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Charles John Wilkinson

Biographies

John Dilworth

WILKINSON, Charles John Born 1889 London, died 1961 Catford UK. Violinist. Wounded in World War I and partly lost the use of his left hand. Trained as a violin maker under Thomas Jacques Holder. Outworker for G. Withers and later for J. & A. Beare as a restorer and supplier of copies of classical instruments: Cremonese, Milanese and Turinese originals; also fine Guadagnini imitations. Particularly known for his violas based on a pattern of Andrea Guarneri. Those sold through Beare’s had their own printed label providing his name. Those he sold himself often had misleading labels with fictitious Italian sounding names. Good and convincing work, although not always showing great finesse. Well-aged varnish, often a little opaque, but of good appropriate colours. John Wilkinson, London 19.. (Beare label) Gennaro Lanari fecit Napoli Anno 19..