Richard Evans

History

Richard Evans (c.1730-1763) was an instrument maker who worked in Anglesey, Wales, from approximately 1730 and later in London, UK, from about 1749 to 1763, according to John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer notes his activity in London between 1742 and 1750. Evans was known for making violins and Welsh harps. His labels are a notable aspect of his history, often cited for their unusual phrasing and spelling, suggesting a degree of illiteracy on his part. For instance, a label in an instrument reconstructed by him, as noted by Cecie Stainer, read: "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742." William Meredith Morris also records a similar label, "MAID IN THE PARIS OF ANIRHENCEL BY RICHARD EVANS, INSTRUMENT MAKER, IN THE YEAR 1742," and discusses the potential misspellings of Welsh place names by English speakers. George Hart also cited a label with "Maid in the Paris of Lanirhengel, by Richard Evans, Instrument maker, in the year 17—." The Hill Archive, as cited by John Dilworth, records a label as "Made in the Parish of / Lanirhengel by Richard / Evans Instrument maker, / in the year 1742," which presents a variation in the spelling of "Paris" to "Parish." Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted that a label found in an instrument, which Sandys and Forster believed to be older than the indicated date, could also suggest that Evans copied an older instrument.

Craft

• Instruments: Richard Evans was a maker of violins and Welsh harps.
• Labels: His instruments are notable for their distinctive and often illiterately spelled labels. One such label, cited by Cecie Stainer reads: "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742." John Dilworth, referencing the Hill Archive, provides a slightly different version: "Made in the Parish of / Lanirhengel by Richard / Evans Instrument maker, / in the year 1742."
• Observations: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff commented on a label found in an instrument that, in the opinion of Sandys and Forster, was certainly older than the date indicated on the label, suggesting Evans might have copied an older instrument.

Further Information

• Working Locations: Richard Evans worked in Anglesey, Wales, from approximately 1730 and later in London, UK, from about 1749 to 1763.
• Label Text: A frequently cited label, as recorded by William Meredith Morris, states: "MAID IN THE PARIS OF ANIRHENCEL BY RICHARD EVANS, INSTRUMENT MAKER, IN THE YEAR 1742."
• Place Name Discrepancy: Sources contain conflicting information regarding the place name on his labels, with "Anirhengel," "Lanirhengel," and "Anirhencel" being cited, and William Meredith Morris suggesting "Llanfihangel" as the probable true reading.

Summary

Richard Evans was an instrument maker active from approximately 1730 to 1763, working in Anglesey, Wales, and later in London, UK. He crafted violins and Welsh harps. Evans is particularly noted for his distinctive and often illiterately spelled labels, such as "Maid in the Paris of Anirhengel by Richard Evans, instrument maker, in the year 1742," which have led to discussions among historians regarding his literacy and the interpretation of Welsh place names.