Lambert-Humbert Frères was a well-known violin manufacturer in Mirecourt from 1876 to 1969. They produced various instruments from reputable makers like Joseph Aubry and Georges Apparut. The company changed to L.F.M. in 1919 and obtained the prestigious brand “A La Ville de Cremone” in 1927. Unfortunately, the industry declined in the mid-20th century, leading to the closure of all major firms by the 1960s, including Laberte.
Lambert-Humbert Frères was a prominent violin manufacturer in Mirecourt from 1876 to 1969, producing a wide range of models and quality levels. The Laberte brothers established the Mirecourt firm in 1876. They produced factory instruments; some were sold with fictitious labels like ‘J. Didelot’.
In the early 20th century, Marc Laberte expanded the selection of high-quality instruments by including those from reputable makers such as Joseph Aubry, Charles Brugere, Camille Poirson, and Georges Apparut.
Apparut became the head of “artistic” production at Laberte’s company in 1902 and stayed until 1923. By 1919, Laberte had approximately 400 employees and changed its name to “Laberte et Magnié” or “L.F.M.” after Fourier Magnié, a violin maker, joined the team. In 1927, the company obtained the prestigious brand “A La Ville de Cremone” from Paul Mangenot.
The Mirecourt instrument-making industry declined in the mid-20th century, leading to the closure of all three significant firms by the 1960s. Laberte was one of the firms that shut down after Philippe Laberte passed away in 1969.
This is the J.T.L. Violin made in France. JTL or Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy & Cie is a musical instrument making company in France formed by Louis Emile Jérôme Thibouville and Marguerite Hyacinthe Lamy in the 1900’s.
This is an H. Denis Violin made in Mirecourt France in 1910 with a label and signature. H. Denis was a luthier active between 1900 and 1930.
This French violin was made in 1922 by Amédée Dominique Dieudonné, who specialized in copying Cremona Masters and achieved a superior varnishing technique. He started his own workshop in Mirecourt after the First World War in the 1920s.
Victor Audinot (1870-1943), also known as Audinot-Mourot, came from a family of luthiers in Mirecourt. Mentored by Francois Chardin and Telesphore Barbé, Audinot was mainly influenced by Barbé, who had honed his skills working for Jean Baptiste Vuillaume in Paris. This experience helped shape Audinot’s successful career in instrument making.
Victor worked in Mirecourt, known for luthier tradition, before moving to Paris to set up his workshop on Rue Truffaut in 1913. He dedicated himself to his craft until retiring in 1936. He passed his expertise to five of his six sons and aspiring luthiers. Renowned for creating exact replicas of classical instruments, he crafted an exceptional copy of the ornately decorated Stradivari violin known as the ‘Sunrise’, showcasing his artistry.
French violin c. 1900 Features:
• Medium dark reddish brown varnish
• Yellow and black striped purfling both at the front and back
• A unique and remarkable drawing symbol at the upper center part of the back
This is an A. Dieudonne Violin made in Mirecourt in about 1933. Amédée Dominique Dieudonné is a French luthier who specializes in copying the works of Cremona masters.
This is a Henri Farny violin made around 1910 and imported from Mirecourt, France to the USA with a label. Henri Farni’s works were mostly imported by Rembert Wurlitzer from Mirecourt, France to Cincinnati and New York USA.
