Bow & Bridge Violin and bow makers, as the old books printed them

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Scan 56

A dictionary of violin makers

31 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 46. See the scan on archive.org.

1gold medal, Antwerp, 1885; gold medal, Liverpool, 1886; gold medal, Paris, 1889; a member of the jury at the Munich Exhibition, 1893, consequently unable to compete; the same at Chicago, 1893; and at Bordeaux, 1895. Made "Officier de l'Académie" and "Luthier to the Lille Conservatoire." Label: "Joseph Hel, luthier à Lille, 18—." He died 1902.
3Held, J. J., b. July 17, 1823, Flamersheim, Rheinbach (Cologne). When only 14 began to repair old instruments, and a few years later made new ones. In 1860 started his business in Euskirchen; moved to his present abode at Beuel vis-à-vis Bonn (Rhine), 1871. He makes from 12 to 16 violins and violas a year, assisted by his son and one workman, but always does the varnishing himself; copies the Italian patterns. Was awarded: Diploma, Vienna, 1873; medal, Düsseldorf, 1880; diploma, Detmold, 1881; silver medals at Krems and Wels, 1882; Milan, 1884; and medal, Görlitz, 1889.
5Heldal, A., of Bergen. In 1862 he exhibited in London a "Hardanger violin," more interesting for its nationality than for its musical merit, as it was one made by the peasants in Hardanger, Norway.
7Hell, Ferdinand. A maker in Vienna. In 1854 he exhibited in Munich a double-bass of rather small pattern, but of powerful tone. He is also the inventor of the trumpet-violin, an instrument which can be used as a trumpet or as a violin equally well.
9Helmer (Hellmer), Carl, b. 1739, Prague; d. 1812. Son of a maker there. He was working under Ulrich Eberle for some years, and made some very good violins, with red-brown varnish. The earliest date found in his instruments is said to be 1769. Label: "Carolus Hellmer me fecit Pragæ, 17—." one of two readings
10Helmer (Hellmer), Carl, b. 1739, Prague; d. 1812. Son of a maker there. He was working under Ulrich Eberle for some years, and made some very good violins, with red-brown varnish. The earliest date found in his instruments is said to be 1769. Label: "Carolus Hellmer me fecit Pragae, 17—." one of two readings
12Helmer, Jehan. A maker of guitars in Lyons about 1568-72. Was of German nationality.
14Hellmig, son-in-law of Carl Grimm, whose business he continued with Louis Grimm on the death of Carl Grimm.
16Henderson, D. A maker in Aberdeen.
18Hénoc (or Hénocq), François. A maker in Paris, rue Jacob, 1775-77, and rue des Saints-Pères, 1779-89.
20Hénoc (Hénocq), Jean (? Georges Bienaimé). A maker in Paris from 1768 to about 1790. Lived in the rue Seine-Saint-Germain.
22Henry. A maker in Paris in rue Saint-André-des-Arcs. A bass of his dated 1737 is known, of good workmanship, and with red-brown varnish. It is not known if he was related to the present Henry family in Paris.
24Henry, Charles, called Carolus, second son of Jean Baptiste Henry; b. 1803; d. 1859. Pupil of his father, to whose business in Paris he succeeded in 1831; he made a large number of violins, altos, and violoncellos. The pattern varied, especially in the violins; he used yellow-red varnish, and his work was carefully finished. In 1847 he made an instrument called the "baryton," which, though played like the violin, sounded an octave below. Awards: bronze medal, Paris, 1849; "Mention honorable" and second-class medal, 1855. Label: "Carolus Henry, luthier, rue Saint-Martin No. 151, fecit Anno Domini (1831 à 1859)." His son, Eugène, was also a maker.
26Henry, Eugène, son of Charles Henry; b. 1843; d. Sept. 7, 1892. He succeeded his father, and was one of the best Parisian makers of his time; was especially successful in repairing old instruments. Many of the new violins that bear his name were not entirely made by him, although made in his workshop. Awards: "Mention honorable," Paris, 1878, and bronze medal, 1889. His business was continued after his death by Charles Brugère.
28Henry, Jean Baptiste, b. 1757 at Mataincourt, near Mirecourt (Vosges); d. 1831, Paris. He was the head of the present family of makers. Was apprenticed in Mirecourt, then went to Paris, and established himself in connection with the St. Martin Monastery, thereby obtaining exemption from certain fees and penalties he would otherwise have had to pay. He worked there till 1788, when the ancient privileges of the monasteries were abolished. Then moved into No. [address hidden]; the number was afterwards changed to 151, but his family always continued working in the same house. A violin is dated 1781, but he did not put labels in his instruments, and those that bear his name were labelled by his sons, Jean Baptiste Félix and Charles, who were both makers.
30Henry, Jean Baptiste Félix, eldest son of Jean Baptiste Henry; b. 1793, Paris; d. there, 1858. Pupil of his father. Worked first in 1817 at rue Montmartre, Paris; in Bordeaux in 1822, and in Marseilles in 1825. In 1844 he returned

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