milazzese
Feb-08-2004, 2:36am
The mandolin listings on ebay frequently include offerings under these trademarks, some of which look like they were quite pricey in their day (MOP and engraving galore). #Were these subsidiaries of larger companies? #Are any of them worth having?
Jim Garber
Feb-08-2004, 11:42am
May Flower mandolins were built by Harry J. Flower c.1910 and Andrew Groehsl pre 1890 in Chicago, Illinois. The company name was later changed to Stromberg-Voisinet in 1921 and which later became Kay. According to Tom Wheeler the mandolins were supervised by C.G. Stronberg who was a vice president.
I believe that Victorias were sold by B&J (Bugeleisen and Jacobson) out of New York. I am not sure if they actually built them, tho. My theory is that many of the New York made bowlbacks were made for other companies by Luigi Ricca's company who, according to Mike Holmes of Mugwumps, had over 200 employees at one time.
Any corrections, additions, Eugene?
Jim
Eugene
Feb-09-2004, 10:33am
I think that's about right. Victoria was a B&J brand and I believe they had some in-house production as well as commissioning their house brand from other shops. The Favilla Bros. shop is cited as producing a goodly chunk of B&J's instruments.