I have these two antique mandolins. My dad thinks he got the Vega when he was 7 (1942). Says the Lyra was his dad's (born 1900--no idea when he played it). Anyone have any idea how much they might be worth? Thanks for your input.
I have these two antique mandolins. My dad thinks he got the Vega when he was 7 (1942). Says the Lyra was his dad's (born 1900--no idea when he played it). Anyone have any idea how much they might be worth? Thanks for your input.
Lyra was a brand name owned by Bruno in New York. Bruno was a distributor. I believe the Lyra mandolin was made in Chicago, most likely by Regal. That is an entry level mandolin that fails to sell weekly on eBay. The value is less than $100.00. The Vega is the nicer of the two mandolins but I'm really not familiar with what that is worth so I'll let one of the other vintage folks field that one. It isn't worth a huge amount of money but is worth more and a bit more desirable than the other. Have you got the case for either mandolin?
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
OK, as nobody else seems to want to jump in here, a few similar but not exactly the same Vega mandolins have been sold recently on eBay. The prices are all over the place and none appear to be in the same condition as yours. Judging by those sales (not offerings but actually sold mandolins) I would put the value of the Vega in the 400.00 to 500.00 range, assuming it has a case and doesn't have any other hidden structural issues. It might bring more in a retail shop. If anyone else has other sales information they'll pop in.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I like the Vega mandolin. Looks like a 201 model (this is mine).
It looks like the original cloud tailpiece is missing?
Mike's estimate for the Vega sounds right depending on condition.
Larry
Thank you for the information. I have the cases for both.
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Thank you, Mike.
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