Interesting tidbits from old British mandolin method book

[Schlegel]

I got a copy of How to Play the Mandoline by G.G. Glen Turriff in the case of a De Meglio clone. Circa 1900, I think. Selling for sixpence originally, the method is nothing out of the ordinary, but of interest is that the author specifically recommends other methods and also mandolins.

For methods, he recommends Christofaro and also Bellenghi (whom I have not heard of before), although he does note these are quite costly for the average student at 2 and 5 shillings, respectively.

Here's a passage on choosing a mandolin:

"The novice, if he is unable to test the tone of a mandoline for himself, and if he cannot get a expert to do it for him, must simply trust to the honour of the dealer; but if the instrument is from the hands of makers such as Vinaccia, Salvino, Ricci, or De Meglio - names that are as "Strad" to the violinist- he may rest assured that he has a satisfactory instrument, at least, though what profit the dealer takes out of it is another question. It is perhaps small comfort to him to know that it is better to have paid too much for a fairly good instrument than to have paid little for a bad one. The writer has no interest in naming the above firms further than that he seen instruments from all four, and they are certainly as satisfactory as any. In concluding, it may be said that a fairly good mandoline can be had for about ₤ 2; but if the student can afford twice that sum, by all means get a dearer, always preferring one with as little inlay as possible."

[Ed Goist]

...snip...
Here's a passage on choosing a mandolin:...snip...
"...it is better to have paid too much for a fairly good instrument than to have paid little for a bad one...."

This phrase alone is worth whatever you paid for the book.

[brunello97]

What fun, Schlegel. You can almost hear the accent in text. Note his advice viz bling.

Does anyone have examples of Salvino or (Luigi?) Ricci to post. They are missing from my archive.

Mick

[Jim Garber]

I know I have a few photos of Luigi Ricci and probably have Salvino as well. Interesting, that the author mentions them in the same breath as Vinaccia. I know that DeMeglio must have been imported to the UK in boatloads, but was not aware that those other two were in any quantity.

[Henry Girvan]

Hello Schlegel,

You are making me feel very old. That was my first tutor book which I bought "new" for sixpence. I hope that you see he was the Conductor of the Aberdeen Mandoline Band. In this little book he goes into great length as to how to hold the bowlback instrument and you will see how he shows how to play both seated and standing. He also wrote another book "Elementary Tutor for the Mandoline" (Specially suited for self Instruction) price ninepence.

[Henry Girvan]

I will try and post a couple of photos from the book to show G.G.Glen Turriff in action.

Not sure if I've done this right, as it says attachments, but lets try.

[brunello97]

I know I have a few photos of Luigi Ricci and probably have Salvino as well. Interesting, that the author mentions them in the same breath as Vinaccia. I know that DeMeglio must have been imported to the UK in boatloads, but was not aware that those other two were in any quantity.

There was a Salvino for sale at Christie's some time back, alas with no photo. But their description of the label included 'Allievi di Vinaccia'. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Turriff protesteth too much in his claims of 'no financial interest' particularly from this period in musical history. I don't think that Gibson or Lyon and Healy pulled their business models out of thin air. Anyhow the Christies' Salvino sounded quite nice. Jim, Luigi Ricci not Luigi Ricca, right? I look forward to seeing one of those.

Mick

[Jim Garber]

A. Salvino & Comp.... allievi dei Fratelli Vinaccia. Here are two, first from 1901.

[Jim Garber]

This one marked 1897.

[Jim Garber]

Here are a few Luigi Riccis.

[brunello97]

Excellent, Jim. Piazza Cavour on the Ricci label....that is no dark waterfront vico. The '97 Salvino is very interesting. It seems rather stubby in proportions. Or is it the photos? The soundholes seem oddly placed with the bridge north of them. Doesn't seem to be enough room for a bridge between them and the cant as with contemporary Calaces. What a comprehensive thread....

Mick

[Jim Garber]

Yes, Mick. that is a little odd but we have always thought that those holes were a little odd, right?

[brunello97]

Not the holes themselves, but their location. Okay, well, maybe the holes. Anyhow, take a look at their position on a few Calaces from this era and let me know what you think. These almost look like they were put in after market. Or else this is one weird mandolin. But I guess we've seen more than a few of those. Would make one wonder about Mr. Turriff's advice, however. Or his commission.....

Mick

[dave17120]

Hope you don't mind if I add the Salvino to my site Jim, haven't come across photos of his before...... how many others do you have that I don't I wonder??!!

Dave

[Martin Jonas]

I would also think that the holes on the Salvino were aftermarket additions -- I've never seen them on a Vinaccia-style mandolin, and I've never seen them on a pre-1910 instrument. In addition, as Mick has already said, they are placed precisely where the bridge should be, and they are not parallel: the right one is closer to the cant.

The Ricci ones look like bog-standard massmarket mandolins, which does not sit well with the prestigious address. I suspect that Ricci may have been the house brand of a large music emporium (or possibly even a department store) at that address, rather than an actual mandolin maker.

Martin

[Plamen Ivanov]

The ce_1 looks familiar. Jim, do you have any info on it?

[Jim Garber]

The ce_1 looks familiar. Jim, do you have any info on it?

These were from 3 or 4 years ago on eBay. I can check my files to see if I saved any text info.

[Plamen Ivanov]

May be I'm wrong, but for some reason it reminds me of our good friend Eugene. I think it used to belong to him at least for a certain period of time. But once again, i might be wrong...

Thanks, Jim!

[Jim Garber]

Actually, Plami, I don't recall Eugene ever owning any Italian-made mandolins, but of course, I could be wrong on that point.

[brunello97]

May be I'm wrong, but for some reason it reminds me of our good friend Eugene. I think it used to belong to him at least for a certain period of time. But once again, i might be wrong...

Thanks, Jim!

Nice to be reminded of Bro' Eug in any event, Plami. Thanks for that.

Mick

[billkilpatrick]

wild guess on the holes - could they reflect a modification along these lines?



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gdulka-bow_copy.jpg

[billkilpatrick]

experiment - trying to see if i have the image attachment thing right:

[Schlegel]

Hello Schlegel,

You are making me feel very old. That was my first tutor book which I bought "new" for sixpence. I hope that you see he was the Conductor of the Aberdeen Mandoline Band. In this little book he goes into great length as to how to hold the bowlback instrument and you will see how he shows how to play both seated and standing. He also wrote another book "Elementary Tutor for the Mandoline" (Specially suited for self Instruction) price ninepence.

Sorry


Actually, the position advice was better than the average manual, I must say.

[Jim Garber]

Gadulka?

[Plamen Ivanov]

Gadulka?

Right!

And you were also right about the ce_1. Here is what Eugene said: "Nope, this one is not mine, but it is similar to a 1915 C.F. Martin & Co. style 2 mandolin I used to own...and it is on a green sheet similar to that I often use as a backdrop in photographing instruments."