Thomas Absam

John Dilworth

ABSAM (ABSOM), Thomas Worked circa. 1812-1849 London and Wakefield, Yorkshire UK. Active in London c.1812, moved to Leeds 1813, and finally established in Wakefield. Made instruments for Picard (a dealer in Leeds). Worked also for Dearlove. Flat model with very broad edges and extended corners, somewhat of the Furber type, and head showing crude Betts characteristics. Local woods used. Geometrical purfling inlay on back. Cello also Betts-like: full arch, red varnish, and inlaid purfling monogram on back in the style of Barak Norman. Meredith Morris cites two examples: one of Stradivari model, one of Amati model. Manuscript labels: Made by T. Absom / Violin Maker / No.27 Greek Street / Soho / London / August 19 1812 Thomas Absam, Leeds, late from London, 1813. Made by Thomas Absam Wakefield 1828 Thomas Absam / Wakefield / 15 Feb. 1833

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

Er stand in Diensten des Händlers Pickard in Leeds,
versah aber auch einige bessere Geigen mit seinem
eigenen Zettel. In seiner Arbeit erinnert er an Forster,
kommt ihm aber nicht gleich.

William Meredith Morris

I have seen two instruments of his make, both violins, one on the Stradivari model, and the other on that of N. Amati. The workmanship is of average merit, and the varnish a spirit one, hard and lifeless. He made chiefly for Pickard, a dealer in Leeds.

Label :—

MADE BY THOMAS ABSAM, WAKEFIELD, FEB. 14, 1833

Cecie Stainer

Worked in Wakefield, Yorkshire, 1810-49. Made violins for a dealer called Pickard, in Leeds.
Label: “Made by Thomas Absam, Wakefield, Feb. 14, 1833.”