Guy_Gallo Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 I have two instruments I'm trying to learn more about: One is labeled: Henri Vallon lutherie de l'art Evanston 1965 Bad pic: Says it's a strad model -- but it looks to me to have some del gesu in it... the other is a very red viola by Kevin Smith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Dorsey Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Wenberg says: Vallon, Henri; Chicago, IL. Born in France. Died in 1983. Studied making under Billotet and Charles Enel in Paris. Later operated own shop there. Started working for William Lewis & Son in Chicago in 1951. Retired in Tampa, FL, c. 1978. Strad, Guarneri and own model. Light orange-red varnish, some antiqued. Several of his instruments were sold through the Lewis shop. Primarily worked as a repairman. Smith, Kevin; Dallas, TX. 1954-. Born in Salt Lake City, UT. Studied making at the school in Salt Lake under Wilhelm Kapfhammer and Peter Prier, graduated in 1976. Made first instrument in 1973 and has been making on a regular basis since. Worked for William Moennig in Philadelphia under Robert Cauer 1976-1979 doing restoration. Worked for Peter Prier in Salt Lake City 1978-1979. Worked in San Francisco for Feller & Fury doing restoration 1979-1981. Established own shop in San Diego in 1981. Moved to Dallas in 1985. Strad, Guarneri del Gesu Montagnan and Gofriller models. Spirit varnish over a tempera base coat. Handmade purfling. Has made 24 violins, 4 violas and 2 cellos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 I think Kevin used to post here every now and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnesviolins Posted April 3, 2007 Report Share Posted April 3, 2007 Dang brad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How do you know all of these details? Do you have some "Big Brother" database? Should I worry about what you know about me? Dorian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy_Gallo Posted April 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2007 Thanks Brad. Anyone know if either user appears in the Red Book or if there's any other basis for valuation? I don't see either in the Mnet price history or at Tarisio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljsviolin Posted April 5, 2007 Report Share Posted April 5, 2007 Kevin Smith, here in San Diego, is the luthier I go to for violin adjustments. Very friendly, very good at what he does. Presently his contact information is: Kevin Smith The Violin Shop 10505 Sorrento Valley Rd. Suite 385 San Diego, CA shop phone: 858-909-0319 He is still making instruments, but I haven't had the chance to try any. Larry Samuels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen W Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 I know this is an old thread. I have a lovely viola made by Henri Vallon in 1964. We bought it from him in the late 60's. First and only owners. In the 70's I remember taking it back to him when I was in high school for a minor repair. He had a little office/workshop in a biggish one-story building in Skokie, near the intersection of Golf Road and Gross Point Road. I think it was a place that rented band instruments. A wonderful, soft-spoken man. I'm glad to find out more about him as I know little. After decades, I am ready to find a new home for my baby and I was just surfing around on the internet thinking "I wish I knew more about Mr. Vallon." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theghostis Posted September 23 Report Share Posted September 23 I just acquired a Henri Vallon viola and am very interested to hear if anyone here has any other information on this maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoPractice Posted September 23 Report Share Posted September 23 Geographically, try Seman Violins and the Violinmaking School? info@semanviolins.com info@csvm.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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