Made by Giovanni Marino de Tulio 1896

I just bought a Mandolin because it was so ornate I could not pass it up.

The label says Made by Giovanni Marino de Tulio 1896. I might not be reading the exact spelling correctly.

I obtained it from the estate sale of a 93 year old lady, so assume it is safe to assume the date is authentic.

So putting out a call for the early instrument experts, maybe you could tell me a little something about this mandolin?

I'm new here and trying to figure out how to attach pictures. I attached one and can add more if this works.

I don't know much about these old Italian ones myself, but more pictures are likely to bring more responses. Especially (1) back of the mandolin body, (2) back of the headstock showing the backside of the tuners(tuning machines) and (3) best picture you can get of the label. Interesting that while it looks old, it shows little or no wear.

benny

More pictures to help identify

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Excellent photos, corp. Looks like the real McCoy(ianno). If those pics don"t get some response, I'll be surprised. 21(?) staves all fluted. The "made by" label suggests it was made for export. Hopefully the resident bowlheads will opine. If not, you might try Mandolinluthier.com, (Dave Hynds) in France for more knowledgable background.

Oh yeah, how does it play and sound?

benny

I'm not a bowl-back expert, but that looks like a high grade model in good shape. The headstock inlay is amazing. Looks like it's in good condition, but I'd probably not string it up with anything until somebody knowledgeable in mandolin repairs looks it over - you don't want to disrupt the neck/body join or induce a crack by putting on standard medium gauge mandolin strings.

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Originally Posted by bennyb

Oh yeah, how does it play and sound?

benny

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I have not tried to play it as I don't want to risk damage to a 124 year old intrument, but it does appear to be very solid, straight and playable.

This is an upper-end Italian bowlback. I don't know if it is "de Tulio" or "de Julio"—I would lean toward the latter. I have a file of old instrument photos but nothing from this maker. He also does not appear in my violin maker book. The quality of workmanship looks pretty decent though it would need some work: replacing missing pearl border parts and the pearl piece that would have been on the back of the neck. I would have someone look at it to make sure it is structurally sound before stringing it up and I would use ultra light strings when you do. Best strings IMHO are Dogal Calace RW92b dolce. In US you can get them at bernunzio.com.

Well....Tullio and De Tullio (two 'l's) is not an uncommon Italian name. It has a different etymology in both Italian and Spanish from the common "Julio". In Spanish, Tulio, naturally has just one "l".

GMdT doesn't show up in my files, either.

The label looks pretty curious to me. Such a gorgeous mandolin with a hand written label that looks like it was cut out with a pair of children's scissors and sort of glued in? And the "Made by" in English? Seems potentially sketchioso to me, perhaps a later addition by the owner?

All that is speculation on my part.

Corpblues....where are you located that you would find such a lovely mandolin? I'm guessing there might be a case, given the apparent good condition it is in.

Of course, we would all love to see more photos of the mandolin. ;)

Fair play to you!

Mick

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Originally Posted by brunello97

Corpblues....where are you located that you would find such a lovely mandolin? I'm guessing there might be a case, given the apparent good condition it is in.

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I live in Dallas and bought it at an estate sale. I'm an acoustic guitar player who is drawn to vintage instruments, thus immediately noticed the quality work put into the build of this mandolin. There was no case included. I showed up early and was the first one in at the sale as I expected it would be bought quickly.

From the comments, maybe an owner added the label and perhaps misspelled the name? That label does look very old, but does not match the quality of the instrument itself.

Can't decide to keep or let it it got to a new home that would appreciate it more and put it to active use. I currently have about 10 guitars as I just can't say no to a quality vintage instrument.

In Dallas, you say.....we're just down I35 a piece....

If you do think of selling it, please PM me. Been getting my Italian mandolin back on during these CoVid days.

Thanks!

Mick

What would fair market value range be for this mandolin?

I plan on keeping it for now. But would like to have an idea of fair value if I do decide to re-home it..

Certainly a very nice Italian-looking instrument. But it also has a bit of American flair to me. Label in English and American-looking flowerpot on a headstock. Anyone noticed? I haven't seen a single one like that on Italian instruments. My guess would be perhaps an Italian luthier in USA made this instrument. Possibly taking other, more lucrative route in life shortly afterwards so we do not see his other creations around. Just a guess though...

the name looks like de Julis to me.

I took a few more pictures.

And even more interesting is, if you look closely you can see the remnants of another rectangular label. Thus someone must have replaced the original, assuming the old feel off so they made a new label. We who knows the actual makers name, unless we can find another of the same build.

Another pic

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From my limited experience I know whether the neck is straight or not is critical, especially since repairs on the neck can be cost prohibitive. The narrow fluted back Make this a high end instrument but the value would depend on the neck condiction in my opinion. I just recently bought a beautiful, fully playable (restored), unmarked 19C bowlback from France for under $400, for reference.

I have 4 American-made bowlbacks, all playable (although not as fancy a headstock as yours,) all were in the $200 price range. Much depends on playability and if any neck repairs are required, as mentioned above. But a nice-looking mandolin, it would get a second look from me!

Feel free to make me an offer

Beautiful instrument !

Rules here are not to discuss financial transactions on the forums. Place an ad in the classifieds and be sure to pay 2% of the sale price to support the site.

My appologies. I have placed an ad in the classifides (pending review). I am more than happy to support the site!

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Originally Posted by corpblues

My appologies. I have placed an ad in the classifides (pending review). I am more than happy to support the site!

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David: You might do well if you post at least one good photo on the ad and/or link to others.

Picture uploaded to ad. I can only get one picture to upload to the ad, is that the limit? Still figuring out this site. Thanks for all the help!

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Originally Posted by corpblues

Picture uploaded to ad. I can only get one picture to upload to the ad, is that the limit? Still figuring out this site. Thanks for all the help!

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Yes, that is the limit. You can link to more photos on a URL. I usually set up a page with a few choice photos. Like this one. It saves me lots of extra time sending a bunch of photos to each inquiry. You can also link to an image hosting page I believe.

Looks like a very nice mandolin. Hopefully the structure is sound.

I've not seen an instrument of that quality with an unlined bowl. I have no reason to doubt the date.

Adding fresh comment to see if anyone else has additional input or comments on my mystery mandolin. I still have it sitting in a corner as I'm still not certian what I have. Thanks to everyone that has provided input thus far!