The Mirecourt Mandolins (France)

Though quality of these french mandolins wasn't bad at all

it should be said that some bigger trade firms as e.g. Laberte

had italian style bowlback mandolins made in Mirecourt.

Though most of them bear italian sounding labels these

instruments were produced at the beginning of the 20th

century because demand was big in this golden era for

the mandolin. It isn't even impossible that parts used on

these mandolins were directly ordered from Italian

companies. See for some interesting catalogue information on

http://www.luthiers-mirecourt.com/

The back of this Mirecourt mandolin that had the brandname Ozelli.

13 ribs that were alternate maple or rosewood. The documentation

on the site luthiers-mirecourt show some more elaborate models.

This is a plain one but still with a nice sound and restored to

it's original condition though I've added an ebony fingerboard.

Brands that were used by the several Mirecourt based companies

were: Bocari, Carmencita, Collin-Mezin, Genre Dorigo, Giacomelli,

Phébé, Santorino, Stridello and Fratelli Umberto among others.