French JTL Virtuoso Violin Copy (c 1900) of Francisco Ruggieri 1671
JTL stands for Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy & Cie a musical instrument making company in France formed by Louis Emile Jérôme Thibouville and Marguerite Hyacinthe Lamy at around 1900’s. They made a connection between their families through their marriage and business. The company was based in Mirecourt, France, and later become one of the world’s most powerful unions in the history of string instrument making.
Francesco Rugeri (b. c. 1628 – d. October 28, 1698) is also known as Rugier, Ruger, Rugeri, Ruggeri, Ruggerius, and Ruggieri. He was the first who belonged to Casa Rugeri an important family of luthiers in Cremona, Italy. He constructed his instrument with mastery which is inspired by the “Grand Amati” pattern of Nicolò Amati. That is why his instruments are nearly as well-known as the instruments of Nicolò Amati today.