him in his workshop in 1875. Vuillaume died at the height of his career, widely regarded as the pre-eminent luthier of his day. World record price London, 30 October 2012 – Sotheby's: GBP 145,250 (US$231,160) – "Saint Paul" J. B. Vuillaume violin copy of the "Messiah" Stradivarius, Paris, circa 1870 London, 28 March 2013 – Bromptons: GBP 162,000 (US$251,619) – J. B. Vuillaume, Paris, circa 1860, after Stradivarius London, 30 October 2013 – Tarisio Auctions, London: GBP 163,200 (US$262,275) – J. B. Vuillaume violin, Paris London, 22 October 2019 – Tarisio Auctions: GBP 350,000 (US$452,380, Eur 406,291) – J. B. Vuillaume cello copy of the "Duport" Stradivarius, Paris, 1845 London, 8 June 2021 – Ingles & Hayday: £384,000 (US$533,597) – "Tsar Nicholas"; ex-Stern violin by J.B. Vuillaume, Paris, circa 1840-41 Specimen labels J.B. Vuillaume No. 4, Chez N.A. Lété rue Pavée-Saint-Sauveur no. 20 á Paris 1823 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume á Paris, rue Croix des Petits Champs Jean Baptiste Vuillaume á Paris, 3 rue Demours-Ternes The signature is usually followed by a doubly encircled JBV (J&B are joined). Early on, it was doubly encircled JBV. The labels at "Rue Croix Petits Champs" began using the doubly encircled JBV (J&B joined), which remained the same on "3. rue Demours-Ternes" labels. In addition, most specimens have a number associated with them. Awards and medals In 1827, Silver medal at the French Industrial Exposition of 1827 In 1834, Silver medal at the French Industrial Exposition of 1834 In 1844, Gold medal at the French Industrial Exposition of 1844 In 1849, Gold medal at the French Industrial Exposition of 1849 In 1851, Council medal at the Great Exhibition in London for "new modes of making violins, in such a manner that they are matured and perfected immediately on the completion of the manufacture, thus avoiding the necessity of keeping them for considerable periods to develop their excellencies" In 1855, Gold medal at the Paris International Exhibition The Vuillaume family Jean Vuillaume – ancestor of Jean-Baptiste. His historicity is disputed as a fabrication of Jean-Baptiste who may have been trying to create a mythology of family descendants going far back to Italy. Claude Vuillaume – oldest family member, a lute maker Claude François Vuillaume I (1730–1770) Charles François Vuillaume (1755–1779 – particularly known for his workmanship and the mellow and responsive tone of his instruments Claude François Vuillaume II (1772–1834) – father of the Jean-Baptiste Charles-Francois