WICHITA BAND INSTRUMENT COMPANY
A good French violin from the workshop of Caressa and Francais, bearing the original label: “Fini sous la direction de / CARESSA & FRANCAIS / Luthiers du Conservatoire / 12 Rue de Madrid a Paris / 1952”.  
Hand selected by me in France in the early 1990's, sold to an enthusiastic amateur musician in 1997, now back in our collection.
Two piece back of narrow figure, top of spruce of very narrow grain.
The varnish is of quality, golden orange  color.   Back length is 358 mm. Weight, without chin-rest, is 418  grams.  
Condition is pristine. No cracks, no damage, the top has never been removed for repairs.
EDR
*** In January of 2021, our small workshop in Wichita celebrated sixty-eight years in business. We are not in the 1952 Wichita telephone directory, but we ARE in the 1953.
Today we have ten employees including five of the finest repair technicians in the country. We’re happy to report, a sterling reputation for top-quality restoration and ethical transactions. We are not amateurs, nor are we a “back bedroom” operation. We would be pleased to furnish you with references attesting to the above.
COME VISIT US! Shopping for a good professional-quality violin? We always have a selection of better instruments from the best European workshops. We're particularly fond of "old French" from the early 20th. century. Strong voices, brilliant tonal qualities perfectly suited to orchestral and solo playing.