London School
John Hare
London, 1672–1725
John Hare (1672-1725) was a London-based instrument maker and bookseller who was apprenticed to Rebecca Miller. He established his own business in 1694, initially at the Fleece Tavern and later in Freeman's Yard, also operating a bookselling business in St Paul's Churchyard. He formed a partnership with John Walsh for music printing around 1703. His musical instrument workshop in Cornhill employed craftsmen including his son, John, Tristram Huddlestone, and Benjamin Boston. His violins are noted for being advanced for their time, intelligently imitating Amati and Stradivari, particularly his 'long pattern' instruments from 1690-1700. His work is often compared to that of Urquhart, and he is also noted to have had a partnership with Freeman.
Maker Overview
Life
John Hare (1672-1725) was apprenticed to Rebecca Miller, the widow of George Miller in the Draper's Company. He established himself independently from 1694 at the Fleece Tavern, located near the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, and subsequently moved to Freeman's Yard the following year. John Hare also maintained a business in St Paul's Churchyard as a bookseller, operating under the sign of 'The Golden Violin' or 'The Golden Viol', which was later acquired by Richard Meares in 1706. Around 1703, he formed a partnership with John Walsh to publish inexpensive editions of music. The musical instrument business in Cornhill employed three craftsmen: his son John, Tristram Huddlestone, and Benjamin Boston.'s label indicates a partnership with Freeman, with the address given as "Near the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, London." William Meredith Morris also notes a label for "HARE & FREEMAN, NEAR THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, CORNHILL, LONDON." Sources contain conflicting information regarding his identity, as Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that many consider John and Joseph Hare to be the same person, a notion he disputes due to the noticeable differences in their work.
Characteristics
- Violins
- The violins bearing John Hare's label are considered remarkably advanced for their period, representing intelligent imitations of instruments by Amati and Stradivari, particularly his 1690-1700 'long pattern', which would have been a very new design at the time.
- Varnish
- George Hart describes the varnish used on his instruments as being of fine quality.
- Workmanship
- Both George Hart and William Meredith Morris state that John Hare's work resembles that of Urquhart.
- Connections
- John Dilworth suggests that some connection appears to exist with Daniel Parker, whose work is very similar to Hare's, though Parker's is considered more sophisticated.
- Jo.Hare at Y. Viol & Flute
Near the Royal Exchange
In Cornhill London
1708John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: John Hare was apprenticed to Rebecca Miller, the widow of George Miller, within the Draper's Company.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
HARE, John Born 1672, died 1725 London UK. Apprenticed to Rebecca Miller, the widow of George Miller in the Draper’s Company. Established independently from 1694 at the Fleece Tavern, near the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, moving to Freeman’s Yard the following year. He also had a business in St Paul’s Churchyard as a book seller, at the sign of ‘The Golden Violin’ or ‘The Golden Viol’, which was taken over by Richard Meares in 1706. Around 1703 formed a partnership with John Walsh to print cheap editions of music. The musical instrument business in Cornhill employed three craftsmen: his son John, Tristram Huddlestone, and Benjamin Boston. The violins bearing his label are remarkably advanced for their period, being intelligent imitations of Amati and Stradivari, especially his 1690-1700 ‘long pattern’, which would have been very new at the time. Some connection appears to exist with Daniel Parker, whose work is very similar, if more sophisticated. Jo.Hare at Y. Viol & Flute / Near the Royal Exchange / In Cornhill London / 1708 [BVMA]
George Hart+
His label shows that he was in partnership, his name being joined to that of Freeman, and the address is given as ” Near the Royal Exchange, Cornhill, London.” Much resembles the work and style of Urquhart. Varnish of fine quality.
William Meredith Morris+
Work resembles that of Urquhart. Label : —
HARE & FREEMAN, NEAR THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, CORNHILL, LONDON
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Viele halten John und Joseph Hare für eine und dieselbe Person, was aber
bei der auffälligen Verschiedenheit der Arbeit nicht angängig ist. John ist entschieden
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