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 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.
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.
This is a French violin built by Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy in Mirecourt. It's a sought-after "Compagnon" violin, known for its antique appearance and warm, mature sound.
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 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 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.
Amati Mangenot made this violin, but he "Italianised" his name and city, resulting in Mageno and Bordo.
Amati Mangenot (1901 – 1966), a French luthier, crafted this violin. He collaborated with the Laurent brothers and later took over Emile Laurent's workshop in Bordeaux.
This is a French Trade Violin Instrument made around 1925. The images show the details and features of various parts of the instrument.
