James Tubbs

Who was James Tubbs?

James Tubbs- one of the most celebrated English bow makers, and is considered "The English Tourte".

Together with his son Alfred they produced more than 5000 bows. It is universally accepted that James Tubbs ranks among the five or six most important bow makers in history.

"The Tubbs family made bows and instruments as early as the 1800s, and five generations have practiced the craft."

Born in London, in 1835, son of William. James worked for his father until 1860. James T. first started making bows for William Ebsworth Hill around 1860 and continued that relationship until 1870. His bows made for W. E. Hill & Sons are stamped W E Hill and are sometimes double stamped. In the 1870s Tubbs settled on his own opening a shop at 94 Wardour Street. The early bows from this period were branded "J. TUBBS." Around 1878 he changed this brand to "Jas. TUBBS."

In 1885 he won a Gold medal for his bows at the Inventions Exhibition held that year in London, after which he was made bowmaker by Special Appointment to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.

The authority, Henley, calls him “this champion” and places him alongside Tourte, Peccatte and Voirin. "This champion, completely disciplined, stepped forward to challenge the opinion that French bows were the only bows worthy of artists' acceptance, and, he won the day on this field he had entered. To say that he was the equal of Tourte, Peccatte, and Voirin, is not a wild and extravagant hypothesis." - William Henley