1920´s J. R. Stewart Le Domino Mandolin

[Gaspar]

Hi folks!
This is my very first post. Im from Buenos Aires, Argentina and I play ukulele mostly but I wanted to try mandolin too.
I recently bought my first mandolin, a rare Le Domino. I have a couple Le Domino ukuleles and they are hard to find but this is the only le domino mandolin I have ever seen.
here are some pics:

http://i48.############/k21opf.jpg

http://i46.############/igm2yu.jpg

http://i47.############/34xgpr7.jpg

http://i45.############/2qjdtds.jpg

[brunello97]

Bienvenido, Gaspar. These are cool. I have some images of others in my files at home that I'll try to post later. Meanwhile, here's Van


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25LhUHKVYMo

Mick

[brunello97]

Here is a page from a 1930 Tonk Bros. catalog advertising the Le Domino line of mandolins, tenor guitars, tiples, ukes, etc.

That yours is Stewart label is one more piece in the incestuous puzzle of Chicago instrument makers…

Mick

[Gaspar]

Thank you! I have that catalog. This mandolin was made by Jr Stewart betwen 1925 and 1929. Then tonkbross bought the "le domino" brand and a few year laters regal bought it from tonk bross.
Im doing a little research about J.R. Stewart but is hard to get info so if anyone know something about him and his instruments I would really apreciate it.
A rumor says that the Le domino brand was named after Josephine Baker as that was her nickname in France where she was very popular

[DerTiefster]

I was thinking about buying an ebay (? iirc) example of this domino mandolin just as a piece of history. I talked myself out of it, but they are prettier than many of the other decorated mandos of that era. Sometimes I wish I hadn't been so persuasive.... my father's old Regal-made (maybe '20s?) mandolin, and it has a very pleasant sound. They can be great fun and good listening enjoyment.

[brunello97]

Thank you! I have that catalog. This mandolin was made by Jr Stewart betwen 1925 and 1929. Then tonkbross bought the "le domino" brand and a few year laters regal bought it from tonk bross.
Im doing a little research about J.R. Stewart but is hard to get info so if anyone know something about him and his instruments I would really apreciate it.
A rumor says that the Le domino brand was named after Josephine Baker as that was her nickname in France where she was very popular

Good for you, Gaspar. Any holes that we can get filled in on this era of Chicago makers is very welcome. I admit I have blurred the Chicago JR Stewart with the Philadephian SS Stewart. There are tidbits of information in Bob Carlins "Regal" book but not a lot. Let's hope Mike Edgerton joins the conversation. He has as clear an understanding of anyone here viz the 20s-30s Chicago makers.

I'm sure you found this site on line about JR Stewart ukes:

JR Stewart ukes (http://www.banjoukes.com/Manufacturers/Stewart/J.%20R.%20Stewart.html)

It gives a street address for the company of 2541 W. 22nd. Street in Chicago. I'll try to track this down on some old Sanborn insurance maps and see if the Stewart shop shows up.

Cool stuff. Even more intriguing now that the Josephine Baker story is out. Here's a bit about JB and Martin tiples:

Josephine (http://martintiple.blogspot.com/2011/10/zouzou.html)

Wow. She's a lot better looking than Bill Monroe.

Mick

[psundstrom58]

Hi folks!
This is my very first post. Im from Buenos Aires, Argentina and I play ukulele mostly but I wanted to try mandolin too.
I recently bought my first mandolin, a rare Le Domino. I have a couple Le Domino ukuleles and they are hard to find but this is the only le domino mandolin I have ever seen.
here are some pics:

http://i48.############/k21opf.jpg

http://i46.############/igm2yu.jpg

http://i47.############/34xgpr7.jpg

http://i45.############/2qjdtds.jpg
Hello Gaspar,
Greetings from Horse Shoe, NC. I was also bidding on the Le Domino Mandolin that was posted on ebay. I presume this is the one that was listed from supro boy in san francisco. Glad it went to some one who appreciates ukulele. I have 2 Le domino ukes, 2 le domino parlor guitars, 1 le domino big boy and finally 1 le domino banjo uke. The parlor guitars sound the best as they are ladder braced.
I hope to find another mandolin soon. Have you made plans for the neck reset on the mandolin yet. I had neck resets on my parlor guitars. I have about 25 ukuleles and banjo ukes in my collection now.
Regards, Pete

[psundstrom58]

911339113491135911369113791138 This is my Le Domino Collection sans Mandolin

[Gaspar]

Brunello thank you so much! I´ve been trying to find out more about J.R. Stewart. He didn't stay in business too long. I wonder if there is descendents of him to help resolve the mistery.

Hi Pete!
Really nice collection you have there! I just love Le Domino intruments.
This mandolin is really nice but it needs a neck reset as you said.
Good luck finding one for yourself! If I see another one I will let you know.
Please send me a message with your email so we could talk about this things :)
Here is my humble Le Domino collection:

http://i45.############/24mvuc3.jpg

[8ch(pl)]

Those are nice instruments Gaspar.