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.