Justin Amadee Derazey

History

Justin Amédée Derazey (1839-1890) was born in 1839 and died in 1890 in Mirecourt, France.

He was the son and pupil of Honoré Derazey.

Sources contain conflicting information regarding the date he succeeded to the business of Nicolas fils; according to Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he acquired the business of J. Nicolas, jun. in 1864, while John Dilworth states this occurred in 1884.

After acquiring the business, his instruments also bore the brand of J. Nicolas.

His label continued in use, attached to commercial instruments made by Laberte in Mirecourt.

Craft

• Workmanship: His work is generally considered inferior in quality to that of his father, with a thinner varnish and less consistent finish, though he was almost as prolific.
• Materials and Model: He used first-class materials and produced similar Stradivari-modelled work.
• Varnish: The varnish on his instruments is described as thinner, rather harsh, brittle, and soon becoming unsightly.
• Production Volume: By 1844, he was producing 600 instruments a year, selling them from 5 to 150 francs.
• Business Practice: After acquiring the business of Joseph Nicolas fils in 1864, he began to differentiate more clearly between instruments he made himself and those that were solely workshop productions; the latter received the Nicolas firm's stamp.

Influence

• Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Honoré Derazey.

Legacy

• Awards: He received a "Mention" in 1839 and 1844, a medal of the first class at the Paris Exhibition in 1855, and another at the London Exhibition in 1862 for the cheapness and good quality of his instruments.
• Succession: His business was later taken over by P. Mougenot, who subsequently used both Derazey's and Nicolas's brand marks.

Further Information

• Internal Branding: Instruments were branded internally with 'JD'.
• Labels: Examples of his printed labels include "Justin Derazey, Luthier / élève de Honoré Derazey / fait à Mirecourt, 1862," "Justs Derazey, Luthier / à Mirecourt. Vosges.18..," and "J. Derazey. Luthier / à Mirecourt. 1865 Jt. Derazey / Hors concours—Luthier Mirecourt."

Summary

Justin Amédée Derazey (1839-1890) was a French luthier from Mirecourt, son and pupil of Honoré Derazey.

He was known for his prolific output of Stradivari-modelled instruments using good materials, though his varnish was often considered inferior to his father's.

He acquired the business of J. Nicolas fils in 1864 and received several awards for the quality and affordability of his instruments.