Charles Francois Langonet

LANGONET, Charles François Born 1861 Mirecourt France, died 1929 Hanwell, London UK. Trained with Alexandre Delanoy in Mirecourt where he was singled out by J. B. Vuillaume as ‘a future Stradivarius’. Invited by W. E. Hill & Sons in 1880 to join their workshops in Hanwell, West London where he remained for the rest of his life as foreman, with the exception of wartime military service in France. During his service with the 94th regiment he continued to carve scrolls, and played the clarinet in the band. Produced many fine instruments for Hills; copies of good classical examples but very few with his own label. Also renowned as a fine restorer.