The Stanley bowl mando ID

[PattyMo]

Got this old gal from an old gal recently. "The Stanley" and "New York", as well as drawings of instruments are visible on the label inside. Didn't see one quite like it in the ancient Ricci brochure you've published previously. Not as fancy as some of those, but still, an attractive "wall hanging" at the least. Any other insights and info on value, origins, etc welcome. It's in decent shape, though there is a slight bow to the neck. Then again, there's a slight bow to my neck, and I'm still somewhat valuable.Thanks much.

[allenhopkins]

In the Mugwumps Index of American Fretted Instrument Makers, "Stanley" is listed as a "Baehr & Bro. brandname," and "Baehr & Bro., Eugene" is listed as "NY City, 1897-98." Here's a PDF of an article from Music Trade Review (1898) about Eugene Baehr & Bro. on 14th Street in New York. However, the article doesn't say whether the company actually built the instruments, or just distributed them.

There were many firms that got involved in selling mandolins and other stringed instruments during the height of the instrument's popularity in the 1890-1920 era. Some of them built and sold them, some sold instruments built by other firms, and some did a bit of each. Apparently Eugene Baehr and his brother Herman were modestly successful selling mandolins -- which could also have been built by one of the many NY City luthiers of the period.

Eugene Baehr patented a design for a mandolin in 1898, with the distinctive feature being a headstock with all the tuners on one side. Doesn't look at all like the one you have.

[Jim Garber]

Didn't see one quite like it in the ancient Ricci brochure you've published previously.

Huh? Who are you talking to? What Ricci brochure?

[PattyMo]

Thanks, Allen. Very helpful. And Jim- I don't recall who posted the Ricci brochure; it described and depicted early bowl mandos by the Ricci company early 1900s. Doesn't seem to apply to my mandolin anyway. Thanks

[Jim Garber]

You prob mean the Luigi Ricca brochure.