Labelled Collin-Mezin Violin Made in Paris in 1905

Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin was born in Mirecourt, France in 1841. He came from a family of luthiers and apprenticed with his father. He worked for Nicolas-François Vuillaume in Brussels before opening his own shop in Paris in 1868. He was widely regarded as one of the top French luthiers of his time, with many considering his instruments superior to others. In addition to violins, violas, cellos, and basses, he also made bows. Collin-Mezin passed away in Paris in 1923.