Heron-Allen, Edward
Allen, Edward Heron
City of activity: London
Ed Heron-Allen is famous for his book Violin Making as It Was and Is, the most comprehensive work on violin making of the late nineteenth-century, was probably the single-most influential text for late-Victorian and Edwardian violin makers in Britain and that still remains an important reference point amongst amateur makers. The work is a mixed blessing as it inspired a great deal of making, and it is easy to spot violins directly influenced by the plans that he published, but it led to many makers producing instruments in isolation from one and other, or without understanding the necessary requirements for fine instrument making, so it is largely responsible for the countless lacklustre semi-professional and amateur made violins produced in Britain in the last century and a half. Heron-Allen made at least two violins himself, with the direction of George Chanot, so they are probably better than instruments made by his readers.
Benjamin Hebbert
www.hebberts.com
City of activity: London
Ed Heron-Allen is famous for his book Violin Making as It Was and Is, the most comprehensive work on violin making of the late nineteenth-century, was probably the single-most influential text for late-Victorian and Edwardian violin makers in Britain and that still remains an important reference point amongst amateur makers. The work is a mixed blessing as it inspired a great deal of making, and it is easy to spot violins directly influenced by the plans that he published, but it led to many makers producing instruments in isolation from one and other, or without understanding the necessary requirements for fine instrument making, so it is largely responsible for the countless lacklustre semi-professional and amateur made violins produced in Britain in the last century and a half. Heron-Allen made at least two violins himself, with the direction of George Chanot, so they are probably better than instruments made by his readers.
Benjamin Hebbert
www.hebberts.com
