0034 Arthur Patton violin

Arthur Herbert Patton (1908 – 1970) was born in Newtown, NSW and studied violin at the NSW Conservatorium. 

Patton started working for AE Smith in sales. He made his first violin in 1931 and stayed with AES for 17 years, leaving in 1939 (start of WW II) to set up own business at 80 Marcus St. as a maker and repairer. The war effort sidelined his activities and he fabricated various wooden objects as directed by the authorities. 

Arthur struggled to make a success of his business and had a falling out with AES over agency for Pirastro Strings. (Smith retained his sole agency for Australia). Patton gave up lutherie in favour of farming in 1952. He made his own varnish.

Patton's total output was 10 violins and 1 viola