James Tubbs (1835-1921) is generally considrered to be the finest and most important of the English bow makers. He was trained by his father William then opened his own workshop in London.

Early in his career, he provided bows for W.E. Hill, but the relationship became rocky when the unstamped bows he made for Hill (and were stamped HILL) were entered in a major competition and won awards. There was no mention that they were the work of Tubbs. Anytime one of these "Hill Tubbs" bows came through the shop, he would superimpose his own stamp over the Hill brand.

Tubbs went on to become enormously important and his bows were (and still are) in great demand. Many experts feel that his earlier bows are among his best, and were popular with many of the great soloists of the time. 

This bow is a very nice example of James Tubb's earlier work with exceptional playing qualities.