Early 1900's French Parlor Guitar - Mirecourt René Gérome Salon, Gypsy Parlor - Romantic Nylon String

Vintage French Léon Agel Paris Parlor / Salon Guitar – Attributed René Gérôme / Mirecourt Style

Available for sale is this beautiful vintage French parlor / salon guitar bearing an original Léon Agel – Paris interior label, marked Porte St-Martin, Paris. Léon Agel was a Paris music house / retailer known to have sold French-made instruments under his shop label, including instruments associated with the Mirecourt guitar-making tradition.

This guitar appears consistent with the type of French parlor and salon guitars produced in the early 20th century by Mirecourt-area makers. In my opinion, the construction and styling strongly resemble work by René Gérôme / Gérome, a known French maker whose instruments are sometimes found with Léon Agel labels.

The guitar has a beautiful old-world French look, with a compact parlor body, elegant proportions, and the warm, dry, intimate voice these old salon guitars are known for. It would be a great piece for a collector of French, Mirecourt, gypsy-jazz-adjacent, or early European parlor guitars. The guitar is adorned with absolutely beautiful inlay work, including the rosette, purfling, exquisite floral inlay pick guard.

Condition is vintage/used with normal age-related wear, marks, and signs of use. Please review all photos carefully. Overall the guitar is structurally sound, the neck angle is good producing a medium playable action. The guitar produces a warm lively response, and a beautiful vintage sound. Currently strung with nylon classical strings.

A very cool and uncommon French parlor guitar with a desirable Léon Agel Paris label and a strong connection to the René Gérôme / Mirecourt tradition.