James L. Wilson

History

James L. WILSON (1847-unknown) was born in Galston on April 13, 1847, and began making violins in 1887. Although he was not a professional maker, his work exhibited no trace of amateurism, as noted by William Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers. He established himself independently in Greenock from 1889. Wilson was also artistically inclined, capable of painting very fairly in oil and water-colours.

Craft

• Models: He imitated the models of Stradivari, Guarneri, Gasparo da Salò, and Maggini, with his copies of Gasparo da Salò being particularly true to the original and beautifully finished, according to William Meredith Morris. John Dilworth notes fine professional work on Guarneri models.
• Varnish: He used Whitelaw oil varnish, which generally featured a crackled texture and appeared in various shades of red and orange-brown.
• Labeling: Instead of inserting a label, he would write inside his violins. He generally drew a bust of himself with indelible ink on the back of the violin under the button. Instruments were also signed internally, with a manuscript label example cited by Rattray as "James L. Wilson / Violin Greenock no 54 1907".
• Workmanship: His work was described as very clean. One example from 1907, cited by Rattray, featured eccentricities in the head carving, in the manner of Degani.

Influence

• Mentorship: He received lessons in violin-making from the late John A. Mann in Glasgow.
• Associates: He was a pupil of J. Mann alongside A. Morrison.

Legacy

• Awards: He received a gold medal in 1893 for an exhibit of violins at the Greenock Exhibition.
• Recognition: William Meredith Morris suggested that his work as an amateur violin-maker was of great merit and would bring him considerable fame if he persevered.

Further Information

• Working Period: He worked circa 1889-1910.
• Workshop Location: He worked at 20 Octavia Cottages, Greenock.

Summary

James L. Wilson (1847-unknown) was a Scottish violin maker born in Galston who began his craft in 1887. Though an amateur, his work was of professional quality, earning him a gold medal in 1893 at the Greenock Exhibition. He was a pupil of John A. Mann and was known for his clean workmanship, imitations of models by Stradivari, Guarneri, Gasparo da Salò, and Maggini, and his distinctive Whitelaw oil varnish. Wilson's instruments are identifiable by his internal inscriptions, including a self-portrait bust, rather than traditional labels.