John SIMPSON

Auction price history

Highest auction price

£2,860

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.5 cm 1790	Sat 1st November 2008	£2,280
Violin	1788	Fri 1st October 1993	£1,265
Violin	1780-95	Mon 1st April 1991	£2,860
Violin	1790 c.	Fri 1st September 1989	£1,980
Violin	1780-99	Sun 1st November 1987	£825
Violin	1788	Wed 1st June 1983	£385
Violin	17--	Mon 1st November 1982	£118

Biographies

John Dilworth Willibald Leo Lütgendorff Henri Poidras

John Dilworth

SIMPSON, John Worked circa. 1735-1794 London UK. An important business in the London musical trade in the 18th century. Presumed to be a merchant rather than a maker himself. Established at 15 Sweeting’s Alley from 1735. Took over the business of John Hare 1741. Known as Messers Simpson, or J. & J. Simpson from 1767, and found at 14 Sweeting’s Alley in 1798. Worked in association with his brother James, above, although it is not clear how many generations were involved in the 19th century. Most labels refer to either ‘J. and J. Simpson’, ‘James and Sons’, or John Simpson alone, but John is the first to be identified individually in documents and supposed therefore to be the senior. Instruments with the joint label have been found signed internally by Lockey Hill sr., Henry Jay, Robert Thompson, R. Duke jr., and John Barrett; these are generally common London trade work of the period based on Stainer patterns in various qualities. Some branded below the back button: ‘Simpson’ . Printed labels: J. and J. Simpson / Musical Instrument Makers / at the Bass-Viol and Flute / in Sweeting’s Alley / opposite the East door of the Royal Exchange / London. John Simpson / Musical Instrument Makers / at the Bass-Viol and Flute / in Sweeting’s Alley / opposite the East door of the Royal Exchange/ London. John Simpson / Musical Instrument Maker / at ye Bass viol & Flute in Sweeting Alley opposite ye / East Door of ye Royal Exchange London / (from the late Mrs Hares in Cornhill) Sold by John Simpson at / The Viola & Flute in / Swithin’s Alley near / The Royal Exchange London / 1735 [Hill Archive, BVMA]