News & Events

There has been considerable concern in the stringed instrument world concerning the trade in, and movement of, pernambuco/Brazilwood bows. This followed a proposal from the Brazilian government to move paubrasilia echinata (pernambuco/Brazilwood) from Appendix II to Appendix I on the CITES list (CoP19 Prop. 49), effectively stopping international trade of the wood in its unfinished … Read more

The Stoke School (yes there is one!) There hadn’t been much to write or shout about concerning violin making and dealing in North Staffordshire until we opened our shop in Stone 35 years ago. There were, however, two makers in the area in the early twentieth century; George Hancock of Stoke-on-Trent and F.L. Walton of Hanley. … Read more

We are acutely aware of increased anxiety in the stringed instrument world concerning the status of pernambuco with regard to international travel. The latest situation is as follows. The CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA will be considering the following proposal at the Conference of the Parties, Panama City … Read more

Friday 15th: 9am – 5pm Saturday 16th: 9am – 4pm Sunday 17th: Closed Monday 18th: Closed Tuesday: Normal Hours

Télesphore was the son of François Jacques Barbé. His daughter, Emelie, by his third wife, Justine Grandjon, married the luthier Charles ‘Malakoff’ Brugère. Though Télesphore was born in Dijon both his parents – and his brother Dominique – were born, and died, in Mirecourt. He was a pupil of Honoré Derazey and subsequently worked for … Read more

The Manchester violin maker, Thomas Earle Hesketh (1866-1945), was an apprentice of George Adolph Chanot from 1885 to 1890, setting up on his own account shortly after. He established a brand identity with his Guarneri model violin due to its consistency of workmanship and high quality materials. Until 1929/30 these bear the label, ‘designed by … Read more