Lambert-Humbert Frères firm (fl. 1876 – 1969) was a major violin manufacturer in Mirecourt, offering a wide range of models and quality levels, established in 1876 by violin-making brothers Maurice-Emile and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte.
Lambert-Humbert Frères firm (fl. 1876 – 1969) was a major violin manufacturer in Mirecourt, offering a wide range of models and quality levels.
This Mirecourt firm was established in 1876 by violin-making brothers Maurice-Emile and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte. Initially, it manufactured only factory instruments, some of which had fictitious labels like 'J. Didelot'.
In the early 20th century, Marc Laberte expanded the selection of high-quality instruments by including those from Joseph Aubry, Charles Brugere, Camille Poirson, and Georges Apparut, all of whom were reputable makers.
In 1902, Apparut joined Laberte firm as the leader of “artistic” production and remained until 1923. By 1919, Laberte had around 400 workers and was renamed “Laberte et Magnié” or “L.F.M.” after violin maker Fourier Magnié joined. The company acquired the acclaimed brand “A La Ville de Cremone” from Paul Mangenot in 1927.
The Mirecourt instrument-making industry declined in the mid-20th century, causing all three major firms to stop production in the 1960s. Laberte closed in 1969 after Philippe Laberte's death.
Check out the Italian Copy of Geovanni Schwarz violin made about 1920. Geovanni Schwarz was born in 1865 in Padua, Italy who by the influence and tutelage of his uncle Eugenio Degani honed his skills, established his own workshop, and won a gold medal in 1916 in Rome Italy.
Check out this Ryszard Osowski Violin Bronze Plus. Ryszard Osowski is a Polish luthier who gradually perfected the sound and quality of his instruments. As a result, he concentrated more on building his own stringed instrument, passionately pursuing crafting highly advanced violins.
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 the Stainer 4/4 Violin Made in Germany. Jacob Stainer was an Austrian luthier whose violins are being sought after by famous composers and musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, and George Somon-Lohein. He was the only non-Italian violin maker to rank as the top luthier in his time before Stradivari.
This 7/8 size violin is labelled Thomas Challoner who worked in Chester, England around 1790. Thomas Challoner was one of the known violin makers in the 18th century.
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 violin is labelled "Antonius Vinaccia, Napoli in Via Constantinii, a. 1792" and shows evidence of being repaired in 1902. Antonio Vinaccia was a renowned instrument maker in Naples during the mid-18th to late 19th centuries. He was known for making violins in the style of Gagliano and exceptional mandolins. His craftsmanship is preserved in Naples's Museo Spagnuolo (Palazzo degli Studi). Antonio's sons, Gennaro and Gaetano, also became instrument makers.
Check out this Mast Fils Violin Dated 1827. Joseph Laurent Mast a French violin maker who branded his violins with the inscription inside that says “Mast Fils Toulouse."
