Nicolas Vuillaume Meircourt France 1870

A gorgeous instrument attributed to Nicolas Vuillaume fecit á Mirecourt anno 1870 appears to be a Stradivarius model
The label reads:
Nicolas Vuillaume
fecit á Mirecourt anno 1870
with an NV circle with a cross atop like most Catholic violin makers since the early days dating back to Amati, Strad and Guarneri families.
Nevertheless he produced instruments at this period form high quality student to professional we believe this to be one of his better work with some work to be done on the top.
The Back is in immaculate shape with a single back of one piece slab of finely grained maple diagonally figured; the sides neck and delicately carved scroll are of similar timbers, meaning it was of the finer stock of the shop's instruments, facing with light antiquing both done in style and through ware over the years. The top needs work. and once finished will setting up with a new bridge and cracks repaired it will be back to it's former glory or can be bought as a luthier project.
Being date 1870 this means it was one of his last instruments as he died in 1871.

Instruments bearing the label "Nicolas Vuillaume fecit in Mirecourt 1870" are 19th-century French trade instruments. They originate from the workshop of Nicolas Vuillaume, a prominent luthier who produced high-quality "Stentor" student-grade instruments.
Historical Background
Nicolas Vuillaume (1800–1871) was the brother of the famous Parisian violin maker Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. After working for his brother in Paris, Nicolas returned to Mirecourt to manufacture companion instruments. The workshop produced instruments, like the Stentor line, in the white and frequently shipped them to Paris, where Jean-Baptiste would finish, varnish, and sell them. Because these instruments often retained a label honoring Nicolas in Mirecourt, an 1870 date aligns with the late stages of the brothers' working relationship
The auction record for Nicolas Vuillaume is  $98,682 in Oct 2012, for a cello.