May Flower Mandolin

[mandolinman6359]

I have a May Flower Mandolin - Antone Valletti - Naples, Italy

It is a bowl back. Has 32 ribs. Pearl inlay fret board. Original label inside. In pretty decent original condition.

I have no clue of value.

I will send photos upon request to anyone interested.

Is there any knowledge out there?

[Jim Garber]

A lot depends on the condition. Many of these bowlbacks are from around the turn of the last century and were often left in hot attics.

Post photos of yours. If you want to sell it you can place an ad in the classifieds and if you sell it can donate 2% or more of the selling price to the site. Otherwise, you don't list anything for sale in posts in the forums.

Mayflower is a decent bowlback but unless it is super ornate and top of the line and in perfect playable condition it will not be worth a lot of money. You are talking generally $300-500 if it were toward the upper end of the line, clean and all original and would not need any repairs.

I posted a pdf of a 1901 May Flower catalog here.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm not sure we are comparing apples to apples Jim,

I have a May Flower Mandolin - Antone Valletti - Naples, Italy

You won't know unless he posts a picture with the label.

[allenhopkins]

Not to get into harp-guitars (why not? They're super-cool). but this harp-guitar article discusses "May Flower" and "Mayflower" instruments, including the Valletti name on US labels, and identical labels that mention the Wurlitzer line of music shops, but not Valletti.

Somewhat informative. As to the mandolin in question, pics needed.

[Jim Garber]

I'm not sure we are comparing apples to apples Jim

You won't know unless he posts a picture with the label.

I am not 100% sure what you are saying? He mentioned May Flower and Antone Valletti. Yes, it would be better if he actually posetd any photos including the label.

Here is a much better front cover of that catalog which does mention Valetti. He obviously worked for Flower & Groehsl at that point.