James Carroll

John Dilworth

CARROLL, James Worked circa. 1890-1913 Salford, Manchester UK. Assisted by his son John. Stradivari and Guarneri models. Splendid workmanship. Advertised that they copied any old violin, cello, or bass, used timber at least a hundred years old, and finished with Cremonese varnish. James Carroll, maker / Manchester, anno 1895

William Meredith Morris

He has worked at various places, but is now settled at 103 Great Jackson Street, Hulme, Manchester, and is assisted by his son John, and one workman. He has made about five hundred instruments of various sizes, and on various models. I have seen only one violin bearing Carroll’s own label, but I have seen several of his make bearing forged labels of second and third-rate Italian makers. Who inserted the forged labels into his instruments I cannot say. The violin which I saw was well made, having a brownish-red varnish of fairly good quality and appearance. The wood was good, and the tone round, firm, and free. Facsimile label : —

James Carroll, Maker, Manchester, Anno 1855