Didier Nicolas l'aîné

[jandepora]

Hello, I need to know your opinion about this violin being or not by Didier Nicolas himself.

I allways thought that when a Didier Nicolas has his sign is made by himself  or at least for his workshop in his lifetime.

What could be its retail price? I read that this kind of violin are selling better in U.S.A. than in Europe.

[PhilipKT]

That is some serious graffiti.

[jacobsaunders]

There are so many “Didier Nicolas” violins that it is surely inconcievable that he “made them by himself”. That would imply that the poor bloke made several dozen a day. They are a type of French violin that are pretty good. They remind me a bit of the Chappuy I had https://maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/338846-chappuy-signatures/

which also had a lot of “graffiti” inside. I have to remember a Viennese colleague, who opened a new shop, and the first violin he “sold” was a Nicolaus Aine. He was pretty excited to have sold a violin for the first time, but then the deal fell through because the damn violin was too big to fit in the case.

[martin swan]

I agree with Jacob - these should be seen as early Mirecourt workshop violins.

Generally they are a bit long, just over 36cm, but 36.4 is not uncommon.

This brand persisted right into the 20th century, but what you have looks like a "late early period" model, pre 1850. The best ones have a lovely clear orange varnish, rather better f-holes, and pronounced edgework. Here's one on Tarisio : https://tarisio.com/auctions/auction/lot/?csid=2199060480&cpid=3578691584

[duane88]

I have seen 2 Mittenwald violins with the brand and, upon opening, the grafitti. I presently have one, clearly Mirecourt, as are the rest that I have seen.

[jandepora]

9 hours ago, martin swan said:

I agree with Jacob - these should be seen as early Mirecourt workshop violins.

Generally they are a bit long, just over 36cm, but 36.4 is not uncommon.

This brand persisted right into the 20th century, but what you have looks like a "late early period" model, pre 1850. The best ones have a lovely clear orange varnish, rather better f-holes, and pronounced edgework. Here's one on Tarisio : https://tarisio.com/auctions/auction/lot/?csid=2199060480&cpid=3578691584

I see that some of this Didier Nicolas violins have the stamp "A Mirecourt" under the triangular stamp, like the one you show in Tarisio. I have the idea that the ones with the A MIRECOURT words could be from the Derazay, Mougenot or Laberte workshop.

About the varnish I read that the ones with the red varnish could be of the better quality:https://violindocs.com/auteur/11529/

Cecie Stainer said: " They are generally on a large pattern, slightly arched, the varnish either red-brown tinged with yellow or bright red colour; the sound-holes rather peculiar in cut, very widely opened in the middle; the tone is large, and the instruments are suitable for use in orchestras, those with red varnish being generally superior in work. "