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 Barbet & Granier dated 1879 Violin from Marseille France. Charles Barbet and Edmund Granier of Marseille were at the forefront of outstanding makers at the turn of the 19th century.
This is a Collin - Mezin violin made in Paris in 1902. Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin (1841–1923) was a Parisian luthier an Officier de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts and won gold and silver medals in 1878, 1889, and 1900 at the Paris Exhibitions.
Collin-Mezin Violin dated 1887. This as an unusual model for a Collin-Mezin violin, but the workmanship, the original label, and Collin-Mezin's authentic signature verify the maker.
Charles Collin-Mezin was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1841. He came from a family of luthiers and was skilled in crafting violins, violas, cellos, basses, and bows.
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 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.
Paul Lorange, a renowned French luthier from Lyon, worked in Marseille during the early to mid-20th century. He established his independent workshop in the city in the early 1930s and was known for his fine workmanship on classical models and his use of various shades of red varnish. The violin in question was made in 1932, and it's noted that the handwriting on the violin and his original label may differ.
This is a French Copy of the Kloz Violin, a well-known family of violin makers from the 17th century up to this time. This violin was made around 1900 as stated on the label. You can check the images for more details on different portions of the violin.
