A Little Help With a Gorgeous Turn -Of-The-Century Brandt

[Glory Guitars]

Hi! I just took in a very ornate John Brandt Mando from a retired gentleman who inherited this mando from his grandfather. I'm just doing a little light cleaning and will be restringing it with light gauge strings for him. It's likely the top-of-the-line model with the entire fretboard mother of pearl and abalone! It's STYLE: DX and MODEL: 8125. The patent dates on the metal headstock cover and tailpiece are 1898 and 1886 respectively. The varnish is showing its age and is bubbled up a bit in spots, and there are a few superficial cracks, none on the top, that do not affect the structural integrity. I have the chrome string retainer cover. It's just removed as I just removed the strings. Any additional information, as well as an estimated value for the instrument would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/AncientRocker/Music%20Stuff/Brandt1sm_zps1lxagsyw.jpg (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/AncientRocker/media/Music%20Stuff/Brandt1sm_zps1lxagsyw.jpg.html)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/AncientRocker/Music%20Stuff/Brandt2sm_zpsrzybxbxu.jpg (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/AncientRocker/media/Music%20Stuff/Brandt2sm_zpsrzybxbxu.jpg.html)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh242/AncientRocker/Music%20Stuff/Brandt3sm_zpsod7ypgpm.jpg (http://s258.photobucket.com/user/AncientRocker/media/Music%20Stuff/Brandt3sm_zpsod7ypgpm.jpg.html)

[MikeEdgerton]

Pretty unique headstock. Unfortunately very few bowlbacks are worth more than a few hundred dollars in excellent shape.

[allenhopkins]

Informative 2006 thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-27107.html) on Brandt mandolins. Unfortunately the pics are no longer accessible (?). And a JustAnswer item on Brandts/Wurlitzers (http://www.justanswer.com/antiques/8xyu3-wurlitzer-mandolin-family-long.html) as well.

Rudolph Wurlitzer, as you know doubt know, was a major importer and builder of musical instruments, mainly pianos and organs, that started in Cincinnati around 1850, did a lot of their manufacturing in North Tonawanda NY. They apparently owned the "Brandt" trademark; there's speculation that the large Chicago firm Lyon & Healy built Brandt mandolins for them.

GG, your post suggests you think you've got a valuable instrument here, but Mike E's on the mark saying even fancier century-old bowl-backs don't command high prices on the current market. Of American makes, only the fancier Martins and Vegas seem to go for near-four-figure prices. A Brandt, pearl fingerboard or not, is not in that league.

[Tom C]

Here is mine w/o abalone fret board.
As Mike says these manos are usually worth much and are dime a dozen.
I figure mine is worth a few bucks + a subway ride.
More interest is usually for the case.

147666147667

[Timbofood]

But Allen, it says right inside that it was made by John Brandt! Probably with each component carefully carved with his pocket knife by the light of a kerosene lamp. Oops, sorry that was one of those other guys.

It does have that L&H kind of initial impression to me too. Kind of cool, it would be kind of fun to play once in a while.
I bet that case gets some "interesting looks on a subway, Tom, pretty cool!