Born 1802. Died 1856. Son of Matthew. Worked in father’s establishment at Edinburgh. Unfortunately inherited whisky-drinking propensity. Fell downstairs in a drunken state, and died from his injuries. Character sketched under the name of “Thomas Harvey” in Charles Reade’s “Christie Johnson”, wherein he is described as a man of great ability atid fair culture debased by drink and brought to poverty, etc. Worked fitfully, but made a few splendid instruments during sober periods. Amati-Stradivarius modelling of fine outline and arching. Workmanship, hurried or otherwise, always shows the hand of natural talent, often remarkably neat. Usually applied a yellowish-pale red varnish, beautifully laid on and polished, sometimes an equally rich brown. Always put his hands on good figured wood, consequently the instruments have a prettier appearance than those of the other Hardies. There are, however, many instruments that bring discredit to his name and these have a contour more like the French commercial violin, and being made for rapid sale he resorted to baking the wood to create the weak and premature old-tone - specimens particularly distinguished from the others by a raw yellow varnish. Even in best specimens he somehow missed full toned quality. Highest value (in his day) £20. Produced several ’cellos generally well spoken of by players. £65, 1959.
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Thomas Hardie
fecit Edinburgh
anno 1846
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(printed and written)
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Thomas Hardie fecit
Edinburghie. Anno 1828
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Born 1802. Died 1856. Son of Matthew. Worked in father’s establishment at Edinburgh. Unfortunately inherited whisky-drinking propensity. Fell downstairs in a drunken state, and died from his injuries. Character sketched under the name of “Thomas Harvey” in Charles Reade’s “Christie Johnson”, wherein he is described as a man of great ability atid fair culture debased by drink and brought to poverty, etc. Worked fitfully, but made a few splen...
Hardie,Thomas
