Sgroi Mancuso Mandolin

[grahamRB]

Hi.
I have been ask by a friend in Australia to try and get some background information about a vintage Sgroi Mancuso Mandolin and I hope this forum can help us.
The mandolin appears to be in good condition and the two small mother of pearl pieces that have loosened are in the case. The case is original, also present is a receipt for mandolin lessons dated 1929, issued in Western Australia. This seems to be an interesting plus. Hopefully the pictures will help us.
Thanks in advance. An approximate value would also be appreciated.

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[Jim Garber]

Made in Catania, Sicily. It looks like it is in excellent condition. Looks like a decent middle grade mandolin. I have two other examples that are more ornate but ornamentation does not add to quality tone. What more does your friend need to know?

[grahamRB]

Thanks for the reply Jim.
Any idea of when it was made, if it was mass produced and an approximate value.

[Jim Garber]

Obviously this mandolin was made before 1929. Could have been brand new. I don't know how large that shop was but I am assuming not a mass-produced item. Few of these were, though probably more were made in the earlier part of that century. As for value, i don't know how desirable these are in Australia vs. anywhere else but I would guess that it is not worth more than a few hundred dollars AUS or USD. Here's an earlier one sold on Reverb (https://reverb.com/item/12001031-s-sgroi-mancuso-bowlback-mandolin-brazilian-1900) for $150USD.

And here is a thread about the shop (https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/threads/112165-What-is-the-vintage-of-this-mandolin). The most fascinating thing is that they must have sold quite a few of these in Australia.

[grahamRB]

You might be right about there popularity in Aus.
I found this ad in a Tasmanien newspaper (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51228951) dated 29 May 1923. Up in the left hand corner.
Also on in the 1 June (https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51229562)
Findlays
The Home of music
96 Brisbane st.
Launceston
Thanks again.