July Gallery Auction
Lot 28912:
Description
This Washburn bowl-back mandolin, likely a Style 115 or similar model, was manufactured by the Chicago firm Lyon and Healy. The instrument features a spruce soundboard with a multi-ply decorative purfling border and an oval soundhole. An inset pickguard made of tortoiseshell-patterned celluloid is featured below the soundhole with a floral scalloped edge. The bowl is constructed from approximately 13 dark rosewood ribs separated by thin, light-colored wood stringing. The mahogany neck supports a dark-stained hardwood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays at the 5th, 7th, and 10th frets. The headstock is finished with a rosewood veneer and houses two four-on-a-plate mechanical tuning machines with yellowed cream-colored buttons. A stamped metal tailpiece with a scalloped edge is mounted at the base of the body. An internal oval paper label is inscribed: THE NEW WASHBURN LATEST MODEL, with perimeter text stating: HIGHEST AWARD AT WORLD’S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, CHICAGO, 1893 and GOLD MEDAL AND DIPLOMA OF HONOR ANTWERP, 1894. The instrument is accompanied by a black hard-shell case with a red plush-lined interior. Included accessories are a vintage pack of Martin mandolin strings, a Master Key chromatic pitch instrument by WM. Kratt Co. in its original red plastic case, and one celluloid plectrum.
Overall Length: 24 inches
Body Width: 7.75 inches. Pickup is Friday, July 31, from Noon to 7 pm at our facility in Lancaster, OH. Alternate pickup day is available by appointment for a $5 fee per lot or we will provide in-house shipping for this item. If shipping – once packed up we will send you a separate invoice for shipping & handling. Shipping questions: [email protected]. Sales tax collected on this auction. Our warehouse is in Lancaster, OH. If not shipping – pickup in 10 days or we will dispose and you will not receive a refund. AB342
Condition report:
The instrument is in overall good vintage condition for its age. The finish on the spruce top and rosewood bowl shows age-appropriate checking, minor surface scratches, and small dings, particularly around the headstock edges. The rib construction of the bowl remains largely tight, although a faint line on one side rib suggests a possible historical seam repair or stable separation. The bridge is present and appears to be original. The case shows external scuffing and wear to the hardware but remains functional. The instrument has not been tested for functional playability or structural tension under modern string gauges.
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