Antique Photo of a Mandolin of the Day

**Galimando** · Jul-29-2011, 2:17pm

Thanks Jim! Yeah, that guy's definitely got an F. And a fine little mustache. Here's a detail:

I have no idea who they are. It says "Gibson 1902" on the back, but it looks like that was recently added. There are no truss rods, so I'd say it's probably teens as well. I'd say the guitarist seems to be playing an L-3 (based on the headstock design), if that tells anyone anything.

**Jim Garber** · Jul-29-2011, 2:54pm

As you know those instruments are much later than 1902. Thanks fro the detail.

**Backlineman** · Aug-04-2011, 2:47pm

Originally Posted by Galimando

Here's a photo of a mandolin orchestra (Gibson?) that I forgot I had but just came across and scanned for you all to see

This is the "Polish Plectoral Symphony Orchestra" Camden New Jersey. It's an "Everyone A Gibson-ite" marketing campaign photo published in the Gibson Catalog "L" maybe 1920 or early 1921? I have been scanning a lot of these Gibson Catalog photos and posting them on a Blog: iversmandolinorchestra.blogspot.com if you care to see more.

**Galimando** · Aug-05-2011, 9:56am

Wow, Backline, that's amazing! How can you tell its them? Does the catalog say anything else about the group?

**Backlineman** · Aug-05-2011, 3:51pm

Well, I'll look around for more info, but the caption under this picture in the Gibson Catalog "L" Published in 1920 says: "EVERYONE A GIBSON-ITE, Polish Plectoral Symphony Orchestra Camden New Jersey." There are hundreds of these staged or posed mandolin orchestra photos used in Gibson Catalogs from the teens through the early twenties 20's. As you may well know, during this era "Teacher-Agents" were encouraged to start mandolin orchestras and clubs as a way of moving product. Photos of and testimonials by these groups and their leaders fill the pages of these early Gibson catalogs. My Great Grandfather was a Gibson teacher-Agent, Mandolin Orchestra leader, and was a booking agent for "Gibson-ite" orchestras. One of his Orchestra's was pictured in the 1921 Gibson catalog "M". ( http://iversmandolinorchestra.blogspot.com ) I'm always on the look out for any information about Gibson during this era (especially teens and early twenties) in the form of photo's or correspondence. Do you have the original of this photo? and if so how did you did you come across it?

**Jim Garber** · Sep-06-2011, 10:13pm

Here's one I recently acquired. There are names indicated and New York City photographer but that is all I know. Not a Gibson to be found here tho. Some interesting bowlbacks and guitars, tho. I esp like the dark top one on the left and the Howe-Orme mandolinetto.

**Schlegel** · Sep-07-2011, 7:15am

That banjo-inspired peghead- I've seen the shape before: Bauer?

**Jim Garber** · Apr-11-2012, 9:42pm

It has been slow (for me) on the vintage photo acquisition front lately. However, I got this one some time ago. It has a stamp that says B. Aires which i assume is Buenos Aires, Argentina. It also says Corrientes 1938 but I don't think that is the year, prob the address since it is the photographer's stamp. I would date this much earlier like teens or before.

I like the look of his mandolin: f-holes but sort of shaped like some South American instruments -- shape reminds me of a Venezuelan bandola. Also this one has an extended fretboard similar to many Italian mandolins. it also looks like this guy played this quite a bit -- there is a lot of wear on the top.

The headstock is kind of interesting -- I can't quite tell if there are cutouts in the headstock or not, but there seems to be a plaque on the top that might have said who made it.

------------

I just checked and there is an Avenida Corrientes in Buenos Aires.

**JEStanek** · Apr-11-2012, 10:07pm

Cool find!

Jamie

**Jim Garber** · Apr-11-2012, 10:07pm

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

I just found this one on a Battle Creek, MI historic site:
Entitled: Washburn Mandolin and Guitar Quintette
Too bad it was ripped.

This one was unlinked from the site but I found it -- worth reposting...

**Schlegel** · Apr-11-2012, 10:11pm

Looks like a very early Washburn on the left- I have one I think is like it with the weird X bracing in the bowl. Maybe Regals for the other two.

**Jim Garber** · Jun-30-2012, 4:39pm

Interesting photo from music/photo studio in Philadelphia circa 1910. This, I assume, is one of the students of Prof Cutillo who gets his own free monthly photo. I think his mandolin is a Weymann, which would certainly make sense for Philadelphia.

Nice details on the back with a slice of history as to what mandolin lessons were like then.

**brunello97** · Jul-01-2012, 8:39am

Cool photo, Jim. This is the first I've heard of the (H)Armin Zoerner company. A few references on line (mugwumps, etc.) and something front the Music Trade Review here:

Zoerner

The article mentions they manufactures of mandolins but I can't remember having seen anything with their label. I'm away from home but will check when back.

and a Zoerner guitar here:

Zoerner Guitar

Mick

**Jim Garber** · Jul-01-2012, 9:32am

I have nothing on Zoerner either in my files for any instruments. That mandolin in the photo looks to me like many Weymann bowlbacks of the period with the front mounted tuners and that particularly shaped pickguard. I wonder if Zoerner and Weymann were connected -- Zoerner made instruments for Weymann or vice versa.

**Mandoviol** · Jul-01-2012, 10:30am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

Okay... here are a few larger detail shots.

What's the bar for that goes over the bass? Hand-rest?

**brunello97** · Jul-01-2012, 10:53am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

I have nothing on Zoerner either in my files for any instruments. That mandolin in the photo looks to me like many Weymann bowlbacks of the period with the front mounted tuners and that particularly shaped pickguard. I wonder if Zoerner and Weymann were connected -- Zoerner made instruments for Weymann or vice versa.

I had a Weymann bowl for awhile with the same tuners and 'Rorschach' pick guard. I don't recall it having the same detailed inlay fret markers but it might have. It was a nice instrument. I sold it to a guy in Switzerland, which I have sometimes wondered about.

Mick

**Jim Garber** · Jul-01-2012, 4:12pm

Originally Posted by Mandoviol

What's the bar for that goes over the bass? Hand-rest?

I assume you mean this shot of the mandobass? That was the standard "elevated armrest" that came with the Style J. Photo attached from 1917 Gibson catalog

**Tavy** · Jul-02-2012, 12:10pm

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

Here's one I recently acquired. There are names indicated and New York City photographer but that is all I know. Not a Gibson to be found here tho. Some interesting bowlbacks and guitars, tho. I esp like the dark top one on the left and the Howe-Orme mandolinetto.

Jim do you know what the dark-faced one is - looks rather nice?

**Jim Garber** · Jul-02-2012, 1:53pm

John: I haven't a clue. Looks rather high end, tho. Headstock is unusual. Maybe it is not American-made tho, possibly Italian.

**Tavy** · Jul-03-2012, 3:47am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

John: I haven't a clue. Looks rather high end, tho. Headstock is unusual. Maybe it is not American-made tho, possibly Italian.

Well if you don't know....

I was thinking about this last night, and while it looks really cool in b&w, I'm having a hard time imagining a good look in color somehow...

**Jim Garber** · Jul-03-2012, 10:08am

I have a few bowlbacks with dark top finish -- one is a Stridente, I believe.

**Tavy** · Jul-04-2012, 3:13am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

I have a few bowlbacks with dark top finish -- one is a Stridente, I believe.

Pictures?

Thanks, John.

**Jim Garber** · Jul-04-2012, 3:24pm

Here are a couple from my files. It is sort of difficult to tell whether they are just dark from age or stained dark. Both are Stridentes, neither of them are mine.

**brunello97** · Jul-04-2012, 4:52pm

Originally Posted by Tavy

Well if you don't know....

I was thinking about this last night, and while it looks really cool in b&w, I'm having a hard time imagining a good look in color somehow...

Kind of rare to see Italian bowls with squared-off fingerboards, rather than with an extension of some kind or cut to follow the oval of the sound hole. I went looking in my files but kind of pooped out. Maybe y'all have some examples? (Sorry to be so lazy…)

Mick