Alexander Stocks Watt
1859–1908
Alexander Stocks Watt (1859-1908) was a Scottish luthier, photographer, and inventor, born in Edinburgh and active in Inverkeithing. Encouraged by Dr. George Dickson around 1875, he became known for crafting approximately 50 violins and a few violas. His instruments, described as beautiful and rare, were often modern copies of Stradivarius and Guarnerius, sometimes taking two to three years to complete. Watt utilized fine materials and his own prepared amber oil varnish, resulting in instruments with a sweet and mellow tone. He received awards at various exhibitions for his work.
Maker Overview
Life
Alexander Stocks WATT (1859-1908) was born in Edinburgh on August 17, 1859, and died in Inverkeithing, Scotland, in 1908. He was a photographer and an inventor of valuable photographic apparatus, as well as a skilled violinist., he was first encouraged to take up violin making around 1875 by Dr. George Dickson. John Dilworth notes that he completed 50 violins and a few violas.
Characteristics
- Subheading
- Models: He made modern copies after Stradivarius and Guarnerius, specifically copying Stradivari initially and later Guarneri. He also made miniature copies of individual Stradivari instruments.
- Subheading
- Workmanship: William Meredith Morris describes his work as beautiful and rare, noting that a copy of the "Count Cessol" Stradivari made by him was among the finest for delicate workmanship. He would spend two, and sometimes three, years over a single violin, resulting in an "artistic gem."
- Subheading
- Materials & Varnish: He used fine materials and an effective oil varnish of good quality, which John Dilworth specifies as an amber varnish of his own preparation.
- Subheading
- Tone: The tone of his instruments is described as sweet and mellow.
- Alexander Watt
Made at Inverkeithing
1893John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Subheading: Mentorship: He was a pupil of Dr. George Dickson, who first encouraged him to turn to violin making around 1875.
- Subheading: Recognition: He gained awards at several exhibitions.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
WATT, Alexander Stocks Born 1859 Edinburgh, died 1908 Inverkeithing, Scotland UK. Amateur violin maker and player. Pupil of Dr. George Dickson 1875. Stradivari and later Guarneri copies. Completed 50 violins and a few violas. Fine materials and amber varnish of his own preparation. Awards gained at several exhibitions. Also made miniature copies of individual Stradivari instruments. Alexander Watt / Made at Inverkeithing / 1893
William Meredith Morris+
He was born in Edinburgh, Aug. 17, 1859. A gentleman amateur whose work is as beautiful as it is rare. A copy of the ” Count Cessol ” Stradivari made by him was amongst the finest for delicate workmanship that I have ever seen. He spends two, and sometimes three years over a single violin, but when it is finished it is an artistic gem. The tone is sweet and mellow. Facsimile label : —
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein Photograph und Erfinder werthvoller photographischer Apparate, der, selbst ein tüchtiger Geiger, von Dr. George Dickson um 1875 zuerst veranlasst wurde, sich dem Geigenmachen zuzuwenden. Er hat seitdem an 50 Violinen gemacht, die theils Stradivari, theils Guarneri nachgeahmt und mit Öllack versehen sind.
Henri Poidras+
Edinburgh and Inverkeithing. Born in 1859. Modern make after Stradivarius and Guarnerius. Effective oil varnish of good quality. Label : « Mr Alexander S. Watt. Made in ye olde Burgh of Inverkeithing. A. D. 18..
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