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Scan 72
A dictionary of violin makers, 1896
21 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 64. See the scan on archive.org.
1but in 1771 was in rue des Orties, aux galeries du Louvre.
2Mellini, Giovanni. Was working in Guastalla, Italy, in 1768.
3Meloni, Antonio. A maker in Milan about 1670-95. Followed the Amati pattern; his instruments are small, with well cut sound-holes and yellow varnish; they have a good tone. Label: "Antonius Meloni Mediolani fecit A.D. 1690."
4Mennégand, Charles, b. June 19, 1822, at Nancy; d. Jan. 9, 1885, at Villers-Cotterets. Was apprenticed at Mirecourt; in 1840 went to Paris and worked with Rambaux for five years and there gained the experience which rendered him such a clever repairer of old instruments. 1851-52 worked with Maucotel, and in 1852 left France for Amsterdam. Returned to Paris 1857 and settled at 26, rue de Trévise. He made a large number of good violins, altos, and violoncellos in Amsterdam; but after his return to Paris principally made violoncellos, which rank among the best work of the time. He was awarded a medal of the 2nd class, Paris, 1855, and bronze medals in 1867 and 1878. Labels: "Mennégand, luthier, 26 rue de Trévise, Paris, 1867," and "C. Mennégand, luthier, 26 rue de Trévise, Paris, 1877. (Signed) C. Mennégand." Some of his labels have "élève de Rambaux" on them.
5Mennesson, Emile, b. March 15, 1842, Rheims. Lives there at 10, rue Carnot. Worked with Mennégand and Deroux. Had large workshop at Mirecourt, 1876-81. Has made 2,380 violins, following the pattern of Stradivari's "Messiah" violin; varnish, first red, later yellow-red with amber ground. Exhibited at Paris (1875-78-94), Philadelphia (1876), Rheims (1876-89-95), Rome (1884), Epernay (1884), Charleville (1894), and was awarded gold and silver medals and numerous "diplômes d'honneur."
6Merighi, Pietro. A maker of mandolines in Parma in 1770. Label: "Petrus Merighi fecit Parmae, anno 1770."
7Mériotte, Charles. A maker at Lyons about 1730-60. Several of his violins are known, made on the Stradivari pattern, with yellow-brown varnish, and of good workmanship. Label: "Mériotte, luthier, sur le pont, près le change, à Lyon, 1755." A later label was printed in Latin.
8Merlin, Joseph. A maker in London, Princes Street, Hanover Square, in 1770-80. His violins and his mechanical pegs for violins and violoncellos were at one time very fashionable. He followed the high Stainer model, his instruments were well made, but the tone was not good. Label: "Josephus Merlin Cremonae emulus. No. 104. Londini, 1779. Improved. 66, Queen Ann Street East, Portland Chapel."
9Messeguer. A Spanish maker working about 1646.
10Mettal. A maker in Freiberg. In a lyre-guitar of six strings was the label: "Mettal, Instrumentenmacher in Freyberg."
11Mette, François. A maker in the South of France, who sent instruments to the Paris Exhibition in 1855.
12Meusidler (Meusiedler), Johann. A maker of viols of all sorts in Nuremberg about 1540-50.
13Mezadri (Mezzadie), Alessandro. A maker in Ferrara, 1690-1720. He followed the principles of the Amati school, but the pattern of his instruments is not graceful, the sound-holes are placed too close, and the workmanship is poor. Label: "Alessandro Mezadri fece in Ferrara, anno 1713."
14Mezadri (Mezzadie), Francesco. A maker at Milan about 1700-20. In an alto of small pattern, with pinkish-yellow varnish, very light and transparent, the back made of poplar-wood, is the label: "Franciscus Mezadri, Milano, anno 1712."
15Mézin. See "Collin-Mézin."
16Mialfi, Joannes. A Spanish maker about 1769. His instruments are of average merit.
17Michaud. A maker in Paris about 1788, rue Guérin Boisseau au coin de la rue Saint-Denis.
18Michelis, Pelegrino (or Peregrino) di Zanetto, son of Zanetto de Michelis; b. 1520. A maker of viols and lutes and other instruments in Brescia. A tenor of his was exhibited in London in 1885, which is described as "essentially modern in model and detail, though with remaining touches of archaism." A splendid six-stringed bass-viol is in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, dated Brescia, 1547.
19Michelis, Zanetto de, b. 1495. Probably a native of Montechiaro, a village near Brescia. Was a maker of cithers.
20Michelot, Jacques Pierre. A maker in Paris about 1780-95, at the sign of "A la Mélodie," 255, rue St.-Honoré. In the Paris Conservatoire Collection
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