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 MODELDescriptionFive chord groups with bass on right: A, D, F, G, CTwenty-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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