WT&B New York? Does anyone know of this maker?

I have a vintage bowl type mandolin with a label on the inside reading, "Carmencita Mandolin, W.T. & B. New York.

I am not home with my reference works, but I would make a guess at William Tonk & Brothers. I have a couple of catalogs at home, one from 1902 (I think) and one from later. I think i recall that Carmencita model. It looks rather plain, factory made. Possibly, decent sound tho. Usual caveat, extra light strings.

This is an interesting discussion. Was William Tonk related to the (eventual) Tonk Bros. who consolidated various Chicago brands in the '20s? I have found some references to W Tonk and a piano making company in NYC that was involved with other instruments (sales and/or manufacture.) This fellow, Peter Adams, has what appears to be an amazing collection of old catalogs:

http://peterhadams.com/T%20titles.htm

The W Tonk catalogs go back to the early 1890s, around the time of references to the founding of Tonk Bros. by one Charles Tonk.

I have an "Edwin" mandolin in my files with the note "Edwin WTB, NY-Chicago. This reference from the Adams site looks tantalizing:

Tonk, William & Bro. The "Edwin" album of Celebrities using and endorsing The "Edwin" Guitars and Mandolins. NY, NY: William Tonk & Bro; 1894, [32 p.] Strings: plucked. Page content alternates between illustration of actresses and players with testimonials, with illustrations of instruments ML155.T65

Looks like a lot of material is out there. Maybe Jim or others has some more to post.

Mick