Hello,

I saw in an older thread that someone said if one were to mention a specific violin, then members could try to put a value on it, which is interesting to me. I also have a couple related questions about this, but I will describe the violin first.

I have a violin I'm interested in selling. It is a Collin-Mezin workshop violin, made in 1955. The inside tag says Ch J. B. Collin-Mezin (who, along with his son Charles, were long dead when this instrument was made) / 1955 / Luthier / 30 extra / + C.M. / Grand Prix - Exposition Universelle 1900 / no.19 / Paris / Made in France. Some of this tag is printed and some of it is written. The violin is in very good condition without any cracks or wood defects, but the varnish does need to be touched up in a couple small areas due to wear (not the usual areas of play wear, probably from bad storage in a case at one point). I understand that this type of work can be done with a high degree of success. Teachers in the past have estimated the instrument between US $3300 and $4200 (CAN $4-5 thousand). I've seen this particualr type of Collin-Mezin ranging from around years 1930 to 1954 typically being offered on the internet around US $4600, although some dealers put it in their US $5000 to $10000 range, which seems way too high to me. Any thoughts or specific experience with buying/selling these instruments?

Also, does anybody know typically how long it would take a dealer to sell an instrument like this? Any good seasons of the year for sales? Also, how to check the credentials of someone to do the varnish touch ups and other maintenance work. Is there some kind of specific schooling they should have?

Thanks for your input,

James

Seems like you're aware of the fact that violins with Collin-Mezin labels of various sorts can very hugely in value. Handmade violins by "the daddy" are rather desirable and are now pushing towards £10k for really nice examples. The workshop violins are a different thing altogether. I would expect to see nice early 20th century ones at up to £3k, with newer ones decreasing fairly steadily in value as the century progresses. I would guess yours would retail in the region of £2k in the UK.
Impossible to say how long it would take to sell, particularly in the current financial climate.