Paul Francois BLANCHARD Lugdunum Series French Violin – Lyon 1906

click picture to enlarge

Label:

Born at Mirecourt in 1851, Paul was the grandson of Françoise Blanchard, a violin maker in Mirecourt. He apprenticed to Auguste Darte in 1865 who taught him the Vuillaume principles. Paul worked for Edmond Daniel at Marseilles and for H.C. Silvestre in Lyon. Blanchard established his own workshop in 1870 and was active until his death in 1912. He was a fine maker, totally into detail, and only satisfied with the best he could produce. He produced instruments for America and was a keen businessman to satisfy American shops and fine players. Paul made 30 instruments per year himself in Guarani and Stradivari models while managing a large workshop in Lyon.

Lugdunum was the name of the Roman city of Lyon during the Roman Empire. The “Lugdunum” labeled violins have square letters on the label and were made by his apprentices under Blanchard. These instruments used acoustically fine wood and have a transparent golden oil varnish, a beautiful appearance. The violin has a flashy French label that represents the Lyon’s City Arms. Paul Blanchard was also appointed to the Lyons Conservatoire, theatres, and municipal orchestra. The violin displays very good workmanship in a Stradivari model. The top plate is straight medium to fine grain spruce, and the maple back is highly flamed with matching ribs. The corners are blacked as are the chamfers on the scroll, a tradition of French violin making. The violin is in excellent condition and has been meticulously gone over here in our workshop. We have given the violin a new setup: peg, bridge, soundpost, tailpiece, chinrest, and end button. It is ready for 120 more years.

Corpus 360.0 mm., Major Width 210.0 mm., Minor Width 170.0 mm., Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The larger body of the violin helps the instrument in volume and its warm color. The bass side is slightly covered in its response, yet bold and mature in texture. As I moved up into position the instrument kept its strength and color. The sound has a slight edge, giving way to overtones and vibrance. The E and A strings are brighter in color and sing with strength. The violin has expressive power and will do well in jazz, pick up work, to orchestral playing. It has a distinctive voice that seems eager to show off. A player will appreciate the drive of the bottom end and the brilliance of the treble side.