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 exceptional French violin is a masterpiece crafted by the renowned luthier Jean Baptiste Colin in Mirecourt, Paris, back in 1901. The violin's exceptional characteristics contribute to the continued popularity of his violins in modern times.
This is a Breton Mirecourt Violin made around 1900. Stamped internally Breton, Brevete, De S.A.R.M.e. Francois Breton was a French violin maker in Mirecourt, France who was Duchesse d’Angouleme’s personal luthier.
This is a Paul Jean- Baptiste Chipot Violin made in Paris in about 1942. Paul Jean Baptiste Chipot is a French luthier the son of Chipot-Vuillaume. He worked in many workshops in Mirecourt then moved to Vendome to start his own workshop.
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 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.
This is the Paul Kaul violin made in France dated 1918. Paul Kaul is a French violin maker who joined several workshops such as Thibouville Lamy, Silvestre and Maucotel, Vuillemin-Didion. He started several workshops on rue Racine, Nantes in 1907, rue du Pont Communeau in 1908, and at 130 Boulevard Brune in 1926.
The 1927 Collin-Mezin violin is a masterpiece crafted in the renowned Collin-Mezin Workshop, established in the 19th century by Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin in Paris. After passing in 1923, his son, Charles Collin-Mezin Jr., took over the workshop. In 1925, the workshop moved to Mirecourt, France. Known for producing vibrant instruments with outstanding sound flexibility, the workshop's tradition continues with the 1927 Collin-Mezin violin.
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
