Lyon & Healy French Violin circa 1911

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Two young Bostonians, George W. Lyon and Patrick J. Healy, came to Chicago to start a music business. That company is still going today as the only major harp maker in America. The partners opened their door in 1864. Lyon & Healy survived the Great Fire of 1871 only because they had purchased enough insurance to rebuild themselves. While rebuilding, they also acquired the piano business of another firm and became the sole representative in the Chicago territory of Steinway & Sons pianos. This would become an important relationship for the company for many years. They set out to build the finest harps in America. They succeeded and for a 40-year period (1885-1925) they also included violins in their store. Since they were already importing Parisian harps why not just include French violins with the shipment. Lyon & Healy sold instruments all over the world and not just harps.

Our violin is a Maggini style violin, double purfled, and at that time made for a student. The spruce top plate has a fine grain at the center seam. The grain broadens slightly as it gets to the edges. The maple back plate is highly flamed and is stunning. The ribs, neck, and scroll are all the same. Extravagantly gorgeous, flamed maple. We have completed the violin with a new set up in ebony fittings and a Wittner tail piece.

Corpus 361.0 mm., Major Width 210.0 mm., Minor Width 166.0 mm., Rib Height 30.0 mm.

The violin has a classic rich and powerful sound on both the treble and bass side. The instrument doesn’t hold back in its strength and is rich and tonally pleasing. It has nice sustain and speaks clearly, offering the player strength of tone when you need it and brilliance when you demand it. The overall sound is fantastic, and I can see this violin leading a sectional in an orchestra and/or a superb instrument for a player who also loves to play fiddling music. The overtones are rich, and the bottom end has a slight edginess; the violin is that powerful – which I love. This violin is twofold: a player and is visually stunning.