Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin (1841-1923) was a distinguished French maker of violins, violas, cellos, basses and bows. He was an Officier de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts and won gold and silver medals at the Paris Exhibitions in 1878, 1889, and 1900.

He was the son of luthier C. L. Collin, and father of Charles Collin-Mezin, Jr., also a luthier.

The Henley Atlas of Violin Makers gives him a long and glowing report.

Collin-Mezin’s career

Born in Mirecourt , Collin-Mezin apprenticed with his father. In 1868 he moved to Paris where he established himself as one of the premier French luthiers of his day. His instruments were considered superior over other new violins.

Collin-Mezin was friends with influential people who helped popularize his instruments. He was also connected to musical luminaries of his day, whose opinions he sought out.

A number of famous violinists played on his instruments, and praised their quality and playability, including Joseph Joachim, Sivori, Léonard, Marie Tayau, and Jules Armingaud, who considered a Collin-Mezin equal to a Stradivarius for flexibility of sound. The famous cellists Franchomme and Jacquard played on Collin-Mezins.

Characteristics of his instruments and craftsmanship

Like the best French luthiers, his designs followed in the tradition of the famous Italian schools Stradivarius, Guarnerius, and Amati, although he developed his own unique varnish.

• his violins are very finely crafted in every detail
• varnish tends to be thick and dull, ranging in colour from yellow to brownish yellow
• they typically have a black outline along the edges of the body and scroll
• no artificial process of heating or chemically treated wood
• constructed of old wood that was grown naturally
• the bass barring (as well as other aspects) adjusted according to the age and type of wood he used
• his best work is approximately from 1875-1910
• also produced excellent pernambuco bows
• violas and cellos are larger version of his violins
• are often superb 'value for the money,' especially cellos and basses

Tone

His instruments are also characterized by a powerful and unusually brilliant tone, but also posses a harshness. Musical historian William Henley, in his Universal Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers (1959), suggests that this harshness could be eliminated with "many years of strenuous playing," which would then certainly enable the instrument to be played by an active soloist.

Henley records “Benjamin Godard's Concerto Romantique was first performed at a Pasedeloup Concert, Paris, 1876, by Marie Tayau on a Collin-Mezin violin with (what was then an innovation) E and A steel strings suggested by the maker, which rather points to the fact that he is attempting to get brilliance and clearness at the expense of purity." However, there are a number of violinists today who in fact prefer steel strings and would therefore disagree with Henley's conclusion.

How to recognize an authentic Collin-Mezin

• Remember, all authentic Collin-Mezins have a hand written signature in addition to a label (according to Henley). All other violins without his hand written signature are either workshop violins or forgeries.
• Violins with later dates have a Grand Prix label in addition to the hand written signature.
• On the side of his original sound posts there is a stamp of "Collin-Mézin," a copyright facsimile of his signature.
• His labels are not to be confused with the violins of his son and collaborator Charles Collin-Mezin, Jr., whose instruments are also of high quality but priced more moderately. The labels of Collin-Mezin, Jr's instruments still contain labels with his father’s name, and indicate that they are “par Ch J. B. Collin-Mézin.” These mention "Paris" (even though many were made in Mirecourt after 1924), and also mention "Grand Prix Exposition."

His labels

From 1868-1876

Longeur: 9 cent. Lauteur: 2 cent

Ch J. B. Collin-Mézin fils

Luthier. Paris l'an 1870

From 1876 onwards

Longeur: 9 cent. Hauteur 3 1/2

Ch. J. B. Collin-Mézin

Luthier á Paris

Reu du Faubg: Poissonniére No. 29

His later violins

Ch. J. B. Collin-Mézin

Luthier C. M

Grand Prix-Exposition Universelle, 1900

Paris, 1921