Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: John E Dallas identification?

  1. #1

    Default John E Dallas identification?

    Hey Guys!

    My Nanna just found this John E Dallas mandolin in the back of her cupboard.. it was her Uncles so we estimate 1910s - 1930s? Neither of us know anything about mandolins so any help identifying and estimating its worth would be much appreciated!

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	back.jpg 
Views:	88 
Size:	73.1 KB 
ID:	187989Click image for larger version. 

Name:	front.jpg 
Views:	94 
Size:	75.3 KB 
ID:	187990Click image for larger version. 

Name:	label.jpg 
Views:	120 
Size:	38.3 KB 
ID:	187991Click image for larger version. 

Name:	side.jpg 
Views:	91 
Size:	70.0 KB 
ID:	187992

  2. #2

    Default Re: John E Dallas identification?

    J E Dallas was a huge dealer in London- ultimately becoming Dallas-Arbiter. Most of their stringed instruments aside from banjos were made in Europe or the USA- depending on the era. However, I think your mandolin was made in the UK. Dallas left High Holborn in 1926 and arrived there in 1914- so it predates this move. The mandolin appears to be quite a nice instrument but as it is not set up to play, it is hard to judge too much about it. Certainly, it is all there and is of reasonable quality. However, if it needs repair, this would lower its value somewhat. Clifford Essex of London, another big dealer sold mandolins- some of which may have been made in their own workshop. There is one for sale on eBay right now- the seller mentions it is "low grade" and I think it has been for sale on and off for quite a while. There is a member here who has restored a Dallas mandolin and he may have more to contribute while others may ask for extra photos of certain features. However, as it is not strung up- and there is no stress on the instrument, it is possible that if strung up certain problems might be highlighted- although one would hope that is not the case!

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clifford-...YAAOSwDEBb9T-Z

    Here is a similar instrument for sale in the USA- there are some differences. http://www.sprucetreemusic.com/produ...ndolin-c-1920/

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Halifax, Yorkshire, England
    Posts
    233

    Default Re: John E Dallas identification?

    This is an example of their Francia model mandolin, endorsed on the label by the prominent mandolin maestro Leopoldo Francia, made about 1914-15 at the John E Dallas London workshop. It will have laminated rosewood back and sides. The scratchplate looks to have been cut down from the original floating version (similar to the Gibson scatchplate) and stuck on to the front - has the bridge also been stuck on? The fronts of these tend to split over time with shrinkage but yours looks OK. They are robustly built with high grade materials and components and the necks set tends to survive well. In the absence of splits I would guess this could be made playable quite easily and cheaply, and would be worth doing.
    There should be a serial number, impressed on the back of the headstock, which can be helpful in dating it more precisely.
    Anglocelt
    mainly Irish & Scottish but open to all dance-oriented melodic music.
    Mandos: Gibson A2, Janish A5, Krishot F5, Taran Springwell, Shippey, Weber Elite A5; TM and OM by Dave Gregory, J E Dallas, Tobin & Davidson.

  4. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: John E Dallas identification?

    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •