Joseph (I) Hare

History

Joseph (I) Hare (circa. 1700-1733) was the son of John Hare and worked in London, UK. He was apprenticed in the Draper's Company from 1714 to 1721, where he was recorded as a 'book, music and instrument maker', according to The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth.

His mother, Elizabeth, took over the management of the family business in 1725. Joseph's earliest known label is dated 1726 at 'The Viol & Flute'. In 1728, he relocated his business to the 'Viol & Hautboy' in Birchin's Lane, Cornhill, an address previously occupied by Alexander Livingstone, whose labels are occasionally found in viols, and subsequently by Richard Meares II, from whom Hare purchased the business.

Craft

• Innovation: Joseph (I) Hare made the innovation of following the pattern of Stradivari, instead of the Stainer pattern commonly used by his contemporaries, as noted by Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers.
• Varnish: He utilized a rich red varnish of very good quality, which was more transparent than that generally employed by other English makers, according to Cecie Stainer and William Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers. George Hart also noted the excellent quality of his varnish in The Violin.
• Model: According to Sandys & Forster, as cited by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, he was the first Englishman to apply a flat model.
• Workmanship: His surviving work is very similar to that of his father, John Hare, as stated in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth.

Influence

• Family Tradition: Joseph (I) Hare's work showed strong similarities to that of his father, John Hare, indicating a continuation of family craftsmanship.
• Business Predecessors: His business premises at Birchin's Lane, Cornhill, were formerly occupied by Alexander Livingstone and later by Richard Meares II, from whom Hare acquired the business.

Legacy

• Pioneering Model: Joseph (I) Hare was noted for being the first Englishman to adopt a flat model and the Stradivari pattern, at a time when the Stainer model was predominantly esteemed in England, as discussed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Collaborations: He is said to have worked in partnership with Freeman for a period, according to Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Further Information

• Known Labels:
• 'Joseph Hare at ye Viol and Flute / near the, Royal Exchange / in Cornhill, London. 1726'
• 'Joseph Hare at ye Golden Viol / in St. Paul's Churchyard, London'
• 'JOSEPH HARE, AT YE VIOL AND FLUTE, NEAR THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, IN CORNHILL, LONDON, 1728'
• Workshop Locations:
• 'The Viol & Flute' near the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, London (circa 1726)
• 'The Viol & Hautboy' in Birchin's Lane, Cornhill (from 1728)
• 'The Golden Viol' in St. Paul's Churchyard, London

Summary

Joseph (I) Hare (circa. 1700-1733) was a London-based instrument maker, son of John Hare, known for his innovative adoption of the Stradivari pattern and a flat model, departing from the then-prevalent Stainer model. He was also recognized for his use of a distinctive, transparent red varnish of excellent quality. His career included an apprenticeship in the Draper's Company and operating businesses at 'The Viol & Flute' and 'The Viol & Hautboy' in Cornhill.