William (I) Booth

John Dilworth

BOOTH, William (I) Born 1779, d.c.1857 Leeds, Yorkshire UK. Active from 1809 following previous employment as a hairdresser. Worked at 57 Mill Hill 1809-1823, 15 Call Lane c.1830, and 5 Mark Lane c.1845. Amati inspired model and occasional ‘long pattern’ Stradivari violins with red-brown varnish. Rather unexceptional work. The Hill Archive has details of a violin made from pine taken from Leeds Parish Church: Amati model, ordinary work, brownish-red varnish. W. Booth, / maker / Leeds, 18..

William Meredith Morris

He began to make violins in 1809, and continued to make and repair till 1856. He followed the Amati model chiefly, but I have seen one violin of his make which was somewhat after the long Strad pattern. Fairly good work and tone. Label : —

WM. BOOTH, MAKER, LEEDS, 1820

Cecie Stainer

b. 1779; believed to have died 1857 or 1858. At first a hairdresser, but 1809 commenced to make and repair violins.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

Ursprünglich Friseur, verlegte er sich seit 1809 auf den Geigenbau und erlangte
als Reparateur eine anerkennenswerthe Geschicklichkeit.