Charles (II) Simonin
Mirecourt, Toulouse, c.1815–1880
Charles (II) SIMONIN (1815-c.1880) was a French luthier born in Mirecourt. He trained under J. B. Vuillaume in Paris before establishing his own workshop in Geneva in 1841 and later relocating to Toulouse in 1849. Known for instruments made on the Guarnerius model, often with reddish varnish, he received an 'Honourable mention' at the 1855 Paris Exhibition and other awards.
Auction Price History
Highest auction price
21 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand internally and to the button, one-piece back, back and head worm Lot 58 | De Baecque | January 2024 | £686est. € 300-350 |
| Violin | Labelled CH SIMONIN. Luthier à Toulouse ..., signed, one-piece back, varnish of a golden brown colour Lot 14 | Apollium | November 2022 | £1,762est. € 1.500-2.000 |
| Violin | Violin, 1840 c. Lot 176 | Arteal | July 2022 | £2,584est. CHF 2,500-2,800 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand, signed Fétique à Paris Lot 362 | Vichy | November 2019 | £2,051est. € 2.000-3.000 |
| Viola | Viola, 1854 c. Lot 31 | Skinners | November 2017 | £1,113est. $ 800-1,200 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's signatures to the table and back, labelled Simonin Lot 370 | Vichy | June 2016 | £7,071est. € 5.000-6.000 |
| Viola | One-piece back of faint medium curl, varnish of a light reddish colour on a golden ground Lot 1441 | Gardiner Houlgate | December 2015 | £1,980est. £ 1,600-2,000 |
| Violin | Labelled Charles Simonin, a Paris Lot 327 | Brompton’s | June 2015 | £420est. £ 800-1,200 |
| Violin | Bearing the maker's brand Lot 520 | Vichy | June 2013 | £1,230est. € 1.000 |
| Violin | Branded internally Lot 1002 | Vichy | December 2012 | £1,948est. € 1.000 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm 1840 c. | — | January 2010 | £570 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Toulouse, 1850 c. | — | January 2008 | £505 |
| Violin | 35.7 cm late 19th C. Attributed to | — | January 2008 | £2,095 |
| Violin | Toulouse, 1853 | — | January 2005 | £798 |
| Violin | 1840 | — | January 2003 | £1,650 |
| Violin | 1840 | — | January 2001 | £1,495 |
| Violin | 1850 | — | January 2000 | £1,326 |
| Violin | 1840 c. | — | January 1999 | £1,700 |
| Violin | 1840 c. | — | January 1995 | £4,600 |
| Violin | 1846 | — | January 1987 | £935 |
| Violin | 18-- | — | January 1985 | £756 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Charles (II) SIMONIN (1815-c.1880) was born in Mirecourt, France, in 1815. He served as an apprentice and assistant to J. B. Vuillaume in Paris, becoming, one of his most able workmen. After his marriage, he briefly returned to work in Mirecourt. In 1841, he established his independent business in Geneva, where he remained for eight years. In September 1849, he relocated to Toulouse, France, where he continued his work. Charles (II) SIMONIN received an 'Honourable mention' at the Paris Exhibition in 1855, where he presented various instruments, including a copy of Giuseppe Guarneri noted for its remarkable tone, as detailed by Cecie Stainer. He subsequently obtained various awards at other exhibitions.
Characteristics
- Models
- Charles (II) SIMONIN worked after the Guarnerius model, and Cecie Stainer. John Dilworth also notes that he produced some double-purfled models in the style of Vuillaume.
- Varnish
- The varnish he used was typically of a reddish color.
- Workmanship & Materials
- Henri Poidras describes his workmanship as good, though the woods were not always well selected. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff similarly states that the wood was good, even if not always particularly beautiful.
- Branding & Labels
- Instruments by Charles (II) SIMONIN were branded 'S.C.' and featured printed labels. Examples include 'Charles Simonin / à Mirecourt', 'Réparé par Ch. Simonin / Luthier à Toulouse / élève de M. Veuillaume (sic) de Paris', and 'Ch Simonin, luthier à Toulouse 1877', as documented by John Dilworth.
- Charles Simonin
à Mirecourt Réparé par Ch. Simonin
Luthier à Toulouse
élève de M. Veuillaume (sic) de Paris Ch Simonin, luthier à Toulouse 1877John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Charles (II) SIMONIN was a pupil of J.-B. Vuillaume, as confirmed by Henri Poidras, George Hart, John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and Cecie Stainer. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff further describes him as one of Vuillaume's most skilled assistants.
- Awards: He received an 'Honourable mention' at the Paris Exhibition in 1855 and obtained various awards at other exhibitions, and Cecie Stainer.
Further Information
- Locations: Born in Mirecourt, he worked in Paris under Vuillaume, briefly returned to Mirecourt, established himself in Geneva in 1841, and moved to Toulouse in September 1849.
- Labels: His printed labels included 'Charles Simonin / à Mirecourt', 'Réparé par Ch. Simonin / Luthier à Toulouse / élève de M. Veuillaume (sic) de Paris', and 'Ch Simonin, luthier à Toulouse 1877', according to John Dilworth.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
SIMONIN, Charles (II) Born 1815 Mirecourt, d.c.1880 Toulouse France. Apprentice and assistant of J. B. Vuillaume in Paris. Established independently in Geneva 1841. Moved to Toulouse 1849. Honourable mention in the Paris Exposition 1855. Guarneri model. Some double-purfled models also, in the style of Vuillaume. Branded: ‘S.C.’. Printed labels: Charles Simonin / à Mirecourt Réparé par Ch. Simonin / Luthier à Toulouse / élève de M. Veuillaume (sic) de Paris Ch Simonin, luthier à Toulouse 1877
Cecie Stainer+
b. at Mirecourt. Was apprenticed to J. B Vuillaume at Paris, and became one of his most able workmen. He then married and returned for a short time to Mirecourt. In 1841 he settled in Geneva, remaining there for eight years; he left, Sept., 1849, to establish himself in Toulouse. He sent various instruments to the Paris Exhibition in 1855, amongst others a copy of Giuseppe Guarneri of remarkable tone; he obtained a ” Mention honorable.” Since then he has obtained various awards at other exhibitions.
George Hart+
Pupil of J. B. Vuillaume.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von J. B. Vuillaume und später einer von dessen geschicktesten Gehilfen. Nachdem er sich verheirathet hatte, arbeitete er eine Zeit lang für sich in Mirecourt, begründete 1841 sein Geschäft in Genf und siedelte 1849 im September nach Toulouse über. Er gehört zu den besseren Mirecourtern arbeitete u. A. nach Gius. Guarneri und wurde auf allen von ihm beschickten Ausstellungen ausgezeichnet. Der Lack ist gewöhnlich von röthlicher Farbe, das Holz gut, wenn auch nicht immer besonders schön.
Henri Poidras+
Geneva 1840. Pupil of J.-B. Vuillaume. In later years he established himself at Toulouse. Guarnerius model. Red varnish. Good workmanship, but the woods are not always well selected.
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