Richard Tobin was an Irish luthier who crafted violins, violas, cellos and pochettes. He was an exceptionally talented craftsman and was considered the finest scroll carver of his time. Despite his talent, his work was largely uncredited, often branded under the names of his employers and other shops that enlisted him for his sought-after workmanship. Today, his rare instruments command the highest prices of any Irish luthier.
Biography
Tobin was born a few miles outside of Dublin. His love for the violin began as a young child, often hearing it at parties and wakes. As a boy he would often make violins out of boxes and scrap wood. At the age of fourteen, he made a very good instrument out of a willow block and sold it to a neighbouring player. It is said that the neighbour brought it to the attention of the renowned Dublin firm Perry and Wilkinson who were so impressed that they decided to apprentice him. Tobin was thought to be eccentric and intemperate, often trying the temper of his employers. He was known to go through extended periods of heavy drinking, until all his savings were spent after which he would remain sober for several months until he had saved up enough money again. He failed to sustain himself as a luthier in later life, ending up in Shoreditch poorhouse. He died in 1847 and was buried in a paupers grave.
Career
Tobin apprenticed with the renowned Dublin luthier Thomas Perry between 1792-1798. One instrument bearing his label gives Waterford as his residence in 1800. He worked briefly for Bartholomew Murphy in Cork and then worked independently before moving to London shorty before on the advice of Vincenzo Panormo who had earlier worked for Perry. Tobins earliest London work is dated 1810 and appears to have been made under the aegis of Henry Lockey Hill. A violin dated 1817 is signed ‘R. Tobin for L. Hill’ internally. He was established in St Leonard Street, Finsbury Square, and from 1823 in his own premises at 9 West Street, Soho. Tobins workmanship is considered very accurate and finely finished in classical Italian styles. He has the reputation of being the finest scroll carver in London in his time, and his hand can be recognized on many instruments with the shop label of JohnBetts, Thomas Dodd, and Samuel Gilkes. Despite his meticulous workmanship, he is said to have worked very fast, and apparently could finish a scroll inside of two hours. Some of his instruments were signed internally on the table and occasionally branded below back button although authentic Tobin labels are extremely rare. The few instruments which bear his label are typically copies of Amati or Stradivari, and they are said to have a rich and mellow tone. The varnish on Tobin violins varies considerably as he often supplied shops with unvarnished instruments or used the varnish provided by the shop he was working in at the time.
