Richard Duke was a respected 18th century viiolin maker in London. Original Dukes are very fine instruments. But there are a lot of poor quality late 19th century violins with "Duke London" stamped on the button (on the back where the neck joins the body) - I have one such instrument. These were probably mass produced in Germany and then sent to the Duke shop in London for finishing. The craftmanship is not very good, but as a cheap fiddle it might not be bad. Mine has a sweet but rather thin sound. I have since bought a new violin which I like very much.
I was told to bring it to Sutherby's for valuation as they are the best but I live in Leitrim (This side of the edge of the universe) and I'm not bothered about making the trip unless we're talking about a very valuable instrument. Anybody have a rough idea what a real one is worth. It plays really well.
John, I'm a little surprised that you've been advised to go to London for a valuation. I should have thought that there would be at least one dealer in Ireland (in Dublin for instance) who would be qualified to give a valuation. I believe there are a few qualified luthiers in Ireland who would also be able to give you a realistic estimate, but I don’t have any names.
If it's an original 18th century Duke it would have been later fitted with a "modern" neck (longer and more angled to the body). If so, you should be able to see where the old peg box was grafted onto a new neck. That is a way to tell if a violin was made before the mid 19th century. If on careful examination you see no sign of any graft, then it is a forgery or a cheap German fiddle later sold by the Duke shop.
"It is true that Richard Duke’s violins have been more copied , imitated and forged than those of probably any other English violinmaker. Hence, when confronted with a violin that purports to be a Duke, one’s instinct is, by default, to view it as a fake." http://www.violins.co.za/sold.htm
Scroll down to Ref. 0327
This one (apparently genuine) sold for US $4,500
John, I believe Cremona House in Bristol (U.K.) - Bristol's oldest violin shop at 120 years - do appraisals over the internet. Go to their website at http://www.violinvaluations.com/
Hi John
Most of the Duke copies were stamped on the back just below the button 'Duke London', with the letters perfectly in line. Duke himself used to brand his name with individual stamps for each letter, so some of the letters are out of line, if your violin has a stamp with letters out of line it is just possible that it is genuine, but be aware that Duke was the most forged English maker ever.
Hope that helps.
Mike
I know this post if from a couple of years ago now but what the heck! My violin is labeled "Duke London" and is a tad wonky. Wondering if anyone knows what the original labels inside usually read? My violin has had a neck graft at some stage. Its in really good nick and the sound is pretty damn good!! It has a one piece back and a two piece front, which is pretty uncommon for violins. Usually its the other way around.
Duke fiddles
Duke fiddles
Anybody know anything about Duke fiddles?
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by John McCartin
Re: Duke fiddles
Tha hell a do!
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Duke fiddles
That'll be tha day!
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Ptarmigan
Re: Duke fiddles
My old fiddle is a Duke............ Copy, nice Good German instrument.
Richard Duke was a London maker Late 18th C
If you have one get it valued !!!
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Titch {=/=}===++
Re: Duke fiddles
I thought you meant that there was a fiddle group at Duke. Oh well, reality restored.
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by musicfan
Re: Duke fiddles
Richard Duke was a respected 18th century viiolin maker in London. Original Dukes are very fine instruments. But there are a lot of poor quality late 19th century violins with "Duke London" stamped on the button (on the back where the neck joins the body) - I have one such instrument. These were probably mass produced in Germany and then sent to the Duke shop in London for finishing. The craftmanship is not very good, but as a cheap fiddle it might not be bad. Mine has a sweet but rather thin sound. I have since bought a new violin which I like very much.
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Stewart
Re: Duke fiddles
I was told to bring it to Sutherby's for valuation as they are the best but I live in Leitrim (This side of the edge of the universe) and I'm not bothered about making the trip unless we're talking about a very valuable instrument. Anybody have a rough idea what a real one is worth. It plays really well.
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by John McCartin
Re: Duke fiddles
John, I'm a little surprised that you've been advised to go to London for a valuation. I should have thought that there would be at least one dealer in Ireland (in Dublin for instance) who would be qualified to give a valuation. I believe there are a few qualified luthiers in Ireland who would also be able to give you a realistic estimate, but I don’t have any names.
Trevor
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Duke fiddles
Seriously, not a single thing.
Foolishly, I'd guess that a graduate of Univ. of North Carolina would never want to play one.
Warning: The above reply will only make sense to American college basketball fans.
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by sts
Re: Duke fiddles
If it's an original 18th century Duke it would have been later fitted with a "modern" neck (longer and more angled to the body). If so, you should be able to see where the old peg box was grafted onto a new neck. That is a way to tell if a violin was made before the mid 19th century. If on careful examination you see no sign of any graft, then it is a forgery or a cheap German fiddle later sold by the Duke shop.
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Stewart
Re: Duke fiddles
"It is true that Richard Duke’s violins have been more copied , imitated and forged than those of probably any other English violinmaker. Hence, when confronted with a violin that purports to be a Duke, one’s instinct is, by default, to view it as a fake."
http://www.violins.co.za/sold.htm
Scroll down to Ref. 0327
This one (apparently genuine) sold for US $4,500
# Posted on October 13th 2005 by Stewart
Re: Duke fiddles
John, I believe Cremona House in Bristol (U.K.) - Bristol's oldest violin shop at 120 years - do appraisals over the internet. Go to their website at http://www.violinvaluations.com/
I'll post something in the Links page.
Trevor
# Posted on October 14th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Duke fiddles
Tarisio has auction results for Richard Duke here: http://www.tarisio.com/web/red_book_3.php?from_intermediate=1&instrument_type=Violin&price_minimum=&price_maximum=&auction_house=&makers%5B%5D=Duke%2C+Richard
# Posted on October 15th 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Duke fiddles
Hi John
Most of the Duke copies were stamped on the back just below the button 'Duke London', with the letters perfectly in line. Duke himself used to brand his name with individual stamps for each letter, so some of the letters are out of line, if your violin has a stamp with letters out of line it is just possible that it is genuine, but be aware that Duke was the most forged English maker ever.
Hope that helps.
Mike
# Posted on October 17th 2005 by Mikea
Re: Duke fiddles
Hi there,
I know this post if from a couple of years ago now but what the heck! My violin is labeled "Duke London" and is a tad wonky. Wondering if anyone knows what the original labels inside usually read? My violin has had a neck graft at some stage. Its in really good nick and the sound is pretty damn good!! It has a one piece back and a two piece front, which is pretty uncommon for violins. Usually its the other way around.
# Posted on February 5th 2008 by ShellZarb