Jacob (I) RAYMAN

John Dilworth

RAYMAN, Jacob (I) Born before 1596 Füssen Germany, d. after 1658 London UK. Earliest known violin maker in England. Born in Faulenbach, Füssen. Came to London c.1625, possibly by way of the Netherlands; his wife Sophia is noted as being from ‘s-Hertogenbosch in Brabant. Established off Blackman Street (now Borough High Street) in Bell Yard. He seems to have been well-known to earlier connoisseurs: Thomas Britton advertised ‘an extraordinary Rayman’ for sale in 1714, and J. Fleming notes in 1892 that they are ‘neither scarce nor dear’. It must be assumed that many have been falsely re-labelled. One cello is known, and one large model violin with medium arch, sloping soundholes, and prominent outward-pointing corners. Also two smaller pattern instruments of similar work but narrower form, one decorated with crowned rose in the centre of the back. Jacob Rayman / Dwelling in Bell-Yard in / Southwarke 1650 Jacob Rayman / Dwelling in Blackman / Street long-Southwarke 1641 [BVMA]