1890's Hamilton S Gordon W/Original Case

**Tabdog** · Jul-11-2012, 3:50am

I picked up my first mandolin off Craig's
List yesterday. I always loved the sound
of a mandolin and now I got one.

I traded a Mexican Standard Strat that
I had $175 invested in. Then I got $80
on top of that. So I got less than $100
invested.

Any information about this mandolin would
be appreciated,

Tabdog

**Tabdog** · Jul-11-2012, 4:03am

Anyone ever heard of Gordon mandolins? I think it
was made in the 1890's by a piano company in New
York.

Hamilton S. Gordon was also a composer. He changed
the name of his father's company to Hamilton S Gordon
in 1890. My mandolin appears to be an early model.

Here's a pic from a 1894 brochure,

Here's mine,

Original case,

Tabdog

**Tabdog** · Jul-11-2012, 4:11am

I just got it off CL. It's my first mandolin,

Tabdog

**Dave Hanson** · Jul-11-2012, 5:52am

Well that's 3 times you've posted it, any more ?

Dave H

**Jim Garber** · Jul-11-2012, 7:56am

No need to post in three places. Anyone who wants to can find your posting.

You need a new tailpiece. This is a budget, lowend instrument. As long as it doesn't need any more work to make it playable, string it up with ultra light strings (GHS A240 are good inexpensive ones) and enjoy it. Most likely this was made for Gordon's shop by another larger maker.

You did not make a killing in your purchase. It is probably worth about what you paid for it. And it looks to be in decent shape. It is nice that it has a case.

**MikeEdgerton** · Jul-11-2012, 8:00am

This brand name was active around the turn of the century. I agree with Jim, it's worth about what you paid for it. By the way, that big old phillips head wood screw in the tailpiece isn't original.

**JEStanek** · Jul-11-2012, 8:00am

Welcome to the Cafe.

I'm no expert but, the Hamilton S Gordon company is listed in the Mugwumps index. Please be sure to use lightweight strings on this delicate old mandolin. I like my inexpensive old bowlback mandolin very much. It has a pleasing voice with a reverby sound. Others may be able to give you a more accurate value but if it is a mass produced American bowl back it's like value is between $100-2o=00 depending upon the condition.

Jamie

**JEStanek** · Jul-11-2012, 8:03am

I merged the threads to keep things tidy.
Jamie

**MikeEdgerton** · Jul-11-2012, 8:05am

Bless you Jamie

**Tabdog** · Jul-11-2012, 9:28am

Thanks for the information.

Sorry about over posting.

I intend to baby it and spend some
time with it. I'd like to get to where
I can play along with my son and
some of his friends when they come
over,

Tabdog

**Tabdog** · Jul-11-2012, 9:31am

Originally Posted by Dave Hanson

Well that's 3 times you've posted it, any more ?

Dave H

I don't know. Is it OK if I post? I hope.

Tabdog

**allenhopkins** · Jul-12-2012, 11:19am

Someone somewhere in the US in the early 20th century was building those mandolin bodies with the alternating maple and rosewood staves, and selling them to a bunch of manufacturers. At least that's my theory, based on a total lack of information... I have a Washburn (Lyon & Healy made) mandola with the same combination of woods, and I've seen it on mandolins with a variety of labels. It makes for a striking appearance, the alternation of blonde and brown woods, and it also seems interesting that it shows up on instruments with both Chicago and New York labels.

Lyon & Healy? They were probably the "biggest dogs" in instrument building back then. It's such a distinctive style, and would seem to be for appearance rather than acoustical quality.