Old Luigi Ricca bowlback oval hole mandolin

[Matthew Carver]

A friend at work who knows I play mandolin asked me about his old Luigi Ricca bowlback.

It was his great grandfathers. He has a pdf file of a catalog for the Ricca mandolins. Any clue to what year this was made? I havent held this mandolin in my hands yet so I dont know the playability of it. It has birds eye maple and what looks to me like brazilian rosewood back.

Any aditional info would be greatly appreciated.

[Matthew Carver]

A couple more that should open up from a thumbnail.

[Jim Garber]

Matthew: That is my Ricca catalog you downloaded. I believe that the catalog was published in the 1890s. What else od you need to know? I believe that the tailpiece on your friend's is not original. Most Ricca tailpieces were of a different design and usually had and "LR" monogram engraved on them.

I would love to see some closeups of the bridge. My Ricca mandolins are mostly missing theirs.

[Matthew Carver]

Thanks for the reply Jim. I will ask him to get close ups of the bridge for you. I will also let him know about the tailpiece. I will be looking at this mandolin next week to see what condition it is in.

Where did you find that catalog? Wow, I told him if there is any other info out there someone on the madolin cafe would have it.
I dont think it would be a wall hanger.