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Scan 71
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
30 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 63. See the scan on archive.org.
1brown and the other reddish colour. He branded his instruments with "Mast fils Toulouse, 1825." There is a violin in the Paris Conservatoire Collection which has the label: "Josephus Laurentius Mast fecit Apollini Deo Harmoniae 1816, réparé chez Schubert Epinal, 1831."
3Maucotel, Charles, brother of Charles Adolphe Maucotel; b. Nov. 1, 1807, Mirecourt. Was first apprenticed to Bloise Mast; in 1834 went to Paris and worked under Gand; in Dec., 1844, moved to London, where at first he was employed by W. Davis, of 34, Coventry Street, but then started his own business in 8, Rupert Street, Haymarket; 1851-58, Georges Chanot worked with him. He retired from business in Aug., 1860, and returned to France. He made some excellent instruments, the work, varnish and tone were all good. Label: "Carolus Maucotelus fecit Londini, 185—, C. + M."
5Maucotel, Charles Adolphe, brother of Charles; b. 1820 at Mirecourt; d. Feb. 6, 1858, at Paris. Apprenticed in Mirecourt; then went to Paris and worked for five years (1839-44) under J. B. Vuillaume. In 1844 he started his business in Galerie Vivienne, but later moved first to rue Croix-des-petits-Champs and then to rue Princesse; it was there he committed suicide in 1858, by cutting his throat during an attack of brain-fever. He made excellent copies of the works of Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri, and his numerous violins, altos, and violoncellos show good work and have a fine tone. In 1844 he was awarded a bronze medal for an alto placed in the 2nd class, and in 1855 a medal of the 2nd class.
7Maussiell (or Mansiedl), Leonhardt. A maker in Nuremberg, 1720-50. He copied the Stainer pattern, and made good instruments, carefully finished, with yellow or brown varnish.
9Mayr (Maier), Andreas Ferdinand. A maker in Salzburg about 1740-80. Is said to have made the small violin on which Mozart learnt to play. In a lute was the label: "Andreas Ferdinand Mayr Hof Lauten und Geigenmacher in Salzburg, 1741"; a similar label, printed in German characters, was dated 1777.
11Mayson, Walter H. A maker in Manchester who began as an amateur, but soon adopted violin making as a profession. His instruments are excellent, and the workmanship beautifully finished.
13Meares, Richard. A maker of lutes and viols in London in 1677. In 1872 was exhibited in London a viola da gamba with the label: "Richard Meares, without Bishopsgate, near to Sir Paul Pinder's, London. Fecit 1677." His son Richard also learnt the trade but soon abandoned it for other work.
15Médard, Antoine, b. 1621 (baptised Oct. 28, 1621), son of Henri Médard and his wife Anne. A maker at Nancy. A little pocket violin is known, very carefully made, with the carved head of a woman instead of a scroll, and red-brown varnish of fine quality. Inside is the label: "Antoine Médard à Nancy, 1666."
17Médard, François, son of Claude Médard. A maker in Paris about 1690 to 1715. Is said to have been a pupil of Stradivari at Cremona. His instruments are on rather a small pattern, slightly arched, the sound-holes are well cut, the pretty rose-coloured varnish is very transparent, and the work is carefully finished. He was commanded to make the instruments for the orchestra of Louis XIV. Label: "Franciscus Médard fecit Parisiis, 16—"; a similar label is dated 1710.
19Médard, Henri, son of Claude Médard, also a maker. A maker at Nancy and Paris about 1620-30, there being a record of his marriage to Anne Pieresson, of Poiresson, on Oct. 23, 1620. Was generally considered to be a pupil of Nicola Amati. His work was extremely good. In a violoncello was the label: "Henry Medart à Nancy, 1627."
21Médard, Jean, son of Claude Médard. Worked at Nancy.
23Médard, Nicolas, son of Claude Médard; b. about 1598, was living in Nancy in 1658. He followed the Amati pattern, his instruments are small, and the tone, though soft and silvery, lacks power; the varnish is very beautiful. Labels are known dated 1615 and 1660.
25Médard, Sébastien, b. about 1576; d. 1636; probably another son of Claude Médard. A maker, first at Nancy then at Paris, about 1600-36.
27Meiberi, Francesco. A maker at Leghorn about 1745-50.
29Melling. A maker in Paris, in the rue Fromontea, place du Louvre, in 1753, at the sign of "A la belle Vielleuse";
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