Jules Joseph Grandjon
Mirecourt, Paris, b. 1824
Jules Joseph Grandjon (1824-?) was a French violin maker born in Mirecourt. He worked in Paris and Amsterdam, succeeding his brother's business, before establishing a successful factory in Mirecourt around 1850. Known for his innovative experiments, including a violin with a detachable neck, he specialized in large-form instruments, often featuring a strong red varnish. Grandjon received several accolades, including a 1st class medal at the 1855 Paris Exhibition, a bronze medal in 1867, and a "Mention honorable" in 1878.
Instruments
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
91 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inscribed Mirecourt 1891 Grandjon Fils internally on the back Lot 252 | — | October 2025 | £4,800est. £ 4,000-6,000 | |
| Violin | 3/4 size violin, bearing the maker's brand, table cracks Lot 758 | Laurent | January 2024 | £1,014est. € 600-800 |
| Violin | Excellent condition Lot 21 | Aguttes | January 2024 | £9,277est. € 5.000-7.000 |
| Branded H. Derazey internally on the back Lot 55 | — | November 2022 | £9,000est. £ 5,000-7,000 | |
| Labelled Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1712, branded to the inside Grandjon Fils Lot 133 | — | October 2022 | £8,893est. € 8.000-12.000 | |
| 7/8 size violin, labelled Bergonzi, fair condition Lot 67 | — | June 2022 | £3,915est. € 3.000-5.000 | |
| One-piece back, varnish of a red colour on a yellow ground, table restoration, otherwise good condition Lot 163 | — | April 2021 | £2,998est. € 2.000-2.500 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, good condition Lot 57 | — | December 2020 | £3,360est. € 2.000-2.500 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, some restorations, back worm damage Lot 220 | — | November 2019 | £23,591est. € 20.000-25.000 | |
| 3/4 size violin, bearing the maker's label, also labelled Guarneri, some table restorations Lot 816 | — | November 2019 | £3,285est. € 500 | |
| Labelled Grandjon and Stradivari, table and head cracks Lot 164 | — | December 2018 | £1,817est. € 2.000-2.500 | |
| Bearing the original label, one-piece back, varnish of a red brown colour, good condition Lot 48 | — | November 2018 | £2,987est. € 2.000-3.000 | |
| Unlabelled Lot 105 | — | March 2018 | £2,400est. £ 1,500-2,200 | |
| One-piece back, ribs similar, table of fine grain, two minor table restorations, otherwise good condition Lot 51 | — | November 2017 | £2,670est. € 2.200.2.500 | |
| Collapsible violin, labelled J. Grandjon a Paris, 105 Boulevard Sebastopol et Rue Reaumur 74, Brevete Lot 369 | — | June 2017 | £840est. £ 800-1,200 | |
| Labelled and branded Vuillaume, good condition Lot 265 | — | December 2016 | £9,139est. € 6.000-8.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's signature to the back, n. 25, many table restorations, table sound post crack Lot 267 | — | December 2016 | £2,539est. € 3.500-4.000 | |
| Labelled Stradivari, table missing, ribs blemish Lot 814 | — | November 2016 | £665est. € 800 | |
| Labelled Stradivari, some table restorations, table sound post restoration Lot 102 | — | June 2016 | £1,765est. € 2.000-3.000 | |
| Labelled and branded Vuillaume, good condition Lot 320 | — | June 2016 | £6,128est. € 6.000-8.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's signature to the table and brand to the back and upper block, some restorations Lot 318 | — | December 2015 | £2,726est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, table sound post restoration Lot 325 | — | December 2014 | £7,722est. € 6.000-7.000 | |
| Labelled Stradivari, minor blemish, otherwise good condition Lot 308 | — | December 2012 | £5,854est. € 5.000-6.000 | |
| Labelled Stradivari, signed Grandjon fils internally to the back, good condition Lot 309 | — | December 2012 | £2,927est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Labelled Del Gesù Lot 115 | — | October 2012 | £1,440est. £ 600-1,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, some restorations, back sound post restoration Lot 218 | — | June 2012 | £2,426est. € 1.000-1.500 | |
| Labelled J Grandjon a Paris, Fabrique de Mirecourt, 105 Boulevard Sebastopol et Rue Reaumur 74 Lot 308 | — | June 2012 | £1,320est. £ 1,500-2,000 | |
| Violin | Good condition Lot 224 | Giafferi | January 2012 | £252est. € 600-800 |
| Violin | One-piece back Lot 240 | Giafferi | January 2012 | £101est. € 100-120 |
| Violin | Lot 68 | Giafferi | January 2012 | £483est. € 200-300 |
| Small Violin | 3/4 size violin, branded Grandjon Lot 197 | Tarisio | January 2012 | £1,138est. $ 600-900 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm | — | January 2011 | £2,520 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. (soundpost crack) | — | January 2010 | £4,142 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | January 2009 | £5,440 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | January 2009 | £4,896 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1860 c. | — | January 2009 | £1,440 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1870 c. | — | January 2009 | £2,904 |
| Viola | 39.5 cm Paris, 1870 c. Workshop of | — | January 2009 | £2,340 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1870 c. Probably workshop of | — | January 2009 | £819 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1853 | — | January 2008 | £1,536 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, en 1898 Workshop of | — | January 2008 | £1,466 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1862 | — | January 2008 | £1,638 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Paris, 1870 c. | — | January 2008 | £1,521 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1870 c. (soundpost break & back crack) | — | January 2008 | £4,178 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | January 2008 | £6,313 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1870 c. | — | January 2007 | £1,999 |
| Viola | 38.7 cm 1880 c. Workshop of | — | January 2007 | £856 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1870 c. | — | January 2007 | £4,088 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Workshop of | — | January 2007 | £530 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1850/1855 c. | — | January 2006 | £5,592 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Mirecourt, 1840 c. | — | January 2006 | £2,397 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1860 c. | — | January 2006 | £2,146 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Mirecourt, 1880 c. | — | January 2006 | £1,705 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. (soundpost crack) | — | January 2006 | £809 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1866 Workshop of | — | January 2006 | £1,913 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1850 c. | — | January 2005 | £1,996 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1845-1850 c. | — | January 2005 | £2,532 |
| Violin | Workshop | — | January 2005 | £1,526 |
| Violin | — | January 2004 | £2,523 | |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1870 c. | — | January 2004 | £3,860 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2003 | £2,556 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | January 2003 | £3,810 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2003 | £3,132 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | January 2002 | £2,903 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | January 2002 | £4,082 |
| Violin | 1860 | — | January 2002 | £1,585 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | January 2002 | £2,302 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | January 2001 | £2,194 |
| Viola | 38.8 cm 1850 | — | January 2000 | £1,427 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2000 | £1,325 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2000 | £816 |
| Violin | 1860 c. 1/2 Size | — | January 2000 | £620 |
| Violin | 1898 1/4 Size | — | January 2000 | £697 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | January 2000 | £4,800 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2000 | £4,406 |
| Violin | 1870 | — | January 2000 | £1,467 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 2000 | £2,070 |
| Violin | 1895 | — | January 1997 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | January 1997 | £620 |
| Viola | 40.2 cm 18-- | — | January 1995 | £2,760 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 1994 | £1,380 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | January 1992 | £1,430 |
| Violin | 1840 c. | — | January 1990 | £935 |
| Violin | 1860 c. | — | January 1989 | £220 |
| Violin | 1874 | — | January 1988 | £550 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | January 1987 | £550 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | January 1986 | £143 |
| Violin | 1860 c. | — | January 1986 | £132 |
| Violin | 1846 | — | January 1985 | £1,364 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | January 1982 | £440 |
| Violin | 1875 c. | — | January 1980 | £462 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Jules Joseph Grandjon (1824-?) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1824. He was the son of Prosper Gérard Grandjon, also a maker. Before establishing his factory in Mirecourt, he worked for an extended period in Paris, specifically on Boulevard Sébastopol, and later maintained a branch office there. From 1847 to 1852, he worked in Amsterdam, succeeding the business of his brother, L. Grandjon. Around 1850, he established a successful factory in Mirecourt.
Characteristics
- Innovation
- Jules Joseph Grandjon conducted various experiments and made inventions, including a violin with a detachable neck.
- Design Philosophy
- He ultimately decided on a large model, which was primarily used in his factory. He specialized in decorated and eccentric models, as well as conventional classical designs, typically of a large form.
- Varnish
- He predominantly used a strong red varnish, also described as bright red lacquer.
- Breveté J. Grandjon à Paris J.G.
S.G.D.G. Fabrique de Mirecourt (Vosges)
103 Boulevard Sébastopol et Rue Réaumur 74John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Family Lineage: Jules Joseph Grandjon was the son of Grandjon, sen., who was also a maker at Mirecourt.
- Business Succession: He succeeded to the business of his brother, L. Grandjon, in Amsterdam between 1847 and 1852.
- Awards & Recognition: Jules Joseph Grandjon received medals at both the Paris and London Exhibitions. He was awarded a medal of the 1st class at the Paris Exhibition in 1855, a bronze medal in 1867, and a "Mention honorable" in 1878.
Further Information
- Workshop Locations: He worked in Paris (Boulevard Sébastopol and Rue Réaumur 74), Amsterdam, and established a factory in Mirecourt (Vosges).
- Labels & Branding: His instruments bore labels such as "Breveté J. Grandjon à Paris J.G. / S.G.D.G. Fabrique de Mirecourt (Vosges) / 103 Boulevard Sébastopol et Rue Réaumur 74."
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
GRANDJON, Jules Joseph Born 1824 Mirecourt France. Son of Prosper Gérard Grandjon, below. Worked in Paris, Boulevard Sébastopol and later in Amsterdam, succeeding to the business of his brother L. Grandjon 1847-1852. Subsequently established a successful factory in Mirecourt c.1850. Medals at Paris and London Exhibitions. Specialised in decorated and eccentric models as well as conventional classical designs, but usually of large form. Strong red varnish. Breveté J. Grandjon à Paris J.G. / S.G.D.G. Fabrique de Mirecourt (Vosges) / 103 Boulevard Sébastopol et Rue Réaumur 74
Cecie Stainer+
Son of Grandjon, sen ; also a maker at Mirecourt.
Was awarded medal of the 1st class in 1855 (Paris Exhibition), bronze medal in 1867, and a ” Mention honorable” in 1878,
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Bevor er seine Fabrik in Mirecourt gründete, arbeitete er längere Zeit in
Paris und hielt auch später dort noch eine Niederlage. Er machte verschiedene
Versuche und Erfindungen, so eine Geige, deren Hals abgeschraubt werden
kann etc., und entschied sich zuletzt für ein grosses Modell, das auch in seiner Fabrik hauptsächlich zur Anwendung kommt. Vorzugsweise verwendet er hellrothen Lack.
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