Description: this violin is a fine old French instrument, the work of Charles Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mezin of Paris, whose original label it bears dated 1893. It is a fine and characteristic example of the maker’s work.
Measurements: 35.8cm in length of body, with widths of 16.9cm and 20.8cm.
Violin maker: Collin, Charles Jean-Baptiste, known as Mézin (Collin-Mézin). Born 1841 Mirecourt, died 1923 Paris France. Son of Claude Nicolas Collin, below. Pupil of N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels. Established at 8-14 rue de Faubourg Poissoniere, Paris from 1867. Moved to no.10 1876 and later to no.29. Successful repairer and maker. Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models. Awards and prizes in Paris 1878, 1879, 1889, and 1900. Honoured as ‘Officier d’Academie des Beaux-Arts’1884. Hard spirit varnish usually of golden or light red-brown colour. Many poorer quality factory instruments have been given the name of Collin-Mezzin. Stamped internally beside the soundpost: ‘Collin-Mezin’. [John Dilworth]
This violin is currently available.