Worked in London, 1770-1783.  Followed the high modelling of Stainer, but with the very full arching nicely graduated and balanced. Instruments enjoying great vogue in fashionable circles of his day. Tyrolean type of sound-holes, short and squat looking. Sometimes assigned an original character to the scroll. Light brown varnish of a velvety suppleness, but also occasionally more like a dirty yellow of inferior quality. Wood well chosen. Workmanship completely satisfactory. Tonal quality small but not especially sweet or warm. Body length, 14.1/16 inches; upper bouts, 6-1/2; lower, 8.1/16; ribs, 1-1/4; top and bottom.
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Josephus Merlin
Cremonae Emulus
No. 106 Londini 1778
Improved
Queen Ann, No. 66, Street East
Portland Chapel
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Worked in London, 1770-1783. Followed the high modelling of Stainer, but with the very full arching nicely graduated and balanced. Instruments enjoying great vogue in fashionable circles of his day. Tyrolean type of sound-holes, short and squat looking. Sometimes assigned an original character to the scroll. Light brown varnish of a velvety suppleness, but also occasionally more like a dirty yellow of inferior quality. Wood well chosen. Workmanship comple...