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.
This French violin (copy) has a powerful sound and was made after Roger & Max Millant in Paris. It has a subtle and radiant voice. This violin is in excellent condition, making it suitable for professional musicians.
Marc Laberte (1880–1963) was trained as a violin maker and joined the family company in 1911. By 1919, the Laberte firm had around 400 craftsmen and was successful. However, the war in 1942 devastated the business, leading to its closure. Despite this, Laberte was known for his exceptional instruments and bows, earning several honours and medals.
This violin has the original Marc Laberte label and bears the number #3010. A second label states Grand Prix Paris 1931, Exposition Internationale Bruxelles 1935 Membre Du Jury, and Exposition Internationale New York 1939. The prices they won before and during the start of the world war 2.
We have here a Lillo Salerno Italian violin made in 2019. Lillo Salerno is an Italian luthier born in Sicily, Italy. He went to Cremona Violin Making School then finished his studies in Mittenwald School of Violin Making in Germany in 2005.
Instrument - Violin
Model- Personalized Stradivari
Top - Italian spruce in two pieces
Back - Balkan maple in two pieces
Scroll - From the same wood as the back
Varnish - Oil and amber with a yellow background, red-brown violin.
Notes - The instrument was made with an antique and shows a black bevel on the scroll and points of the bouts.
Check out this Violin Made in Germany Mittenwald dated around 1920. This is one of Animato Strings' largest selections of new and old instruments in Australia including Asian-handcrafted instruments, new European instruments, and a wide range of antique stringed instruments.
Moretti Egidio transitioned from cabinetmaking to violin making in 1924-1928. During 1945-1955 in Lavagna, Genoa, his instruments were known for their accuracy and good varnish, with two different labels used - handwritten and printed.
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.
William Henry Dow was born in Scotland in 1834 and moved to Australia in 1855 to work as a pattern maker at Langlands Port Phillip Foundry in Melbourne. Initially a hobby, he began making violins in his workshop in South Melbourne and received medals for his work at national exhibitions. After retiring from patternmaking, he devoted himself to creating instruments and made over 200 violins by his death in 1928. It is still being determined how many instruments Dow made, as he only started numbering them when he was satisfied with their quality. One of his violins is on display at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.
Please get in touch with Animato Strings on 07 3876 3877 if you want this violin.
The Rainer W. Leonhardt "Manuela No. 1" Violin 2025 is a handcrafted master violin from Mittenwald, Germany, made from carefully seasoned European spruce and maple and finished in a beautiful hand-applied amber-brown spirit varnish. Offering a warm, powerful tone with outstanding clarity, projection, and responsiveness.
Rainer W. Leonhardt is a fourth-generation master violin maker whose family workshop has been crafting fine string instruments since 1926. Based in the historic violin-making town of Mittenwald, Germany, he combines centuries-old German craftsmanship with carefully selected tonewoods to create instruments admired by musicians worldwide for their beauty, reliability, and exceptional tonal quality.
