J. Edwin Bonn

History

J. Edwin Bonn (1861-1927) was born in 1861 in Fermoy, Republic of Ireland, and passed away in 1927 in Brading, Isle of Wight, UK. He was a professional chemist and an amateur violinist. Bonn was active in Brading from 1875, where he established himself as a dealer and maker of violins. According to John Dilworth, he worked with the assistance of at least one craftsman, and between them, they produced approximately 150 instruments, which were numbered on their labels. William Meredith Morris states that Bonn personally made forty-nine violins, and about one hundred were made by his workmen.

Craft

• Models: J. Edwin Bonn worked on the Stradivari model and also developed an original or personal model, which featured slightly rounded middle bouts.
• Workmanship: The workmanship of his instruments is described as well finished and detailed, with a clear and powerful tone.
• Materials: The wood used was excellent, particularly the pine for the front table, which typically exhibited a close, straight, and well-defined grain.
• Varnish: Mr. Bonn's varnish was his own composition. In 1897, he discovered a new and simpler method of dissolving amber, which imparted great elasticity and a good range of colors. This method produced absolutely fast colors, and the varnish did not chip. He did not use drying oil prepared with lead salts, believing lead injured the colors. The varnish dried well within a season, did not soften under hand heat, and was perfectly elastic and tough. Available colors included yellow, red, golden orange, orange red, and orange brown. He varnished all his instruments in orange brown unless another color was specified.
• Violin Pricing: His violins were priced at ten guineas for Class A, twelve guineas for Class B, and £16 for Class C.
• Bows: Bonn also made bows of regulation length, available in full and medium weights, noted for their perfect balance and elasticity. Their thicknesses were mathematically regulated, with the cambre following the line of Dodd. These bows, with silver mounts, were priced at two guineas each.
• Label: A facsimile label reads: "J EDWIN BONN / BRADING, ISLE OF WIGHT. 1898".

Influence

• Education: J. Edwin Bonn was educated at the Ledbury Grammar School and was initially intended for the medical profession.
• Biography: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his biography was published by Meredith-Morris in the journal The Strad, No. 123.

Legacy

• Inventions: J. Edwin Bonn is known as the inventor of a four-footed bridge, which he commercialized as the 'Premier' four-footed bridge. He also discovered a new method for dissolving amber for varnish and a chemical method for preparing violin strings, which were considered very fine.
• Commercial Enterprises: Beyond instruments, he engaged in various commercial ventures, including the 'Premier' four-footed bridges, violin varnish cleaner, and a booklet on violin strings. He also developed several chemical preparations for violin strings, pegs, and for cleaning the violin.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: J. Edwin Bonn's workshop and business were established in Brading, Isle of Wight.
• Instrument Identification: Instruments produced by Bonn and his craftsmen were numbered on their labels.

Summary

J. Edwin Bonn (1861-1927) was an Irish-born professional chemist and amateur violinist who established himself as a violin dealer and maker in Brading, Isle of Wight, from 1875. He and his craftsmen produced approximately 150 instruments, known for their well-finished workmanship, clear and powerful tone, and the use of excellent wood. Bonn developed his own unique amber-based varnish and crafted bows. He is also recognized for inventing the 'Premier' four-footed bridge and for his chemical innovations in varnish and string preparation, which he commercialized.