America, in Salt Lake City, Utah (1978-1981). Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Amati, in collaboration with leading experts, have published a few key books in the field of stringed instruments. Here are two pictures of the finished violin next to the Betts. We use this information to help choose the woods used and to guide us in the making of accurate copies. Web.. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . United States, Email: [email protected] Tarisio 2023, The Muntz, Bower, Lam, an exceptional violin bow by Franois Xavier Tourte. There was problem sending your activation email, please contact us. Article. 35.6 cm London, 1810 c. after "Nicolo Amati", 73.6 cm London, Early 19th C. [Workshop of]. Other modern violins also did well. They liaised with my insurers and started work within days . The Oberlin violin makers workshop has been in operation for fifteen years. In 2011, John Waddle was in charge of the back, Raymond Shryer, who has his violin shop in Canada, was in charge of the top, Gregg Alf, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was in charge of the rib structure, and Sam Zygmuntowicz, whose violin shop is in Brooklyn, New York, was in charge of the neck and scroll. 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. Betts became known as an expert connoisseur and was partially responsible for developing the outstanding reputation of Stradivari instruments in London. (b Stamford, Lincolnshire, 1752; d London, 1823) 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. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Violins and cellos for sale in London from Bridgewood & Neitzert Ltd: The UK's leading violin dealers, restorers & makers. Article. , circa 1790Cello, John Betts Here is a picture of John Waddle playing the Betts. He moved to London at the age of 12 to apprentice with Richard Duke. There may be content that is protected as "works for hire" (copyright may be held by the party that commissioned the original work) and/or under the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. the last line being written. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200155591/. , 1803Viola, John Betts Below, on the left, is a photo of the back of the Betts. After having been painstakingly set up and made ready to play by the expert luthiers at our workshop, our professional violinist played it and was delighted by the rich timbre, radiance and maturity of its powerful warm voice and in recording the audio samples for this violin, he was able to bring the distinctive character of its voice to life. Ward owned the violin for over 40 years; on his death it passed to the Hills. It was given the the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, along with several other Cremonese masterpieces, by the last owner, Mrs. Gertrude Clarke Whittall in the mid 1930's, and remains there today. 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. 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. The tone is moderately powerful, and very sweet and mellow. photograph | 20 photographs : color | Photograph (Form). It's questionable how many violins John 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. A panel of experts there chose our violin over the three Stradivari's in the test. A deal was made and the instrument changed hands for the sum of only one guinea. In some cases, the Library was unable to identify a possible rights holder and has elected to place some of those items online as an exercise of fair use for strictly non-commercial educational uses. It can carve wood more accurately than a human can. Professional violin, to quote a veteran Gypsy style player. In about 1820, an individual entered Betts' shop at the Royal Exchange in London and offered the violin in its pristine state. Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, "Betts". He was a pupil of Richard Duke, and, in the few instruments made by himself, showed that he had imbibed much of Duke's lore. They serve to improve service and provide a more personalised experience. It was great to have the "Betts" violin in Oberlin for the two weeks of the 2011 workshop. Please contact us for more information. Directions. Using a carefully selected matching top, back, neck and scroll carved by Steve Rossow on his CNC machine directly from computer files generated from CT scans of "the Betts" violin, the Oberlin Betts copy was completed by the class as a group project to the point of being playable but without varnish. Brompton's is delighted to offer complimentary Violin appraisals for insurance, probate or sale purposes. Germany, Email: [email protected] A deal was made and the instrument changed hands for the sum of only one guinea. This outstanding reputation may be why John Betts was always able to engage excellent violin makers such as Richard Tobin, Henry Lockey Hill and members of the famous Panormo family as his employees. By the time this fine antique violin was crafted in approximately 1820, John Betts was already able to look back on an impressive oeuvre. Talk to the Brompton's Team +44 (0)207 580 9550 . 1786 John Betts was born in Stamford, England, in 1752. Even Stradivari violins need adjusting from time to time. How much is my John Betts Violin worth? This instrument is now in my possession, and in excellent condition, having been recently repaired by Mr. J. W. Owen of Leeds. 1730, "Goldberg-Baron Vitta", Viola by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1690, "Tuscan-Medici", Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1704, "Betts", - In June of 2011, Steve Rossow, Steve Sirr, and John Waddle went to Oberlin, Ohio, to participate in the Oberlin violin makers workshop. Article. (1752 - 1823) Little is known about the early life of John Betts, son of Edward Betts, a farmer from Stamford. Arthur Betts used the violin for the rest of his career. These cookies cannot be disabled and you cannot use the website without them. London Fine Fretted String Instruments2345 Winchester Blvd. Normally one violin, viola, or cello, is made by the class (up to varnishing), strung up "in the white", and played, as a group project during the two week session. The next picture shows Stradivari's beautiful arching being re-created using our new process. The Betts Stradivarius violin was the focus of the workshop. 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. please inquire . Amati, in collaboration with leading experts, have published a few key books in the field of stringed instruments. Composite, newer top (19th century) original back and sides. The workmanship is solid and sober, without being refined and artistic like the work of Betts' master. Its everything we look for in a violin: the perfect combination of warmth, projection and flexibility of tone. 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. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7354 5763 , circa 1800Cello, John Betts Betts was a violinist, teacher, and violin dealer. Suite BCampbell, CA 95008(408) 879-9930Mon - Sat 9am - 5:30pm. John Betts, Violin, c.1790, London. My great-grandfather ordered a violoncello of Betts in the year 1780, to be made by Betts himself. Tel: +49 30 9404 5443, Terms of Use Professional violin, to quote a veteran Gypsy style player. It will be varnished in June of 2012. All rights reserved. Whoever he was, he didn't know what he had, and accepted Arthur Bett's offer of one Guinea. 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. He was born in 1752 in Stamford and died in 1823 in London. We hold two auctions a year at Sothebys in London, generally in March and October. Article. Betts made fewer instruments in his later years, his reputation as an expert and connoisseur fully established. Next to him is Gregg Alf. After the death of Betts' son, the violin was sold to WE Hill, and eventually to Whittall's, before ending up at the Library of Congress, where it is displayed in the performing arts reading room. 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. Email:
, circa 1800Viola, John Betts Ward of London. The luminous golden-brown varnish is so transparent that even the most nuanced details of the tightly flamed maple used for the back can be seen, and the blackened edges of the small and charmingly shaped scroll round out this violin; it has been kept in very good condition and has undergone only minor repairs that are fitting for an instrument of its advanced age. This violin has an electric vibrancy, as though the sound is just waiting to burst out. 11th Floor New York, NY 10019 Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of craftsmanship . Please follow the link to confirm your registration. By 1781 he was working independently and hired his first apprentice around that time. The violin is an absolutely stunning Nicol Amati copy. It continued into the 1860s under the direction of Arthur's sons Arthur II and John II before finally closing in 1867. Betts Workshop Violin, London circa 1820. The "Betts" is among the most legendary violins from Stradivari's workshop. Betts business became a focus for the market for old Cremonese violins. Articles, - By 1920, the "Betts" was owned by R. D. Waddell of Glasgow. John Dodd and Thomas Tubbs were among the shop's best suppliers of bows. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permission ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. 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. 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. Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our site, detect errors, and provide better overall analytics. Next to that, to the right is a photo of our digitally carved copy of the back of Betts. John Betts cello, London circa 1810 available at Johnson String Instrument, New England's largest and most complete violin shop. Under the sole ownership of Arthur, the workshop became incredibly skilled at imitating the work of the great masters and participated in some of the ethically short-sighted restoration practices that went on during the Victorian era. 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. 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. The last photo is a copy we made. Stamped Betts / Royal Exchange / London. The violin was made in 1704, and retains what is believed to be its original untouched label. To be able to use Corilon violins in full range, we recommend activating Javascript in your browser. 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. Article. Please contact: Performing Arts Reading Room. 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. 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. He drilled holes for the upper and lower lobes and then connected them rather than working from a stencil type of pattern. (351 mm) with double case (2) If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account. Betts hired many English luthiers that when on to achieve great success, including members of the Hill family (W.E. Composite, newer top (19th century) original back and sides. Users may need to contact The Strad for any re-use of the articles. 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. Intl: +44 207 175 1737
If you currently own a John Betts Violin, click the button below to receive a free valuation: Violin Valuation. Photograph (Form). The 1704 "Betts" Stradivari violin was crafted by Antonio Stradivari, an Italian manufacturer of string instruments who lived from 1644 to 1737. Article. His own workmanship was replaced by the efforts of his many employees after about 1790 and these represented the cream of the London profession, including John Carter, Joseph and Henry Lockey Hill, Richard Tobin and the Fendts. Instrument Making. Suggested credit line: Library of Congress, Music Division. He became known as an expert dealer and businessman, and was appointed Official Valuer of violins to the Customs Office. | 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. 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. Betts was very careful in selecting and preparing his wood, and his craftsmanship is equally precise. John Betts cello, London circa 1810 First Name (*) Last Name (*) (b Stamford, Lincolnshire, 1752; d London, 1823), 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. 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. He moved to London at the age of 12 to apprentice with Richard Duke. This is a composite violin: the back, ribs and scroll were made by Andrea Guarneri in 1694 and the replacement front was made by John Betts in the 1790s. It was he who established the great Betts workshop in Holborn's Royal Exchange around 1782. He most often worked from the Amati model. By the time this fine antique violin was crafted in approximately 1820, John Betts was already able to look back on an impressive oeuvre. The height of the two f-holes varies, which might be explained by a technique that Stradivari used. Next to it is a CT scan of the back. Contact Us. Using another set of wood, also carefully selected, John, Steve Sirr, and Steve Rossow have completed another Betts copy violin. John is also part of an ongoing collaboration with luthier Stephen M. Rossow, and Radiologist Steven A. Sirr, M.D., on a project that uses existing and emerging technologies to explore the structure of-and . 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. . Arthur managed the Betts shop after his brother's death in 1823, together with his nephew . He . London, W1G 9RL John Betts Auction Results. The original neck is in the old style. At this stage, the assessment is free and without obligation. His teacher had been none other than the famous violinist, Giovanni Battista Viotti, who played a 1709 golden period Stradivari violin, so Arthur knew what he was doing. Brompton's is delighted to offer complimentary Violin appraisals for insurance, probate or sale purposes. Fax: +1 212 202 4660, Tarisio London Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of . 1730, "Kreisler", Violin by Giuseppe Guaneri, Cremona, ca. In 1923, Jay C. Freeman of Wurlitzer approached Waddell in Scotland and came away with the "Betts" as well as the "Leduc" Guarneri. London, Sign up to receive Carteggio features directly. In about 1820, an individual entered Betts' shop at the Royal Exchange in London and offered the violin in its pristine state. Gregg Alf is shown here carving the final shape of the blocks in the rib structure of the copy. He made his own instruments as well as collecting and trading the work of old masters. He opened an attractive premises and amongst his luthiers were . 130 High Street,
Unfortunately, your registration has been declined by the auctioneer. Here is a picture of the finished copy. Photograph (Form). If you agree to being contacted in this way, please tick the relevant box. He was a pupil of Richard Duke, and, in the few instruments made by himself, showed that he had imbibed much of Duke's lore. Betts himself became Official Valuer of violins to the Customs office. A sheer joy to play! 2 North Piazza, Londini," are also written across the back on the inside, near the top, and an inscription, which is not decipherable, is written across the belly near the left sound- hole. The instrument made by the group involved in the previous year's class is also varnished, strung up, and played. Email (*) Message (*) Enter Captcha. Click the button below and we'll email you a link to generate your Tarisio password. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. John Betts cello, London circa 1810 John Betts cello, London circa 1810 First Name (*) Last Name (*) My Phone. Arthur died in 1847, leaving the shop to his two sons, Arthur II and John II. Most work is branded Betts, Royal Exchange on the upper back. Betts instruments tend to exhibit very high standards of . 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. half baked harvest eating disorder, milwaukee m18 radio wont turn on, michael mays willie mays son,
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