Robert Burns, a Bed and a Violin Maker.....
So what do all three have in common? Well, probably nothing - until you add the words 'Bonhams Auction' to the list....
Apparently in 1874 a violin maker was inspired enough to find Robert Burns' old childhood bed, chop it up and make a violin out of it..... or so the unusual inscription on the back of an old violin would have us believe:
'SEPT.-1874 BY D.MURRAY MADE OF WOOD FROM THE COTTAGE AND BED IN WHICH ROBERT BURNS WAS BORN'
Also labelled internally: 'DANIEL MURRAY EDINBURGH 1874'
The violin itself has a 'squarish', hopf-like form, with a flat, ebony-tipped button. Underneath the inscription is a rather pretty engraving of a horse-drawn plough and a man.
Fact or Legend?
The problem is there is probably no way to prove that the wood used was once slept in by old Rabbie himself. And with no provenance alluded to in the catalogue, it will be interesting to see how much interest the violin will whip up on the day.
Who was Daniel Murray?
There are several Murrays mentioned by Meredith Morris in British Violin Makers and William Henley in his Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers including:
David Murray of Gorebridge (born 1850), 'an amateur of considerable ability, who has made several beautiful violins' (Morris) and who made 'fifty violins of Stradivarian and Guarnarian modelling.' (Henley)
James Murray of Dumfries (also born 1850), who was also a railway engine driver. (Henley)
and John Brown Murray (born 1849) of Clarebrand, 'An amateur who has made several good violins.' (Morris)
But there is no mention of a Daniel Murray. This, then, would seem to be at the heart of the mystery. For if we knew exactly who the maker was, it may be possible to investigate and authenticate the violin, the inscription and the legend....
The Violin will be up for auction on 7th December at Bonhams', George Street, Edinburgh, in their sale of 'Furniture, Works of Art, Clocks, Rugs and Carpets.'
Lot No. 769. Estimate £500-700 GBP.
You can view the violin online here
by Fiona Vilnite musicforstrings.com
