Peter Wamsley, (cal. 1670-1744) was considered to be an exceptional master violinmaker in his day. He made violins from 1715 to 1744.
"Wamsley (variously spelled Walmsley and Warmsley in contemporary accounts) was established at much the same time as Barrett, Townson and Cross in Piccadilly early in the eighteenth century, his shop being the В«Golden HarpВ» (the harp motif seems to have been popular with violin makers: Cuthbert had used it earlier, and Barret was currently ensconced at the В«Harp and CrownВ». It was preserved by Wamsley's successor Thomas Smith and adopted by Johnson and Longman and Broderip). Wamsley was married on 14 July 1694 to Elizabeth Cox at St. Mary-le-bow church, directly opposite the shop opened by Johnson shortly before 1740. Wamsley's early work bears a close resemblance to Barrett's, with a very refined and Italianate recipe. In 1727 Wamsley's shop was referred to as 'ye Harp and SignВ», further modified to the В«HarpВ», and the В«Harp and HautboyВ» by 1735.
В В В A handwritten violin label also states В«Made sold and mended by Peter Wamsley at the Golden Harp in Piccadilly London 1730. The "made sold or mended'' formula was fairly common on labels of several makers in this period, a kind of all-purpose ticket to be applied to lower class products of the workshop, or bought-in work. At some point Wamsley received the royal warrant from the popular and music loving Prince of Wales, Fredrich, son of George the II. By 1742, Wamsley had retired his wife Elizabeth continuing the business, which was then insured for the impressive sum of 1000 lbs. Peter's label was used in instruments up until at least 1748. These were probably the work of Thomas Smith, or of Wamsley's son, also called Peter, born before 1700. The younger Peter Wamsley played a more active part in the shop with his mother after 1734, a notice in 1744, the year his father died, stating that В«he has been in business for ten yearsВ». In fact he had probably been working with his father for some twenty-five years by this time, and carried on until 1751, when the shop passed to Thomas Smith. After the death of the Elder Wamsley, The Daily Advertiser of 20 November 1744 carried the following obituary: В«On Sunday died in his house in Piccadilly Peter Wamsley, musical instrument maker to his royal highness the Prince of Wales. He was recon'd by most judges to be the best maker of violins and violoncellos that ever was in EnglandВ». In the same year, Wamsley's had appeared a list of subscribers to a 'fund for the support of decay'd Musicians or their families."---from The Brittish Violin published by the Brittish Violin Making Association.
Wamsley (Walmsley),Peter
