John Marshall
Overtown of Ardo, 1844–1919
John Marshall (1844-1919) was a Scottish violin maker based in Aberdeen, known for his excellent workmanship and skill as a repairer. Initially a foundry worker, he began making violins around 1874, producing instruments primarily on the Stradivari model, but also developing his own designs and working with other classical Cremonese models. He utilized oil varnish and fine materials, though some sources note that he occasionally made the wood thicknesses too thin. Marshall’s workshop, which operated from several addresses in Aberdeen, benefited from the assistance of William Glennie and Alex Strachan after 1905, who influenced his later models and varnish application. His reputation extended to performing repair work for W. E. Hill & Sons in London, and his business was eventually succeeded by Alex Strachan in 1920.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
16 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | One-piece back of medium broad curl, ribs similar, table of broad grain, varnish of a golden brown colour Lot 1516 | Gardiner Houlgate | June 2018 | £1,200est. £ 500-800 |
| Violin | 1788 c. Possibly by | — | January 2005 | £1,140 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | January 2001 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | January 1997 | £805 |
| Violin | 1900 c. | — | January 1993 | £880 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | January 1992 | £143 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | January 1992 | £1,265 |
| Violin | 1880 c. | — | January 1992 | £682 |
| Violin | 1914 | — | January 1991 | £528 |
| Violin | 1884 | — | January 1990 | £1,980 |
| Violin | 1903 | — | January 1989 | £495 |
| Violin | 1900 | — | January 1986 | £440 |
| Violin | 1889 | — | January 1985 | £275 |
| Violin | 1909 | — | January 1982 | £302 |
| Violin | 1912 | — | January 1982 | £198 |
| Violin | 1898 | — | January 1980 | £110 |
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Maker Overview
Life
John Marshall (1844-1919) was born in 1844 in Overtown of Ardo, Methlick, Scotland, UK, and later died in Aberdeen in 1919. He initially worked as a foundry worker before becoming a violin maker in Aberdeen around 1874. His business operated from several locations in Aberdeen, including 38 Belmont Street from 1892, 75 Rosemount Viaduct from 1903 to 1912, 66 Woolmanhill, and finally at 88 Schoolhill from 1914. After 1905, he received assistance from William Glennie and Alex Strachan, with the latter succeeding to the business in 1920.
Characteristics
- Production
- Sources contain conflicting information regarding the total number of instruments produced; some accounts state approximately 200, while others note over 300 instruments.
- Models
- He made a large number of instruments, mostly on the Stradivari model, but also utilized an own model, and other classical Cremonese models. John Dilworth notes that he also made instruments after Alessandro Gagliano and Guadagnini.
- Materials & Varnish
- He used fine materials, though some instruments are evidently continental factory instruments that he varnished. He primarily used oil varnish, which was sometimes applied as a thick red oil varnish, particularly under the influence of his assistants. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff observed that he sometimes made the wood thicknesses too thin.
- Workmanship
- William Meredith Morris described him as an excellent workman. His work was very well finished and accurately modelled.
- Marking
- Instruments were stamped in ink on the upper and lower blocks, typically reading “John Marshall / Violin Maker / Aberdeen / 1895 J.M. [Rattray]”. An earlier label from 1887 read “JOHN MARSHALL, VIOLIN-MAKER, ABERDEEN, 1887, J. M.”.
- John Marshall
Violin Maker
Aberdeen
1895John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship & Collaboration: After 1905, John Marshall was assisted by William Glennie and Alex Strachan. The appearance of more varied and individual models, along with the use of a thick red oil varnish, is attributed to the influence of Glennie and Strachan.
- Reputation: He was famous throughout Scotland as a neat repairer. John Dilworth notes that he is said to have carried out repair work for W. E. Hill & Sons in London.
- Succession: His business was succeeded by Alex Strachan in 1920.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: His business was located at 38 Belmont Street from 1892, 75 Rosemount Viaduct from 1903 to 1912, 66 Woolmanhill, and finally at 88 Schoolhill from 1914, all in Aberdeen.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
MARSHALL, John Born 1844 Overtown of Ardo, Methlick, died 1919 Aberdeen, Scotland UK. Initially a foundry worker. Violin maker in Aberdeen from c.1874. Business at 38 Belmont Street from 1892, 75 Rosemount Viaduct 1903-1912, 66 Woolmanhill, and finally at 88 Schoolhill from 1914. After 1905 he was assisted by William Glennie and Alex Strachan, the latter succeeding to the business in 1920. Over 300 instruments on various classical Cremonese models. Also some after Alessandro Gagliano and Guadagnini. Noted as a repairer and is said to have carried out work for W. E. Hill & Sons in London. Work very well finished and accurately modelled using fine materials (though some are evidently continental factory instruments varnished by him). The appearance of more varied and individual models and a thick red oil varnish is attributed to the influence of Glennie and Strachan. Stamped in ink on upper and lower blocks. John Marshall / Violin Maker / Aberdeen / 1895 J.M. [Rattray]
William Meredith Morris+
An excellent workman, who is famous throughout Scotland as a neat repairer. He has made a large number of instruments, mostly on the Stradivari model. Label : —
JOHN MARSHALL, VIOLIN-MAKER, ABERDEEN, 1887, J. M.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er begann im Jahre 1870 zuerst Geigen zu machen und hat seitdem etwa 200, vorzugsweise nach Stradivari, aber auch nach einem eigenen Modell, gemacht. Er verwendet jetzt nur Öllack, doch nimmt er manchmal die Holzstärken zu dünn.
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