James Tubbs
London, 1835–1921
James Tubbs (1835-1921) was a highly celebrated English bow maker, son and pupil of William Tubbs. He established his independent workshop in London, eventually settling at 94 Wardour Street. Known for his distinctive and original bows, which combined scientific principles with elegant appearance, he was appointed bow maker to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1874 and won prize medals in 1885. His work, branded "JAS TUBBS", was highly regarded for its lightness and balance, and significantly influenced other makers.
Worked
London
Made
Bass Bow, Cello Bow, Viola Bow, Violin Bow
Taught by
William Tubbs
Family
Son of William Tubbs
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
£27,600
354 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas Tubbs Lot 73 | Tarisio | March 2025 | £16,683est. $ 6,000-9,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick, small repaired lift by the lapping, otherwise in reasonable condition Lot 3259 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £2,440est. £ 1,000-1,500 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick, small hairline crack to the mother of pearl slide, good condition Lot 27 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £7,564est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped J. Tubbs, small hairline crack by the frog mortice, good condition Lot 28 | Gardiner | March 2025 | £2,440est. £ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas Tubbs, button possibly later Lot 50 | Tarisio | March 2025 | £4,720est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas Tubbs Lot 73 | Tarisio | May 2024 | £8,010est. $ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas. Tubbs on the handle, ebony frog with pearl eye, silver button Lot 120 | Ingles & H. | March 2024 | £6,000est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas Tubbs Lot 70 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £5,158est. $ 5,500-8,500 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped J. Tubbs, ebony frog stamped J.F. on the ferrule possibly later Lot 124 | Ingles & H. | March 2024 | £2,880est. £ 1,500-2,500 |
| Cello Bow | Silver mounted, round stick unstamped Lot 13 | Tarisio | March 2024 | £5,627est. $ 5,000-8,000 |
| Violin Bow | Gold mounted, round stick stamped Jas Tubbs Lot 68 | Tarisio | February 2024 | £6,045est. € 8.000-12.000 |
| Violin Bow | Silver mounted, round stick stamped Jas. Tubbs, good condition Lot 29 | Brompton's | June 2020 | £4,800est. £ 4,000-6,000 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 163 | Bonhams | October 2014 | £10 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 110 | Bonhams | May 2014 | £5,875 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 139 | Bonhams | May 2014 | £500 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 90 | Bonhams | May 2013 | £5,500 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 91 | Bonhams | May 2013 | £875 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 119 | Bonhams | March 2012 | £3,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | December 2011 | £3,120 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54 g. no hair | — | December 2011 | £3,360 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | November 2011 | £5,639 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | November 2011 | £6,766 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. | — | November 2011 | £5,263 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. 1935 c. with tinsel wrap | — | November 2011 | £1,182 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 160 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £5,625 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 163 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £2,250 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 166 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 167 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £1,875 |
| Violin Bow | Lot 171 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £2,125 |
| Cello Bow | Lot 216 | Bonhams | October 2011 | £6,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | October 2011 | £5,625 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | October 2011 | £2,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | October 2011 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. little hair, head blemish | — | October 2011 | £2,125 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | October 2011 | £6,250 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 56 g. London, 1900 c. | — | October 2011 | £9,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. London, 1910 c. | — | October 2011 | £4,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. London, 1890 c. | — | October 2011 | £3,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 55 g. | — | October 2011 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | October 2011 | £805 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 57 g. | — | September 2011 | £2,400 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 74.0 g. without hair | — | July 2011 | £2,203 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 50.5 g. without hair | — | July 2011 | £3,489 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. (button possibly later) | — | June 2011 | £1,800 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. chased gold | — | June 2011 | £11,400 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 57 g. | — | June 2011 | £2,160 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. no hair, cloth wrapping | — | June 2011 | £3,600 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. London, 1890 c. chased gold | — | June 2011 | £10,080 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57.0 g. | — | June 2011 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59.5 g. | — | June 2011 | £5,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 66 g. | — | May 2011 | £2,486 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 72.5 g. | — | March 2011 | £9,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65 g. | — | March 2011 | £3,360 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 2011 | £4,320 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 86 g. | — | March 2011 | £9,000 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61.5 g. London, 1900 c. chased gold | — | March 2011 | £6,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | March 2011 | £5,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | December 2010 | £2,640 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 65.5 g. | — | October 2010 | £4,506 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | October 2010 | £2,529 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 92.0 g. | — | October 2010 | £3,942 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | October 2010 | £7,800 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63 g. | — | October 2010 | £2,160 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | October 2010 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | October 2010 | £2,280 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. | — | October 2010 | £3,600 |
| Viola Bow | G/E 72.5 g. Chased gold | — | June 2010 | £18,474 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.0 g. | — | June 2010 | £4,418 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.0 g. | — | June 2010 | £4,016 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. birthday bow, engraved "…83rd year, 1917." | — | June 2010 | £8,032 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59.0 g. engraved ferrule | — | June 2010 | £10,442 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 57.0 g. birthday bow, engraved "…80th…1915" | — | June 2010 | £10,442 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58.5 g. (button not original) Probably by | — | April 2010 | £1,571 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | April 2010 | £3,732 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.0 g. | — | April 2010 | £2,946 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. (button possibly not original) | — | April 2010 | £4,714 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 77.5 g. | — | April 2010 | £6,575 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 71.0 g. | — | April 2010 | £7,807 |
| Viola Bow | G/E 62.0 g. | — | April 2010 | £9,862 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | April 2010 | £3,146 |
| Bass Bow | Dragonetti' style | — | March 2010 | £1,860 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 60 g. London, 1900 c. chased gold | — | March 2010 | £15,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65 g. | — | March 2010 | £2,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | March 2010 | £2,185 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | March 2010 | £1,150 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 2010 | £2,070 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 2010 | £4,140 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 85.0 g. (splined head) Attributed to | — | February 2010 | £1,001 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.0 g. (frog & button replacements by "Arthur Bultitude") | — | February 2010 | £2,502 |
| Viola Bow | G/E 62.5 g. Chased & engraved for his 85rd Birthday | — | October 2009 | £9,639 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | October 2009 | £3,707 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. | — | October 2009 | £3,151 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64.0 g. | — | October 2009 | £4,449 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 67 g. engraved presentation bow | — | October 2009 | £11,868 |
| Violin Bow | 61 g. (restorations) | — | October 2009 | £720 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. (restorations) | — | October 2009 | £540 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. London, 1900 c. | — | October 2009 | £4,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. London, 1890 c. | — | October 2009 | £5,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | October 2009 | £1,840 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | June 2009 | £1,920 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 78.5 g. (frog and button by "James Tubbs" possibly not original to stick) | — | May 2009 | £4,658 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 80.0 g. chased gold | — | May 2009 | £9,317 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. | — | May 2009 | £2,717 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.0 g. | — | May 2009 | £5,823 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | May 2009 | £2,912 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 70.0 g. without hair (head repaired) | — | March 2009 | £936 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.5 g. | — | March 2009 | £7,020 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 55 g. London, 1900 c. without lapping | — | March 2009 | £3,500 |
| Violin Bow | S/I 59 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2009 | £2,375 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. London, 1920 c. | — | November 2008 | £2,794 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60.0 g. (frog & button possibly not original) Attributed to | — | October 2008 | £1,808 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.0 g. | — | October 2008 | £4,700 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | October 2008 | £5,564 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g, London, 1890 c. | — | October 2008 | £2,375 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 2008 | £720 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 61.0 g. Attributed to | — | May 2008 | £1,498 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. (frog & button not original) | — | May 2008 | £1,498 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57.0 g. | — | May 2008 | £3,296 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65.0 g. | — | May 2008 | £4,495 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63.5 g. Chased & engraved for his 83rd Birthday | — | March 2008 | £11,115 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 80.5 g. London, 1880 c. | — | March 2008 | £7,500 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81.5 g. London, 1870 c. | — | March 2008 | £7,500 |
| Viola Bow | G/E 72 g. London, 1910 c. | — | March 2008 | £8,750 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 69 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2008 | £6,250 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 62.5 g. London, 1912, chased 'Birthday' bow, | — | March 2008 | £11,875 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. London, 1910 c. chased 'Presentation' bow | — | March 2008 | £9,375 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2008 | £8,125 |
| Violin Bow | S/E. 59.5 g. London, 1890 c., frog with decorative pearl eyes | — | March 2008 | £4,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2008 | £4,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. London, 1879 c. | — | March 2008 | £4,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65 g. London, 1910 c. | — | March 2008 | £4,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2008 | £4,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. London, 1890 c. | — | March 2008 | £6,250 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. London, 1910 c. | — | March 2008 | £5,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. London, 1910 c. | — | March 2008 | £5,250 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 56.5 g. London, 1900 c. Chased | — | March 2008 | £9,375 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 56 g. London, 1870 c. | — | March 2008 | £2,000 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60 g. London, 1900 c. | — | March 2008 | £6,250 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 82 g. (minor blemsih to the head) | — | March 2008 | £1,059 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | March 2008 | £2,040 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 57.5 g. | — | October 2007 | £3,712 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 65 g. | — | October 2007 | £7,425 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. | — | October 2007 | £2,427 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57.0 g. | — | October 2007 | £1,998 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 58.5 g. (button possibly not original) | — | October 2007 | £8,565 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. London, 1900 c. | — | October 2007 | £1,875 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. London, 1890 c. | — | October 2007 | £1,500 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | September 2007 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65.0 g. | — | May 2007 | £3,467 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. London, 1886 Adjustor engraved | — | April 2007 | £3,336 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. London, 1885 c. Stamped "G.A. Chanot" | — | April 2007 | £1,819 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. London, 1890 c. Ferrule engraved | — | April 2007 | £1,698 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63.5 g. London, 1900 c. | — | February 2007 | £3,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. London, 1900 c. | — | February 2007 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | February 2007 | £2,160 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. | — | February 2007 | £1,761 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. London, 1890 c. | — | November 2006 | £3,840 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. London, 1900 c. | — | November 2006 | £3,120 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. London, 1870 c. Made for "W.E. Hill" | — | November 2006 | £1,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. London, 1890 c. | — | November 2006 | £1,680 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 2006 | £2,160 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. | — | October 2006 | £3,387 |
| Viola Bow | S/I 70 g. | — | October 2006 | £3,789 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. 1890 c. | — | October 2006 | £4,737 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. London, 1890 c. | — | October 2006 | £1,941 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. London, 1900 c. | — | July 2006 | £3,360 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. London, 1880 c. | — | July 2006 | £2,880 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 83 g. (some wear at thumb position) | — | July 2006 | £3,120 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | July 2006 | £2,100 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. Workshop of | — | May 2006 | £1,042 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58.5 g. (repair to head) | — | May 2006 | £2,299 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62.5 g. | — | May 2006 | £2,299 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.0 g. | — | May 2006 | £4,905 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 64.5 g. London, 1900 c. | — | May 2006 | £3,826 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. London, 1900 c. | — | February 2006 | £5,040 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | February 2006 | £3,960 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | February 2006 | £2,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. | — | November 2005 | £2,880 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2005 | £2,684 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81.5 g. | — | November 2005 | £4,269 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.0 g. | — | November 2005 | £2,955 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60.2 g. 'Presentation' | — | November 2005 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59.1 g. | — | November 2005 | £1,920 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 2005 | £1,800 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 65 g. Chased, with 'Provenance' + | — | October 2005 | £17,404 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 65 g. (button not original) | — | October 2005 | £4,351 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.6 g. | — | October 2005 | £2,037 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. | — | July 2005 | £3,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56.0 g. with whalebone lapping | — | July 2005 | £3,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. | — | July 2005 | £2,132 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. (frog & button possibly not original) | — | July 2005 | £2,132 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 55 g. no hair | — | July 2005 | £1,620 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | May 2005 | £2,640 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. Frog set with inscribed plaque | — | May 2005 | £1,920 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 82 g. | — | May 2005 | £3,119 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. | — | May 2005 | £3,120 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57.5 g. | — | May 2005 | £960 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 65.0 g. with heavy silver lapping | — | May 2005 | £3,358 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.0 g. | — | May 2005 | £3,053 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. | — | May 2005 | £2,442 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | February 2005 | £6,960 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60.5 g. | — | February 2005 | £2,880 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | February 2005 | £2,160 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59.5 g. (frog & button possibly not original) | — | February 2005 | £2,296 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | January 2005 | £2,330 |
| Violin Bow | S/E | — | November 2004 | £1,496 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. Chased | — | November 2004 | £4,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | November 2004 | £2,645 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60.0 g. Chased | — | October 2004 | £5,408 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. (lift before the head) | — | October 2004 | £954 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.5 g. | — | October 2004 | £3,181 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | October 2004 | £2,158 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | October 2004 | £4,316 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | July 2004 | £2,280 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | July 2004 | £2,629 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | July 2004 | £2,510 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2004 | £2,151 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | May 2004 | £4,973 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60.5 g. | — | May 2004 | £3,860 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58.0 g. (broken & repair near head) | — | May 2004 | £901 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | April 2004 | £2,693 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | April 2004 | £2,020 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61.8 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 2004 | £2,151 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | March 2004 | £3,840 |
| Bass Bow | Ebony | — | November 2003 | £660 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63 g. | — | November 2003 | £7,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2003 | £2,640 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 2003 | £2,115 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 69 g. | — | October 2003 | £5,089 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 84 g. | — | October 2003 | £6,239 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | October 2003 | £2,773 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | October 2003 | £4,302 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. 'Presentation' | — | July 2003 | £9,000 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63 g. 'Presentation' | — | July 2003 | £7,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | July 2003 | £1,920 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | May 2003 | £1,645 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. | — | May 2003 | £12,512 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 2003 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 2003 | £2,880 |
| Cello Bow | G/E 86 g. | — | November 2002 | £5,378 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | November 2002 | £3,107 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | November 2002 | £2,629 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2002 | £2,390 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 2002 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2002 | £2,400 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. | — | October 2002 | £4,745 |
| Cello Bow | E/E 82 g. | — | October 2002 | £4,547 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 2002 | £2,868 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. | — | June 2002 | £6,415 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | June 2002 | £2,760 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | June 2002 | £2,807 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | June 2002 | £1,764 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | June 2002 | £3,397 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2002 | £2,187 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2002 | £4,206 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | May 2002 | £2,945 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | March 2002 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 2002 | £1,900 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63 g. | — | November 2001 | £5,000 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 73 g. | — | November 2001 | £9,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | October 2001 | £3,546 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. | — | June 2001 | £4,200 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 2001 | £3,000 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | March 2001 | £3,120 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | March 2001 | £2,300 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 56 g. | — | February 2001 | £1,725 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,880 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,400 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 76 g. | — | November 2000 | £4,600 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60 g. | — | November 2000 | £4,025 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,760 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,760 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,415 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2000 | £2,070 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2000 | £1,840 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 2000 | £1,725 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 2000 | £920 |
| Cello Bow | G/T 82 g. | — | October 2000 | £5,034 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 64 g. | — | October 2000 | £12,081 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60 g. | — | July 2000 | £3,260 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | July 2000 | £1,080 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | July 2000 | £1,890 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | June 2000 | £2,300 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | June 2000 | £1,380 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 69 g. | — | May 2000 | £6,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | May 2000 | £2,166 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | May 2000 | £4,578 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | May 2000 | £2,671 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 62 g. | — | May 2000 | £4,578 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 2000 | £4,370 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 67 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,800 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,680 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,600 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | November 1999 | £3,450 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 1999 | £1,800 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 63 g. | — | November 1999 | £1,700 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | November 1999 | £1,600 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 59 g. | — | November 1999 | £5,750 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | November 1999 | £4,025 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 1999 | £2,530 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | November 1999 | £1,955 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. | — | November 1999 | £2,415 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | September 1999 | £1,400 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | June 1999 | £3,220 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 54 g. | — | June 1999 | £2,990 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 56 g. | — | June 1999 | £2,875 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. | — | March 1999 | £1,380 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 74 g. | — | March 1999 | £5,800 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. | — | March 1999 | £8,970 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 1999 | £3,335 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | March 1999 | £2,990 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. | — | March 1999 | £2,300 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 61 g. | — | March 1999 | £1,800 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | November 1998 | £5,520 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | November 1998 | £3,637 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 57 g. | — | May 1998 | £2,070 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 56 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1997 | £4,370 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 68 g. | — | November 1996 | £6,900 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 65 g. | — | November 1996 | £3,680 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 73 g. | — | June 1996 | £4,255 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 84 g. | — | June 1996 | £2,530 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1996 | £5,980 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 62 g. For 'Hill' | — | March 1996 | £4,025 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 70 g. | — | March 1996 | £5,520 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 70 g. | — | December 1995 | £3,110 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 75 g. | — | October 1995 | £2,760 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 74 g. | — | June 1995 | £6,325 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 79 g. | — | March 1995 | £5,520 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 63 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1995 | £27,600 |
| Violin Bow | G/T 60 g. For 'Hill' | — | March 1995 | £11,500 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 60 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1995 | £8,625 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 82 g. | — | November 1994 | £2,300 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 72 g. | — | November 1994 | £4,255 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 81 g. | — | June 1994 | £2,990 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | May 1994 | £3,339 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | March 1994 | £2,990 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 60 g. 'Presentation' | — | November 1993 | £5,500 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 80 g. | — | November 1993 | £4,370 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 71 g. | — | November 1992 | £3,190 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 87 g. | — | November 1992 | £2,530 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 80 g. | — | November 1992 | £3,190 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 75 g. | — | November 1992 | £5,060 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 78 g. | — | March 1992 | £1,980 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 73 g. | — | March 1992 | £5,720 |
| Cello Bow | S/E 74 g. | — | March 1992 | £6,050 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 59 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1992 | £7,150 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 55 g. 'Presentation' | — | November 1985 | £2,750 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 61 g. ' Birthday 81' | — | April 1985 | £5,184 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 58 g. 'Presentation' | — | June 1984 | £3,240 |
| Viola Bow | G/E 69 g. 'Presentation' | — | April 1982 | £2,640 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 68 g. 'Presentation' | — | March 1982 | £1,528 |
| Violin Bow | G/E 65 g. 'Presentation' | — | May 1981 | £3,080 |
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Maker Overview
Life
James Tubbs (1835-1921) was the most celebrated English bow maker. He was the son and pupil of William Tubbs. He established independently at 18 Great Windmill Street, subsequently moving to 5 Church Street, 53 Greek Street, 39 King Street Soho, and finally to 47 (later renumbered 94) Wardour Street.'s The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was associated with W. E. Hill from approximately 1858, but this relationship soured when Hill was awarded medals at the 1862 exhibition for two of Tubbs' bows entered under Hill's own name and brand. Consequently, whenever Tubbs encountered one of his bows with a Hill brand, he would superimpose his own. He was appointed bow maker to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1874. From 1878 up until 1909, he made a series of bows presented as annual prizes at the Royal Academy and Guildhall schools of music. He won prize medals in his own right at the 1885 exhibition. At the end of the 1880s, he retired to his home on London Road, Staines, but returned to work in Wardour Street following the death of his son Alfred in 1909.
Characteristics
- Model & Design
- His model is distinctive and original, while remaining true to classical French concepts.
- Construction Principles
- His bows are made on scientific principles and are of elegant appearance.
- Player Preference
- They are much liked by players for their lightness and good balance, and are considered superior to other contemporary bows.
- Branding
- His bows were branded "JAS TUBBS".
- Influence on Others
- His own work has been much imitated by makers such as Pfretszschner and Bazin.
Influence and legacy
- Family Lineage: He was the son and pupil of William Tubbs.
- Family Tradition: His father and grandfather were also bow makers, with their work being very similar to that of Dodd.
- Awards & Recognition: James Tubbs won prize medals in his own right at the 1885 exhibition.
- Royal Appointment: He was appointed bow maker to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1874.
- Educational Contributions: From 1878 to 1909, he made bows that were presented as annual prizes at the Royal Academy and Guildhall schools of music.
- Enduring Influence: His distinctive work has been widely imitated by other bow makers.
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
TUBBS, James Born 1835, died 1921 London UK. Most celebrated English bow maker. Son and pupil of William Tubbs, below. Established independently at 18 Great Windmill Street, subsequently 5 Church Street, 53 Greek Street, 39 King Street Soho, and finally at 47 (later renumbered 94) Wardour Street. Associated with W. E. Hill from c.1858 but the relationship soured when Hill was awarded medals at the 1862 exhibition for two Tubbs bows entered under the Hill own name and brand. Subsequently, whenever Tubbs encountered one of his bows with a Hill brand, he would superimpose his own. Appointed bow maker to the Duke of Edinburgh 1874. From 1878 made a series of bows presented as annual prizes at the Royal Academy and Guildhall schools of music up until 1909. He won prize medals in his own right at the 1885 exhibition. At the end of the 1880s he retired to his home on London Road, Staines, but returned to work in Wardour Street following the death of his son Alfred in 1909. His model is distinctive and original, although true to the classical French concepts. In turn his own work has been much imitated by Pfretszschner and Bazin. Branded: JAS TUBBS [BVMA]
Cecie Stainer+
A maker of excellent bows, who lives in Wardour Street, London. His father and grandfather were also bow makers, their work being very similar to that of Dodd. James Tubbs’ bows are made on scientific principles, and are of elegant appearance; they are much liked by players for their lightness and good balance, and rank among the best made.
William Meredith Morris+
A bow-maker. He works at 94 Wardour Street, and is the pupil of his father. His bows are considered to be superior to the best that are made to-day.
Henri Poidras+
London. 94 Wardour Street. Contemporary master bow makers.
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