Windsor Mandolin #2

[Jebow]

Hi, I have inherited a #2 Windsor Mandolin with original case. The mandolin is an 8 string and has a silver plague at the bottom with Windsor Pixie, I think. Does anyone know the value or age of this instrument. It has been in my family for over a 100 years that I know of.
Many thanks

[Jim Garber]

Like this one?

[allenhopkins]

This link to a webpage on "British Banjo Makers" will give you info on Windsor, "the largest maker of fretted instruments ever known" in Britain, in the writer's opinion.

Oh, by the way, there are antidotes to the "silver plague." Unless you meant "plaque."

[Jebow]

Like this one?

Yes, thats the one. I have the original case as well. Can you tell me something about its history and value please Many thanks

[Jim Garber]

For history check out the link that Allen provided above. As for value, hard to put a price on it esp if condition is unknown. Also, would prob depend on where you are. Maybe in the UK they are more highly valued.

[Jebow]

It also has the original skin and Ivory string things up the top.

[Jebow]

Thank you very much Allen. I am in Australia and I meant plaque (typo). Just has "The Windsor Pixie". Is in good condition tho missing 5 of its 8 strings. Just needed to know an approx value for insurance purposes. I will definately check out the link. Thanks again

[Graham McDonald]

There are lots of Windsor and other English banjo-mandos in Australia, most of them unplayable. The Windsors are probably the the pick of them and a good one can make a halfway decent sound (I have heard only one which I would describe as actually musical). The usual trouble is the neck angle. On all too many of them the neck has shifted and/or the neck has warped so the action is so high as to not to be playable. I think those ones were a bolt on neck, and it requires moving the whole head structure to do anything to the neck. The condition of the skin is important as well as replacing the skin is an evil and frustrating process. There are banjo mandolins frequently on eBay Australia with asking prices from $50-$300 and most of them are worth towards the lower end of that range, unless in really good playing condition. If they are not, it is really not economical the spend very much money on them, and the market is very limited. That might be irrelevant if you are are just looking at it in terms of family heirloom value

Date could be any time from the turn of last century up until 1939. There are a couple of English blokes who post on the Cafe who know a fair bit about English mandolins and banjos. One of them might be able to give a bit more detail.

cheers

graham