Edward (I) Withers

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£36,000

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Cello	76.5 cm London, 1849 [Lit.]	June 2010	£36,000
Cello Bow	S/E 76 g.	November 2004	£1,725
Violin	1870	March 2003	£4,560
Cello	1840	June 2000	£12,650
Viola Bow	S/E 67 g.	August 1997	£632
Violin Bow	Ivory 58 g. [& Son]	October 1995	£460
Violin	1870 c.	July 1990	£1,045

Instruments

Violin by Edward Withers, England, late 19th Century

Maker Overview

History

Edward (I) WITHERS (1808-1875) was born in London on December 23, 1808, the son of Edward and Mary Ann Withers, and died there on December 19, 1875, at the age of sixty-seven, being buried in Brompton Cemetery.

A cellist and son of a confectioner, he bought the business of R. & W. Davis at 31 Coventry Street, Haymarket, London. According to John Dilworth, this occurred in 1846, while William Meredith Morris states it was in 1843, and Cecie Stainer specifies December 1846. Sources contain conflicting information about the exact year of acquisition. From 1848, he devoted himself fully to developing the business. In his first year, he bought and sold the 1698 Stradivari 'Cholmondley' cello. He was succeeded by his sons Edward (II) and George Thomas Henry.

Craft

Models: He exclusively followed the Stradivarius and Guarnerius models, producing very fine Cremonese models, including a fine quartet made on the Guarneri del Gesù pattern.
Varnish: His instruments featured finely textured red-brown varnish, amber varnish, and a tender varnish.
The Withers' Quartet: William Meredith Morris details the famous Withers' Quartet, said to be the finest English quartet of instruments in existence made before 1870. These instruments were crafted from a perfect specimen of maple plank discovered in the attic of his 31 Coventry Street shop during roof repairs. The quartet included two violins, a tenor (viola), and a violoncello. One violin was sold and re-sold twice, realizing £50 each time, with one purchaser being Mr. L. d'Egville, who presented it to Wilhelmj. The companion violin initially sold for £30 but later realized £120. The tenor sold for £40, and the violoncello for £150.
Workmanship: His instruments are noted for their exquisite workmanship and great distinction, comparing favorably with the best work of the classical school in point of workmanship and tone.

Influence

Assistants: He was assisted in his workshop by C. Maucotel and C. Theress, both previously employed by Davis. C. Boullangier replaced Maucotel in 1849.
Outworkers: Both John Lott (I) and John Lott (II) worked for Davis and continued as outworkers for Withers.
Training: Withers claimed to have been taught violin making by the younger Lott, though John Dilworth notes it is not clear how much practical experience he had.
Successor: He succeeded William Davis's business.

Legacy

Successors: He was succeeded in the business by his sons Edward (II) and George Thomas Henry.
Family Continuity: Edward Withers had eight children, four sons and four daughters, with two of his sons entering the trade, including Edward Withers (II), who became an actual maker.
Family Heirloom: The famous Withers' Quartet is owned by his son, Mr. Edward Withers of 22 Wardour Street, who stated it would remain a valued family heirloom.

Further Information

Workshop Location: His primary workshop was located at 31 Coventry Street, London.
Signature: Instruments produced by him are sometimes signed "Edward Withers London".

Summary

Edward (I) Withers (1808-1875) was a prominent English cellist and violin maker who established a significant business in London after acquiring the firm of R. & W. Davis. Known for his instruments made on Cremonese, Stradivarius, and Guarnerius models, he produced works of exquisite workmanship, including the famous Withers' Quartet. He employed notable assistants and outworkers, and his legacy was continued by his sons in the trade.

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Biographies

John Dilworth Cecie Stainer William Meredith Morris Willibald Leo Lütgendorff Henri Poidras

John Dilworth

WITHERS, Edward (I) Born 1808, died 1875 London UK. Cellist and son of a confectioner. Bought the shop of R. & W. Davis in Coventry Street in 1846 and from 1848 devoted himself fully to developing the business. In his first year he bought and sold the Stradivari 1698 ‘Cholmondley’ cello. Assisted in the workshop by C. Maucotel and C. Theress, both previously employed by Davis. C. Boullangier replaced Maucotel in 1849. Both John Lott (I) and John Lott (II) also worked for Davis and continued as outworkers for Withers. Withers claimed to have been taught violin making by the younger Lott, but it is not clear how much practical experience he had. Succeeded by his sons Edward (II) and George Thomas Henry, below. Very fine Cremonese models. A fine quartet made on Guarneri del Gesù pattern of exquisite workmanship and great distinction with finely textured red-brown varnish. Edward Withers London

William Meredith Morris

He was born in London, Dec. 23, 1808, and died there Dec. 19, 1875. He was the son of Edward and Mary Ann Withers. He was not trained in the usual way, but he bought the business of R. & W. Davis, 31 Coventry Street, Haymarket, in the year 1843, and thus started what proved to be a bright career in violin-making He followed the Strad and Guarnerius models exclusively, and made a large number of instruments, some of which, in point of workmanship and tone, will compare favourably with the best work of our classical school. He is the maker of the famous Withers’ Quartet — said to be the finest English quartet of instruments in existence, made previous to the year 1870. These instruments, from their importance, demand a brief notice. They were made between fifty and sixty years ago at the old premises, 31 Coventry Street. Somewhere near the period mentioned, the roof of the shop underwent repairs, and the builder’s workmen had occasion to lay down a plank along the attic floor to walk upon. It chanced at the completion of the repairs that the workmen forgot to remove this same plank, and one day old Mr. Withers finding his way into the attic, discovered it. He saw that it was maple, and as perfect a specimen of its kind as eyes could ever gaze upon. The story is soon told. The plank was transformed into [backs of] a quartet — now the English quartet, par excellence. The instruments are beautifully coated in amber varnish. One of the fiddles has been sold and re-sold twice, realising each time £50. Its purchaser on one occasion was Mr. L. d’Egville, who presented it to Wilhelmj. The companion violin was sold at first for £30, but it realised later £120. The tenor was sold for £40, and the violoncello for £150. The present owner of the quartet is Mr. Edward Withers, of 22 Wardour Street, a son, and the representative of the firm. He says that the treasure shall never leave the family, but will be handed down the stages of time as a valued heirloom. Edward Withers had eight children — four sons and four daughters — two of whom are in the trade, and one of them, Mr. Edward Withers, noticed below, is an actual maker. He died at the age of sixty-seven, and was buried in Brompton Cemetery.