Red Maple Violin Shop Mandolins

Hello everyone,

Longtime lurker and finally felt I should make an actual account. I recently acquired two handmade mandolins from my great aunt. The shop that made them was called Red Maple Violin Shop and located in Pekin, Indiana. The owner/luthier, Larry Hopkins, has unfortunately passed away in the last few years. I have attached a picture of them in their case. Hopefully someone here knows at least a little something about them. I can also take better/more in-depth photos if possible.

EDIT:
I found an archived version of the old website that gives a little more information on them: https://web.archive.org/web/20100409...dex.php?type=4

Here's an older MC thread on Larry Hopkins, but there isn't much there: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...kins-mandolins

There is a little bit of information here: https://traditionalarts.indiana.edu/...lders-2008.pdf

Hi! I was lucky enough to have been friends with Larry. He made beautiful instruments. I have a fiddle and a mandolin made by him.

I actually have #56 with the rose painted on it😊 and the 300 yr old pine top.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rooloo22

I actually have #56 with the rose painted on it😊 and the 300 yr old pine top.

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That is awesome. I wish I could find out more information about my mandolins, but it seems to have become a fruitless endeavor. His widow thinks she misplaced his book with his mandolin specifications and orders.

May I ask who your great aunt was? Did she jam with Larry at the fiddle shop?
What numbers are your mandolin?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rooloo22

May I ask who your great aunt was? Did she jam with Larry at the fiddle shop?
What numbers are your mandolin?

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My great aunt got the mandolins from my grandpa, Martin Kennedy. She didn't play, but he did. I will have to double check the numbers. I don't believe I have a picture on my phone.

How do they sound?

Loud and clear, I think they play beautifully.