Edinburgh School
Walter Plain
Edinburgh, 1804–1880
Apprenticed as a cabinet maker in Edinburgh. Possibly trained by his neighbour in Brunswick Street, Robert Ballantyne, whose work his own resembles. Active in Glasgow from 1840. Fine work in classical styles. A few cellos known, but a prolific maker of violins. His involvement with the well-known de\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.7 cm (head later) | March 2011 | £2,415 |
| Violin | 1861 | March 1992 | £1,034 |
| Violin | 1871 | September 1988 | £528 |
| Violin | 1852 | June 1987 | £330 |
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
PLAIN, Walter Born 1804 Edinburgh, died 1880 Glasgow, Scotland UK. Apprenticed as a cabinet maker in Edinburgh. Possibly trained by his neighbour in Brunswick Street, Robert Ballantyne, whose work his own resembles. Active in Glasgow from 1840. Fine work in classical styles. A few cellos known, but a prolific maker of violins. His involvement with the well-known dealer David Laurie may have brought about his later use of shaded and antiqued varnish. Died in the Glasgow poorhouse. Branded internally: ‘Plain / Glasw.’ Walter Plain Glasgow, 1857 Walter Plain / Brunswick Place / Glasgow / 1862 [Rattray]
William Meredith Morris+
Stradivari model. The workmanship is good, but the varnish is a hard spirit one, and the tone loud and piercing. Label : —
WALTER PLANE, GLASGOW, 1860
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Working in Edinburgh at the same time
D. G. Henderson worked 1875–1897
Daniel Dewar worked 1786–1825
David Stirrat worked 1811–1826
Edward Crompton worked 1870
George Dickson 1838–1910
George Ferguson worked 1825–1835
H. Kelby worked 1880–1902
James (I) Hardie worked 1830–1856