Nicolas Eugene SIMOUTRE

Type	Details	Sold	Price
Violin	35.6 cm Paris, 1891 sold by "Simoutre"	Tue 1st June 2010	£1,968
Violin	36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1890	Tue 1st December 2009	£326
Violin	35.7 cm Basle, 1863	Sun 1st October 2006	£2,458
Violin	35.5 cm [Ascribed to and possibly by]	Mon 1st May 2006	£5,825
Violin	Paris, 1888	Tue 1st November 2005	£1,500
Violin	1891	Wed 1st October 2003	£3,053
Violin	1841	Tue 1st October 2002	£3,265
Violin	1891	Sat 1st November 1997	£2,185
Violin Bow	S/E 61 g. branded "N.E. Simoutre"	Wed 1st April 1992	£825
Violin	1870 c.	Fri 1st June 1990	£2,530
Violin	1860 c.	Wed 1st March 1989	£2,640
Violin	1833	Wed 1st April 1987	£3,300

John Dilworth

SIMOUTRE, Nicolas Eugène Born 1834 Mirecourt, died 1908 Paris France. Son and pupil of Nicholas Simoutre, above. Worked for Darche in Paris 1852 and for Roth and Schwartz in Strasbourg 1856-1860. Established independently in place du Dôme, Strasbourg, moving to Basle 1860. Also maintained a shop in Mulhouse, but moved his business to Paris c.1890, at 38 rue de l’Echiquier, later 21 Faubourg Poissonière. Awarded diploma of honour at the Basle Exhibition 1877 and Zurich 1883. Prolific and inventive maker of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Good accurate work on classical Italian models; predominantly Stradivari patterns with shaded red varnish coloured, in his own words, using ‘sulphuric ether… gamboge, dragon’s blood, orleans, and sandalwood’. Made his own ‘improvements’ to the soundpost and bass bar. This and other matters discussed in his comprehensive series of violin making manuals: Aux Amateurs du Violon (Basle 1883); Second Progrès en Lutherie: Support Harmonique (Basle, 1887); Supplément aux Amateurs du Violon et au Progrès en Lutherie (Basle, 1889); and Un Progrès en Lutherie – Support Harmonique (Basle, 1889). Printed labels: N. E. Simoutre, inventeur bréveté / des Supports harmoniques et de la Barre semi-adhérente / 38 rue de l’Echiquier à Paris – année 1892

Cecie Stainer

Son of Nicolas Simoutre ; b. April 19, 1834, at Mirecourt. Was first a pupil of his father, then of Darche, in 1852, at Paris; then of Ch. Roth, in 1856, at Strassburg. He worked in Strassburg for four years, and in 1860 founded workshops both at Mulhausen and at Basle; since 1890 he has returned to Paris. He made various suggestions for improving the tone of violins , in 1883 he published on this subject, ” Aux amateurs du violon historique, construction, reparation et conservation de cet instrument’ , this was followed, in 1886, by ” Un progres en lutherie ‘; and in 1889 by a ” Supplement aux amateurs du violon et au progres en lutherie.” He was awarded a ” diplome d’honneur” at the Basle Exhibition in 1877, and again at Zurich, 1883 ; but at the Paris Exhibition, 1889, only a bronze medal was awarded, which he refused to accept.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

Sohn und Schüler von Nicolas S. Nachdem er 1852 bei Darche in Paris, 1856 bei Roth in Strassburg gearbeitet hatte, zog er 1859 nach Basel, wo er unter der Protection von His-Burkhardt seine eigene Werkstatt eröffnete und bald in weiten Kreisen als tüchtiger Meister geschätzt wurde. Im Jahre 1890 siedelte er nach Paris über und wohnte erst in der Rue de l’Echiquier No. 38. Er machte allerlei Erfindungen, die er auch in kleinen Brochuren beschrieb. Die hauptsächlichste davon besteht übrigens nur in dem Ausfüttern zu schwach gemachter Geigen; als Neuerung konnte man lediglich den Umstand bezeichnen, dass er zur Bodenfütterung Fichtenholz verwendet und die Unterlaghölzer nicht nach den Jahren einsetzt, sondern sich kreuzen lässt. Er nennt dies »harmonisches Unterlagholz«. Er ist ein gebildeter u. denkender Künstler, der mehrfach literarisch aufgetreten ist und u. A. zu Ritter’s Erfindung der Viola alta (in Le Monde musical) Stellung nahm. Jetzt ist sein Sohn und Schüler Theilhaber seines Geschäfts.

Henri Poidras

Son and pupil of Nicolas Simoutre, but his work has less value. Was established at Bale from 1860 to 1890, then came to Paris where he established himself at 38, rue de 1’Echiquier.

Auction price history

£5,825

Biographies

John Dilworth

Cecie Stainer

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff

Henri Poidras

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