Anglesey School
Richard Evans
Anglesey
Richard Evans was an instrument maker active from approximately 1730 to 1763, working in Anglesey, Wales, and later in London, UK. He crafted violins and Welsh harps. Evans is particularly noted for his distinctive and often illiterately spelled labels, such as "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742," which have led to discussions among historians regarding his literacy and the interpretation of Welsh place names.
Maker Overview
Life
Richard Evans (c.1730-1763) was an instrument maker who worked in Anglesey, Wales, from approximately 1730 and later in London, UK, from about 1749 to 1763. Cecie Stainer notes his activity in London between 1742 and 1750. Evans was known for making violins and Welsh harps. His labels are a notable aspect of his history, often cited for their unusual phrasing and spelling, suggesting a degree of illiteracy on his part. For instance, a label in an instrument reconstructed by him, read: "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742." William Meredith Morris also records a similar label, "MAID IN THE PARIS OF ANIRHENCEL BY RICHARD EVANS, INSTRUMENT MAKER, IN THE YEAR 1742," and discusses the potential misspellings of Welsh place names by English speakers. George Hart also cited a label with "Maid in the Paris of Lanirhengel maker, in the year 17—." The Hill Archive, as cited by John Dilworth, records a label as "Made in the Parish of / Lanirhengel by Richard / Evans Instrument maker, / in the year 1742," which presents a variation in the spelling of "Paris" to "Parish." Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted that a label found in an instrument, which Sandys and Forster believed to be older than the indicated date, could also suggest that Evans copied an older instrument.
Characteristics
- Instruments
- Richard Evans was a maker of violins and Welsh harps.
- Labels
- His instruments are notable for their distinctive and often illiterately spelled labels. One such label, cited by Cecie Stainer reads: "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742." John Dilworth, referencing the Hill Archive, provides a slightly different version: "Made in the Parish of / Lanirhengel by Richard / Evans Instrument maker, / in the year 1742."
- Observations
- Willibald Leo Lütgendorff commented on a label found in an instrument that, in the opinion of Sandys and Forster, was certainly older than the date indicated on the label, suggesting Evans might have copied an older instrument.
- Label cited in Hill Archive: Made in the Parish of
Lanirhengel by Richard
Evans Instrument maker,
in the year 1742John Dilworth
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
EVANS, Richard Worked from 1730 Anglesey, Wales & c.1749-1763 London UK. Maker of violins and Welsh harps. Label cited in Hill Archive: Made in the Parish of / Lanirhengel by Richard / Evans Instrument maker, / in the year 1742
George Hart+
His label is a curiosity— Maid in the Paris of Lanirhengel, by Richard Evans, Instrument maker, in the year 17—
William Meredith Morris+
I have seen two violins supposed to be by him, in North Wales. I have never seen the instrument by him which is reputed to have the following label in it : —
MAID IN THE PARIS OF ANIRHENCEL BY RICHARD EVANS, INSTRUMENT MAKER, IN THE YEAR 1742
For ” Anirhengel ” Hart reads ” Lanirhengel.” I do not think either of the two readings is correct. Probably the true reading would be ” Llanfihangel.” Richard Evans was no doubt illiterate, but we will give him credit for a smattering of his native tongue. English people will mangle Welsh place names, and create difficulties where none exist. ” Abergwynfi,” the romantic little Welsh village where the author lives, is plain and musical enough, but I have often been puzzled to know where I really live when I receive letters from my monoglot Saxon friends with the name spelt in one of the following barbarous ways : — ” Abergoynfi,” ” Abergynfi,”” ” Abergwnfi,” ” Abergwynff,” &c.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in London about 1742-50. Was rather illiterate judging by a label in an instrument reconstructed by him: “Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Der Zettel fand sich in einem Instrument, das nach Sandys und Forster’s Meinung sicher älter warals das angegebene Datum; es konnte aber auch Evans ein älteres Instrument copirt haben.
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