Accession Number

2016.005

Description

Bowl-backed mandolin. Ebony bridge and fretboard with mother of pearl inlay detailing. Imitation tortoise shell pick guard. Brazilian rosewood back with ivory inlay stripes. Top is Adirondack spruce with parquetry trim. Nickel plated tailpiece and plate on the back of headstock with the label "Washburn". Serial number 13632 is stamped into the base of the finger board. Paper label on the inside says "The Washburn, best in the world. Serial # 13632. The material and workmanship of this Washburn instrument, fully guaranteed for the term of one year from the date of original purchase provided this label is not mutalated. Highest Award at the World's Columbia Exposition, Chicago 1893. Gold Medal and Award of Honour, Antwerp 1894"

Narrative

This mandolin was made circa 1905-1910 by Lyon and Healy of Chicago, Illinois. It is a “Washburn” model with an Adirondack spruce top (soundboard) bordered by wood purfling and composition binding, has an imitation tortoise-shell pickguard, a nickel tailpiece to the ebony bridge, a Brazilian rosewood back, the neck probably made of Spanish cedar (from the Caribbean) with an ebony fingerboard, the back of the headstock covered with a nickel plate bearing the name “Washburn”. Standard tuning is GDAE. 

History of Use

unknown

Date

1905 – 1910

Dimensions

14 cm x 20 cm x 61 cm

Material

Wood, ebony; Wood, spruce; Metal, nickel; Ivory; Shell, mother of pearl; Wood, rosewood

Brand Name

George Washburn

Serial Number

13632

Inscription

label inside:
The Washburn, best in the world. Serial # 13632. The material and workmanship of this Washburn instrument, fully guaranteed for the term of one year from the date of original purchase provided this label is not mutalated. Highest Award at the World's Columbia Exposition, Chicago 1893. Gold Medal and Award of Honour, Antwerp 1894

Country of Origin

United States of America