Antique Photo of a Mandolin of the Day

[David W McLaughlin]

Please post any original (not published or distributed) antique photo (from your own collection) of a mandolin. The following is an original photo of an unidentified lady from the late teens.

[OlderThanWillie]

Here's a photo of me as a young man...

[David W McLaughlin]

Here's another one from the same photographer...

[Eugene]

Here's a ream of vintage mandobabes (http://www.neilgladd.com/Mandobabes.html). #Be warned, some are a touch risque.

[pathfinder]

Beautiful photos. #Kinda lets us peek back through the curtains of time, when players weren't so preoccupied with what kind of hardware they were playing. #Actually, a few of them looked like they were trying to remember where they'd left their clothes! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[David W McLaughlin]

Unidentified...same photograper as above...

[spud]

Are we looking at mandolins?......

cool picks!

Oh to be a fairy mandolin elf!..

----------
Boyd

[GaryM]

Hmmmmm...me sporting wings and a mando...??
naaaaa http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[David W McLaughlin]

Same photo gallery, unidentified...

[Jim Garber]

A rather studious, turn-of-the-last-century fellow.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Mandolin orchestra...lots of Gibsons!!

Jim

[ethanopia]

great shot of the orchestra...

the Harp guitar on the right has a CRAZY tailpiece? what would oyu call that a T-Bone.

It sure is a nice collection of 3 points, I would love to hear what they sounded like.

[Jim Garber]

I have had a page (http://users.bestweb.net/~jgarber/music/19ctunes/mandopic.htm) up for sometime with some of the photos from my collection. I have been meaning to add much more when time permits.

Jim

[Plamen Ivanov]

Here is a Bulgarian soldier with a mandolin from the beginning of the XX. century. This picture was sold through ebay few months ago.

[P Josey]

Could someone give me instructions on how to post a photo using a scanner? Much appreciated.

[jeffshuniak]

some of those girls were pretty hot. I'm gonna have to log off for a while...:;):\

mandobabes -- eugene's post.

[Yonkle]

For a second there I thought it was Frank Zappa!

[Neil Gladd]

When I put up the Mandobabe page, those were about all I had. I now have more than 80! I also have a few of mandoguys, mandocouples, and mandolin ensembles. Someday I'll update my website.....

[mrmando]

David, it sure looks as though those three gals all have the same mandolin, and only the first one comes close to knowing how to hold it ... in other words, the mandolin was being used as a studio prop by the photographer ... is that your interpretation of those pics as well?

[David W McLaughlin]

No, actually they are all different mandolins. The ladies were part of a pre-1920 mando group. You will notice that one mandolin above is a tree-point. Another is an F-2, and another is an F-4.

[David W McLaughlin]

Correction...two of the mandolins above are three-pointers, but I believe they are not the same mandolin.

[Jim Garber]

With a discussion on another thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=18577;) about 3-points, I figured I'd revive this thread with a few detail photos from my collection.

This is from a photo that seems to appear on a number of sites of 4 women, three of whom are playing mandolins. Only one plays a 3 point tho.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here is another one of a woman who also favors a 3-point Gibson.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

And here is a detail from a photo I posted above of a mostly Gibson orchestra. There are 8 3points in all and you can see 6 of them in this cropped photo.

Jim

[Davetnova]

I notice they wouldn't let the banjo players into the photo.

[Jim Garber]

I notice they wouldn't let the banjo players into the photo.
Hah! I think that some of the mandolin players double on banjo.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

In an effort to resurrect (yet again) this thread...

Here are a couple of young mando-fanatics from yesteryear.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Two other slightly older young women.

Jim

[Steve Davis]

http://www.ncf.ca/~ek867/mandolin.orchestra.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ncf.ca/~ek867/&h=271&w=480&sz=23&tbnid=3vqANXIGd4QJ:&tbnh=71&tbnw=126&hl=en&start=5&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmandolin%2Borchestra%26hl%3Den%26lr%3 D%26rls%3DDVXA,DVXA:2005-04,DVXA:en%26sa%3DN

[glauber]

I think you mean:
http://www.ncf.ca/~ek867/mandolin.orchestra.jpg

[Jim Garber]

Here two mandolins, mandola guitar and violin. Looks like most mandolins and possibly the guitar and violin were made by Lyon & Healy (a guess). I always try to guess what kind of music these folks played. Who knows! Prob the hit tunes of the day.

Jim

[danb]

Hmm, I see a rope-bound mandola & cello in Jim's photo. Jim- can you post (or email) a larger version of that one? I think it must be close to 1910 as the pickguards are raised on the 3-pointers, that feature didn't last long before that body shape changed. The rope binding on a-shapes intrigues me, I don't have any of those in the archive..

[Jim Garber]

a rope-bound mandola & cello
Dan... sorry for the delay

Jim

[danb]

Interesting.. I'm not sure if you have a date for it, but from the raised pickguard on the mandola I'd guess this was at least 1908-1910.. though I'd suspect the rope-bound 'dola itself is earlier.

[Jim Garber]

There is no date on the photo tho the photographer was in Brooklyn, NY.

The other thing I just noticed on these rope-bound Gibsons is that altho both the mandola nd mandocello have the fleur-de-lis on the headstock (H-2 and K-2 models?) the mandocello has the Gibson logo at a lesser angle than the mandola.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here's a nice group with a three point, 2 point and 'cello and mandola (I think). Nice 'dos on these mandobabes, eh?

Jim

[JEStanek]

I saw those ladies in StarWars episode III1/2 where Leia's nannies played mando tune to her after doin her hair.

Jamie

[dixiecreek]

dang those old pix are awesome haha

[bluesmandolinman]

love those old vintage photos !

how you like this bluesmandolinman ?

[Michael Gowell]

re. the mandobabes above - aren't those shoes back in fashion now?

[mandopete]

Stylin'

[Ken Berner]

mandoPete, Ol' Granny DID wear boondockers! Hey, someone out there must have a picture of Lloyd Loar pickin' on one of his creations; please share with us.

[Jim Garber]

Hey, someone out there must have a picture of Lloyd Loar pickin' on one of his creations; please share with us.
Check out this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=19087;hl=lloyd+loar) for a link to a few promo brochures from Loars early days.

Jim

[Ken Berner]

Thank you Jim; that is great stuff, for sure. Lloyd really had his act together!

[Stillpicking]

Not really an old photo but an old 3 point in a new photo This one was the start of it or close to the start anyway.

1906 Gibson 3 point

[Jim Garber]

A friend of mine just sent me this wonderful postcard.

Jim

[mandoisland]

Patrick Vaillant uses No. 1 of this postcard series (last postcard) for his homepage www.bastiancontrari.com - if you want to compare!

[Jim Garber]

Hi Michael:
How many others of that series are there? And who is that mandolinist? He has a great expressive face.

Jim

[Stephanie Reiser]

Aren't these two musicians Mike Marshall and Chris Thile?
Just kidding, I love these old photos.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

If I had to guess I'd say the black man in the top hat was not a blues man. The style of dress predates and doesn't match the usual style blues men wore. This guy is in full top hat, tails, and cummerbund with a white tie. I'd say he was wealthier than most blues men got to be, and dressed for something a litle more uptown than the blues. Late minstrel period perhaps?

The more I look at it the more I think it's likely to be around 1918-1922: early diaspora. Probably taken in a north eastern city like Philly, New York, or Boston.

Daniel, big guesser. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Zimm]

Here's a unique one:

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba_images/006/00600582.gif

[John Zimm]

And here's the news story that goes with the photo:

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/wlhba_images/006/00600581.gif

[Tatoosh]

I understand the turtles were very much against this practice.

[mandoisland]

Here is another one from a series that has been already posted here. The postcard was sent in 1904 in the south of France.

[bluesmandolinman]

If I had to guess I'd say the black man in the top hat was not a blues man. The style of dress predates and doesn't match the usual style blues men wore. This guy is in full top hat, tails, and cummerbund with a white tie. I'd say he was wealthier than most blues men got to be, and dressed for something a litle more uptown than the blues. Late minstrel period perhaps?

The more I look at it the more I think it's likely to be around 1918-1922: early diaspora. Probably taken in a north eastern city like Philly, New York, or Boston.

Daniel, big guesser. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Hi Daniel ( I didn´t notice your response before)

I like your nickname "big guesser"

I understand your argument but on the other hand think about the famous photo of Robert Johnson. That wasn´t his normal outfit either ! So who knows under which circumstances the above player was pictured .

But I agree : their is a big chance he wasn´t a bluesmandolinman ( I just like the term http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif )

And btw ... most musicians were "living music boxes" and not limited to a special style . The style we associate them is most often to the recordings we hear. But it was the music industry that decided what to record and therefore it is not necessarily a correct picture of their repertoire .

Can you direct me to sources for this kind of information you are referring to ? ( it's likely to be around 1918-1922: early diaspora. Probably taken in a north eastern city like Philly, New York, or Boston ) this is very interesting...

René

[mandoisland]

I got this nice postcard today, which had been sent in Paris in 1903. I was surprised to find a mandolin with an Embergher head on this postcard, as can be seen on the detail.

[mandoisland]

Detail

[nigelgatherer]

This is somewhere in the UK, but there's no way of telling where.

http://www.nigelgatherer.com/ztemp/mando.jpeg

[Jim Garber]

I just found this one from the University of Buffalo site:

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/exhibits/panam/immigrants/italian/iris_mandolinclub.jpg

Jim

[Bob DeVellis]

Albert Hartley and Ed Gail. The mandola is a Howe-Orme. The mandolin may be an Elias Howe Univeristy model or one of the other guitar-shaped instruments around at the turn of the 20th century.




.

[Bob DeVellis]

What looks like a funky style tailpiece on the mandola (and mandolin, too, actually) appears to be something like lead or leather wrapped around the tailpiece and string ends. It might be a hand-fashioned extended tailpiece cover. I wonder if it was to improve balance of the instrument or prevent sleeve snags on the string windings after the tailpiece cover went missing.

There's also something that looks like the original Wood Nymph under the strings between the tailpiece and bridge.


.

[Jim Garber]

Bob:
I would imagine that it would be more for the sleeve snag prevention. That guitar looks mighty big for the period. Any clue what that is?

Jim

[Bob DeVellis]

Jim, you're right, it is big for the time. I don't know what it is. Anybody else?

Rick Turner shared a few observations with me about this picture. First, the mandolin, held by the plare on the right, is an American Conservatory identical to one Rick has. He also pointed out that, in addition to the "extra bridge" between the bridge and tailpiece, there's one between the nut and tuners. This guy was working hard either to eliminate or tune resonances from the strings outside of the usual active string length.

[bluesmandolinman]

this is a picture from aprox. 1930-40s from a family relative of mine . The pictured mandolin was given to me by my grandma some 10 years ago.... of course I still have it !
nothing spectacular but it got me started http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Arnt]

Here is s a picture from the 1920's. It is a May 17th. parade in Sunndal, Norway (our country's constitution day). There were usually marching bands leading these parades even back then, but as this was a small community, some local musicians likely got the job for the day. I can't quite make out the details (perhaps some of you can) but the instruments look like a harp guitar, an accordion and a bowl back mandolin, all highly in fashion back then.

[Arnt]

Here is a close up of the band. They look sharp, no? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandoisland]

I have added a foto-album with ca. 20 old postcards that I have bought during the last weeks. The following pictures might be interesting for this thread.

First a postcard of a group called "Troupe Figaro" which shows a mandola and a guitar with extra bass strings. I wonder which kind of music they played.

[mandoisland]

The mandola from this picture, it looks like the soundboard is decorated.

[mandoisland]

The guitar from this picture

[mandoisland]

And last from an postcard about Carneval a very special instrument, looks like a mandolin with 4 strings. The complete album with postcards can be found on my homepage in the picksibition area - my museeum of all kind of mandolin related fun stuff.

[Arnt]

Hi mandoisland, I checked out your web site. I like it, and I had fun finding a lot of European Mandolin maker's sites on your links pages. There aren't too many up here in Norway (that I know of anyways), so you have gien me some interesting new names that aren't that far from where I live. Thanks!

[Jim Garber]

I just acquired this interesting promotional postcard for A. Monzino & Figli in Milan. They mention awards from 1906 and 1907, so I assume that it dates from after that, possibly the teens to 1920s.

It is a 4-panel fold out and here is the cover panel. The other two will follow.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here is a picture of the Monzino luthiers at work. In the bottom middle of the photo, you can see a liuto moderno (10 string mandocello) and an 8-string mandocello.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here is the string making room.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

I also just acquired this photo. Send in the clowns...

Jim

[JEStanek]

Jim,

Your collection is amazing!

Jamie

[JimD]

I also just acquired this photo. Send in the clowns...

Pickliacci? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[levin4now]

Isn't one of these gentlemen starring in a hit NBC show?

[Jim Garber]

A few more from the archives. Here is a nice all-Gibson band complete with mandobass. Some of these look late twenties (straight script on the pegheads) so I would date it somewhere around that or thirties.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

This girl is either very small or she is playing a mandola.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

A midget band... enough said! A L&H (or Martin?) mandolin and a mandolinetto of some sort.

Jim

[Bob DeVellis]

Here's another Steve Carell look-alike mandolinist from bygone days. Same guy? This one's name is L. W. Osgood and the picture is from about 1900.


.

[Keith Erickson]

Jim,

¡¡¡Holy Smokes Dude!!!

Do you live in a museum? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I have to say you've got some collection there. Thank you for sharing with us all of those neat pics!!!

[Jim Garber]

I got a few more to share... and yes, I do live in a museum. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Jim

[Jim Garber]

From Mary's House of David, a religious(?) organization in Michigan that (I believe) frowned on shaving. A few oddball mandolins.

Jim

[reb0964]

Please post any original (not published or distributed) antique photo (from your own collection) of a mandolin. The following is an original photo of an unidentified lady from the late teens.
Hey Dave,,,,Not sure if she's the same lady or not,,,but i ran across a pic forgibson mandolins and the girl holding it was a silent screen actress along the same time your pic is,,,,Her name is Priscilla Dean!!

Thanks Russell...

P.s. Whens the JMB getting back together???
Awesome mandolin playing Dave!!!

[Ken Berner]

My first impression was that some of these gents may have fathered the Soggy Bottom Boys. I remember from my childhood in the late '40s, going to baseball games between locals and a House of David team. Yep, they were all bearded, but that didn't hinder their ability at all.

[Jim Garber]

I just found this one on a Battle Creek, MI historic site:

http://www2.willard.lib.mi.us/bcphotos/music/images/h43_4189.jpg

Entitled: Washburn Mandolin and Guitar Quintette

Too bad it was ripped.

Jim

[markishandsome]

Mostly only hit the guitar player though, so nothing of value was really lost http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[delsbrother]

Loar pix on eBay. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Gibson-Mandolin-and-Guitar-Co-Poster-1920s_W0QQitemZ140045409395QQihZ004)

[Jim Garber]

From the archives of the Virginia Military Institute, 1911.

http://www.vmi.edu/archives/images/accnum/01748.jpg

[Slim Pickins]

JGarber.. Great old collection. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Jim Garber]

That is not from my collection, tho. Sometimes I search for something else and find some treasures I never saw before.

Jim

[delsbrother]

I wonder if any of those boys ended up in either World War...

[Paul Hostetter]

Here's one of the Aurora Mandoline [sic] Orchestra in 1937. My friend Tony Flores is the one with the red bowtie playing a Martin mandola.

http://www.lutherie.net/aurora.med.1937.jpg

The conductor's name was Frank Fontana, a jeweler in North Beach. I own his F-4. Tony said most of these guys were either butchers or barbers, and 9 out of 10 were Italian. I have similar group photos from two other years as well. Tony worked a great deal as a trio with the guy playing the bass (who would play 2nd mandolin) and the guy playing the Paramount guitar.

[Jim Garber]

Wonderful photo, Paul. I see some interesting instruments in it: National Duolian; Martin R-18 (I think); Epiphone Recording A or B (flattop?)... Hard to tell but I would imagine that there were a few Italian bowlbacks ther as well. Has Gregg Miner id'ed the harp guitar?

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Nice photo I just got of a young trio from yesteryear. Looks like student level instruments, possibly Lyon & Healy (by the tailpiece shape).

Jim

[Bob Sayers]

Are those a couple of F-5s with the House of David fellas? Do you suppose that the Blue Grass Boys might have played a ball game or two against them? Or that one of them might have left his F-5 in a Florida barbershop when he went in to have his beard trimmed?

"Gee, but ain't it grand, can't you hear that band
Play the House of David blues."

Artbur Smith, "House of David Blues"

Bob

[Jim Garber]

Are those a couple of F-5s with the House of David fellas?
I think the guy in the bottom center has a Gibson. The one in the back row looks like a sloppy copy of one.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

It has been awhile for this thread. I just came across this one. Two people who played music --one on an oddball round-bodied mandolin (looks homemade) and one grouchy-looking listener or singer.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here are two proper young women with their proper Italian bowlbacks. One looks like a Demeglio.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here is a family(?) practicing for their next gig. I would say 1940s or 50s, maybe.

I think the guitar and mandola on the right are Larson creations. The two F5s look like Gibsons. One has a double-handled vase inlay.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

I guess the Vase inlay makes it either an F-7, F-10 or F12.

Here is a detail for DanB's (and others) interests.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

It has been awhile that anyone posted here.

Here are a couple of new acquisitions.

This from the Oklahoma territory. The guy seems to be playing some lowend Lyon & Healy mandolin.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Nice group shot of mandolin orchestra possible from Calfornia, maybe teens or twenties. It looks like a few Italian instruments.

[Jim Garber]

Here is one detail with what looks like a fancy Italian, possibly Roman instrument.

[Jim Garber]

Nice harp guitar in the back.

[Jim Garber]

The bass section. Looks like one Gibson and one I can't ID.

[Keith Miller]

1 more

[Ken Berner]

I suppose a family that picks together, sticks together (no velcro content).

[Jim Garber]

I just got this one today. It is marked on the back with the names of the players: Charles Young, Albert Ruehman & Pete Jeppson (guitar).

The mandolinetto is by Lyon & Healy. Not sure about the mandolin or the guitar.

[Jim Garber]

Yet another jovial group from Geneva, Ohio.

[JeffD]

Jim you must have one heck of a collection of those pictures!

[Jim Garber]

Lastly (for tonight) a group that many of you will recognize.

[Jim Garber]

Here is Dave with a nice Fern.

[Jim Garber]

Some cool Filipino mandocelloid-ists.

[Jim Garber]

Jim you must have one heck of a collection of those pictures!
I am insane... I keep finding things I didn't know I had. Frightening!

[Jason Kessler]

What do you suppose is the origin and, perhaps, "meaning" of the ribbons that stream from the pegheads of the instruments in the earliest photos? I some cases, they look coordinated. Do they have any significance beyond the merely decorative?

[DryBones]

What do you suppose is the origin and, perhaps, "meaning" of the ribbons that stream from the pegheads of the instruments in the earliest photos? #I some cases, they look coordinated. #Do they have any significance beyond the merely decorative?
those are the winners from Winfield for that year! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael Gowell]

As they'd say on 'South Park' "Totally gay."

[delsbrother]

Jim, is there a date on that Apollon Orchestra shot? The "mandocelli" are very interesting. In other threads it was speculated some might have been made by L&H; would you agree or disagree? None of these look Chicagoish to me. I would also guess they were lauds or octavinas (or whatever the name of the big rondalla instrument is). The one on the left appears to have a maker's name inlaid in the peghead.

Very interesting construction - look at the scroll headstock on that one in the back (muito portuguese, não é?)! I also find the pickguards/inlay fascinating - not unlike many European instruments I've seen on the 'bay lately. Also very similar to the funky inlay patterns of the luthier I'm researching, Chris Knutsen. Still trying to piece together who his influences were (vs. who he influenced). He made at least one harp bandurria, and lived very close to where Filipinos (and for that matter, Ukrainians, Italians, etc.) lived in LA. Could he have been influenced by rondalla instruments? European instruments? Mexican instruments?

If you don't mind I'm going to print the image and take it around to some other Filipino musicians I know. Maybe someone can help me ID the makers. Do you know if any of these people lived in the Los Angeles area?

Darrell

ps You realize if you ever gathered together all of your images into books, they would sell like.... Lumpia!

[Linda Binder]

I'm sure many people here have seen this but here's Jim's picture with sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4SFn5avl_E

[JeffD]

Dave Apollon is one of the best!

[Jim Garber]

delsbrother:
I would think that those instruments were built in the Philippines and were influenced by Spanish instruments like the bandurria. I know very little of Filipino music tho it would be interesting to find out.

I highly doubt Chicago-made tho.

Jim

[billhay4]

Looks to me like he's playing a Lyon and Healey in the video, not a Gibson.
Bill

[Ken Berner]

The gay ribbons hanging from the mandolins might be explained this way, "after the performance, all the groupies gather around and the pickers use the ribbons to tie up the girl's stockings". Will that work?

[JGWoods]

It's so they don't need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows...

[Alex of the North]

Could those 'mandocellos' be 12 string guitars?

[Eugene]

Yet another jovial group from Geneva, Ohio.
Woo-hoo! Not far from my home turf.

[HarmonyRexy]

We saw this at the new World of CocaCola in Atlanta. #Norman Rockwell did it for Coke in the '30s. #They are definitely drinking their favorite drink.

[Jim Garber]

Wow, that looks like Norman's idea of what a Regal reverse scroll mandolin looks like. Thanks for the posting.

Jim

[Neil Gladd]

Homer & Jethro with their usual bowlback and zither. Hey! Wait a minute!!!

[Neil Gladd]

Here's a really early one:

[Jim Garber]

Another one from the Golden Age of Outrageous Moustaches.

I think this is European as the date says 21-9-1912. I am not sure what the guy's name is but it might be Lord St. Vincent or John St. Vincent.

[Jim Garber]

A detail of the mandolin shows some ornate inlay on the top. Might be a French instrument. I think I have seen bowlbacks with that sort of ornamentation. Also, you can see that there is some sort of cover over the string posts, possibly to protect them from getting caught in the guy's moustache. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

The sheet music that is visible says "Valse Pastorale" by Green.

[Jim Garber]

A lovely young couple from the same era, tho I think he is trying to grow a moustache -- in fact, she may be trying also. I do like her hairdo.

[MandoSquirrel]

cute.
Any bets on which can twirl his or her handlebars first? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jim Garber]

A detail of the mandolin shows some ornate inlay on the top. Might be a French instrument.
Ah yes, Here is one labelled Euterpia.

[Ken Berner]

The young lady's "do" looks like a reverse Mohawk.

[Jim Garber]

I am not sure what ethnicity these costumes represent but it must have been interesting music these girls were playing on a mandolin-banjo, violin and bowlback.

[Jason Kessler]

AGAIN with the ribbons!

[mickey66]

Is it just me or do these mandobabes(most of them)look a little beefy?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[MandoSquirrel]

It's called "Rubenesque"; used to be the body to die for. Showed Health, in a time when women's lives were hard.

[Duc Vu]

Another one from the Golden Age of Outrageous Moustaches.

I think this is European as the date says 21-9-1912. I am not sure what the guy's name is but it might be Lord St. Vincent or John St. Vincent.
Pont-St-Vincent (http://pontsaintvincent.free.fr/), in Lorraine, France.

[mandolooter]

cute

[MandoSquirrel]

That's interesting!

[Ken Berner]

The full-body "skin" is alluring to me; she takes the cake, regardless of what mandolin she picks!

[Jim Garber]

Another one from the Golden Age of Outrageous Moustaches.

I think this is European as the date says 21-9-1912. I am not sure what the guy's name is but it might be Lord St. Vincent or John St. Vincent.
Pont-St-Vincent (http://pontsaintvincent.free.fr/), in Lorraine, France.
Hmmmmm... you may be correct. Perhaps the guy initialled the card in the lower right corner.

[Jim Garber]

The full-body "skin" is alluring to me; she takes the cake, regardless of what mandolin she picks!
That looks like one of those Pollman mandolin-banjos -- banjo neck on a mandolin-like body. It even has that bone or ivory disc inlay.

[Jim Garber]

Time to revive this thread a little. It has been awhile. I spent way too much on this photo but there is a lot to contribute -- see what I do for you folks?

Well, it is post 1923 or so... you will see why in the next posting.

Interesting group: mandolin family instruments, National guitars, banjos, harp guitar, etc.

[Jim Garber]

This guy must be the concertmaster with his 20s F5 (possibly Loar?) I wonder if that is his significant other with that harp guitar.

[Jim Garber]

Here are a couple of Martin style 20s which would date this photo at earliest to 1929. The guy on the right looks especially happy... or catatonic.

[Jim Garber]

These two instruments flanking the guitar are very interesting. At first I thought the mandola on the right was a Portuguese guitarra but it looks like it only has 8 tuners. The style looks sort of familiar, I might guess someone like Gaetano Puntilillo (Majestic) or Michael Iucci. That is a pretty wild guess. The tenor guitar on the left might be by the same maker.

There are a few other instruments of note here: a Majestic and two Vega banjos; a Kay Kraft guitar, a Martin A mandolin, an engraved National tricone, a Lyon & Healy style B, etc.

[Jim Garber]

Lastly, there is this octave mandola with a pearl fretboard. Looks like it could be a Bohmann (from the stars on the peghead).... or not. I think the guy made his own tailpiece.

[Martin Jonas]

These two instruments flanking the guitar are very interesting. At first I thought the mandola on the right was a Portuguese guitarra but it looks like it only has 8 tuners. The style looks sort of familiar, I might guess someone like Gaetano Puntilillo (Majestic) or Michael Iucci. That is a pretty wild guess.
I have to say that this looks very very similar in scale length, shape, soundhole size/location and scratchplate design to the fancier models of Boehm waldzither, except that it has only eight tuners rather than nine. I know Boehm made mandolins (which they called "Waldoline") that were basically scaled-down waldzithers with eight strings. They may also have made them in mandola size.

Puntilillo is a possibility, too -- we know he had business links to the German musical instruments market, so he may well have picked up on waldzither designs.

Martin

[Martin Jonas]

Found this one on a German Ebay auction. A rather working-class-looking mandolin ensemble, or possibly family group. The mandolins all look massmarket German (one of them 12-string, I think). The boy (or small adult?) in the centre seems to play one of those six-string lute guitars that were popular in Germany. Strange to have a single violinist in there. The Ebay seller says it's from 1910, but I don't know whether there is anything on the back of the photo to support that date.

Martin

Edit: I now see that although the Ebay seller is in Germany, he states the postcard's origin as "Greece". I have to say that there is nothing in this picture that looks Greek to me, and a lot that looks German, but who knows?

[MML]

As always great pictures Jim. There sure are a wide variety
of instruments there.

[Jim Garber]

I have to say that this looks very very similar in scale length, shape, soundhole size/location and scratchplate design to the fancier models of Boehm waldzither, except that it has only eight tuners rather than nine. I know Boehm made mandolins (which they called "Waldoline") that were basically scaled-down waldzithers with eight strings. They may also have made them in mandola size.
You can see what Martin is talking about here (http://www.studia-instrumentorum.de/MUSEUM/ZISTER/kat_boehm_1926.htm)

This one really does look like the one in the photo except for the tuners:

http://www.studia-instrumentorum.de/MUSEUM/ZISTER/img_kataloge/boehm_3.jpg

[Gutbucket]

Here are a couple of Martin style 20s which would date this photo at earliest to 1929. The guy on the right looks especially happy... or catatonic.
Looks like he sat on the other guy's metronome.

[Jim Garber]

Just in... a woman's mandolin group from the UK, tunr of the last century. For you bowlheads, most of those mandolins are most likely from the deMeglio shop or copies thereof. More details will follow.

[Jim Garber]

Here's one section closeup. Once again, those ribbons.

Man, I just realized I have to clean the glass on my scanner. There are red blotches.

[Jim Garber]

Here's the center section. Nice hairdos, as usual, esp that woman in the center.

[Jim Garber]

And the final right side.

[good_ol_al_61]

Shouldn't these be posted also under the "women with mandolins" thread?

I do believe that the lovely lady with the harp Guitar is staring at me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Lefty&French]

Another one from the Golden Age of Outrageous Moustaches.

I think this is European as the date says 21-9-1912. I am not sure what the guy's name is but it might be Lord St. Vincent or John St. Vincent.
Pont-St-Vincent (http://pontsaintvincent.free.fr/), in Lorraine, France.
Hmmmmm... you may be correct. Perhaps the guy initialled the card in the lower right corner.


It's french (or speaking french) because it says :
Pont St Vincent
le 21-9-1912

[brunello97]

Nice picture, Jim, and great scanning. Interesting to see so many deMeglios in one group, like the Embergher tunas and the Gibson orchestras. Maybe we now have a clearer idea where some of the ebay deMeglios might have originally come from. The woman in the back to the right has an interesting mandolin, with the front mounted tuners.

Mick

[David Newton]

Send that photo to Nick Park, I see a "Wallace & Grommet" episode there.

[Martin Jonas]

Somehow none of my mandolin lessons were ever quite like that (http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360065486230). The young lady in this vintage postcard from Ebay.de seems to be overcome by her passion for the mandolin to the point of losing her clothes and jumping the instructor.

Martin
Warning: some nudity, which is why I refrain from uploading the actual photo here.

[delsbrother]

OK, I wanna party with these guys! (http://cgi.ebay.com/Young-people-party-guitar-violin-mandolin-antique-photo_W0QQitemZ230276281383QQihZ013)

http://www.russianphoto.com/images/large/13569.jpg

But what kind of mando is that? Dig the funky soundhole.. ??

[JEStanek]

Didn't I see that photo on the back of the DVD box for Reefer Madness? The guy in the middle of the back row looks like Anakin Skywalker after he finished off a room full of unarmed bad guys!

Jamie

[Jim Garber]

Recent acquisition: Promo shot of the Andrini Brothers from San Francisco, 1945. Lawrence Andrini was the mandolinist -- actually the mandolirist -- in this photo. Nice D'Angelico guitar, too, played by his brother Frank!! On the back of the photo it says: "appearing on Bob Hope Show, Sun. Dec 16.

[Jim Garber]

Here is a close-up of Lawrence's mandolin.

[delsbrother]

Is that a shrunken head hanging from the D'Angelico?

[Bobbie Dier]

If you're not careful you could put you're eye out with that thing. It looks like his scroll came uncurled.

[Neil Gladd]

Recent acquisition: Promo shot of the Andrini Brothers from San Francisco, 1945. Lawrence Andrini was the mandolinist -- actually the mandolirist -- in this photo.
Lawrence Andrini was a student of Bernardo de Pace. When I met DePace's daughter, some 20 years ago, she had 2 LPs they had made and sent to him. I have never seen any other reference to those records, (until now). While in the middle of this posting, I Googled Andrini Brothers, found one of the LPs on eBay, and just bought it!

[Jim Garber]

These records are mentioned in Sheri Mignano Crawford's book Mandolins, Like Salami*. She says:


Eventually, Frank and Lawrence Andrini produced two LPs but no recordings of theri own compositions. Gateway Recordings (GLP 9012) included virtuosic pieces from the classical and operatic repertoire. The record sleeve shows them playing banjolins...

*please note the careful punctuation to avoid misinterpretation

She doesn't mention the other LP. Neil, which one did you find?

[Jim Garber]

A few more Andrini Brothers photos from harpguitars.net:

http://www.harpguitars.net/iconography/3-crawford.jpg

http://www.harpguitars.net/iconography/2-crawford.jpg

http://www.harpguitars.net/iconography/1-crawford.jpg

(also from Sheri's book)

[Jim Garber]

Here is the cover of the LP that Neil snared. Strange that this one is Gateway 9012 but I don't see any photo of them (probably on the back of the sleeve).

Here is the info from the ebay listing:

The World Famous Andrini Brothers

This mono LP Record was released by Gateway Records GLP 9012.

Frank and Lawrence Andrini (mandolin) are featured on this album.

The track listing is as follows:

ANthony's Tune

18th Century Drawing Room

Pearls Of Fisherman

Alma Llanera

Dance Of The Hours Medley

Hungarian Dance #4

Chitarra Romana

La Danza

China Boy Medley

Tico Tico

Blue Orchid

Czardas

[Ken Berner]

On The Ed Sullivan Show?

[Neil Gladd]

On The Ed Sullivan Show?
I'll have to look into that. The entire run of the Ed Sullivan show was acquired by the Library of Congress a couple of years ago.

[Jim Garber]

I remember watching some Ed Sullivan shows, like the one with the Beatles, years ago at the Museum of Broadcasting in New York. As I mentioned, on the back of the photo I have, they say that the brothers played on the Bob Hope Show. However this was in 1945 so probably was either Radio or maybe even USO. The photo from Sheri's book with Ed was dated circa 1955.

[Jim Garber]

Here's a recent acquisition: a mexican band playing at a hotel in Colorado. Strange that they are playing mandolins and that other instrument on the right looks like it once had 18 strings but this guy might have been using it either as a bajo sexto or a guitar. Then again, it is possible that whoever labelled the photo is mistaken and they are Filipino musicians. OTOH look at the outfits. Anyone have a clue?

Hey, I didn't realize that you can post up to 293k pics and more than one attached to a thread. Pretty cool!!!

[Jim Garber]

Here are a few more pictures recently acquired. A friend gave me the trade card which is definitely odd. The woman is playing what looks like a right-handed mandolin lefty.

[brunello97]

Awesome pictures, J. I love the Pierrotini and the tot with Gibson in the very NEW suburban landscape of what 1920? The bungalow in the back looks more than a bit like our house in Austin, which is about as old as my Gibson, come to think of it.

Thanks for posting these, a great group of images to come across at the end of the day.

Mick

[delsbrother]

They don't look Filipino.

[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.

Jim

I figured I would find these again and upload -- we couldn't do that in the old days.

[Jim Garber]

From the archives of the Virginia Military Institute, 1911.

Here's another one I refound.

[Jim Garber]

Forgive me if I put something that was up here already. Here is a nice panoramic photo of a Brooklyn, NY mandolin orchestra from 1918.

[billkilpatrick]

I remember watching some Ed Sullivan shows, like the one with the Beatles, years ago at the Museum of Broadcasting in New York. As I mentioned, on the back of the photo I have, they say that the brothers played on the Bob Hope Show. However this was in 1945 so probably was either Radio or maybe even USO. The photo from Sheri's book with Ed was dated circa 1955.

i remember seeing peter ustinov performing as a stand-up comic on the ed sullivan show, doing a PERFECT imitation of mandolin vibrato.

[Jim Garber]

Here's a neat picture of a tamburitza orchestra.

[Pete Counter]

This guy must be the concertmaster with his 20s F5 (possibly Loar?) I wonder if that is his significant other with that harp guitar.

Man what a face, she looks pretty significant to me. :grin:

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Here ya go.

[Bob DeVellis]

Howe-Orme there front and center.

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

Howe-Orme there front and center.

I thought so...anyone know what the instrument to the left of it is?

[Jim Garber]

I thought so...anyone know what the instrument to the left of it is?

Bowed zither. Tuned like violin but played straight up on a table like a zither. Of German invention. Some actually looked more like violins. Two concert zithers on either side.

Michael: do you own that photo? great!

http://www.springersmusic.co.uk/Library/Instruments/zither-harp/Z%20bowed%20heart.JPG

[Michael Gowell]

I believe those piano-top shaped flanking zithers are usually called "Salzburg zithers." I've got one, picked up at a flea market 40 years ago for $15. Too many strings to tune - 5 fretted & 24 sympathetic..

[Jim Garber]

Those may very well be called Salzburg zithers for all I know -- I know them as concert zithers or alpine zithers. I have a friend who plays one quite well. There are 5 fretted strings and the number of other strings are variable depending on the zither. Those strings are not sympathetic but are plucked with finger picks and are usually used for chord or bass accompaniment to the melody played on the fretted strings.

Take a look here:

p1FlDdNLkD4

[Backlineman]

I've posted this picture of my Great Grandfather's Mandolin Orchestra on another part of the Forum before, but here it is again if you didn't see it before. It's from 1921, and was a Gibson Catalog "Everyone a Gibson-ite" promotional photo, and included my great grandfather, great grandmother, grand father and several great aunts.56004

[Jim Garber]

Excellent, Backlineman! It is wonderful to have someone whose ancestors played. I was going to ask you to ID the photo but you did already on your blog:

Promotional photo for 1921 Gibson Mandolin Company Catalog: Ivers Mandolin Orchestra, Adams, Massechusetts.

Members I can identify: Center Middle Row: Joseph Ivers, Orchestra leader, Gibson Mandolin Company Agent,and my Great Grandfather, Center Left Holding a Gibson F-4 Mary Ivers-Bassette, my Great Grandmother, Back Row from left: Leonore Ivers-Carmel, my Great Aunt, George Ivers, my Grandfather, Sitting in front, white dress, Doris Ivers-Houston, my Great Aunt.

[Jim Garber]

Recently acquired, young person mandolin and guitar group. With a few details. I see a few American Conservatory and what looks like a Vega. The detail in the front shows a mandolin with a white round medallion on the headstock which might be an Empire State made by Viohl.

[Mike Snyder]

What are those canister-shaped things that the girls in the center are holding?

[mrmando]

What are those canister-shaped things that the girls in the center are holding?
Grenade launchers. Don't mess with 'em.

[Jim Garber]

What are those canister-shaped things that the girls in the center are holding?

My guess is that they are either sheet music cases and that they are singers or else flute cases. Of course, Martin's guess is much more entertaining!

[Dan Hoover]

i thought they might be too big for electronic tuners??...these are all really great old pic's...fascinating...where do you guy's find these??

[Jim Garber]

I just got this panoramic shot of a mandolin orchestra from Elgin, IL in 1939. Lots of Gibsons -- some rather modest -- a few Kalamazoos, some other mandolins and guitars and a mando bass. Full shot and some details.

[brunello97]

Awesome photo, Jim. I dig the 'skeleton' shirt uniforms. I wonder if they were glow-in-the-dark?

Nice point about the relative modesty of the instruments during the late-depression era. A bit of a difference from the A-4 and F laden ensembles we might have seen 10-12 years earlier.

Mick

[Tavy]

I just got this panoramic shot of a mandolin orchestra from Elgin, IL in 1939. Lots of Gibsons -- some rather modest -- a few Kalamazoos, some other mandolins and guitars and a mando bass. Full shot and some details.

Great shot - love the uniforms - and that mandobass is a monster!

[pchristi]

I just got this panoramic shot of a mandolin orchestra from Elgin, IL in 1939. Lots of Gibsons -- some rather modest -- a few Kalamazoos, some other mandolins and guitars and a mando bass. Full shot and some details.

Great Photo -
In 1939 times were very good in Elgin. The Elgin Watch Factory
<<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elgin_National_Watch_Company>> was in full swing.
It had an even greater effect on Elgin than Dell Computer had on Austin, Tx. It
build fantastic homes and put everyone in a new car. And apparently financed Mandolin Orchestras. Perhaps the factory purchased a large number of the mandolins and is why many of the instruments are the same and not the more expensive A-4s and Fs.

[Jim Garber]

Cool background info, pchristi. Did you live there?

[pchristi]

Jim, A good friend of mine grew up in Elgin. I asked him if he recognized anyone in that picture. He said no, but responded with the information about the Elgin Watch Factory. Seemed interesting enough to share.

[ColdBeerGoCubs]

Ive got a friend and his wife who live out in Elgin.

[Jim Garber]

Here's a nice real photo postcard with some musicians in clown costumes. I love that bass -- or whatever it is.

[Jim Garber]

Here's another one that I don't think I posted. Nice band with mostly Gibsons. They all look pretty new, too. I can post a few details, maybe tomorrow.

[Jim Garber]

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

[Jim Garber]

This one has a stamp on the back saying "San Antonio, 1927." I like it for the pun on mandolin pick. Hmmmm... if it were in color, maybe it would be an early Blue Chip pick.

[resophonic]

Here is an interesting fellow, nice suit!

74839

[resophonic]

Awesome photo, Jim. I dig the 'skeleton' shirt uniforms. I wonder if they were glow-in-the-dark?

Nice point about the relative modesty of the instruments during the late-depression era. A bit of a difference from the A-4 and F laden ensembles we might have seen 10-12 years earlier.

Mick

Ladies mandolin club laden with F models.

[Jim Garber]

nice, Reso... is that one yours? I like the headgear.

[resophonic]

Yes Jim, I used the image as a screen saver on my computer for a couple of years. These girls probably bought their mandolins through their music instructor.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Actually, it sorta looks like only one know how to play at that point. I really enjoy these pictures

[Darryl Wolfe]

Here is my contribution. Everyone has seen this in Gibson catalogs. But, I own the original

Wm. Griffith, Atlanta, GA Loar F5 72615

[Jim Garber]

Here is my contribution. Everyone has seen this in Gibson catalogs. But, I own the original

Wm. Griffith, Atlanta, GA Loar F5 72615

Exceedingly cool. Darryl!

[Darryl Wolfe]

Thanks..when I say original, it is from the Griffith estate, it a real photo and is in a folder with an Atlanta studio name embossed. It could be one of however many I guess though. It's a silk textured deal

[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


http://wshso.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/gibson-mandos.jpg

[Jim Garber]

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

That is a real beauty, Galimando. Can you post a few larger detail shots for us Gibsonphiles? it is interesting that there are no Fs in this ensemble. Oh, wait, it looks like the guy in the front row has an F but he is holding it sideways. Was there any writing on the photo indicating who they were or where they were located and what year? Probably teens?

[Galimando]

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

http://wshso.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/mandoguyf.jpg
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]

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

[Backlineman]

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


http://wshso.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/gibson-mandos.jpg

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]

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

[Backlineman]

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]

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]

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

[Jim Garber]

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]

Cool find!

Jamie

[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]

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]

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]

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 (http://mtr.arcade-museum.com/MTR-1897-25-3/MTR-1897-25-3-17.pdf)

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 (http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=record_ID:nmah_605721)

Mick

[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.

[Mandoviol]

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

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

[brunello97]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Tavy]

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]

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

[Tavy]

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

Pictures?

Thanks, John.

[Jim Garber]

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]

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

[Jim Garber]

It is possible that the fellow in the photo with the darktop mandolin had a new fretboard added.