Violin by Charles J.B. Collin-Mézin, Paris, 1892

About Collin-Mezin père

Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin, often referred to as Collin-Mézin père, was born in Mirecourt to a family of violin makers and completed his apprenticeship with his father before working for Nicolas François Vuillaume in Brussels. He then set up on his own in Paris, gaining a name for himself as one of France´s finest violin makers of the nineteenth century. Despite having spent time in the workshop of Nicolas François Vuillaume, Collin-Mézin père had much in common with Vuillaume´s more famous brother. Both working at the highest level of French workmanship of the time, the two makers were gifted marketers who harnessed the star power of famous musicians to market their instruments.

As you might have guessed from the name, Collin-Mézin père´s son followed him into the industry. Referred to as Charles Collin-Mézin fils, he inherited his father´s Mirecourt workshop after his death and established a much larger, more commercial business. This was in turn inherited by his own son, Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mézin III: this continuation of the family trade is what has lead to the large number of instruments from the Collin-Mézin workshop all around the world today.

About the violin

This violin was made in Paris in 1892 and is modelled after the 'Messiah' Stradivari of 1716.

The violin has a two piece back of quarter-sawn, book-matched maple with ribs and scroll to match. The front is two pieces of medium-grain spruce and the varnish is a rich red in colour.

The violin has a length of back of 358 mm.

How does it sound?

This is a bright, sparkling violin with a massive sound. It feels extremely at home in the big Romantic repertoire, but is also reliable enough for long orchestral rehearsals.

Condition

The violin is in excellent, near-original condition. It has remained in the family of the original owner until the present day.

More information

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