Plaque number 76 can be found at this location.
This plaque can be found at first floor level on Dollond & Aitchison's building in Catherine Street.
The O/S grid position is SU 14541 East 29898 North.
Salisbury Civic Society
The Violin Maker Benjamin Banks
1727-1795
Lived and worked here.
Benjamin Banks was one of the leading English makers of Amati violins.
He had a business in Catherine Street for forty years making cellos, violins and violas. Included in the items he made was a specially commissioned violin for the Earl of Pembroke who lived at Wilton House near Salisbury. During a storm a cedar of Lebannon was brought down on the estate and the Earl asked Banks to make a violin from the wood. His business was carried on by his two sons after his death.
At least two of his instruments are still (2008) being played by Salisbury musicians. One of these, a violin, is owned by Salisbury City Council and is loaned to the leader of the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra.
His grave is in St Thomas's Church's south churchyard at O/S grid position SU 14338 East 29967 North.
Salisbury and South Wilts museum is worth a visit to learn more about Benjamin Banks.
The image here shows members of the Salisbury Civic Society at the official unveiling of Benjamin Banks' plaque on July 17th 1989. People present included Rodney Hoare, Garry Steer, Gordon Cook, Dick and Stella Low, Stan Sleaman, Ken Rathborn. Look carefully to observe the specially constructed apparatus to enable the curtain to be pulled to the left, exposing the plaque.
The gravestone is inscribed:
Ann, wife of Benjamin Banks
died 14 Sep.
1785
Aged 57 Years
Benjamin Banks
departed this Life
18 Feb. 1795
Aged 67 Years
In memory of the most eminent English maker of stringed musical instruments.
A viola, made nearly 230 years ago in Salisbury, has been donated to Salisbury Museum from Australia. The donor, Helen Mason from New South Wales, was doing some spring cleaning when she came across the viola which had been given to her by a violin maker friend in Queensland in the 1980s. The original owner was going to throw it away, but Helen decided to hold on to it.
On closer inspection she noticed it had a label saying it was made by ‘Benjamin Banks, Musical Instrument Maker In Catherine Street, Salisbury 1780’. Intrigued that the viola appeared to predate the European settlement of Australia she did some research which lead her to Salisbury Museum. How the instrument came to be in Australia remains a mystery!
Banks was one of the most important violin makers to exist outside of London in 18th century England. He lived and worked in Catherine Street, making and selling English guitars, violas, violins and ‘cello’s. He even advertised in the Salisbury Journal. Today his instruments are highly collectable.
Unfortunately the viola is in very poor condition. Having been unavoidably kept in hot and humid conditions for over 20 years the body has distorted and split. Helen Mason has very kindly agreed to donate the viola to the Museum in the hope that it is possible to have it repaired. Salisbury Museum is now seeking funds to help cover the costs of restoring the instrument to its former glory. To find out more please contact Museum Director Adrian Green on 01722 332151 or email adriangreen@salisburymuseum.org.uk
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