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Neapolitan mandolin

Neapolitan mandolin

Maker: Ideal (trade name of August Carlstedt)
Date: 1900-1925 ca.
Place Made:Chicago, Illinois, United States, North America
Model: Ideal
Serial No: 666 Written in red ink on label: #760
SignedCircular paper label inside instrument, in black text, the serial number in red ink: IDEAL / TRADE C [superimposed over] A [superimposed over a guitar] MARK / WARRANTED / #[illegible] 7[60]
MarkingsStamped in black ink on neck block: 666

DescriptionSoundboard: two­piece spruce: wide grain
Bowl: 20 rosewood staves, 18 inner nine ribs narrower, divided by holly stringing
Clasp: rosewood; festooned lower end
Head: mahogany, front face veneered with rosewood
Neck: mahogany; integral with head
Binding: ivory celluloid; trim comprised of seven­ply alternating ebony/maple stripe
Fingerboard: brown­stained maple; 18 nickel­silver T­frets; single­dot mother­of­pearl inlays behind 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th frets
Nut: bone
Bridge: missing
Tuners: two sets of worm­gear machine tuners with nickel­plated brass covers, brass rollers, and ivoroid heads
Tailpiece: nickel­plated brass
Rosette: elliptical; ivoroid binding; trim comprised of seven­ply alternating ebony/maple stripe
Pick guard: imitation tortoiseshell celluloid
Lacquer: slightly yellowed with craquelure
Bowl lining: black-brown mesh cloth
Blocks: light hardwood neck block
Top braces: spruce brace with tapered ends above soundhole; spruce brace with tapered ends below soundhole and at widest point of soundboard
Linings: kerfed spruce
DimensionsTotal mandolin length: 627 mm (24­11/16”)
Top length: 322 mm (12­11/16”)
Maximum body width: 194 mm (7­5/8”)
Maximum bowl height: 149 mm (5­7/8”)
Head length: 157 mm (6­3/16”)
Head width, top: 67 mm (2­5/8”)
Head width, bottom: 51 mm (2”)
Neck length (nut to ribs): 144 mm (5­21/32”)
Neck width, nut: 28 mm (1­3/32”)
Neck width, heel: 37 mm (1­15/32”)
Soundhole height: 47 mm (1­27/32”)
Soundhole width: 71 mm (2­13/16”)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 327 mm (12­7/8”) [approx. – estimated from discoloration on soundboard indicating previous bridge position]
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Object number: 03854