Violin P. Beuscher Paris

[Pagamini]

Hi,

Can anyone help me with the origin of this instrument and its quality ? It has a label inside that says “P. Beuscher Paris” but it doesn't look original to me.

I would appreciate any answers

[Bob K]

Apparently, Paul Beuscher was a luthier who had a shop in Paris in the 1920s. As often the case, he also sold instruments bearing his label that were made for him by others (e.g. Mirecourt trade). I am not an expert but the label looks genuine to me (i.e. sold by him, at least).  

[fiddlecollector]

Beuscher shop is still around , i believe most of their violin related stuff is from Laberte or JTL etc... they were founded by an Accordian maker. Instrument in question is probably from Laberte.

[Pagamini]

4 hours ago, fiddlecollector said:

Beuscher shop is still around , i believe most of their violin related stuff is from Laberte or JTL etc... they were founded by an Accordian maker. Instrument in question is probably from Laberte.

Can we then consider it a French-made violin? I just find it strange that the f-holes are so rounded. Is this a student violin? Or can it be considered a professional violin? How much might it be worth?

[Pagamini]

4 hours ago, Bob K said:

Apparently, Paul Beuscher was a luthier who had a shop in Paris in the 1920s. As often the case, he also sold instruments bearing his label that were made for him by others (e.g. Mirecourt trade). I am not an expert but the label looks genuine to me (i.e. sold by him, at least).  

Thank you very much.

I have also read that he also imported violins from Germany. I have doubts as to whether this one is French or German....

[lFred]

The catalogue state founded in 1850- Wholesale and Retail- Musical instrument factory- P Beuscher- 19 Bd Beaumarchais (near the Bastille)-PARIS. Michel Masspacher bought the business in 1896. The original date of the collection 1850 may have come from the "Secchi" collection. (they are some violin labeled Masspacher and i initially thought it was a joke at the name kind of means massively not expensive.. but the jokes on be as it was the guy's name)

Concerning the origin
if wikipedia tells you that it started with Hippolyte Beuscher, "said Paul" luthier, there really are no evidence that he was.
and according to the extensive research conducted by https://luthiervents.blogspot.com/2012/01/paul-beuscher-voici-un-essai-de.html the nick name Paul origin is unclear and only emerged circa 1897-1902

Music notes an instruments dealer.
back to the topic
Yes they sold trade instruments, (I have there catalogue) and you find série coming from JTL like the "compagnon""stentor" , but also some other series "celesta" that did not come from JTL, there Steiner model came from Laberte for ex etc..

Their catalogue stated they sold second hand instruments this can open to interpretation, but I have written evidence
That they sold old French, Italian and Tyrolien instruments.

What is not written in their catalogue but what I also have evidence is that they contracted  parisien maker like the Audinots to makes their best instruments. Those instruments are signed by the maker and also bare the P Beusher label.. but unfortunately I've seen many people (player or dealer) removing the P Beusher label because is sound cheap ..
A real shame as there is no trace of this arrangement beside the actual instrument
 

[lFred]

The above violin is a bit odd, I wonder if the label was not placed after the fact.

 

Quote

I have doubts as to whether this one is French or German....

I have doubts as to whether this one is French or Chinese. 

[match]

Thank you for the information regarding Beuscher. I’m curious what exactly strikes you as unusual about the label? As far as I could tell, they all appeared to have been inserted later. That was the case with the few instruments I’ve seen. I had so far assumed they were decent made instruments, likely produced by Laberte. All of them also had that Guarneri label featuring the misspelled ISH (rather than IHS) emblem. 

[lFred]

@match 

You are correct,  on many instrument they have there original JTL or Laberte model label , by after the fact I meant, in this particular case has nothing to do with the violin'origin

The label you will also notice that has the old label with  adresse corrected 19, Bd Beaumarchais => 27

10 juin 1897, Paris, 19 bld Beaumarchais.
25 mars 1915, Paris, 27 bld Beaumarchais.



 

 

 

[M Alpert]

On 5/18/2025 at 9:51 AM, lFred said:

Steiner model came from Laberte for ex etc..
 

And this is not one of those? That's what I see here... possibly 1920s or even 30s? Isn't the "shading" on the front sprayed on?

I don't see China, only the back looks unused - whole fiddle not used much..

[lFred]

It was said "a label inside that says “P. Beuscher Paris” 

1920-1930 does not sit well with this label as explained above, I got the exact date somewhere but 1915-1917 as an approximation should be the latest you find in

While I could be mis lead by the photos,  the more I look at the the set up the more it feels like

 

[Richf]

FWIW I always find it suspicious when the old fittings seem appropriate to an old instrument and yet the finish is somehow pristine, especially under the bridge.  Unless you have reason to think it was expertly refinished very recently, I would go with the”it’s a trap” theory. 

[JacksonMaberry]

Who would go through the trouble to fake a bargain basement French trade fiddle in the first place?

[GeorgeH]

3 hours ago, JacksonMaberry said:

Who would go through the trouble to fake a bargain basement French trade fiddle in the first place?

Someone who wants an inexpensive Asian violin to appear to be an inexpensive European violin, for example. 

[lFred]

btw, did you notice how this violin setup as if i came from an untouched forgotten violin case not used for the pas 70 years. Has no top nut , but an old fingerboard fitted in place..

[Bob K]

2 hours ago, lFred said:

btw, did you notice how this violin setup as if i came from an untouched forgotten violin case not used for the pas 70 years. Has no top nut , but an old fingerboard fitted in place..

Yes, the finger board looks like it has been very poorly replaced or possibly reattached without the nut.

The varnish, although in very good condition is not entirely unblemished and the label could easily be a genuine amended pre 1915 label used after Beuscher had moved premesis. (thank you for that information).

Someone more knowledgable than me might be able to comment on the (slightly unusual?) ffs.

The best thing might be for the OP to take it to a friendly luthier to actually look at it close up - It certainly can't be used in it's present state.