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Birth : 1851 in Mirecourt (Vosges) Death : 1931 in Mirecourt (Vosges)

Biography

  Charles Victor DROUIN was born in MIRECOURT on October 3,1851. He was the son of Georges Etienne DROUIN, a luthier, whom Rene Vannes relates as working in MIRECOURT during the first half of the 19th century and was “very much appreciated by his colleagues.” (1)

  Charles completed his apprenticeship under his father. In 1872, he succeeded BAUR-BOURDOT, about whom we know nothing, except that several members of the BOURDOT family were luthiers in MIRECOURT during the 18th century.(2)

  On February 14, 1891, Charles DROUIN registered two trademarks, one under his own name and the other under the name “T. BAUR.” It is interesting to note that he is listed for this registration as a “Maker and dealer in musical instruments.”(3)
These are the only trademarks registered in his name,and we believe, as stated by Roland TERRIER, that he was not the owner of the CHIPOT-VUILLAUME trademark, contrary to what is stated in the dictionary of Rene Vannes and some biographical notices.(4)

  It is interesting to note that Charles DROUIN used a third trade name for his productions, 'Gabriel MAGNIÈRE,' which was the name of his wife, with the first name masculinized. We wonder why this name was not registered on the same day as the two previous ones."

  The trademarks 'Charles DROUIN' and 'T BAUR' will be taken over and registered by FOURIER MAGNIÉ on July 31, 1900. On the same day, the trademark 'Gabriel MAGNIÈRE' will also be registered, a name and surname that are the masculinized version of the name of Charles DROUIN's wife.

Beyond 1900, and until his death in 1931, we have no information about the activities of Charles DROUIN."

Works
  Few examples of the works of Charles DROUIN, exist that we can confirm as authentic. The majority of the instruments attributed to him are most often dated after 1900. One of the rare significant references to his work is a violin dated 1893, and presented on the website of Guillaume KESSLER. (5) 

  His model, details of his craftsmanship, and the choice of wood are all elements that further highlight the similarity between Charles DROUIN’s work and that of Jean- Baptiste COLLIN-MEZIN
 
  To date, we have not found any information that could confirm a collaboration in any form.

Labels and Stamps
  In addition to the two trademarks registered in 1891, some instruments bear the label 'Gabriel MAGNIÈRE,' the masculinized first name and surname of Charles DROUIN’s wife. (See Iconography)"

Sources
1) (Vannes R 1981)
(2) (Jacquot A. 1985 reprint de l’édition 1912)
(3) Malou Haine. Marques d'instruments de musique (1860-1919)
(4) Roland TERRIER "Les marques de fabrique" Conférence Colmar juin 1992.
(5) https://www.guillaume-kessler.fr/?s=drouin+charles

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