Joseph (Pierre Joseph) Hel

b. Feb. 8, 1842, at Mazirot, near Mirecourt (Vosges). Was apprenticed for seven years in Mirecourt, was then for two years with Sebastien Vuillaume in Paris, and for a year (1864-5) with Nicolas Darche at Aix-la-Chapelle. In 1865 he started his own business at 14, rue Nationale, Lille. He was an excellent workman and made all his instruments himself; the pattern is very beautiful ; the tone is good; he used oil varnish ; all the details are carefully finished. He also showed great skill in repairing old Italian instruments. He had a special method of seasoning the wood he used, removing, without the use of fire or acids, every element that interferes with the tone. In 1886 he invented an ingenious method of fixing the pegs, which enables the strings to be gradually tightened, and prevents their suddenly running down; the shape of the head remains the same. Was awarded: gold medal, Lille, 1882 ; diploma of honour, St. Omer, 1884 ; gold medal, Antwerp, 1885; gold medal, Liverpool, 1886; gold medal, Paris, 1889 ; a member of the jury at the Münich Exhibition, 1893, consequently unable to compete; the same at Chicago, 1893; and at Bordeaux, 1895. Made " Officier de l'Academie" and " Luthier to the Lille Conservatoire." He died 1902.