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Greetings and let me thank those who respond in advance.
This mandolin belonged to my Grandmother. My dad is currently 95 so that puts grandmother living in the 1800. I remember her playing it at family parties and I recently had some extensive restoration work completed on same.
Any information provided is greatly appreciated, possible year, make and value. There are no name markings either outside or inside the instrument.
You should probably post this in the Forum "Looking for Information about mandolins"
is there an easy way to do that?
is there an easy way to change listing to what you recommend?
I am no expert but my inclination would be it was made by Oscar Schmidt of New Jersey in about 1910. These old bowl back mandolins do not command much in the way of value over and above their playability and sentimental value. Many makers used the butterfly motif- Harmony had one called the Dulceta by Sears, Roebuck- I saw an ad for one as sold by Sears as a Supertone recently- I will see if it is similar to this one but my first impression is OS. You may find that a moderator will switch this thread for you to the more obvious headline, as mentioned.
Thank you for your time and information.
I went back to the site and could not find the Dulceta- there was another called the Pearletta but the headstock shape was different. Here is an OS butterfly mandolin- different headstock but OS used the style we can see on your mandolin. As I mentioned, butterflies were commonplace and you see them on European mandolins as well but your mandolin is US made- that's pretty certain because of its hardware.
https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-mandolin.html
Nickr+++++++++you're the best!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your time, it means alot to me to get this information.
May your strings always be tight and ever in tune....happy strumming
Unfortunately very few bowlback mandolins bring high prices and they are marked with known brand names. The value in this instrument is the historical value to your family.
Thank you MikeQuote:
Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
Could be a decent player but I agree with my colleagues. Few bowlbacks are worth considerable money. This is a lower-end factory instrument so enjoy its history in Your family.
I haven't joined Reverb, so can't see the whole advt., but this seems to be a nearly identical instrument, based on the thumbnail. It's ID-ed as "Oscar Schmidt."
Asking price was $150.
Anybody know where or by whom the butterfly meme started?
They just have always been there from many builders in many countries.
Decorative like flowers, stars, moons, vines, etc.
You can see on many on Sicilian mandolins from Catania this farfalla (butterfly) libellula (darning needle) or falena (moth) most often cut into the overall profile of scratchguard, rather than inset as here.Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton
A wonderful and favorite motif.
One of my first Italian bowls was a decidedly MOR instrument from Lanfranco, likely made in Catania with the absolute most delightful spruce top and farfalla scratchguard.
I was hooked.
Mick