French Violin Laberte Humbert Labelled"M.Couturieux" 1915 , GE-218

Laberte-Humbert Workshop

This violin made by Laberte-Humbert Workshop in Mirecourt circa 1915, labeled M. Couturieux. It is accompanied by a Nicola Brunel certificate of authenticity. The Laberte‑Humbert Frères workshop was one of the most important violin‑making firms in Mirecourt, founded in 1876 by brothers Maurice‑Émile Laberte and Pierre Alexis Auguste Laberte. In its early years, the firm focused on producing well‑crafted factory instruments, some of which carried trade labels such as “J. Didelot.”

At the beginning of the 20th century, the company entered a period of artistic expansion under Marc Laberte, son of Pierre Alexis Auguste. He introduced a distinguished line of higher‑quality instruments crafted by respected makers including Joseph Aubry, Charles Brugere, Camille Poirson, and Georges Apparut, elevating the firm’s reputation for fine workmanship.

In 1919, the noted violin maker Fourier Magnié joined the company, which then operated under the name “Laberte et Magnié” (L.F.M.). By this time, the workshop had grown into a major enterprise employing around 400 workers, making it one of the largest and most influential violin‑making firms in France.

The firm continued to expand its artistic and commercial reach, acquiring the prestigious brand “A La Ville de Cremonne” from Paul Mangenot in 1927, further strengthening its position in the Mirecourt tradition.

Like much of the Mirecourt violin‑making industry, the Laberte‑Humbert firm faced significant decline in the mid‑20th century. Production gradually diminished, and the company ultimately closed in 1969 following the death of Philippe Laberte, marking the end of nearly a century of craftsmanship.

Today, instruments from the Laberte‑Humbert Frères Workshop are valued for their reliable craftsmanship, tonal warmth, and historical significance, representing an important chapter in the legacy of French lutherie.

Year : circa 1915
Provenance: Mirecourt
Certificate: Nicola Brunel 
Ref: GE-218

With Nicola Brunel certificate

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