my bowl-back mandolin

[Juliet]

Greetings!

I am new to this place as of this afternoon. Before a staff member sent me a tutorial, I posted photos and questions to a thread, but now I am folloiwing the tutorial.

This is an instrument I am thinking of selling. I joined today in hopes of learning more about it, and also thinking that someone might advise me of how much to ask for it. I may post it on the Reverb site, but meanwhile a relative is interested.

It has been asleep in its case in a safe, dry, temperature-controlled closet for many years. To my sorrow, I do not seem to have the aptitude for learning to play string instruments.

Any ideas about the instrument would be appreciated.

It was not until I began photographing its details that I noticed the printing on a paper - exposed because part of the inlay near the sound hole was lost before I owned it. German text - but my linguist cousin thinks it is not from a newspaper.

As I had previously loaded my images for the thread "identifying and pricing an old bowlback", it seemed that I was to click and drag those to this post. I was not finished, but can't figure out how to resume loading. Those not here show details of the case - interior and exterior. You can find those on that other thread, if you wish to see. I

Thanks very much -
Juliet

[Randi Gormley]

to be honest, the case looks worth more than the mandolin. but i'm no expert, so i'll just put that out there and wander off.

[Juliet]

to be honest, the case looks worth more than the mandolin. but i'm no expert, so i'll just put that out there and wander off.

Thank you.

[MikeEdgerton]

The case is much newer than the mandolin. The mandolin was American made, probably in Chicago by one of the known builders, possibly Harmony, it was a lower grade instrument based on the number of staves on the back, probably before 1920. It's not in spectacular condition and bowlback mandolins that are in better shape than this fail to sell weekly on eBay. The case is worth more than the mandolin but the value of both isn't all that much. The German text has me a bit confused but it could have been sold by a dealer dealing into the German speaking community. These were made "for the trade" so they could be labeled or not labeled by a school or retailer as their own. I'd like to see a picture of the label with the writing on it.

[Jstring]

I sold a similar bowlback here on the cafe last month. I listed it for $250 and got no replies. I tried again at $150 (including shipping) and it sold in about a week. I think you could get $150-$250 if you’re patient. Sorry it’s not worth more. Mandolin is somewhat of a niche instrument and bowlbacks are a niche within a niche....

[Seter]

If it plays well, it might be a good instrument for the interested relative. I have a fairly similar old bowlback that works as a serviceable instrument, I think I paid around 90$ for it.

[Jim Garber]

I think it was made possibly my Lyon & Healy for the trade. My guess is that the marquetry pieces for the pickguard were glued to the backing paper so they would not get lost. Then they were glued to the top of the mandolin.

[Juliet]

Thank you for your response. I apologize thanking you so late!

[Juliet]

Thank you for your response. I should have answered much sooner, but illness, hospitalization, and surgery got in the way, and I am just now catching up.

[Juliet]

Many thanks for your response! Sorry to be late with this.

[allenhopkins]

The "scoop" top to the headstock was often found on less expensive Lyon & Healy models around 1900 +/-. The German newsprint could well be backing for an inlaid pickguard imported from Germany, part of which has eroded away, exposing the backing. (This is pure speculation on my part.) The lyre tailpiece is not a common L&H feature -- they tended toward a "crown" shape on their fancier instruments -- but it's been seen on other US mandolins.

Can't quite tell from the pic if some of the ribs are maple and some rosewood (or at least another, darker wood). Bowl-backs with alternating maple/mahogany or maple/rosewood ribs were quite common around the same era. However, they were usually strictly alternating, not a few ribs of one kind spaced randomly around the bowl, which is what this one seems to show. Combined with the evident repairs to the bowl, I wonder if some of the ribs have been replaced at some point. (Again, speculation.)

As to value, assuming it's playable as is, the condition issues are going to make it a hard sell at $150 or more. There might, as suggested above, be more interest in the case than in the mandolin itself.

Does the mandolin have a history within your family? If so, selling it at a nominal price to the "interested relative" would be my recommendation.

[brunello97]

Year in and year out our property value increases at a far quicker rate than our house does. Likely the case with your case, too.

The mandolin looks like it mostly has cosmetic issues (though it is hard to tell from the given photos.)

The instrument might fetch you $50. The case $75. Together? $100, $125 max.

My recommendation: Reread Allen's post.

MIck

[Jim Garber]

I second Allen's recommendation to sell it to the interested relative. Frankly, given the missing marquetry pieces of the pickguard and the general worn top I would just give it to him or her. Her or she may want to do a little work to make it playable or hang it somewhere.