Charles (II) Simonin

History

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, according to Cecie Stainer, 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, as noted by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer.

Craft

• Models: Charles (II) SIMONIN worked after the Guarnerius model, as stated by Henri Poidras, John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, 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, according to Henri Poidras and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• 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.

Influence

• 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.

Legacy

• Awards: He received an 'Honourable mention' at the Paris Exhibition in 1855 and obtained various awards at other exhibitions, as noted by John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, 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.

Summary

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.