Elophe Poirson
Landaville, Lyon, Paris, 1840–1918
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.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
27 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's label n. 225 and signature to the back, fair condition Lot 255 | Laurent | December 2024 | £6,731est. € 6.000-8.000 |
| Silver mounted, later frog and button Lot 2250 | — | November 2021 | £609est. € 750 | |
| Bearing the maker's original label and brand, excellent condition Lot 293 | — | November 2021 | £7,415est. CHF 5,000-6,000 | |
| Labelled Lyon 1907, no 253, Elophe Poirsons, branded twice to the lower rib Elophe Poirsons Lot 141 | — | June 2021 | £7,200est. £ 6,000-9,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label n. 218, good condition Lot 157 | — | June 2021 | £5,451est. € 5.000-6.000 | |
| Labelled Lyon 1902, no 198, Elophe Poirson, inscribed to the inside back Lyon, 4 juin 1902, E. Poirson Lot 152 | — | June 2017 | £9,440est. £ 6,000-9,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, good condition Lot 216 | — | December 2015 | £6,389est. € 4.500-5.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label, good condition Lot 264 | — | December 2015 | £5,537est. € 6.000-8.000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label and brand to the lower rib, minor table restoration Lot 372 | — | December 2014 | £6,121est. € 4.000-5.000 | |
| Labelled Elophe Poirson, Lyon 1895, No. 130 Lot 230 | — | May 2014 | £5,308est. $ 10,000-15,000 | |
| Bearing the maker's label and signature, some table cracks Lot 421 | — | December 2012 | £2,439est. € 3.000-4.000 | |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lyon, 1900 n°185 | — | December 2010 | £1,553 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm Lyon, 1907 | — | June 2010 | £7,767 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1909 c. Attributed to | — | May 2009 | £3,106 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1896 | — | March 2007 | £4,313 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Paris, 1889 | — | October 2006 | £2,146 |
| Violin | Lyon, 1886 #32 | — | November 2005 | £2,526 |
| Violin | Lyon, 1895 #138 | — | November 2005 | £2,526 |
| Violin | Lyon, 1899 #186 | — | November 2005 | £1,895 |
| Violin | Lyon, 1905 | — | June 2005 | £2,374 |
| Violin | Lyon, 1897 | — | May 2005 | £4,274 |
| Violin | France, 1890 c. Attributed to | — | April 2004 | £1,885 |
| Violin | 1896 | — | March 2003 | £3,600 |
| Violin | 1897 | — | November 2001 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1890 c. | — | December 1998 | £4,955 |
| Violin | 1890 | — | May 1998 | £9,525 |
| Violin | 1883 | — | November 1982 | £1,320 |
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Maker Overview
Life
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.
Characteristics
- 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'.
- Lyon, 1900
No. 185 Elophe PoirsonJohn Dilworth
Influence and 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.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
POIRSON, Elophe Born 1840 Landaville, died 1918 Lyons France. Telegraph officer and part-time maker. Completed around 300 instruments (violins, violas and cellos) between 1876 and 1918. Good quality work. Own varnish. Bronze medal Paris 1889. Some instruments branded beneath back button: ‘Poirson’. Manuscript label: Lyon, 1900 / No. 185 Elophe Poirson
Cecie Stainer+
Worked in Paris. At first took up violin making as an amateur but in 1878, having received a very flattering verdict from Marsick on one of his violins, he decided to give his whole time to it.
In 1889 he exhibited some of his instruments and was awarded a bronze medal, a violin being specially remarked as of very good quality and of beautifully finished workmanship.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Ein Liebhaber, der es ohne eigentlichen Lehrer zu bemerkenswerther Geschicklichkeit
im Geigenmachen gebracht hat, so dass von ihm gemachte Instrumente
z. B. in englischen Händlerverzeichnissen mit 300 M. angesetzt
werden. Er hat bereits an 200 Geigen, auch Bratschen und Violoncelli gemacht
und sich viel mit der Frage des Geigenlacks beschäftigt. Er stellt seit 1898 einen
ätherischen Lack her, der in der hat manche Ähnlichkeit mit dem Cremoneser
hat. Er verspricht, jedes neue Instrument, das er neu lackirt (nachdem er es vorher
abgewaschen), im Ton wesentlich zu verbessern(?) Er hat bereits mehrere Medaillen, und hat 1900 eine solche abgelehnt, da er nicht Berufsgeigenmacher, sondern Chef des Central-Telephon- Bureaus in Lyon ist.
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