Looking for information about builder Raphael Ciani

[Bill Foss]

I did a search of the forum and couldn't find anything about him. Can someone tell me about this luthier who was born in Italy but built instruments in New York? Are his mandolins highly regarded? How much might they be worth?

[MikeEdgerton]

While you're waiting take a look at these threads.

Mugwumps lists the name as:

Ciani, Rafael New York NY c1904-1932

From one of the threads in this search:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/s...l=1#post840547

[rcc56]

Ciani worked for the Galiano shop in New York City. The shop is sometimes referred to as the "Italian Luthiers' Guild." Galiano instruments tend to be of moderate quality. Many of the surviving instruments are not in the best of condition. Instruments that have survived in good condition are not particularly valuable, neither are they worthless. Their mandolins might bring roughly the same price as similar Washburn or early Regal instruments.