Gand

[YeahToby]

I have a cello that has a hand written label that is hard to make out. There is a stamp below the end pin that looks like it has the words “Gand” and “Laval” any ideas on the origin?

[David Alex T.]

In 18xx, part of Gand family was established in Laval -France.

can read Gand Luthier on the label.

But no clue if this is fake or not. Could be also a trade instrument with stamp.

Maybe you could post other pictures. Might be an interesting cello.

On the other side your stamped endpin should be a clue because if it is original one it should be before the 19xx designs with long removable metal endpin. Is it a short one, in wood material?

[Blank face]

It's pointless to ask such questions about suspicious looking handwritten labels and brands without seeing the whole of the instrument bearing them.

Here we are seeing clearly marks of a former much larger label, what rings some alarm bells anyway.

[YeahToby]

[YeahToby]

The neck was replaced in the early 2000s, and other work has been done to it. I just had the bridge replaced, but the one that was on it appeared to be a Morel. It was inherited from my teacher who passed several years back, so I don’t have a lot of provenance on it