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Thread: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Greetings,

    I have this 1907 Raffael Calace (Lyra?) Mandolin (Photos attached). It is in good condition with a missing a knob on one tuning peg and has some minor defects in the fancy work. No cracks of significant scratches. I am thinking of selling it and would like to know what is the best way to get a good appraisal and where I should sell it.

    My mother bought this for me when I was about 13 years old in about 1965. I found it in an antique shop in San Diego and was interested in learning to play. I never learned but have kept this in various closets for the past 47? years.

    Any information or thoughts are appreciated.

    Thanks

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  3. #2
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Wow, that is really a fantastic looking instrument!, you must not play her if your going to sell but bet it sounds neat. I don't know what its worth but maybe a bunch, Calace mandolins are sought after by some, I don't think your thing is too common? Someone here knows and they'll chime in. I like the looks of it, very cool!

  4. #3
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    I just looked better at the photos and it does have some top cracks. but still some serious inlay work in that one!

  5. #4
    bass player gone mando
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Very cool looking instrument. I would contact Retrofret in Brooklyn. They have quite a number of interesting old instruments like harp-guitars etc. Google them, or you should see a link to their site right on this page.
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  6. #5

    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    I have an 1897 Calace Mandolyra. I would be happy to speak with you about it and make you an offer. -Jim Rosenthal 214-693-6366
    Jim Rosenthal
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  7. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Tho these are high quality instruments they appeal more to collectors than players. That one is quite cool tho with wonderful inlays esp the ones on the horns. Yikes! Do you have a case for that? Those are pretty scary. I am not too sure if that bridge is the original one.
    Jim

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  8. #7
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    These mandolini dei tori have always been a bit frightening to me, but as an excuse for some nutty design license, I really do enjoy them.

    I particularly appreciate the Calaces' exploration of the asymmetrical flourish within the general symmetry of the mandolin design. (While I'm ambivalent about the Gibson F-style scrolling, I enjoy it for the same reason, as I do with the L+H carved top mandolins. Okay, the F4s really do rock from a design pov.) Cristofaro was another maker who pushed this asymmetry / symmetry design tension out to some extremes. Not always successful, but Heinrich Wölfflin would certainly be engaged.

    I'm with Jim, those tentacolini are badaxx.

    Mick
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  9. #8
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Here's an 1898 "Fratres Calace" that someone is asking me about. Label says Neapoli (the Greek name of Naples, not the Italian name). Any idea of a ballpark value? Looks like it needs a fret job, at a minimum. Click image for larger version. 

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  10. #9

    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Price really depends on whether there is someone on the market at the moment after a mandolyra.

  11. #10

    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    there's one currently for sale here
    https://rudysmusic.com/collections/m...-w-custom-case

  12. #11
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by mlewis1973 View Post
    there's one currently for sale here
    https://rudysmusic.com/collections/m...-w-custom-case
    I am guessing that this is from the owner’s collection. Rudy sells off some of his more desirable or rare stuff from time to time. The last thing I saw was a Gibson A-3 painted turquoise and adorned with rhinestones. Big price on this novelty mandolin. Think what you could get for $7000.
    Jim

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  13. #12
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1907 Raffael Calace Lyra Mandolin

    For posteriority.

    You wait long enough and some things don't come back in style.

    You think those little finials are ivory? That would be a bummer.

    Mick
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