Gaskin, George

George Gaskin
(b.c1856 d.1913)

From the Christchurch Times, Saturday 26 August 1905:

CONSTABLE AS VIOLIN MAKER
There has just retired from the Metropolitan Police Force at Beckenham a police-constable named Gaskin, who has considerable reputation in the musical world as a maker of high-class violins. During his twenty-five years' service with the force, Gaskin has devoted most of his spare time to violin making by hand. Mr. Gaskin has the satisfaction of having produced violins which have gained the commendation of Kubelik, Madam Amy Sherwin, and others. When Kubelik was at Bromley (Kent) recently he had an interview with the gifted policeman, and very highly praised the instruments he saw and tested. 

He used reclaimed timber, and a commercial varnish of golden-yellow shade, winning a gold medal at the Crystal Palace Exhibition, and a prize at the People's Palace Exhibition in East London. Labelled "Geo. H. Gaskin / Violin Maker / 18"