Charles Jean Baptiste Collin-Mezin I was born in Mirecourt in 1841 and moved to Paris in 1867. At the Paris International Exhibition of 1878 & 1889 he received the silver medal, and gold in 1900, for which his son, Collin-Mezin II (1870-1934) was named collaborator. The family firm relocated to Mirecourt after CM Pere’s death in 1923, and continued to flourish into the third generation, led by Collin-Mezin III, Charley, and Jean Larcher. Whereas CM II eventually developed his own style, perhaps best characterized by the ‘Le Victorieux’ model, Charley (b. 1910) was responsible for the ‘Exceptionnel’ series.

This World War II era “Exceptionnel” violin from the Collin Mezin firm in 1943 is hand signed by Charley on the label. Like the Victorieux model, it features a lustrous red finish atop a golden ground, with an extra turn to the volutes and a double purfling, a broadly arched model inspired by Guarneri. The ‘Exceptionnel’ model is also flatter across the table, with a larger bassbar which imbues it with a thick, colorful voice - quick in response with ample bite and projection. At 82 years of age, it presents in pristine condition, with little wear to speak of and even an uncommon elegance amongst the notably consistent quality of CMIII’s production, down to the exceptional selection of maple for its one-piece back.