Anglo-neapolitan guitar shaped mandolin

[polarum]

I have recently found this old mandolin and wonder if any members could tell me anything about it. Inside it has a label stating "By His Majesty's Royal Letters Patent No 2272. The Anglo Neapolitan Mandoline Co."

At first I thought it was a ukelele, but it still plays well and has a sort of asjusting strut behind the bridge which I haven't seen before but I am fairly new to mandolins. It also has a rather striking female shaking a tambourine on the back.

I am assuming it is early 20th century because of His Majesty.http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y174/polarum/?action=view&current=mandolin.jpg[/IMG]

[JEStanek]

Added photo

That's beautiful.

From this website (http://www.21citizen.org.uk/collections/patents/history.html) #that patent is from 1902 for a mandolin. I'm guessing, as you it is British made. #This was from a 5 minute google search... have fun looking for more info. #Does anyone know of a UK based Mugwumps site? #FYI - Mugwumps.com (http://www.mugwumps.com/AmerInstMkr.html) lists American made fretted instrument companies.

Jamie

[Martin Jonas]

These are fairly common on ebay.co.uk, usually with a label saying "The Neapolitan College or Music" or "The Viennese College of Music", and always with a painting on the back. Nothing to do with either Naples or Vienna, though, these are indeed British-made. I've never played one, so I can't say how they compare to, say, the Howe-Orme mandolinettos of the same period and similar design. They are certainly very much cheaper than a Howe-Orme -- I see them mostly going for under 100 Pounds. The scratchplate shape and the little string-downholding bar are also present in the very popular de Meglio design of bowlback mandolin, and was probably copied from those.

Martin

[Jim Garber]

I've never played one, so I can't say how they compare to, say, the Howe-Orme mandolinettos of the same period and similar design.
Similar in shape but not really in design. The foremost feature of the H-O mandolinettos was the cylinder top which is not present in this or most any other guitar-shaped mandolin that I know of.

[brunello97]

I've always been charmed by the looks of these. Kind of reminds of the Hawaiian guitarist Atta Isaacs and the big 'Bud Man' sticker on his Martin. So are these hand painted or some time of transfer decal?

I've seen cheaper versions of this style. British made? Any idea on the sources/builders of these in the UK? This one seems a bit more well appointed. Kind of a romantic appeal in an odd kind of way if you ask me. I'd fancy strumming one to my beloved....

Mick

[polarum]

Many thanks to all for the information you have provided (and also for sorting out the image I misposted). It has been very interesting and useful. Tony:)

[Bill Snyder]

I had been watching one of these on ebay this past week. When I saw yours I thought that maybe it was the same one, but the lady on the back is different. It went for just over $100.00.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/bc/74/1f18_1.JPG

What I would really like is a Howe Orme, but I don'think there is room in my current budget for one.