Here are some of the many violins sold by us during the last few years

Lavest

Good violin by J.Leclerc, dated 1913.
A fine quality violin by J.Leclerc who was a luthier working for the Laberte-Magnié workshops from 1910 to 1929.
Lorraine
A Louis Lowendall violin, dated 1877.
Branded internally L.LOWENDALL, 1877, DRESDEN. The Louis Lowendall violins are well made and produce a good tone, this one is unusual in that it is based on the Guarnerius model.
A violin Labelled Luis Lutz, circa 1925.
An intriguing instrument in that it is a German violin, labelled carrying a hand written label Luis Lutz (there were several German makers of this surname) but with a Paris address! Who knows what it's origins are?
A Maidstone violin, circa 1920.
Maidstone violins were first produced around the turn of the century as an inexpensive student violin, however over the years their tone has mellowed and they are now far superior to any equivalent modern instrument.
A fine quality P.Mangenot violin, circa 1925.

William Henley's Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers states the following about the maker.

MANGENOT Paul Alexandre. Born Mirecourt 1862. Apprenticed to Justin Derazey. Made cello's for Collin-Mezin. Worked for Hel at Lille, also at Brussels, Geneva, Lyon and Paris. Returned to Mirecourt 1888. Bought the business of Derazey (including the trade brands of D.Nicolas Ainé and Honore Derazey). Engaged several workmen to carry on the traditions of those names. Brands disposed of to Laberte, 1920. Continued to produce his own instruments, 1925. Died 1942.
French violin labelled Mansuy a Paris, circa 1880.
A violin labelled Mansuy a Paris, from the J.Thibouville-Lamy workshops and also labelled as such, The J.T.L. firm was known to have acquired the brands for Mansuy and N.Duchéne after their deaths.
Violin by Ernest Maucotel, dated 1922.

William Henley's Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers states the following about the maker.

MAUCOTEL, ERNEST. Born Mirecourt 1867. Apprenticed to Paul Bailly. Worked for his uncle at Moscow, 1885. Partner of H.C.Silvestre, 1900. Associated with Paul Deschamp from 1922 who was considered to be one of the distinguished experts of the time. Generally replicas of Seraphino, Montagnana and Gofriller. Reddish-brown oil varnish.
A fine violin by Justin Maucotel, circa 1820.

William Henley's Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers states the following about the maker.

Maucotel Justin. Worked at Mirecourt 1805 until 1820. A clever craftsman who generally remained aloof from supplying ordinary instruments. Persistently worked with the sincere consciousness of only producing the best that his artistic capabilities would admit.
A fine violin by Justin Maucotel, circa 1820.
A fine quality violin by Walter H. Mayson In excellent condition without damage or repairs. Considered to be one of the best of the English makers, always well chosen woods, good attention to detail and a lustrous oil varnish made to a secret formula by his friend J.J.E.Wood. Every violin by this maker was individually named, this example is "Daphne".
Violin labelled G.Medard, dated 1935.
An unusual violin also with a label on the treble side stated that the instrument is made of old wood "de vieux bois".
Medio Fino violin, circa 1900.
The Medio Fino models from the J.Thibouville-Lamy workshops are always consistently good intermediate violins.
Fine quality violin by E.Mennesson, dated 1903.

William Henley's Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers states the following about the maker.

Emile MENNESSON, born Rheimms 1842, died 1920. Worked in several ateliers in Paris. Established extensive premises in Mirecourt 1876-1881. Associated with Martin and Joseph Garini some years previously, ultimately purchased the trade marks of that firm, henceforth he built his instruments under the pseudonym of Joseph Garini. Recipient of gold medals and "diplomas d'honneur" at European and American exhibitions. Modeling based on the Messie Strad. Spent many years perfecting his beautiful varnish.
Fine French violin by Moinel & Cherpitel, dated 1937.
An excellent violin of good quality, well made, with good attention paid to the finer points such as scroll, button etc.
An Alfred Moritz violin, circa 1890.
Alfred Moritz was head of a large Dresden workshops from 1880 to 1900 which produced excellent, yellow varnished and very popular violins.