Made in Franca Stamp?

[MikeV]

Anyone ever see this on a violin label?

 

[PhilipKT]

Wasn’t the country of origin required after 1921? I think by 1899 it had to say, “Japan” or “France” but in 1921 or 1919 it was changed to require the words “made in”

[MikeV]

Yes, but I don't know if this is spelled correctly.  In most cases I've seen labels used, hadn't seen it stamped right on the maker's label.

[vathek]

If it was stamped after it was made neatness may not have been a priority

[MikeV]

Has anyone seen this Franca stamp vs. France stamp before?

[ClefLover]

Maybe I’m stating something obvious, or incorrect, but if this was exported out of South America (which seems consistent with the use of “Franca”) post a date that requires a visible origin, the stamp could have been added to achieve the shipment.  The misalignment would explain trying to do so through the ff.  Whether the instrument is real or not, this would explain the stamp’s legitimacy.  If South America was even slightly as difficult to import/export anything of slight value as it is today, then the exporter was trying to cover his/her butt.