Williamson Blythe
Greenlaw, 1827–1897
A colourful character, called by Henley ‘a pretender and charlatan’. Although credited with over 2,000 instruments by Honeyman, he was also a tinsmith and plumber, and player of traditional instruments. His Edinburgh address was 7 Middleton’s Entry, Potterow, adjacent to the premises of Blair, Balla\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
7 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1891 | — | September 2003 | £822 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | April 1992 | £385 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | March 1990 | £329 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | April 1989 | £209 |
| Violin | 1896 | — | October 1988 | £330 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | July 1988 | £330 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | January 1987 | £187 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BLYTH, Williamson Born 1827 Greenlaw, Berwickshire, died 1897 Edinburgh UK. A colourful character, called by Henley ‘a pretender and charlatan’. Although credited with over 2,000 instruments by Honeyman, he was also a tinsmith and plumber, and player of traditional instruments. His Edinburgh address was 7 Middleton’s Entry, Potterow, adjacent to the premises of Blair, Ballantyne, and James Hardie. Awarded Diploma of Honour at the Glasgow Exhibition 1890. Some instruments ascribed to him are poor, with thin yellow alcohol varnish, but the best are very fine, with a Guadagnini or Guarneri-like style, fine red varnish, and locally-sourced wood. [Rattray]
William Meredith Morris+
A most prolific maker of wretched nondescripts shaped like a violin, but without any of the usual qualities of that instrument. It is said that he could turn out fairly decent work when he had the inclination, but he very rarely got into that mood.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein tüchtiger Musiker und Componist, dessen Geigen — er hat über 2000
gemacht — sehr dünn im Holz sind und schwach klingen.
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