Thomas Hardie

John Dilworth

HARDIE, Thomas Born 1803, died 1856 Edinburgh, Scotland UK. Son, pupil, and assistant of Matthew Hardie, above. Working independently from 1826 at 15 Shakespeare Square, Edinburgh, and from 1837 at 79 High Street; various other addresses followed. Like his father he had difficulties with maintaining a steady existence, and eventually died after falling down some stairs near his final residence at 5 Advocate’s Close. Between 1847 and 1851 he was supported by William Yoole, who made his own workshop available to him. Eleven instruments made by the two men in collaboration are recorded. He appears thinly disguised in an unflattering light as ‘Thomas Harvie’ in Charles Reade’s novel Christie Johnson (1853). His work reflects that of his father and is highly regarded. Mostly Stradivari based, there is also at least one viola showing recognisably Guarnarian characteristics. Violas, mostly dating from 1828-1856, are very fine, as are the distinguished Lockey Hill-like cellos. Thomas Hardie / fecit Edinburgh / anno 1846 Thomas Hardie / fecit Edinburghie. Anno 1828 [Rattray]

George Hart

Worked with his father, Matthew Hardie. He was born in 1804, died 1856.

William Meredith Morris

He was the son of the great Matt. Hardie, and possessed many of the fine qualities of his father. I have seen only three of his violins, in which the workmanship was beautiful, but the tone very inferior. There is not the slightest doubt that he artificially seasoned his wood, hence the immense disparity between the workmanship and the tone. His work has received high praise from no less an authority than the late Charles Reade, but I cannot endorse any of the sentiments of the great connoisseur as regards Thomas Hardie’s tone. I have heard better in many a common factory fiddle. The workmanship may be faultless, but if the “vital spark” — the tone — be vile, the instrument deserves any name but that of ” violin.” Hardie had many rare gifts, but self-restraint does not appear amongst them. He met with his death through an accident, Jan. 19, 1858, whilst in a state of intoxication. Label : —

THOMAS HARDIE, FECIT, EDINBURGH, ANNO 1850

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

Sohn und Schüler von Matthew H., dessen Modell er beibehielt, doch ist
die Durchführung und der Lack oft besser bei ihm; leider aber trocknete er das
Holz im Backofen, so dass seine Geigen, die neu recht gut klangen, jetzt wenig
Ton haben. Er war sehr talentvoll, ergab sich aber dem Trunk, und sein Tod
war die Folge eines Sturzes über die Treppe seines Hauses, als er wieder betrunken
war.