A photo of the label:
Signed and dated inside on the upper bout of the top plate and with the Blanchard monogram below the tailpiece.
Supplied with a certificate of authenticity from
Jean Jacques Rampal
Expert Près La Cour d'Appel de Paris.
Paul Blanchard violin made in 1887 and numbered 150. A superb violin in the Guarnerius model, from an a top class French maker! The condition is excellent, this is a lovely graceful instrument made more than 135 years ago! Just some very minor marks to the varnish, finished in a rich orange/red oil varnish over a golden ground coat. Paul Blanchard was born in Mirecourt in 1851 and studied under Auguste Darte who taught him the Vuillaume principles, he also worked with Silvestre in Lyon. This is one of his earlier examples which was his best work. The back is two piece, length: 14 inches (356 mm) with a wide flame to the maple, the front is very straight grained spruce, setup with ebony fittings, a new set of Larsen Virtuoso strings and supplied in a new lightweight oblong case. A lovely instrument to play, it has a beautiful rich, smooth haunting tone!
Please click here for an additional sound clip of Bach Sonata No.1 played on this violin.
