American mandolin harp

Alternate name(s)

Fretless zither
Chord zither
Zither, chord, melody strings, gizmo, button-activated plucking mechanism over melody strings

Maker Oscar Schmidt

Maker Oscar Schmidt Company

Date1904-1911 ca.

Place MadeJersey City, New Jersey, United States, North America

ModelAmerican Mandolin Harp Style B

Serial No.none

SignedPrinted in yellow, gold, and black (label faded): [curved] AMERICAN MANDOLIN HARP / Style-B / Patented May 29,
1894 / September 26, 1899. / Sept. 27, 1899 June 8, 1900 / Manufactured by / OSCAR SCHMIDT / [curved] 87-101 Ferry St., Jersey City, N. J.
MarkingsDecal on gizmo: PATENTED AND PATENTS PENDNG.
Decal on front: AMERICAN / MANDOLIN HARP / SPECIAL / NIAGARA MODEL
DescriptionFive chord groups with bass on right: A, D, F, G, C
Twenty-one melody strings
Two octaves plus C#, F#, and G3 in each octave
Melody strings played by pressing buttons on keyboard
Dimensions19.5” x 15.25”
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.

Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979

Object number00097

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