Vintage Gibson Mandolin Cases

[Marvino]

Hello,
I have a 1925 Ajr mandolin that did not come with a case. I would like to eventually get an original case for it. I see cases on Ebay from time to time, but dont know how to date them. I see purple, green and yellowish lined cases. Is there any certain color for model or year?
Thanks

[mandobassman]

That's interesting. I never thought about the case lining color corresponding to a year. I had a 1924 Gibson A Snakehead and the case had a green lining.

[FLATROCK HILL]

My '20 'A'... Purple.

[danb]

Hello,
I have a 1925 Ajr mandolin that did not come with a case. I would like to eventually get an original case for it. I see cases on Ebay from time to time, but dont know how to date them. I see purple, green and yellowish lined cases. Is there any certain color for model or year?
Thanks

1925 serials (>81xxx by the "old" accounting) usually came with a lime green case lining in a sort of flannel.. or a lime green loar fabric color in silk. Unfortunately they are also the most sought after ones..

It looks like purple flannel or red silk were in use from about 1910-1920.. then around 1920 you see light green flannel (that goes slightly yellow) or dark green silk.. then after 1925 or so it changes to lime green flannel or lime green silk.

the flannel and silk were separate catalog items, usually the "better silk" would go with an A4 or so.. you could also get a canvas/chipboard-like case from 1910-1930, or a Loar-style case but shorter for your F2/F4. Finally- there was a leather tooled case avaialble in the early years, roughly 1902-1910 for the 3pts and A-models.

Very few of those canvas or leather ones made it to current times in good shape

[Marvino]

1925 serials (>81xxx by the "old" accounting) usually came with a lime green case lining in a sort of flannel.. or a lime green loar fabric color in silk. Unfortunately they are also the most sought after ones..

It looks like purple flannel or red silk were in use from about 1910-1920.. then around 1920 you see light green flannel (that goes slightly yellow) or dark green silk.. then after 1925 or so it changes to lime green flannel or lime green silk.

the flannel and silk were separate catalog items, usually the "better silk" would go with an A4 or so.. you could also get a canvas/chipboard-like case from 1910-1930, or a Loar-style case but shorter for your F2/F4. Finally- there was a leather tooled case avaialble in the early years, roughly 1902-1910 for the 3pts and A-models.

Very few of those canvas or leather ones made it to current times in good shape

Wow very helpful info. Thank You
By the old way of counting, mine would be a 1924. Which would be light green if I am understanding it correctly?

I think I am going to go to the old way of dating mandos for now. Was looking at Spanns Guide tonight and Im going to need a little more proof then page 44. That was the best example to print? (which I dont see January any where on invoice, I see June 10 1930 twice.) But thats a whole different subject I spose. Still a very cool book as far as history.

[dustyamps]

Assorted colors of A cases

[Loudloar]

I don't know how to date them. (cases) I see purple, green and yellowish lined cases. Is there any certain color for model or year?

Frankly, your A jr. probably came originally with a canvas case that fell apart long ago. If you can find a vintage hard case that's anywhere close to the right era it will be a great addition, and you should not worry too much whether it is an exact original style case.

Gibson cases before 1920 were primarily by M&W (Maulbetsch & Whittemore). After 1920 they were mostly by G&S (Geib & Schaeffer). The earlier cases are not always trademarked, but by the early 1920's you should find a G&S stamp on the bottom. It's hard to tie particular colors to a particular year. There were always 3 or 4 quality levels of lining such as: flannel, velveteen, and 1 or 2 qualities of plush. And there always seemed to be multiple colors available. Purple flannel and red plush seemed to be popular colors in every era. Some of the teens cases had corduroy lining, which ceased to be used later. When G&S became the prime supplier to Gibson in the early 1920's they started using a rich green plush in addition to red plush on their highest quality Masterkraft cases.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of these cases check out the Vintage Case website: http://www.stevekirtley.org/vintagecases.htm and Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vint...strumentcases/

Steve

[Marvino]

Frankly, your A jr. probably came originally with a canvas case that fell apart long ago. If you can find a vintage hard case that's anywhere close to the right era it will be a great addition, and you should not worry too much whether it is an exact original style case.

Gibson cases before 1920 were primarily by M&W (Maulbetsch & Whittemore). After 1920 they were mostly by G&S (Geib & Schaeffer). The earlier cases are not always trademarked, but by the early 1920's you should find a G&S stamp on the bottom. It's hard to tie particular colors to a particular year. There were always 3 or 4 quality levels of lining such as: flannel, velveteen, and 1 or 2 qualities of plush. And there always seemed to be multiple colors available. Purple flannel and red plush seemed to be popular colors in every era. Some of the teens cases had corduroy lining, which ceased to be used later. When G&S became the prime supplier to Gibson in the early 1920's they started using a rich green plush in addition to red plush on their highest quality Masterkraft cases.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of these cases check out the Vintage Case website: http://www.stevekirtley.org/vintagecases.htm and Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vint...strumentcases/

Steve

Wow, that is awesome. Never knew such a site existed. Thanks

[1939Dodge]

Anyone have a picture of the correct key for the case for my 1915 A4?

[pops1]

There was a thread not long ago about this. They are easy to make. If you do a search it should come up.

[MikeEdgerton]

Anyone have a picture of the correct key for the case for my 1915 A4?

It probably looks like this. I posted this same image on your Facebook post.

[Jim Garber]

Steve Kirtley has a whole site devoted to vintage instrument cases.

[Loudloar]

Steve Kirtley has a whole site devoted to vintage instrument cases.

And a Facebook group devoted to discussion of vintage instrument cases: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vint...strumentcases/

Steve

[mandroid]

One I got after the fact for 1 22 A is too small, thin in depth, for a tone-gard,

the one that stayed with the other , A4 is deeper and I can leave the tone-gard on.

both are green lined.. FWYW..