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."
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