Elophe Poirson

History

Elophe Poirson (1840-1918) was born in 1840 in Landaville and passed away in 1918 in Lyons, France. Initially, he pursued violin making as an amateur while working as a telegraph officer. A pivotal moment occurred in 1878 when Marsick provided a very flattering verdict on one of his violins, prompting Poirson to dedicate himself full-time to the craft. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff further notes that he held the position of Chief of the Central-Telephon-Bureaus in Lyon and, notably, declined a medal in 1900, stating he was not a professional violin maker.

Craft

• Instrument Count: Sources present conflicting information regarding the total number of instruments made; John Dilworth estimates he completed approximately 300 instruments between 1876 and 1918, whereas Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicates he had crafted around 200 violins, violas, and cellos.
• Instrument Types: He meticulously crafted violins, violas, and cellos.
• Varnish: Poirson developed his own ethereal varnish, which he had been producing since 1898, noting its remarkable similarity to Cremonese varnish. He asserted that this unique varnish could significantly enhance the tone of new instruments upon application.
• Workmanship: His work consistently demonstrated good quality. Cecie Stainer specifically highlighted a violin's very good quality and beautifully finished workmanship. John Dilworth also characterized his output as 'Good quality work.'
• Markings: Some of his instruments were branded beneath the back button with 'Poirson'. He also utilized manuscript labels, such as 'Lyon, 1900 / No. 185 Elophe Poirson'.

Legacy

• Awards: Elophe Poirson was honored with a bronze medal in Paris in 1889 for the instruments he exhibited. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions that he received several medals and notably declined one in 1900.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He maintained workshops and worked in both Paris and Lyon, France.
• Profession: Beyond his lutherie, he was a telegraph officer and served as the Chief of the Central-Telephon-Bureaus in Lyon.

Summary

Elophe Poirson (1840-1918) was a French luthier who transitioned from an amateur violin maker and telegraph officer to a dedicated craftsman after receiving high praise for his work in 1878. Based in Paris and Lyon, he crafted violins, violas, and cellos, known for their good quality workmanship and his self-developed ethereal varnish. Poirson received a bronze medal in Paris in 1889 and, despite his professional status as Chief of the Central-Telephon-Bureaus, was recognized for his contributions to instrument making, though he once declined a medal, stating he was not a professional luthier.