William Walker
Mid Calder, 1859–1943
Hairdresser and self-taught violin maker. From reading Heron-Allen Violin Making, as it was and is produced over 200 instruments on Stradivari and Guarneri models. Very fine work of a professional standard. — John Dilworth
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
17 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cello | A one-eighths sized cello by William Walker, Scotland, 1903 Lot 7 | Amati | January 2025 | £1,643 |
| Violin | Label n. 7 to interior, two-piece back Lot 639 | McTear’s | February 2023 | £1,320est. £ 600-1,000 |
| Violin | Two-piece back of broad curl, table of fine grain, varnish of a light reddish colour on a golden ground Lot 1414 | Gardiner Houlgate | September 2017 | £1,800est. £ 700-1,000 |
| Violin | Lot 62 | Bonhams | May 2014 | £4,500 |
| Violin | Labelled William Walker, fecit Mid Calder, Anno 1909, of a red orange brown colour Lot 62 | Bonhams | May 2014 | £4,500est. £ 2,000-3,000 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mid Calder 1921 n°125 | — | December 2010 | £1,680 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm 1908 | — | November 2006 | £965 |
| Violin | 35.5 cm Mid Calder, 1908 Attributed to | — | June 2006 | £840 |
| Violin | 1922 | — | September 2003 | £1,998 |
| Violin | 1904 | — | February 2002 | £1,850 |
| Violin | 1906 | — | June 1994 | £1,725 |
| Violin | 1911 | — | June 1993 | £1,100 |
| Violin | 1905 | — | November 1990 | £1,455 |
| Violin | 1904 | — | January 1988 | £720 |
| Violin | 1906 | — | March 1987 | £385 |
| Violin | 1911 | — | June 1982 | £453 |
| Violin | 1921 | — | March 1980 | £281 |
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Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
WALKER, William Born 1859 Mid Calder, Midlothian, died 1943 Broxburn, Scotland UK. Hairdresser and self-taught violin maker. From reading Heron-Allen Violin Making, as it was and is produced over 200 instruments on Stradivari and Guarneri models. Very fine work of a professional standard. Distinctive scroll modelled on Bergonzi: wide projecting eye and narrow first turn of the volute. Fine materials. Rich orange to red-brown varnish. Used commercial varnishes on early work but developed his own copal oil recipe coloured with alizarine pigments. William Walker. / Mid Calder / 1922 / no.130 William Walker/ Fecit Broxburn / Anno 1929 [Rattray]
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