Richard Tobin

TOBIN, Richard Born 1766 Republic of Ireland, died 1847 London UK. Apprenticed to Thomas Perry in Dublin 1792-1798. Worked briefly for Bartholomew Murphy in Cork. One instrument bearing his label gives Waterford as his residence in 1800. Moved to London; said to have been on the advice of V. Panormo who had earlier worked for Perry. Earliest London work is dated 1810 and appears to have been made under the aegis of Lockey Hill. A violin dated 1817 is signed ‘R. Tobin for L. Hill’ internally. Established in St Leonard Street, Finsbury Square, and from 1823 in his own premises at 9 West Street, Soho. Very accurate and finely finished work in classical Italian styles. He has the reputation of being the finest scroll carver in London in his time, and his hand can be recognised on many instruments with the shop label of Betts, Dodd, and Gilkes. Instruments often signed internally on the table; sometimes branded below back button. Authentic labels extremely rare. [BVMA]

A maker in London from about 1790 to 1840. Was a pupil of Perry of Dublin. He did a good deal of work for John Betts. He was an excellent workman, and cut most beautiful heads or scrolls to his instruments ; he usually followed the Stradivari or Guarneri patterns. The tone of his instruments is good, and they are much liked in England. He died in great poverty in Shoreditch. A son of his was also a maker.

According to his own account he was born a few miles out of Dublin. His love for the fiddle dated back to early childhood, when he often heard its strains at merry-makings, wakes, &c. As a lad he was fond of making fiddles out of all sorts of boxes, &c. At the age of fourteen he made a fairly good instrument out of a willow block. This he sold to a neighbouring fiddler, who shortly after brought it to Perry and Wilkinson. Old Perry was struck with the workmanship of the embryo fiddle-maker, and sent word that he would teach him violin-making if he came to him. Needless to say, young Tobin accepted the invitation. This was about 1802, and Tobin remained with the Dublin firm eleven years. He soon became a very clever workman, and he made the majority of these magnificent instruments which brought fame and money to the house of Perry & Wilkinson. In 1813 he came to London, and found his way to the workshop of “old” Betts, who was quick to discover his abilities, and employed him till his (Betts’) death in 1823. Tobin was eccentric and intemperate, and often tried the temper of Betts to the breaking point. When he had saved up a little money and kept sober for perhaps three months at a stretch, the mania for drink would break out afresh, and he would go off on a fortnight or three weeks’ carouse, till he had spent all his savings. When at work he was busy and of a most incommunicative turn of mind. He worked very fast, and would finish a scroll inside of two hours. The few instruments which bear his label are exceedingly handsome copies of Stradivari or Guarnerius, and they have a rich and mellow tone. The best instruments of the Dublin firm were made by him, as were also many of the choicest violins which bear the label of Betts. I do not think there are a dozen violins in existence which bear the label of Tobin himself, and I have not seen more than two. His scrolls are superb ; never did Antonio Stradivari cut better, as the accompanying illustration will testify.

Pupil of Perry, of Dublin. His instruments are much appreciated by the best judges. In cutting a scroll he was unequalled amongst English makers.

Er war in Dublin geboren und war ein Schüler von Perry. Da er viel für John Betts arbeitete, kommen nur wenige Geigen mit seinem Zettel vor. Er besass eine ausserordentliche Handgeschicklichkeit und erkannte auch frühzeitig die Vorzüge der Stradivari- und Guarneri-Modelle, die er ausschliesslich nachahmte. Besonders schön sind seine Schnecken ausgeführt; auch im Ton sind seine Geigen sehr gut, und seine Violoncelli gehören zu den besten, die in England gemacht wurden. Trotzdem starb er in grösster Armuth.

London circa 1800. Father and son. Good make. Stradivarius model. Has worked for J. Betts.