Hi William,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Violin (and viola/cello etc) labels are notoriously unreliable (see this link for a good explanation: https://stringsmagazine.com/an-insiders-guide-to-violin-labels/) but I've appraised your violin on the assumption that it is authentic as it's virtually impossible to authenticate from a photo.
The word "Germany" is puzzling - perhaps it's where it was sold initially...?
According to the biographical information provided by Tarisio (https://tarisio.com/cozio-archive/browse-the-archive/makers/maker/?Maker_ID=809), JB Vuillaume worked in Paris and he trained some of the finest 19th Century violin and bow makers. In addition to being a dealer, connoisseur and inventory, JBV was a noted luthier whose reputation as a copyist of such noted makers Stadivari and Guarneri. He is believed to have made more than 3,000 instruments, which come to market occasionally and bring prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to $542,369; in nearly every case, original condition and provenance play a significant role so to have some replaced parts as well as the original ones does negatively impact it's value, as does its refinishing. If the second-hand store you acquired it from had any additional information on where it was acquired, that would be helpful to know and note as it could improve the value of this piece.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin
mid 19th Century
With old octagonal bow, modern bow and old case. Interior bears a label that reads "The violin is a full size 23.5 and 14" the label says Vuillaume a Paris / Rue Croix des petit camps 46 / Germany"
Full size (23-1/2 inches long overall; 14 inches body length)
CONDITION: Refinished. With later mechanical tuners (original wooden pegs retained), tailpiece (original tailpiece retained) and bridge (original bridge retained).
PROVENANCE: Acquired from a second-hand store.
$ 1,500-2,500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia