Joseph Rook
(1777 – 1852)
Pupil of Joseph Scott. Employed by him as a farm labourer and instrument maker at his farm Haltcliff, Eskett, near Caldbeck 1795-180o. Became chorister at Carlisle Cathedral in 1800 and choir master from 1807. Contributed to Sandys & Forster History of the Violin' (London, 1864) in which he states 'I have made 12 tenors and 5 violoncellos; no double basses. I marked my name with a small stamp `J. Rook/ Carlisle'. I generally wrote my name in the inside of the bellies with a black lead pencil'. Forster however mentions violins made by him. Cello cited in Hill Archive: 'work and style fair but amateurish. Materials good. Crude outline; prominent rounded edges; blunt corners and exaggerated Stainer 'f's, placed too high. Varnish light golden brown. ' Small 28 1/2" (72. 4cm) cello model. Inscribed internally: J. Rook / Carlisle 1816.
Price History
- The auction record for this maker is $1,615 in Sep 1991, for a violin.
- 4 auction price results.
View all auction prices for Joseph Rook
More related
Carteggio features
Sign up to receive Carteggio features directly
Sign up to our newsletter