Portland School
Robert Robinson
Portland, b. 1851
Robert Robinson (born 1850/1851 in Wood County, Ohio) was an American violin maker known for his extensive travels across the United States to perfect his craft. He worked in various cities, including Des Moines, Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, before establishing his independent workshop in Boston in 1899. Robinson crafted violins, violas, and cellos, drawing inspiration from Stradivari and Guarneri, while also developing his own distinct model. He was noted for his self-composed oil and spirit varnishes and was active until at least 1912.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.3 cm Portland, 1918 | June 2010 | £6,000 |
| Violin | 35.3 cm Portland, 1918 | October 2009 | £1,920 |
| Violin | Portland, 1933 | October 2005 | £491 |
Maker Overview
Life
Robert ROBINSON (1850/1851-after 1912) was born in Wood County, near Sandusky, Ohio. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his birth year, with Henri Poidras stating 1850 and John Dilworth indicating 1851. He made his first violin at the age of sixteen. Recognizing the need for further knowledge, he embarked on extensive travels throughout the United States for seventeen years, sojourning in the workshops of at least twenty masters to perfect his craft. His professional journey included working in Des Moines, Iowa, from 1871 to 1877, then in Denver, Colorado, from 1882 to 1884. He returned to Des Moines from 1885 to 1891, worked in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1891 to 1892, in Chicago from 1893 to 1894, and in San Francisco from 1897 to 1898. In 1899, he established himself as an independent violin maker in Boston. John Dilworth notes his activity in Portland, Oregon, in 1902, and a label from 1912 indicates he was active until at least that year, despite another source suggesting his death occurred after 1902.
Characteristics
- Models
- Robert Robinson crafted new violins based on the patterns of Stradivari and Guarneri. He also developed his own personal model, which, lay between these two classical forms. Some of his instruments featured ornamented backs.
- Varnish
- He utilized both oil and spirit varnishes of his own composition. The colors varied, ranging from amber-yellow to dark red, orange-red, and golden-brown shades.
- Output
- Sources provide slightly differing counts of his total output. Henri Poidras credits him with 175 violins, 4 violas, and 4 'cellos, all made to order. John Dilworth states he completed about 180 violins, 10 violas, and 10 'cellos.
- Robert Robinson fecit
Bostonia. Anno Dom. 1900John Dilworth - Robert Robinson. Fecit
Portlanda, Oregona. U.S.A.
Anno.. Jan 5.. 1912John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Robert Robinson was a pupil of his father, who was himself a capable craftsman. Sources provide conflicting names for his father, with Henri Poidras identifying him as Robert E. Robinson and John Dilworth as R. C. Robinson.
- Training: He undertook extensive travels across the United States, spending time in the workshops of numerous masters to enhance his knowledge and skills.
- Labels: Examples of his labels include "Robert Robinson fecit / Bostonia. Anno Dom. 1900" and "Robert Robinson. Fecit / Portlanda, Oregona. U.S.A. / Anno.. Jan 5.. 1912".
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
ROBINSON, Robert Born 1851 Wood County, Sandusky, Ohio, d. after 1902 Portland, Oregon USA. Violin and bow maker. Pupil of his father, R. C. Robinson. Active from 1867. Worked in Des Moines 1871-1877, Denver 1882-1884, again at Des Moines 1885-1891, Salt Lake City 1891, Chicago 1892, San Francisco 1897, Boston 1899, and finally Portland, Oregon 1902. Stradivari, Guarneri, and personal models, some with ornamented backs. Spirit varnish of dark red, orange-red, golden-brown and yellow shades. About 180 violins, 10 violas, and 10 cellos completed. Robert Robinson fecit / Bostonia. Anno Dom. 1900 Robert Robinson. Fecit / Portlanda, Oregona. U.S.A. / Anno.. Jan 5.. 1912
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Nachdem er von 1871—1877 in Des Moines, Iowa, von 1882—1884 in Denver Colorado, New York, von 1885 — 1891 wieder in Des Moines, von 1891—1892 in Salt Lake, Utah, von 1893—1894 in Chicago und von 1897-1898 in San Francisco gearbeitet hatte, machte er sich 1899 in Boston als Geigenmacher selbstständig. Er macht neue Geigen nach Stradivari und Guarneri und hat ein eigenes Modell, das zwischen beiden liegt. Er verwendet einen Spirituslack eigener Zusammensetzung von bernsteingelber bis dunkelrother Farbe.
Henri Poidras+
Portland (Oregon). Born at Wood County near Sandusky (Ohio) in 1850. Pupil of his father Robert E. Robinson, who himself was a good and capable craftsman. He made his first violin when sixteen years old. Realising that he needed more knowledge he undertook to travel through the United States. For seventeen years he journeyed from town to town, sojourning in the workshops of the best masters, twenty at the least, perfecting himself by association with the best workmen. His science is great and his works are the proof of it. Stradivari and Guarneri are his favourite masters. He has to his credit 175 violins, 4 violas and 4 ‘cellos, all instruments made to order. Oil or spirit varnish of different shades, varying from orange-red to gold-brown.
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Pupils
Working in Portland at the same time
Ben E. Dobson worked 1890
Daniel A. Hamilton worked 1890–1920
Gottfried Kuden worked 1920
Roscoe G. Hall worked 1915–1920
Violin School Carlson worked 1920