John Marshall

History

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.

Craft

• 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.”.

Influence

• 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.

Legacy

• 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.

Summary

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.