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Menzenhauer's guitar-zither No. 2-1/2

Menzenhauer's guitar-zither No. 2-1/2

Alternate name:Chord zither
Alternate name:Fretless zither
Alternate name:Zither, chord, melody strings
Alternate name:Guitar zither
Distributor: U. S. Guitar Zither Co. (distributor associated with Oscar Schmidt Company)
Date: 1897-1899 ca.
Place Made:Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, North America
Place Distributed:New York, New York, United States, North America
Model: Menzenhauer's Guitar Zither No. 2-1/2
Serial No: none
SignedPrinted in gold on black paper label: U. S. GUITAR ZITHER CO. / 78 East Fourth Street New York / [SOLE] AGENTS [IN THE] UNITED STATES / OF THE / Menzenhauer Guitar-Zither / No. 2 1/2 / THIS INSTRUMENT WILL BE SOLD THROUGH / SPECIAL AGENTS ONLY.

Decal on front: MENZENHAUER'S / GUITAR ZITHER / PATENTED / MAY 29TH 1894.
MarkingsDecal: Menzenhauer’s / Guitar Zither / patented / May 29th 1894
DescriptionFive chord groups, bass note on left: A, D, F, G, C
Twenty melody strings
two octave range: C1-C15 and accidentals C#, F#, and G#
single fingerboard string
Dimensions19” x 14”
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Object number: 00093