cellos, and a vast number having been brought to
England, the value of Forster's productions was very considerably
depreciated; now, however, that the cultivation of stringed instrument
music has been so much extended, they are rapidly rising again to
their former level, Italian instruments being a luxury not obtainable
by every one, and age having so benefited the tone of Forster's
Violoncellos as to render them excellent substitutes.

FORSTER, William, London, born in 1764, died 1824.

William Forster, Junr., Violin,
Violoncello, Tenor & Bow Maker,
18-- Also Music Seller No 43
to their Royal Highnesses the
Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Cumberland.

Son of William Forster, the second of the family. Although this maker
did not attain to the celebrity of his father, his instruments are
often fully as good. The workmanship is very neat, and the modelling
excellent, the varnish being equal to that on his father's
instruments.

FORSTER, William, London, born in 1788, died 1824. Son of William
Forster, mentioned above. He was a very good workman: he made but few
instruments.

FORSTER, Simon Andrew, London, born in 1801, died about 1870. Brother
of William, mentioned above. He learned his business from his father
and Samuel Gilkes, who worked for William Forster. He made several
instruments between the years 1828 and 1840, which are of average
merit. Best known as joint author with W. Sandys of a "History of the
Violin" (London, 1864).

FRANKLAND, ----, London, about 1785.

FURBER, ----, London.

John Furber, Maker,
13, John's Row, top of Brick Lane,
Old St., Saint Luke. 1813.

There were several makers of this family, some of whom worked for
Betts, of the Royal Exchange. Many of their instruments are excellent,
and should unquestionably be more valued than they are. John Furber
made several Violins of the grand Amati pattern, and also copied with
much ability the "Betts" Stradivari, when the instrument belonged to
Messrs. Betts in the Royal Exchange, for whom he worked.

FURBER, Henry John, son of John Furber, London. He has made several
excellent instruments, and maintained the character for good
workmanship which has been associated with the name of Furber for
upwards of a century.

GIBBS, James, 1800-45. Worked for Samuel Gilkes and others.

GILKES, Samuel, London, born in 1787, died in 1827.

Gilkes.
From Forster's,
Violin and Violoncello Maker,